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.
Alaska’s COVID-19 case tally notches up 5; Delegation explains new federal relief measures
Alaska reported five new cases of COVID-19 Monday, bringing the total number of cases to 119, Governor Mike Dunleavy said at an evening press briefing.
That $2.2 trillion coronavirus bill — What’s in it for Alaska?
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday night passed stimulus and coronavirus relief bill. The House is likely to pass it Friday and President Trump says he’ll sign it into law. Here are some of the provisions that could help the 49th state.
Outrage grows that many Alaska state workers can’t heed the call to stay home
State workers are worried about their exposure, and one union is suing the state.
Alaska’s U.S. senators vote for multi-billion dollar coronavirus bill; Rep. Don Young is absent
Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan support a major stimulus bill but were critical of President Obama's stimulus bill during the Great Recession.
State bans restaurant dining as Alaska’s confirmed coronavirus cases grow to 6
Three samples — from people in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Ketchikan — tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday, doubling the number of confirmed Alaska cases.
Drive-through coronavirus testing to start in Anchorage
The drive-through is intended for people who have symptoms of infection and have a referral from a provider. It was announced at a presentation on Monday by municipal leaders and medical authorities.
Anchorage suspends restaurant dining, bar service
Mayor Berkowitz has banned dine-in service for food and drink at restaurants, bars and breweries. The order also closes gyms, bingo halls and theaters, and it bans gatherings of more than 50 people.
Former Alaska first lady Bella Hammond dies at 87
Former Alaska First Lady Bella Hammond was a commercial fisherman who took on her role as the governor’s wife without airs.
State restricts visitors to Alaska nursing homes
The State of Alaska is restricting visitors to long-term care facilities and nursing homes, to shield residents from exposure to the coronavirus.
Anchorage Assembly considers legal changes to help city cope with virus
The Anchorage Assembly will meet Thursday in a special session to consider new rules for governing Alaska’s largest city during a coronavirus outbreak.
Older Alaskans, those over 60, are most at risk and should take measures to protect themselves, state health officials say
It’s just a matter of time before Alaska confirms a case of coronavirus, state epidemiologist Joseph McLaughlin said Tuesday, speaking on Alaska Public Media’s “Talk of Alaska.”
On high alert for coronavirus, services to Alaska elders roll on
One subset of Alaskans is particularly at risk from the coronavirus: the elderly. Alaska facilities that serve senior citizens likely have tough choices ahead.
‘Eventually, everyone wants to give a musher a hotdog’: An audio postcard of Iditarod ‘trailgaters’
For these fans, "trailgating" is a chance to share a moment, and maybe a hotdog, with their favorite mushers.
Coronavirus update, March 5: Eight negative tests, one pending; school districts weigh travel restrictions
The Anchorage School District announced Wednesday it has cancelled all school sponsored out-of-state travel through April
Female Denali Commission employees file discrimination complaints against boss
At least four female employees have filed civil rights complaints against the top executive at the Denali Commission, according to an Anchorage lawyer. Jason Hoke has been out of the office since Friday.
Wells Fargo becomes third major US bank to nix Arctic oil investment
Wells Fargo says it won’t finance oil development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. That follows similar announcements by Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase,
Coronavirus hasn’t hit Alaskans, but economists here are bracing for impact
Alaska has no known cases of the coronavirus, but the outbreak has set off economic shockwaves that are already jolting Alaskans. But foreseeable outcomes are not universally terrible.
Behind the scenes, Pebble leaned on Dunleavy, pleading for its survival
Publicly, Pebble CEO Tom Collier radiates confidence about his company. His emails to the governor's office tell a different story.
What Congress and the Trump administration are doing to address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women
A 2018 report highlighting the crisis of "Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women" got the gears of government to turn.
Alaska’s US senators split on curbing Trump’s power to attack Iran
Sen. Murkowski was one of eight Republicans who crossed the aisle to pass a resolution restricting President Trump’s power to attack Iran.