James Brooks, Alaska Beacon

James Brooks, Alaska Beacon
180 POSTS 0 COMMENTS
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 portrait of a man smiling

College price transparency bill advances toward final vote in Alaska Legislature

If the bill becomes law, the state university system will be required to list the cost of course materials, including textbooks, in its course catalog.
Lora Reinbold stands in a courtroom

Federal judge dismisses lawsuit brought by former Alaska Sen. Reinbold against Alaska Airlines

Reinbold, a Republican from Eagle River, had challenged Alaska Airlines’ decision to ban her from its flights.
two men pose for a photograph, sitting in chairs

Dunleavy makes first official Yukon visit, signs Alaska Highway maintenance agreement

Gov. Dunleavy has committed more than $31 million to repair a damaged section of the highway that is mostly used by Americans traveling to and from Alaska.
a small group of people sit around a meeting table indoors

Alaska politicians contemplate first statewide borrowing request since 2012

A bond package hasn’t been formally introduced, but the Dunleavy administration is considering the possibility.
Mike Dunleavy

Alaska governor says he’d like to send troops south to aid Texas, but cost is a hurdle

Gov. Mike Dunleavy said that sending 100 additional Alaska National Guard soldiers to Texas would cost about $1 million a month.
woven booties next to two bags

Mythical animal costs Denali-area clothing shop $53,000 in fines

A clothing shop near Denali National Park told an undercover investigator it was selling items made from Yakutat alpacas, which do not exist.
Sarah Vance

Alaska House votes to advance bill that would trim state voter rolls more quickly

Statistics show that Alaska has 108% of its 20-and-older population registered to vote on state rolls.
lawmakers

Alaska senator proposes more armed staff or volunteers in schools

Senate Bill 173, from Republican Shelley Hughes, received its first hearing last week and has received a tide of opposition.
a woman speaks to a crowd in a meeting room

Alaska Senate passes new pension program for state employees, but final approval is in question

The legislation could bring new benefits to as many as 37,000 Alaskans.
a ferry ramp

Proposal to put slot machines aboard Alaska ferries gets rough first reception

Gambling would be allowed only when ships are more than three miles off Alaska’s coasts, something already allowed aboard cruise ships.
Donald Trump

Federal judge dismisses lawsuit seeking to bar Trump from Alaska election ballots

The ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Joshua Kindred, appointed by Donald Trump, cited technical issues with the lawsuit's filing.
Mike Dunleavy

Alaska Gov. Dunleavy: No VP inquiry from Trump

Dunleavy met Trump nine times during his presidency and offered an early endorsement in Trump's second presidential campaign.
the state Capitol

From abortion to zoning: Short summaries of every bill in the 33rd Alaska State Legislature

An updated list of what legislators and Gov. Mike Dunleavy have proposed to become law.
Calvin Schrage

Measure limiting Alaska campaign cash fails to get enough signatures for 2024 vote

There will be no limit on how much someone can give a candidate for office in this year’s state elections, as measure backers aim for the 2026 ballot.
a map

Environmental groups ask federal appeals court to halt Willow oil project

The plaintiffs argue that Judge Sharon Gleason made a mistake when she allowed work to proceed on ConocoPhillips' Willow project.
a moose

Federal judge rules against state of Alaska in lawsuit challenging COVID emergency hunt

Other disputes between state and federal fish and game managers are pending in Alaska’s federal courthouse.
hemp

Hemp growers sue Alaska agriculture officials in attempt to keep hemp products legal

Plaintiffs say millions of dollars in products are at stake and will be removed from shelves unless they win.
coho salmon

EPA plans to limit or eliminate salmon-killing tire chemical found in preliminary Alaska sampling

The Environmental Protection Agency announced its plans Thursday, answering a petition from three Native Tribes in the Pacific Northwest.
the Supreme Court

U.S. Supreme Court will consider taking up Alaska union dues case no sooner than December

The U.S. Supreme Court receives hundreds of appeal requests each year, but it takes up only a relative handful.
people walking on docks near cruise ships

Alaska breaks cruise ship passenger record as tourism rebounds from the COVID pandemic

Juneau, the state’s leading cruise ship port, tallied 1.65 million passengers, a 23% bump from 2019.