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.
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.
US House calls for more research on ocean acidification
The change in ocean chemistry is alarming to subsistence communities and the fishing industry.
Have Alaska’s US lawmakers read the Mueller report? We asked.
You can get an “I read the Mueller Report” button for bragging rights. But no one in Alaska’s congressional delegation can rightfully wear that button. Not yet, anyway.
Murkowski ‘not inclined to be supportive’ of Trump’s Mexico tariff
Sen. Lisa Murkowski says her Republican colleagues are not happy with President Trump’s plan to impose a 5% tariff on all goods from Mexico.
Can ‘Indian country’ powers combat violence in rural Alaska? Sullivan says he’ll discuss it with AG Barr.
U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr is coming to Alaska this week. Sen. Dan Sullivan said he will focus on rural law enforcement, particularly for the more than 70 Alaska villages that have no police officers.
ANWR fight not over for Democrats in Congress
Democrats in Washington, D.C. are still hoping to block drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The latest attempt surfaced at a U.S. House committee meeting.
New icebreaker won’t have much time for the Arctic, says Coast Guard boss
The Coast Guard expects to launch the first of three new icebreakers in 2024, but don't expect to see much of it in Alaska.
From Texas to Colorado to Scotland, ANWR drilling opponents take their case to CEOs
A small crowd marched on BP's American headquarters in Denver today, demanding the oil conglomerate not drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. It's part of a larger effort by environmental groups to target oil companies and also banks.
Murkowski sticks with GOP to confirm anti-abortion nominee to bench
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski helped the Senate confirm President Trump’s 65th federal trial court judge. The nominee, Wendy Vitter, overcame substantial criticism from abortion rights groups.
US House bill clears path for Alaska tribes to put land in trust
The U.S. House on Wednesday passed a bill that would clear a legal cloud over whether Alaska tribes can put land in trust, giving them the authority to govern over that land.
As the ice goes, Arctic nations find their bonds are tested
In the end, the eight nations of the Arctic Council signed a short statement, affirming their commitment to peace and cooperation. But two major issues loomed over the Arctic Council meeting in Finland this week, and they pull at the seams of Arctic unity.
Why is the US so far behind in the Arctic? Clues emerge at congressional hearing
Retired admiral Thad Allen, a former Coast Guard commandant, said the country needs to wake up to the strategic importance of the Arctic Ocean and commit more resources to it.
As memories of the Exxon Valdez fade, a plea to Congress to retain the lessons learned
A group of Alaskans traveled to Washington, D.C. to ask lawmakers to renew a fund that allows the government to launch a spill response and pay compensation, even before the company at fault is held to account.
Pompeo to Arctic Council: Easy days are over
The countries of the Arctic Council have for years rejoiced that their region is a zone of peace and cooperation. But in a speech in Finland Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took a harder edge.
Navy plans to be more active in the Arctic
As part of an increased presence in the Arctic, Navy Secretary Richard Spencer said he'd like to send a ship through the Northwest Passage this summer.