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.

Alaska businesses got $922 million from PPP before the federal well ran dry

“I know there's probably great despair or fear or panic for those folks who haven't heard from their financial institution ... but I think there is more to come on this."
An Alaska Native man stands on the beach with bots seen behind him.

Tribes want to exclude Alaska Native Corporations from $8 billion coronavirus fund

Alaska’s Congressional delegation says the CARES Act allows ANCs to obtain some of the money, too.

Murkowski thanks Berkowitz for COVID response: “You led early”

Sen. Murkowski made a point of praising the Anchorage mayor for acting quickly to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

During this health crisis, the business of medicine in Alaska hurts, too

Like business owners everywhere, the owners of private medical practices are wondering how they’ll make it without the revenue that used to pay the bills.

Governor, with help from Christian leaders, appeals to God to fortify Alaska in virus battle

Samaritan's Purse CEO Franklin Graham helped set the tone for Gov. Dunleavy's day of prayer and hope.

Alaska banks can’t keep up with demand for coronavirus relief money

The bottleneck is becoming evident just as the PPP opens to a wider swath of the population: Self-employed Americans and independent contractors are allowed to turn in their applications starting April 10, assuming they can find a lender willing to accept them.

5 things to know about business Paycheck Protection Program loans

Many Alaska businesses on the edge of survival are looking to the new Paycheck Protection Program for a life line. A lot is in flux, but here are five things to know.

Due to revenue drop, Anchorage Daily News cuts pay, lays off 7

ADN cut pay for salaried employees by 20% and cut full-time hourly workers to a 32-hour week

Alaska lags far behind rest of country on Census response

Alaska so far has the lowest Census response rate of any state. The coronavirus changed the plan, but Alaskans can still get counted.

What is the CARES Act and how can it help you and your small business? | Alaska Insight

Congress has now passed three coronavirus response bills that President Trump has signed, each bigger than the last. The largest and most far-reaching is the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Alaska Public...

Business bruised by COVID-19? SBA may have a $10,000 grant for you.

The Small Business Administration will provide $10,000 "loan advances" to companies hurt by the coronavirus. But you don’t have to be a traditional company, and you don't have to pay it back.

Why Alaska’s Rep. Don Young opposed ‘socialist’ coronavirus aid bill but would likely vote for it now

Alaska Congressman Don Young has only praise for the $2.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill. But less than three weeks ago, he derided a much smaller relief package, saying it was stuffed with "socialist" ideas.

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.
Close up shot of a woman with dark hair and eyeglasses looking into the distance

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.
Mayor Ethan Berkowitz at a COVID-19 press conference in Anchorage in March.

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.