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.

Ground game: How Galvin camp hopes to unseat Young

Rep. Don Young is all over the airwaves but his ground game isn't so visible in Anchorage, where Alyse Galvin's campaign has volunteers canvassing the neighborhoods.

Tensions show in Young-Galvin debate, and not just between the candidates

Testy moments punctuated the debate when Rep. Don Young and challenger Alyse Galvin faced off. Listen now

What’s the deal with Murkowski’s ‘present’ vote?

Some liberals were mad at Sen. Murkowski because technically, she didn't vote "no" on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh. She voted "present." And there's a long backstory to that. Listen now

Tara Sweeney returns to AFN, now representing feds

Sweeney called for continued vigilance against drug use in Native communities. "I am committed to finding new ways for the BIA to be engaged in protecting our Alaska Native villages," she said. Listen now

Indicators mixed in US House race

Challenger Alyse Galvin would seem to be on a roll. Two recent polls have shown she's close to Rep. Don Young, and she's raised nearly $1.2 million. But other signs aren't so positive for her. Listen now

Trump signs Sullivan bill aimed at reducing plastic waste in ocean

The "Save Our Seas" law encourages the executive branch to take up the problem of plastic waste internationally. It was sponsored by Sullivan and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. Listen now

Murkowski back in GOP fold on health care

Last weekend, Sen. Murkowski made headlines for breaking with her party over the Brett Kavanaugh nomination. But she fell in line with her Republican caucus Wednesday on a controversial health care vote. Listen now

Poll shows challenger closing in on Rep. Young

A new poll suggests Alaska Congressman Don Young, the most senior member of Congress, may be in a tight race. Listen now

Alaska GOP vows ‘significant response’ against Murkowski

The chairman of the Alaska Republican Party is vowing to repercussions against Sen. Lisa Murkowski for opposing the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Listen now

Murkowski votes ‘No’ but Kavanaugh nomination advances

Sen. Murkowski said she found Kavanaugh’s angry, confrontational demeanor at a Senate hearing to be a breach of the Code of Judicial Conduct. Listen now

Alaskans take flight in last-minute push to persuade Murkowski to vote no on Kavanaugh

With Sen. Lisa Murkowski one of the undecided Republicans who could sink Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination, Alaskans who oppose him are boarding flights to make their case to the senator in person. Listen now

Murkowski’s office deluged with calls about Kavanaugh

Sen. Murkowski's spokeswoman won't say how the calls are split, pro vs. con, but Alaskans urging a "no" vote are making their case loudly, and the ACLU is  flying dozens to D.C. to deliver that message in person.

Murkowski said to find Kavanaugh accuser ‘very credible’

Sen. Murkowski told a reporter at midday that she was withholding her judgment until she heard from Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Listen now

Murkowski: Kavanaugh debate now about ‘victims and their ability to tell their story’

Alaska senator says the discussion has moved beyond the nominee's qualifications and become "a greater dialog, a national conversation, about women who've become victims." Listen now

Alaskans arrested in anti-Kavanaugh protest at US Senate

Alaskans protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court were arrested Tuesday morning outside the D.C. office of Sen. Dan Sullivan. "I want a world where all teenage girls believe that we're going to care, even 50 years later," one Alaskan organizer said. Listen now

Walker, Mallott say ‘no’ on Kavanaugh

The governor and lieutenant governor cite Kavanaugh's legal views and the 36-year-old sexual assault allegation against the nominee, which Kavanaugh vigorously denies. Listen now

Murkowski keeps faith in Kavanaugh hearing

With new uncertainty over Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, Sen. Lisa Murkowski is again the focus of attention. As for his views on the legal status of Alaska Natives, she says they spoke and he allayed her concerns. Listen now

Murkowski, Sullivan: Take Kavanaugh accusation seriously

Both of Alaska's U.S. senators say the allegation against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh deserve to be heard, despite its age. Listen now

Why AFN wants Murkowski to reject Kavanaugh

Sen. Lisa Murkowski still isn't saying how she'll vote on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. But Wednesday, a powerful voice joined the Alaskans urging her to vote no: the Alaska Federation of Natives. Listen now

What happens if Roe v. Wade goes? In Alaska, ‘nothing’

If the 1973 case is overturned, states would have more power to restrict abortion, or possibly ban the procedure entirely within their boundaries. But in Alaska, the right to abortion is stronger than it is in much of the country or in federal law. Listen now