Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media
Liz Ruskin is the Washington, D.C., correspondent at Alaska Public Media. Reach her at lruskin@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Liz here.
Chair of Nuclear Regulatory Commission touts ‘passive safety’ of small reactors, like the type planned for Eielson
The Air Force hopes to have a micro-reactor at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks by the end of 2027. The NRC must first license one.
This Anchorage man took in one Afghan who needed help. Now he’s trying to rescue 17.
Bill Barnes has devoted heart, soul and savings to bring Romal Safi's family to Alaska.
COVID bills sent $1.7 billion to Alaska tribes, but distribution favored the smallest
In two major coronavirus relief bills, Congress sent Alaska tribes huge sums in direct payments. But the bounty was uneven: While the largest Alaska tribe got $6,000 per person, one tribe that reported having only three members received nearly $1 million per person.
Interior Department report calls for higher oil and gas royalties. Murkowski objects.
New report says oil companies aren't paying enough for production on federal lands.
Interior Secretary says offensive word for Native women must be erased from national landscape
Three Dillingham girls have been campaigning to rename Squaw Creek. Alaska has more than 20 such names
Alaska needs more construction workers to get infrastructure projects off the ground
Now that roads and bridges are funded, who will build them?
While natural gas is vilified in Glasgow, Sen. Sullivan casts it as a climate savior
In the climate debate, natural gas is cast as both hero and villain.
Congressman Young, brushing off backlash, cheers Biden’s signing of infrastructure bill
Congressman Don Young, 88, also dispels rumors: Yes, he is running in 2022.
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski announces re-election bid
Lisa Murkowski has so far raised $4.6 million for her '22 campaign. Trump has endorsed her conservative challenger.
The military sharpens its focus on the Arctic
As the Arctic warms, it increasingly has the potential to become an arena where world powers compete for dominance. While Russia and China are beefing up their Arctic presence, the Pentagon has been slow to make the Arctic a priority. Alaska Public Media’s Liz Ruskin reports that may be changing.
Highways, ferries and more: What the federal infrastructure bill will fund in Alaska
All three members of Alaska’s congressional delegation voted for the bill.
What to know about Biden’s 3 COVID vaccine mandates
President Biden has issued three vaccine mandates. They cover different groups of workers, and they don’t cover everyone.
Native veterans get land allotments, 50 years after initial deadline passed
Two veterans got up to 160 acres apiece. Their land is near Goodnews Bay in Southwest Alaska.
Murkowski is the only Senate Republican who voted to advance voting rights bill
Democrats needed 10 Republicans to help them move the John Lewis voting bill. They got just one.
Ruling allows nurse practitioners in Alaska to prescribe abortion pills
A preliminary injunction halts part of a state law that restricts who can conduct abortions.
Alaska sues to challenge Biden’s COVID vaccine mandate for federal contractors
Ten states have filed a legal challenge, claiming the mandate violates state laws.
House version of Biden’s $1.75 trillion bill would cancel drilling leases in Arctic Refuge
The bill has a long way to go, but the latest version would repeal a 2017 provision opening ANWR to drilling.
Earmarks: They’re back, and Murkowski is using them to steer money home
Sen. Murkowski has a $230 million wish list of dozens of Alaska projects she wants in the next batch of spending bills.
A Republican Begich runs for Alaska’s US House seat, challenging Rep. Young
At 44, he's half the age of the congressman, whom he supported in 2020.
Exxon transfers Point Thomson operations on Alaska’s North Slope to Hilcorp
ExxonMobil will keep its ownership stake and "remains committed to Point Thomson," a spokesman says.