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.
Ex-Alaska AG leads Interior office with focus on Arctic, ‘adaptation’
Former Alaska AG Gregg Renkes has a new job at the Interior Department, signaling a change of direction for him and the Office of Policy Analysis. Listen now
BSEE employee claims whistleblower protection
A federal agency that protects whistleblowers is supporting an Alaska employee who says the Interior Department took shortcuts in its environmental review of Royal Dutch Shell's Arctic offshore drilling program. Listen now
Alaska nominee for US court opts out
Anchorage attorney Jonathan Katchen has withdrawn his name from consideration for a seat on the U.S. District Court bench. Listen now
Alaskans press Murkowski on Kavanaugh
Sen. Murkowski met Thursday with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. They smiled for the cameras, but she's keeping her cards close to her vest. Those who don't want Kavanaugh confirmed are pinning their hopes on Murkowski to vote no. Listen now
Galvin wins US House primary; now takes on Rep. Young
Independent candidate Alyse Galvin soundly defeated Dimitri Shein in the Democratic primary for the U.S. House seat held by Congressman Don Young. Listen now
Murkowski accepts climate change. What will she do about it?
Sen. Murkowski is a Republican who goes out of her way to talk about climate change and says we need to reduce emissions. But climate advocates say her deeds don’t match her words.
Democrat hopes to unseat Young with ‘Medicare for all’ campaign
Dimitri Shein was born in the Soviet Union and immigrated to Anchorage when he was 12. He says the experience helps him appreciate what makes America exceptional. "And now I see all these values under attack." Listen now
Galvin runs as Alaskan everywoman, vying for US House
Education advocate Alyse Galvin is running for Congress as a mom and "someone who is like all people." That's part of her campaign message: "I'm in touch. I've been there." Listen now
The Senator | The Big Thaw: Ep. 2
Senator Lisa Murkowski says we need to reduce carbon emissions but remains an ardent advocate for more oil production.
Congress authorizes six icebreakers in Pentagon bill
The nation's annual defense policy bill cleared Congress Wednesday with a pay raise for the troops and a provision allowing up to six icebreakers. Listen now
Kavanaugh: Alaskans set stakes for Murkowski
The senator who might cast the decisive vote on the Supreme Court nominee wants to hear from her constituents. How much will Alaskans hold it against her if she votes "no"? Is "yes" more politically costly? Listen now
BLM projects ‘insignificant’ impact from seismic work in ANWR
Officials from the Bureau of Land Management expect "no significant impact" from a 3d seismic survey in the Arctic Refuge. They expect to approve the request in time for work to begin this winter. Enviros say the work could disturb denning polar bears. Listen now
From Congress, a call to help fishermen caught in trade war
Democrats in the U.S. House are urging President Trump to give fisherman caught in the trade war with China the same benefits announced Tuesday for farmers. Listen now
Murkowski calls on Trump to end ‘sad chapter’ of splitting families at border
Sen. Lisa Murkowski is urging President Trump to use "all available resources" to reunite migrant families. Listen now
USFWS quietly allows land survey in Izembek; Enviros call foul
Conservation groups say the Interior Department has gone behind the public’s back to conduct a land survey in the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, in the area of the proposed King Cove road. Listen now
For some Alaska Native corporations, immigrant detention is big business
Some of the outrage over the separation of families at the southern border has spilled over to the government contractors who work in migrant detention and several of those contracting companies are Alaska Native Corporations. Listen now
Senators have criticized Trump. Now what?
Beyond strongly worded statements and tweets, is there more Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan should do to show Trump they disapprove of his remarks in Helsinki? Listen now
Alaska senators fault Trump for going easy on Putin
Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan take issue with President Trump's Putin-friendly remarks in Helsinki Monday. Listen now
Sen. Sullivan: ‘Yes’ on Kavanaugh nomination
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan says he’ll vote to confirm Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Listen now
Fisheries: Why Young wants to change a beloved law
Rep. Don Young claims pride of authorship in the Magnuson Stevens Act, but he's penned a few revisions. The U.S. House just passed them. Critics say he shouldn't mess with a masterpiece. Listen now