Eric Stone, Alaska Public Media - Juneau
Eric Stone covers state government, tracking the Alaska Legislature, state policy and its impact on all Alaskans. Reach him at estone@alaskapublic.org and follow him on X at @eriwinsto. Read more about Eric here.
A new lawsuit over Alaska’s Medicaid backlog asks a judge to order faster processing
As of last month, more than 15,000 Alaskans had Medicaid applications awaiting approval by the Division of Public Assistance.
How much fish do Alaskans eat? Enough to require new water pollution rules, EPA says
The EPA is giving the state six to 12 months to come up with new or revised standards for more than 100 pollutants in state waters.
Deal to buy North Slope gas boosts Alaska Gasline prospects, but hurdles remain
The Alaska Gasline Development Corp. announced Tuesday it’s signed a deal with a London-based oil and gas firm to supply enough gas to meet demand in Southcentral, and then some. But the project still faces a number of hurdles.
Filings in Alaska Legislature races set up key races in August primary and November general
Just three legislative races will feature competitive primaries, but the final slate sets up a number of key contests in November.
ACLU says Department of Corrections is illegally limiting access to attorneys in Alaska
The group says staff at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center is reading inmates' letters to and from their attorneys, among other allegations.
Surprise moves ahead of Saturday deadline scramble races for Alaska Legislature
Among the shakeups: Rep. Tom McKay is dropping his bid for reelection and running for Senate instead. And Sen. Click Bishop and Rep. Dan Oritz are calling it quits.
Alaska Gov. Dunleavy, Sen. Sullivan say Trump conviction was politically motivated
A New York jury handed down the historic verdict Thursday afternoon, the first time a former president has been convicted of a crime.
Alaska’s new ‘green bank’ hopes to improve the financial case for renewable energy
Alaskans looking to invest in solar panels or other renewable energy infrastructure will likely have some new options in the next few years.
With a Railbelt natural gas crunch looming, the legislative session had a special focus on energy bills
State lawmakers passed several energy bills this session aimed at updating the Railbelt’s electrical grid and speeding up the transition to renewable energy.
15,000 Alaskans are caught in Medicaid backlog, but care continues, state says
In most cases, Alaskans eligible for Medicaid are still able to access care as long as they’ve submitted an application.
State lawmakers wrapped up their four-month session last night. Here’s what they did.
The Legislature's budget, if signed into law by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, would provide Alaskans a PFD and energy check for roughly $1,655 this fall.
Bills aimed at reducing energy costs, boosting Cook Inlet gas and carbon storage advance in Legislature’s final days
The bills were initially proposed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy and now contain several other proposals. They're up for final votes soon.
Alaska lawmakers settle on roughly $1,650 PFD, energy relief amount
The budget also includes $175 million in one-time funding for public schools, roughly equivalent to $680 in base per-student funding.
Alaska Legislature pushes through flurry of bills as session gets down to the wire
The House spent hours debating and eventually passing a bill restricting trans girls from being on girls’ sports teams.
Key senators skeptical royalty relief proposals would boost Cook Inlet gas output
It’s one of several ideas lawmakers are mulling to ease a projected gas shortfall in the basin that’s powered much of the state for decades.
Alaskans suing state over food assistance delays ask judge to order faster application processing
The director of the state’s Division of Public Assistance says that over the past few months, the situation has improved considerably.
Alaska Legislature heads into session’s homestretch with energy-related bills still on the table
That’s as gas producers warn that Cook Inlet natural gas supplies are dwindling, threatening higher prices.
Legislature rejects Dunleavy appointees to state school board and commercial fishing agency
Members of the House and Senate objected to alleged ethics violations by Bob Griffin, who has sat on the state board for five years.
Competing Alaska House and Senate bills propose fixes to homeschool laws ruled unconstitutional
After a judge ruled Alaska's correspondence school program violates the state Constitution, lawmakers are looking for a way forward.
Homeschool ruling is on hold — but only through the end of June, judge rules
The judge’s order denying the state’s motion for a longer stay of the ruling also clarifies key aspects of the case.