James Brooks, Alaska Beacon
Alaska legislators fail to block pay hike, but additional action is planned to stop it
A lengthy debate Wednesday resulted in no action by the Alaska Legislature to prevent a 67% salary increase approved by a state commission.
Even with a slimmer Permanent Fund dividend, low oil prices generate deficits in Alaska
Lawmakers say they’re prepared to spend from savings to cover the gap in the current fiscal year, but the picture for the next fiscal year is unclear.
Lawsuit accuses Alaska of unconstitutionally mismanaging Yukon, Kuskokwim salmon fisheries
In a Monday hearing, a state attorney sought to have the case thrown out of a Bethel courthouse.
Alaska legislators are again on track to ignore the 90-day session law imposed by voters
Court rulings have upheld the Legislature's ability to work until a 121-day constitutional limit, saying that guideline takes precedence.
After years of contentious fights, Alaska’s state budget is advancing smoothly in the House
House subcommittees made few changes to a proposal authored by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
ANWR boundary dispute will continue as Alaska challenges ownership of oil-rich land
A dispute between state and federal officials over the western border of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge won’t be resolved anytime soon.
Federal judge rules in favor of ConocoPhillips to keep Willow drilling data secret
A federal judge has blocked the public release of exploration data from five oil wells drilled as part of the Willow project.
Proposal that would restrict transgender students’ rights lacks support in Alaska Senate
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposal was formally introduced in the House and Senate on Wednesday.
Alaska Legislature votes down raises for governor and other top officials
The Alaska Legislature has voted unanimously to block raises for the state’s governor, lieutenant governor and commissioners.
Alaska Senate president makes new pitch to tax e-cigarette product and discourage youth vaping
Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak. has introduced Senate Bill 89, which seeks to impose the first-ever statewide tax on e-cigarette products.
Alaska senators introduce bipartisan bill intended to revive a pension program for state workers
One in five state jobs is vacant, and reintroducing a pension will help the state fix its recruitment problems, bill sponsors said.
Alaska Airlines’ flying salmon is about to be extinct
Alaska Airlines will paint over “Salmon Thirty Salmon,” the custom Boeing 737 that looks like a 129-foot-long Alaska king salmon.
Alaska school board and Gov. Dunleavy pick new education commissioner
Former special education teacher Susan McKenzie will be the new commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.
Alaska’s Mount Edgecumbe volcano shows more signs of reawakening, scientists say
The Alaska Volcano Observatory is planning to install additional instruments on Southeast Alaska’s most prominent volcano.
Alaska legislators on guard after multiple COVID cases are confirmed in the Capitol
Leaders of the Alaska Senate Finance Committee will institute “voluntary” COVID testing for legislators and staff who work on the committee.
Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. takes multimillion-dollar stake in grocery chain Three Bears
It’s one of the latest moves by the corporation’s in-state investment program, which is drawing concerns from corporation trustees.
Alaska House censures Rep. Eastman for comments about the economic ‘benefit’ of child abuse deaths
Eastman said he intended to make an analogy in opposition to abortion. His colleagues didn’t see it.
Alaska Court System rule change will remove hundreds of marijuana convictions from Courtview
State lawmakers have been considering broader legislation intended to help people convicted before legalization.
Alaska state budget runs risk of a deficit this spring as oil prices stay below forecasts
A leading senator says there’s no cause for worry right now, and the problem could resolve itself.
Alaska House votes unanimously to support Willow oil project
The Biden administration could decide the project’s future as soon as March 6.