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.
Politico: Science ‘trampled’ as Interior hurries toward ANWR lease sale
The magazine Politico has obtained leaked documents suggesting the Department of Interior has altered the work of at least two agency scientists as it presses to finish the environmental reviews on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
This time, EPA decision has Pebble mine developers cheering
The EPA has thrown out a proposal launched during the Obama administration that some called a "pre-emptive" veto of the mine. It's a procedural decision that has bad implications for mine opponents.
‘Tired of playing defense’: GOP claims the environment issue. But climate change? Not so much.
President Trump and Republicans in Congress want you to know: Republicans care about the environment, too. That was the message from events this month, at the White House and the U.S. Capitol. But climate change wasn't high on the Republican list.
It’s back: Interior signs new land swap for King Cove road
Alaska Public Media has obtained a copy of the new agreement, signed earlier this month by Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and the CEO of King Cove Corporation.
Feds withdraw appeal of Izembek Refuge road decision
For now, that leaves in place U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason's decision blocking a land exchange for a road corridor through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.
Congressional delegation eyes federal funds at risk in state budget impasse
A pile of federal dollars on the line as legislators negotiate the state's capital budget and whether to restore some of the roughly $400 million Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed.
Two worlds that overlap: Richard Glenn sees ANWR drilling as a boon to Inupiaq communities
Richard Glenn is an inconvenient truth for opponents of drilling in the Arctic Refuge. He presents a challenge to the prevalent narrative in D.C., that Native people oppose development in the Arctic.
Galvin tries again to unseat Young
Anchorage education advocate Alyse Galvin has filed to take another run at Alaska Congressman Don Young in 2020.
Young votes against condemning Trump for racist tweets
Alaska Congressman Don Young declined an opportunity Tuesday to criticize President Trump for tweets he wrote that are widely viewed as racist.
‘This needs to stop’: Murkowski rebukes Trump for tweet
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski has condemned President Trump for saying that four left-wing congresswomen should go back to where they came from. All four congresswomen are non-White.
Sec. Acosta did right by Alaska, Murkowski and Sullivan say
"I've been impressed with his level of attention to the details of his job," Murkowski said Wednesday, two days before Acosta announced his resignation.
Murkowski finds EPA criticism of Pebble Mine ‘substantial’
The Environmental Protection Agency issued harsh assessments of the proposed Pebble Mine last week, and they've made an impression on Lisa Murkowski.
EPA says Pebble may be riskier than study says, rekindling hope for mine foes
The Environmental Protection Agency has weighed in once again on the proposed Pebble Mine, and it has mine opponents cheering.
EPA says report on Pebble Mine lacks detail, likely underestimates risks to water quality
The Environmental Protection Agency has just released formal comments on the proposed Pebble Mine, and mine opponents will find a lot to cheer about.
EPA reconsiders restrictions on Pebble
The EPA is officially reconsidering the proposal it made during the Obama administration to essentially block the Southwest Alaska project.
Time for Murkowski to take a stand on Pebble? She says not yet.
Opponents of the Pebble Mine are doing all they can to get Sen. Lisa Murkowski on their side. But Murkowski is not ready to make a declaration about the mine, for or against.
US House approves anti-Pebble amendment; Young votes no, defends permit process
The U.S. House voted 233-201 for an amendment that would block the Corps of Engineers from proceeding on a permit for the proposed Pebble Mine.
Alaskans push for acceptance of walrus ivory, but there’s an elephant in the room
Federal law prohibits sales of African elephant ivory, but six states have now banned the sale of ivory more broadly. That has repercussions for Alaska Native ivory carvers, who use tusks from legally hunted walrus.
Murkowski differs with Trump on campaign help from foreign powers
Sen. Lisa Murkowski was not happy to hear President Trump say he would accept foreign intel on a political opponent.
Why fishermen are mailing corks to Murkowski
Bristol Bay fishermen who oppose the Pebble Mine are adding an unusual task to their pre-season chores: They’re writing messages on cork floats and mailing them to Sen. Lisa Murkowski.