{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://begich.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-begich-announces-guest-state-union-address", "Congressman Begich Announces Guest to State of the Union Address", "2026-02-23", "2026", "2026-02", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Nicholas J. Begich III", "B001323", "begich.house.gov", "begich", "https://begich.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Feb. 23, 2026 \u2013 Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) is proud to announce that Norann Kriner, owner of Kriner\u2019s Diner in Anchorage, Alaska, will join him as his guest at the President\u2019s State of the Union Address. The address will take place on Tuesday evening in the U.S. House Chamber.\n\n\u201cNorann Kriner represents the very best of Alaska,\u201d said Congressman Begich. \u201cAlongside her late husband, Andy Kriner, Norann worked to build a small family business that became a cornerstone of the Anchorage community. The Working Families Tax Cuts have helped businesses like hers retain employees and support working families, and I am proud to have her as my guest at this year\u2019s State of the Union.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m incredibly honored to be Congressman Begich\u2019s guest,\u201d said Norann Kriner. \u201cAfter losing my husband in December of 2024, coming to work every day and seeing the faces of our customers and staff has meant more to me than I can put into words. Carrying on my husband\u2019s legacy through generosity, hard work, and serving others is something I take to heart every single day. When I see our staff able to keep more of their hard-earned tips and support their own families, that\u2019s personal to me. That\u2019s why policies that support working families and small businesses matter so much in Alaska.\u201d\n\nKriner is the owner of Kriner\u2019s Diner, an Anchorage restaurant that has been serving Alaskans since 2010. Alongside her late husband of 45 years, Norann helped build Kriner\u2019s into a community staple known for its welcoming atmosphere and commitment to giving back. Following her husband\u2019s unexpected passing in December 2024, Norann has carried forward their shared legacy, continuing to lead the diner with strength and dedication.\n\nNorann has maintained Kriner\u2019s long-standing tradition of serving free meals on Thanksgiving Day for the past 12 years, ensuring families across Anchorage have a meal and a place to gather during the holidays. As a small business owner in a state with one of the highest costs of living in the country, Norann has seen firsthand the impact of the Working Families Tax Cuts. The No Tax on Tips provision has helped her retain valued employees and provide meaningful financial relief to her staff.\n\nKriner\u2019s story reflects the strength of Alaska\u2019s small businesses and the importance of policies that support working families across Alaska.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-17T05:47:03Z", "2026-04-17T05:48:33Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://begich.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-begich-announces-guest-state-union-address"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9843108709901571, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}