Andrew Kitchenman, Alaska Beacon

Andrew Kitchenman, Alaska Beacon
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Alaska Beacon is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alaska Beacon maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Andrew Kitchenman for questions: info@alaskabeacon.com. Follow Alaska Beacon on Facebook and X.


a river

Biden administration includes restrictions in Arctic refuge oil lease sale

In its decision, the BLM limited the lease sales to 400,000 acres, which is one-quarter of the coastal plain section of the refuge.
a trial

Judge declares mistrial in election-interference trial of former Alaska legislator

Anchorage Superior Court Judge Kevin Saxby found that there was a hung jury in the trial of former Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux.
stickers

Alaska election results are official: Here are 5 takeaways

Among the takeaways: There were no changes in the outcomes, but the margin defeating ranked choice repeal grew.
a rally

Trump closes in on Alaska win, aiming for 15th consecutive Republican victory in the state

If Trump wins, Alaska will have voted for the Republican in every election since it became a state, except for Lyndon Johnson in 1964.
a conference

North Slope oil project is on track, Santos head tells industry gathering

Kevin Gallagher, CEO of Santos, told the Alaska Oil and Gas Association conference that the Pikka project is nearly 60% complete.
voters

2 rural Alaska precincts fail to open for primary voting after workers don’t respond to state

In addition to the precincts that didn’t open, others opened roughly three hours late, around 10 a.m., officials said.
a protest

University of Alaska announces initial agreement with graduate workers on contract through 2026

The university described the pact as a tentative initial agreement that must go through more steps before it goes into effect.
A woman smiles at the camera

Dr. Anne Zink to leave position as Alaska chief medical officer

In an interview, Alaska’s ‘top doc’ reflects on nearly five years of work, and the ebb and flow of public attention from the pandemic.
a stethoscope

Anchorage health care providers, insurer reach agreement, keeping patients in network

Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska announced a new agreement with three Providence affiliates Wednesday.
a map

Xunaa Borough would be Alaska’s 20th, under Hoonah city proposal

The proposed borough would include 49 people outside of Hoonah, but wouldn’t include other Southeast Alaska cities.
a stethoscope

Negotiations to decide insurance status of Alaska patients of Providence affiliates

Both Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska and Providence Alaska Medical Center's affiliates cited rising health care costs as reasons for their positions.
two men

Committee dismisses ethics complaints against 2 Alaska lawmakers

Current and former Reps. David Eastman and Christopher Kurka were accused of allowing a visitor to improperly use state resources.
a healthcare bill

Alaska health care providers sue to keep state rule mandating minimum payments for care

The state plans to end regulation on Jan. 1, citing upward pressure on prices, but some doctors say it will affect access to care.
iceberg in a lake

Top Alaska tourist attraction Mendenhall Glacier to hit capacity for visitors by late summer

Businesses are facing limits on how many tours have permits to visit the area. It stings, said the general manager of one tourism company.
a 2022 Alaska ballot

Questions on minimum wage, paid sick leave and campaign funding could be heading to Alaska voters

Lt. Gov. Dahlstrom has until early September to certify whether three proposals will go to petition-gathering stage.
the Alaska Redistricting Board

Alaska Redistricting Board decides against attempting to redraw map again

The board's decision Monday likely means there won’t be any changes to the district lines used in last year’s election until 2032.
Adak

GCI pays $40.2M to settle federal allegations it violated False Claims Act, bidding rules

The U.S. Justice Department had alleged that GCI knowingly inflated its prices in order to receive federal subsidies for its services in rural areas.
a basketball court

Alaska sports board decides against barring trans girls from girls sports, for now

The Alaska School Activities Association said its board could still adopt the change in the future if state rules compel it to.
Anchorage

Alaska Senate passes bill to allow municipal blight tax, property tax exemptions

The bill from state Sen. Forrest Dunbar, D-Anchorage, envisions a carrot-and-stick approach to commercial building.
Lora Reinbold

Alaska lawmaker can’t block public from social accounts based on their views, judge rules

An Anchorage judge says Sen. Lora Reinbold acted as an official maintaining a "limited" public forum when she blocked an Eagle River woman, but doesn’t resolve why.