Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media

Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media
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Liz Ruskin is the Washington, D.C., correspondent at Alaska Public Media. Reach her at lruskin@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Liz here.
A woman smiles with mountains in the background

‘Plateau-ish’: Case counts are high, but has omicron peaked in Alaska?

"Nice to not see quite the same upward trajectory," Dr. Anne Zink says, though Alaska case rates still highest in U.S.
A man stands at a podium with two men and a woman standing behind him

State will pay $495,000 to two psychiatrists Dunleavy fired from API

Gov. Mike Dunleavy fired the two doctors from the Alaska Psychiatric Institute for refusing to take what they deemed a political loyalty pledge.
man stands by totem pole

Why is this Tlingit totem pole in the DC suburbs? Alaska Twitter solves one man’s mystery.

In suburban Washington, D.C., stands a Tlingit totem pole. A Juneau man had to know why.

Justices uphold dismissal of climate lawsuit brought by 16 young Alaskans

Supreme Court says Alaska's oil and gas policy is for the other branches of government to decide.
woman at a microphone with an alaska flag behind her.

Alaska’s COVID case count keeps climbing

COVID was the 4th leading cause of death for Alaska in 2020.
gray whales, seen from above

Groups prod feds to act on plan to save Cook Inlet beluga whales

As Cook Inlet belugas slide closer to extinction, advocates are petitioning the federal government to do more.
A woman with a book open on her lap

Fired attorney and blogger wins case against Dunleavy administration

"I was terminated in violation of my free speech rights," says Libby Bakalar.

With voting rights bill blocked, Murkowski says ‘a good handful’ of senators are open to compromise

"Both sides are now set to cast doubt on elections if they don't win," Sen. Murkowski says.
A voter enters a booth with several other booths behind her

Alaska Supreme Court hears challenge that could block ranked choice voting

"Chaos will be created by that system," says lawyer challenging the law.
A bunch of tools and mining equipment on a gravelly mountainside

Ambler Metals says it’s nearly ready to apply for permit to mine in Northwest Alaska

Company says it will apply for Army Corps permit in early 2022.
A person in a hospital gown walks around a parked car in a snowy parking lot

Omicron drives Alaska to new daily record in COVID cases

Daily case counts hit 1,843 on Wednesday.
A large Trump flag waves in front of the U.S. Capitol

Our Washington, DC, correspondent reflects on the Jan. 6 Capitol riot

It’s the one-year anniversary of a dark day in America’s political life — the storming of the U.S. Capitol, by a mob of former President Donald Trump supporters trying to keep him in the White House despite his election loss.
A portrait of a man

Ed Rasmuson remembered for putting Alaska ahead of politics

Alaska lost a champion and a colossal philanthropist when retired banker Ed Rasmuson died Tuesday at age 81.

Alaskans are stuck on vacations that won’t end

Airline cancellations continue, leaving some Alaskans unable to return for a week.

Alaska prepares to sue feds over contamination on Native corporation land

Much of the contamination dates to the Cold War or World War II.

Alaskans endure air travel anguish as weather and virus keep them grounded days on end

Chris Dimond tried to warn his daughter off flying to Seattle. "She could be spending some time sleeping on the airport floor, for a few days," he said.
a person looks to camera-left

Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer says he won’t run for re-election next year

Meyer says now he won’t be a candidate in the election that he oversees, as head of the Elections Division.
ship in icy waters

Sullivan still seeking a ‘bridge’ ship to fill the icebreaker gap

The Coast Guard is set to receive a new icebreaker 2025. Sen. Dan Sullivan says the country can’t wait that long.
pie chart

COVID money boosted Alaska federal funds by a third, study finds

CARES Act money to Alaska rivaled what the state gets from Medicaid

Federal infrastructure bill sends $80M to Alaska airports

Amounts range from $110,000 to $17 million for Alaska's 235 airports.