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.

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

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
A map of Alaska, outlining the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

ANWR takes tiny step down rocky Senate road

You know how members of Congress sometimes try to pass legislation by attaching it to a fast-moving bill everyone loves? That's not the case here. ANWR is controversial, and the budget plan it's hitching a ride on isn't entirely popular, either. Listen now

How Trump’s tax plan would affect Alaskans

If President Trump's tax agenda goes into effect, taxes for people of all income groups would go down next year, on average. But only a few Alaskans would get the big tax breaks. Listen now

Enviros sound the alarm on ANWR

Environmentalists are warning that the Republican plan to cut taxes could include a move that would open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. Listen now