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.
With an ‘if,’ Alaska US senators join call for Roy Moore to quit race
Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan say Alabama candidate Roy Moore should step aside, if the abuse claims against him are true. Listen now
Arctic drilling foes find public passion has cooled
In the U.S. Senate, opponents of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge find the proposal isn't drawing public outrage like it did more than a decade ago. "Listen, I know it's a busy news cycle we live in. But last time this issue captured the public's attention," said Sen. Maria Cantwell. Listen now
Murkowski reveals Arctic Refuge drilling details
The ANWR measure will be the subject of debate in the Senate Energy Committee next week. It calls for a 50-50 revenue split between the state and the feds. Listen now
Looser drilling rules bill advances in US House
A deregulation bill aimed at boosting energy production on federal lands has cleared a U.S. House committee. It would remove several limits on Arctic drilling. Listen now
A plea to DC: Save the Tongass plan
Congress recently learned it has the power to overturn the amended plan for the Tongass National Forest. A Juneau business owner flew to Washington, D.C. with a message for Alaska's Congressional delegation: "Don't." Listen now
When US Senators listen to Arctic voices, only some resonate
Eleven Alaskans testified before the U.S. Senate Energy Committee Thursday, for and against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. While senators said they wanted to listen to the people of the Arctic, many seemed to hear selectively. Listen now
Can Congress squeeze $1b from ANWR?
For decades, environmental groups warned Big Oil would plunder the Arctic Refuge if Congress opened the area to drilling. Now, ahead of a Senate hearing, the environmental argument has shifted. A new report claims drilling advocates are exaggerating industry's interest in the refuge. Listen now
Congress let CHIP expire; Denali KidCare OK for now
Funding for CHIP, the low-income children's health insurance program, has expired. Several states are close to running out of money. But the Alaska Division of Health Care Services says the state has enough money to continue funding its CHIP program, called Denali KidCare, until April. Listen now
ANWR drilling clears another hurdle in Congress
The U.S. House has passed the Senate's budget resolution, and with it the seeds of legislation that could open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. Listen now
Alaska U.S. senators quiet on colleagues’ critique of Trump
Two Republicans rocked the U.S. Senate Tuesday with harsh criticism of President Trump, for what they call flagrant disregard for truth and debasing the nation. So far, the two senators aren't discussing it. Listen now
ACA enrollment: Better rates for Alaskans but less time to find them
President Trump says "Obamacare is dead." That negative advertising from the White House is just one of the obstacles Alaska's navigators have to overcome ahead of the enrollment period that starts Nov. 1. Listen now
U.S. Senate passes budget that could open ANWR
The prospect of drilling rigs in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge just got a little more realistic. Listen now
Alaskan selected for Indian Affairs post at Interior
President Trump has nominated ASRC vice president Tara MacLean Sweeney to be assistant secretary of Interior for Indian Affairs. Listen now
Senator Sullivan hires a new chief of staff
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan has hired Larry Burton as chief of staff. Burton worked at BP for 17 years. This isn't his first stint working for Alaska's congressional delegation. Listen now
Pull out of Iran deal? Sullivan says no
Sen. Dan Sullivan was harshly critical of the Iran nuclear agreement in 2015. Now, though, he says the U.S. shouldn't pull out. He says enforcement is a better idea. Listen now
Premera to bump up premium to cover Trump cut
Last month Premera announced it would lowers rates 26 percent. But the drop may quite so steep for silver plans. The new factor: President Trump says he's cutting Cost Sharing Reductions. Listen now
New bill aims to reverse Obama restrictions on offshore drilling
The House measure would, among other things, allow lease sales in more Arctic waters and block new environmental standards for the Arctic. Listen now
Democrats in Congress join fight against Pebble Mine
42 members of the U.S. House and Senate are asking President Trump to leave in place Clean Water Act restrictions to protect Bristol Bay. A CNN report asks why the EPA moved so quickly to remove the administrative hurdle. Listen now
How Trump nominees talk about climate; what it means for Alaska
'Man has an influence' is the refrain. Listen now
ANWR advances with GOP budget
The U.S. House has passed a budget plan that could open the door to drilling in the Arctic Refuge. Listen now