James Brooks, Alaska Beacon
With Alaska’s federal judge vacancy nearing 2-year mark, Sullivan breaks from nomination tradition
Sen. Lisa Murkowski appears skeptical about the switch, saying she’s prepared to advance nominees to President Biden.
In new challenges to Alaska forest’s ‘Roadless Rule,’ pro-logging arguments have disappeared
Prior versions of the rule have been repeatedly upheld by federal courts, but new U.S. Supreme Court rulings may give opponents new ammunition.
Alaska DMV considers eliminating license plate stickers
The DMV is also considering self-service kiosks, a mobile app to renew licenses and registration, and an AI chatbot to answer online questions.
Alaska marijuana businesses, citing black market, plead for tax relief
A legislative committee is considering a proposal that would revamp Alaska’s marijuana tax system.
Alaska begins process of examining workers’ pay for competitiveness
The state is seeking a contractor to perform a comparison of state pay in Alaska, pay in the private sector and pay among other governments.
Study: Alaska is failing to keep most Alaska-born residents
A study found Alaska retained 48.7% of people born inside its borders, ahead of only Wyoming and North Dakota among U.S. states.
Two more Alaska ballot measures pass legal muster, but another is disqualified
The approved measures would impose new financial restrictions on political campaigns and grant an array of rights to workers.
Alaska Gov. Dunleavy replaces budget director
Neil Steininger was replaced by Lacey Sanders, formerly administrative services director for the state education department.
ConocoPhillips says court case is likely do-or-die for Alaska’s Willow oil project
Willow would be the first large project constructed in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.
Alaska Legislature’s new apartment building is on budget and on schedule
The joint House-Senate Legislative Council has agreed to spend almost $9 million turning the building into 33 apartments.
Dunleavy vetoes statewide ban on pollution-causing firefighting foam
PFAS, a chemical used in many forms of firefighting foam, has already contaminated drinking water sources throughout Alaska.
After a false start, Alaska prepares to solicit bids for new mainline ferry
The Alaska Department of Transportation expects to issue a new request for proposals from American shipyards next month to replace the Tustumena.
Alaska Judicial Council nominates 2 for job as Alaska’s top public defender
Judge Terrence Haas of Bethel and assistant Anchorage public defender Gary Soberay have been nominated to replace Samantha Cherot.
Report from Alaska campaign regulator says Tshibaka-linked group violated state law
Alaska Public Offices Commission staff have recommended a $16,450 fine against former U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka's Preserve Democracy.
Alaska lieutenant governor disqualifies legislative term-limits ballot measure
The Alaska Supreme Court ruled in 1994 that legislative term limits would require a constitutional amendment, not a ballot measure.
Alaska appeals to U.S. Supreme Court in four-year-old union dues dispute
Judges have repeatedly ruled against the state’s effort to require union members to opt-in annually.
Southeast Alaska wolves are not threatened or endangered, federal agency concludes
Putting the wolves on the Endangered Species List likely would have resulted in new restrictions on development, logging and construction in the region.
Alaska state payroll department ‘one crisis away’ from workers going unpaid
Almost half of payroll processing jobs are unfilled, causing errors and delays.
Former University of Alaska Fairbanks student sues school, alleging injuries from hot sauce
Ariel Lamp, who left the University of Alaska Fairbanks after the incident, filed suit for more than $100,000 in damages, plus costs.
Alaska alleges ‘widespread fraud’ by Anchorage ATM business serving villages, small businesses
James Dainis, who owns the business, says the state is mistaken and dissatisfied customers will be refunded.