James Brooks, Alaska Beacon
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board all but rejects plan for riskier investment target
Board members had been considering a four-year plan that included an aggressive strategy to reach $100 billion by 2028.
Alaska retirement board recommends closure of widely used plan after analysis finds flaws
The "managed accounts" program covers more than 10,000 of the 122,000-plus retirement accounts managed by the state.
Alaska governor’s staff deleted state agency’s analysis of teacher pay
The article would have been on cover of Alaska Economic Trends for October.
Proposed class-action lawsuit claims Alaska prisons are holding people without criminal charges
Barbara Pete, represented by the Northern Justice Project, filed suit Oct. 6 in Nome. The suit was first reported by the Nome Nugget.
Doyon Ltd. drops support for Ambler Road, at least temporarily
Doyon, the regional Native corporation for Interior Alaska, owns 10-12 miles of the two primary planned routes of the 211-mile Ambler Road.
Alaska attorney general approves free legal defense for top officials accused of ethical lapses
The policy change was unanimously opposed by those members of the public who testified; critics say it’s a recipe for self-dealing.
Alaska redistricting board agrees to pay $400K after losing Eagle River Senate lawsuit
A group of East Anchorage plaintiffs successfully challenged the boundaries of Eagle River’s state Senate district last year.
Alaska Permanent Fund leaders may recommend constitutional amendment to fix fiscal problem
Financial returns have been less than needed to keep the fund’s spendable account full, potentially endangering the state budget.