James Brooks, Alaska Beacon
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.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy appoints figure behind illegal loyalty-pledge scheme to university board
Several sitting legislators said they believe Tuckerman Babcock is unlikely to be confirmed by the Legislature when it meets next spring.
Alaska Airlines asks federal judge to dismiss mask lawsuit brought by former senator
Alaska Airlines banned Lora Reinbold in 2021, after arguments with employees and passenger complaints about her removing her mask in flight.
Alaska state school board considers rule that would limit transgender athletes
The proposed regulation would limit students to a multi-gender team or a team "based on a student’s sex assigned at birth."