James Brooks, Alaska Beacon
University of Alaska picks Philadelphia-sized section of Interior Alaska to own under new law
The university's first choice is about 100,000 acres near Spooky Valley, west of the Dalton Highway in the Ray Mountains.
Facial recognition remains unregulated in Alaska, even as it grows in use
Alaska Airlines has announced plans to use the technology at Anchorage and in other hub cities as soon as summer 2024.
Another campaign complaint filed against opponents of Alaska ranked choice voting
The complaint alleges that Kelly Tshibaka and her nonprofit have been lobbying and campaigning without following the law.
Alaska ferry system’s hiring woes continue and could halt another ship
The Alaska Marine Highway System may have to stop some sailings this week as hiring woes continue through the peak summer travel season.
New estimate shows Alaska’s Permanent Fund could be out of spendable money in 3-4 years
An annual transfer from the fund pays for more than half of Alaska’s general-purpose government spending.
Sitka Fine Arts Camp files rare immigration lawsuit in support of theater manager
The camp, which operates the 145-year-old campus of Sheldon Jackson College, was seeking a technical expert.
More outdoor seating is coming at Alaska’s bars, taprooms and restaurants, but it may take time
Regulatory changes by the state aren’t on track to reach completion until after summer, despite the hopes of alcohol licensees.
Alaska fines political group with ties to new UA regent and state attorney general
Alaska Policy Partners' ads attacked moderate Democrats and Republicans in 2022. It paid a Utah-based firm that wasn’t licensed to work in Alaska.
Alaska legislators lack the votes to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes
Support for an override is short of the 40 votes needed to call a special session, and shy of the 45 needed for an override.
State opens public comment period on rule limiting transgender girls in high school sports
The state is taking comments on a proposal to limit participation on girls high school sports teams to “females who were assigned female at birth.”
Alaska’s top Coast Guard official warns of rising medevac cases as he leaves command
As cruise ship tourism returns and grows, the demand for emergency services is growing, too.
School district leaders react to Dunleavy’s partial veto of proposed K-12 funding increase
Administrators said they’re disappointed and concerned by the cut, the biggest single veto from this year’s budget.
As Alaska tourism rebounds, state and federal officials crack down on fake Alaska Native art
It’s a federal crime to sell art that is falsely marketed as created by an Alaska Native or tribal member.
New ballot measure seeks to restrict spending on Alaska elections
Alaskans for Better Elections submitted a proposed ballot measure to the Alaska Division of Elections in early May.
Why did Alaskans statewide get an Amber Alert on Tuesday?
On Tuesday cellphones across the state beeped as troopers attempted to find 2-year-old Karma Brown, who briefly went missing in Fairbanks.
Alaska legislative ethics committee opens another investigation into Rep. David Eastman
It’s at least the third time since 2017 the committee has scrutinized the Wasilla Republican.
Alaska state school board advances proposal to ban trans girls from girls high school sports teams
An almost-unanimous decision will open a 30-day public comment period on the idea.
Some GOP states depart, but Alaska will stay with voter fraud prevention network ERIC
The state will stay with the Electronic Registration Information Center, a network that helps states track registered voters and reduce fraud.
Saudi Arabia’s oil production cut could affect Alaska’s state finances
Federal officials raised estimates for oil prices in the second half of this year and in 2024, two days after Saudi Arabia announced oil production cuts.
Here’s what passed and what didn’t in Alaska’s legislative session
Thirty-one bills passed the House and Senate this year, the third fewest of any first-year session since statehood.