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.


Exterior: A fuel barge underway

In rural Alaska, communities contemplate a double whammy from high fuel costs

Annual fuel deliveries are arriving with prices near record highs, crimping the budgets of small towns and villages with no road access.
a black and white photo of Adak Island

Alaska sues Interior Department over contaminated ANCSA lands

The state of Alaska has sued the U.S. Department of the Interior in an attempt to hold the federal government responsible for the identification of thousands of polluted sites on land given to Alaska...
A group of people pose with an approved bill.

Alaska will formally recognize Native tribes, likely negating planned ballot measure

Gov. Mike Dunleavy will sign a tribal-recognition bill next week, the Alaska Federation of Natives said on Thursday.
Exterior: An office building

Almost 1 in 5 Alaska state jobs is vacant as agencies struggle to hire, retain employees

The vacancies are slowing services, canceling ferries and could strain the Alaska Permanent Fund.
man in gray suit speaks into microphones

Dunleavy leads early fundraising for Alaska governor’s race

Incumbent Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has raised more money than any other candidate in Alaska's governor's race, according to the latest reports.

Facing lawsuits, Alaska lawmakers consider new social media policy

The draft included an ‘everything or nothing’ approach toward public comments.
A map of the Willow development on Alaska's North Slope

After lawsuit, a major Alaska North Slope oil project is again moving forward

The public has until Aug. 29 to offer public comment on whether the project should move forward, and if so, under what conditions.
a group of people on a fish wheel on a river on an overcast day

As Kuskokwim fishing lawsuit grows, lawyers say subsistence could be affected across Alaska

Attorneys from Ahtna Inc. believe state arguments may overturn Katie John precedent.

Despite federal warning, Alaska alcohol board says distilleries can keep selling kegged cocktails

Federal regulations limit the size of containers that a distillery can produce, but Alaska has no limits in law.
a blue sign on the side of a building says "State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services"

Seeking efficiency, Alaska breaks its health agency into two new departments

The Department of Health and Social Services has been split into separate organizations.
a woman in a meeting room talks into a microphone

Legislative aides call Anchorage Democratic Rep. Tarr’s behavior troubling

In a series of interviews, they describe a decade-old pattern of behavior.
ballots go into a scanner

In Alaska’s first statewide by-mail vote, turnout was highest for a primary since 2014

Final preliminary results posted Tuesday night by the Alaska Division of Elections show 161,614 people voted in the special election for U.S. House, Alaska’s first statewide election by mail.
A woman standing and speaking in the Alaska House

August trial set for former Alaska legislator Gabrielle LeDoux, accused of elections misdeeds

State prosecutors have accused LeDoux and two other people of encouraging illegal votes in the 2014 and 2018 state legislative elections.

Alaska DNR commissioner is third cabinet official to quit in two months

During Feige's term, DNR launched an initiative to assert state ownership and control of lands and waters from the federal government. 
Lora Reinbold stands in a courtroom

Alaska senator faces civil trial after blocking a constituent on Facebook

The verdict could set a precedent for actions online by Alaska’s elected officials.
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Alaska Human Rights Commission sues to pause special US House election certification

According to plaintiff Robert Corbisier, the entirely by-mail election discriminates against visually impaired voters.
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Ahead of filing deadline, almost a third of the Alaska Legislature isn’t seeking reelection

Turnover could dampen momentum on a long-awaited fiscal plan, some lawmakers say.
a courthouse building

Special prosecutor charges former Alaska attorney general nominee with sexual abuse of a minor

Ed Sniffen has been charged with three counts of third-degree sexual abuse of a minor.
A sign outside an Anchorage courthouse

Alaska Supreme Court finds Republican gerrymander in Anchorage districts, orders new map

The decision almost certainly ends Alaska’s redistricting process for 2022.

Legislature approves budget with $3,200 payout per Alaskan after House balks at bigger figure

Budget finishes as second-largest in state history by one measure, but Dunleavy could make cuts.