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.
Interior nominee sees ‘clean slate’ on land in trust
Tribes that want to place land in federal trust are still waiting to see how the Trump administration will treat their applications. The nominee for deputy Interior secretary suggests history won't be any guide. Listen now
Young OK with special counsel, rues ‘media hype’
Alaska Congress Don Young says it's fine with him that the Justice Department appointed a special counsel to investigate Russia's role in the 2016 election. "This is all media hype," Young said. Listen now
Sullivan calls for White House ‘discipline’; Murkowski mulls special prosecutor
Both of Alaska's U.S. senators say they're concerned by reports that President Trump shared classified intelligence with top Russian officials in the Oval Office. Sen. Sullivan said it would help if the president stops the morning Tweets and focuses on the goals that got him elected. Listen now
EPA settles with Pebble, clears permitting path for mine
The EPA has announced a new process that could let the Pebble Partnership develop a controversial mine at the headwaters of Bristol Bay, if its permits are granted. Listen now
Murkowski, Sullivan diverge in statements on Comey firing
Murkowski sees "serious cause for concern" in timing of President Trump's dismissal of the FBI director. Sullivan sees "questions" there, and in the conduct of the Obama White House. Listen now
Rep. Young votes for health care bill, says he won pledges for more
A bill to replace the Affordable Care Act squeaked through the U.S. House today, with help from Alaska Rep. Don Young. He denounced a prior version as bad for Alaska. Now he says he's won assurances there'll be more for the state. Listen now
Rep. Young mum on health care bill; Murkowski knocks it
Alaska Congressman Don Young isn’t staking out any position on the latest proposals by his Republican colleagues to replace the Affordable Care Act. His office says Young has no new comments. Listen now
Enviros challenge legality of Trump’s Arctic order
As expected, environmental groups have filed a lawsuit over an order President Trump signed last week to reverse a ban on Arctic offshore oil and gas leasing. Listen now
National omnibus bill contains Mental Health Trust-Tongass land trade
A bill to fund the federal government through September is on the move in Congress, and it includes a long-sought land trade in Southeast Alaska. Listen now
Trump order baffles Bering Sea Elders
When President Trump signed an order last week lifting his predecessor’s restrictions on offshore leasing in the Arctic, he also revoked a decree that created the “Bering Sea Climate Resistance Area.” People who worked to get the designation aren't happy. Listen now
Supreme Court leaves polar bear habitat intact
A California-sized chunk of the Arctic will remain designated as critical polar bear habitat. That’s the effect of a U.S. Supreme Court order Monday declining to hear an appeal from the state of Alaska, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation and an oil industry trade group. Listen now
Trump lifts ban on Arctic offshore drilling
The president has signed an order lifting a ban Obama imposed on drilling off Alaska’s Arctic shores. Environmental groups say the ban is permanent. Expect a lawsuit. Listen now
UPDATE: Trump rescinds Obama’s ‘permanent’ Arctic leasing ban
President Trump is expected to sign an order Friday aimed at lifting his predecessor’s ban on new oil leasing in waters off Alaska’s Arctic coast. Listen now
All smiles for Rep. Young in Eagle River
In other states, Republican Congress members are dogged by anti-Trump protestors. But Alaska Congressman Don Young found a friendly crowd Wednesday in Eagle River. It was his only public event scheduled in the Anchorage area this recess.
They’re holding a town hall, with or without delegation
Alaskans alarmed by the Trump White House are pressuring the state’s congressional delegation for a town hall meeting in Anchorage this week. They've organized one, but none of the three lawmakers has agreed to come. Listen now
49 Voices: Cherry Blossom Princess Caitlin Sweeney
This week on 49 Voices we're going to Washington D.C. Caitlin Sweeney was there last week to be Alaska's "princess" in the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Listen now
Rep. Young wants feds to lay off medical marijuana prosecution
Congressman Don Young and 42 colleagues are asking that Congress block the Justice Department from pursuing federal drug cases against people who are complying with their state’s medical marijuana laws. Listen now
State TB rate dips but remains among the highest
The state Health Department says 57 cases of tuberculosis were reported in Alaska in 2016. That’s a moderate decrease from the prior year, but Alaska's rate remains more than double the national average. Listen now
Cuts to 4-25 reversed, but 1,500 to deploy to Afghanistan
It's official: The Army has decided to keep the 4-25th brigade combat team intact at Joint Base Elmendof-Richardson in Anchorage. Listen now
Sullivan: Syria strike offers chance to restore U.S. credibility
President Trump’s decision to launch missiles on Syria Thursday night drew a range of reactions on Capitol Hill. But Alaska’s all-Republican delegation to Congress gave it three thumbs up. Listen now