James Brooks, Alaska Beacon
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.
State Rep. Josiah Patkotak resigns after winning North Slope mayor’s race
Patkotak’s resignation opens a vacancy in the Alaska House of Representatives, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy has 30 days to nominate someone to fill the seat.
Alaska Permanent Fund leaders discuss whether to seek exemption from open-government law
Trustees are considering that idea and others, including an amendment to the Alaska Constitution, as they seek to increase the fund’s value.
U.S. military pay in question, including thousands in Alaska, as government shutdown approaches
Alaska’s three members of Congress say they support interim measures as negotiations continue on a long-term funding bill.
Alaska Permanent Fund improves after money-losing year but withdrawals still exceed earnings
The corporation’s earnings need to average 5% plus the rate of inflation to be sustainable; over the past five years, the corporation hasn’t done that.