James Brooks, Alaska Beacon

James Brooks, 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 mountain behind boats

Alaska’s Mount Edgecumbe volcano shows more signs of reawakening, scientists say

The Alaska Volcano Observatory is planning to install additional instruments on Southeast Alaska’s most prominent volcano.
a man holds a negative covid test

Alaska legislators on guard after multiple COVID cases are confirmed in the Capitol

Leaders of the Alaska Senate Finance Committee will institute “voluntary” COVID testing for legislators and staff who work on the committee.
Exterior: An office building

Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. takes multimillion-dollar stake in grocery chain Three Bears

It’s one of the latest moves by the corporation’s in-state investment program, which is drawing concerns from corporation trustees.
a man frowning

Alaska House censures Rep. Eastman for comments about the economic ‘benefit’ of child abuse deaths

Eastman said he intended to make an analogy in opposition to abortion. His colleagues didn’t see it.
marijuana products

Alaska Court System rule change will remove hundreds of marijuana convictions from Courtview

State lawmakers have been considering broader legislation intended to help people convicted before legalization.
a person in a suit in a meeting room

Alaska state budget runs risk of a deficit this spring as oil prices stay below forecasts

A leading senator says there’s no cause for worry right now, and the problem could resolve itself.
a man in a suit speaks to a room of people

Alaska House votes unanimously to support Willow oil project

The Biden administration could decide the project’s future as soon as March 6.
a portrait of a woman wearing glasses and a vest

Alaska’s new elections director, a Trump donor, stays quiet on 2020 election fairness nationally

Carol Beecher doesn’t have elections experience, but Lt. Gov. Dahlstrom cites her administrative background, impartiality as reasons for the pick.
a man in a yellow tie addresses a room

Alaska Senate approves free trapping licenses for disabled veterans

Sen. Kiehl said he’s never been able to understand why disabled veterans can hunt and sport fish for free, but not freely trap for furs.
a group of people sit around a table in a meeting room

Alaska legislators begin drilling into governor’s underground-carbon plan

State lawmakers need to hire new independent advisers because their usual firm was plucked by Gov. Dunleavy’s administration.
man standing at a microphone

Sullivan: ‘Several other unidentified objects’ also traveled over Alaska

After a U.S. Air Force fighter jet shot down an unidentified object over Alaska’s North Slope on Friday, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, said several other similar objects have traveled over the state in recent weeks.
a Chinese balloon above Montana

After China balloon scare, Air Force shoots down object flying above Alaska’s North Slope

A Pentagon spokesperson said the shootdown was ordered by President Joe Biden.
David Wilson

Revived legislation proposes penalties for abusing Alaska’s 911 system

A bill adding criminal penalties for harassing 911 dispatchers or abusing the 911 system in Alaska is advancing in the Legislature.
a Juneau couple

Weddings are resuming at Alaska courthouses — here’s how to get married in Alaska

Whether you go to a courthouse or not, getting married in Alaska can be an easy process, and anyone can conduct the ceremony.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy's Cabinet

Alaska’s governor, lieutenant governor and top officials are in line for a pay increase

The State Officers Compensation Commission has recommended raising the governor’s annual salary from $145,000 to approximately $176,000.
a natural gas flare

Gov. Dunleavy says Alaska doesn’t flare its natural gas. It does.

Targeted by environmental groups, gas flares in Alaska are regulated more by economics than concerns about greenhouse gases.
Daniel Winfree

Retiring from the high court, Alaska’s chief justice defends its system of selecting judges

Members of the Senate’s coalition majority say they don’t expect changes to the system before the 2024 election, but others aren’t sure.
Tamika Ledbetter

Alaska labor commissioner unexpectedly resigns for undisclosed reasons

Commissioner Tamika Ledbetter’s resignation was announced in an email from the governor’s office Tuesday afternoon.
Alaska Sen. James Kaufman

Anchorage senator proposes new spending cap, key piece of Alaska fiscal plan

The idea from Sen. James Kaufman, R-Anchorage, was encouraged by a bipartisan, bicameral group.
Heidi Drygas

Former lieutenant governor candidate Heidi Drygas is new head of Alaska’s largest public union

Heidi Drygas will replace Jake Metcalfe as executive director of the Alaska State Employees Association.