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.
interior of theater

Going to a show at Anchorage’s Performing Arts Center? Bring your vaccination card.

The Alaska Center for the Performing Arts is requiring proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test.

To cope with COVID overload, Anchorage hospitals delay surgeries

"Hard discussions" about postponing cancer and bypass procedures to preserve hospital resources.
Masked lady in an apron stand in a salon. Sign in foreground reads "love is in the are and so are germs so please wash your hands."

With no mask mandate, Anchorage businesses are left to decide what they’ll risk for public health

COVID cases are surging in Anchorage again, but this time, there’s no municipal mask mandate and no authority telling businesses how to keep COVID from spreading. That leaves some business owners in the uncomfortable position of deciding how much they are willing to confront their customers and employees to protect public health.
A white paper sign that says "COVID-19 vaccine" with an arrow pointing into a large white room

Immunocompromised? State recommends a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

State and federal health authorities say people with compromised immune systems should get a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna.

Energy secretary praises Alaska’s innovation in renewables

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm says Alaska's resilient solutions might work in places like Puerto Rico.

He’s running: Walker aims to be Alaska’s governor again

Former Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has announced that he's running for governor again.
A woman speaking at a podium

‘Devastating’: Murkowski saddened by Afghanistan withdrawal

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski says the U.S. couldn’t stay in Afghanistan forever, but she calls the result of the withdrawal "just devastating.”
a medical professional swabs a driver's nostril

Boom in COVID testing prompts Anchorage to open new drive-through site

Daily demand for tests in August is nearly quadruple the June average.
Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski speaking to the media

U.S. Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan help Senate pass trillion-dollar infrastructure bill

“It's incredible to me to think that we would want to deny the American people a win," Murkowski says
street scene in front of Capitol

Alaska senators mixed on weekend votes moving $1T infrastructure bill toward finish line

It's a top priority for U.S. Sen. Murkowski. U.S. Sen Sullivan hasn't said how he'll vote.

Maggie, former Alaska Zoo resident, dies at 41

“She was really a wonderful elephant. A beautiful elephant with a rough history but an indomitable spirit. A big, big personality," said Jackie Gai, Maggie’s veterinarian in her final years.
A blue ferry tied up at a dock o na cloudy day as seen from the bow

Between the lines: 8 ways the US Senate infrastructure bill sends money to Alaska

It takes some decoding, but you can find billions in the $1.2 trillion bill designed to benefit Alaska.
A caribou lying on tundra on purple wildflowers

Biden administration goes back to drawing board on oil leasing in Arctic Refuge

The government will conduct a new study and reconsider options to oil leases in ANWR.

What’s to blame for Alaska’s poor king salmon runs? Submarines, suggests Rep. Young.

Congressman Young adds nuclear submarines to the list of suspects that could be harming chinook returns.

Young, Murkowski ramp up message on COVID-19 vaccines as delta variant surges

Two-thirds of Alaska's congressional delegation is urging Alaskans to get vaccinated. U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan takes a different approach.

Infrastructure bill is ‘once in a lifetime investment,’ Murkowski says

It’s impossible to say how much of the trillion dollars in spending would go to Alaska. A lot of it will be awarded as grants. But U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said some would be allocated by formula, such as $4.3 billion over five years for Alaska’s highways.

Alaska’s ranked choice voting and top-four primary are legal, judge says

Judge Gregory Miller rejected arguments that the new election method voters adopted with Ballot Measure 2 is unconstitutional.
street scene in front of Capitol

They have a deal: Murkowski, bipartisan senators’ group, get infrastructure bill to square 1

Sen. Murkowski was part of a bipartisan group that reached deal with the White House on a $1t bill.
A man with a white beard gets a shot in the shoulder

‘If it’s so good, why are you bribing me?’: The quandary of vaccine incentives

Cash has a way of lowering vaccine hesitancy, but not for everyone.

Interior stalls aerial survey in Izembek Refuge, says Murkowski

The state is conducting surveys in the refuge to advance a controversial road for King Cove. It needs permits to continue.