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.
GOP unites behind Trump after weekend defections
Both of Alaska’s U.S. senators said over the weekend they won’t support Republican Donald Trump for president, not after seeing him brag on a 2005 videotape that being a star meant he was free to grab women by the private parts. The state House majority leader also announced Sunday she’s no longer supporting Trump. But as of today, the Republican party in Alaska was officially sticking with Trump. Listen Now
Amb. Balton: Focus grows on Arctic Council
Representatives of the Arctic Council member nations wrapped up a meeting in Portland, Maine this week. For the first decade of the council’s existence, interest in it did not extend much beyond the Arctic nations. But Amb. David Balton says now the world is paying attention. Listen Now
White House honors Sitkan as champion of fisheries
The White House today honored Sitkan Linda Behnken as a “Champion of Change” for her work to improve fishing sustainability. Listen Now
Senators want to forever bar offshore rigs from Arctic
Fourteen U.S. senators sent a letter to President Obama today, asking him to keep drill rigs out of federal waters in the Arctic forever. Listen Now
Caelus announces big oil find on North Slope
Caelus Energy says it’s made a major oil discovery on the North Slope, at Smith Bay. The company estimates the oil under its current state leases at 6 billion barrels and says the development could boost pipeline output by 40 percent. Listen Now
St. George applies for marine sanctuary
The city of St. George, home to 100 people, has asked the federal government to create a marine sanctuary around their island in the Bering Sea. Listen Now
Alaska gets $500m in base construction; most for Fairbanks
Congress last week agreed to spend more than half a billion dollars on military construction projects in Alaska. Most of the projects are aimed at preparing Eielson Air Force Base for the arrival of 2 F-35 squadrons. Listen Now
Will Obama look north for his legacy?
As the months tick down on hisadministration, President Obama has created marine monuments in the Northeast and the South Pacific. Alaska interest groups are working to get his attention, too. Some want him to take bold action in the 49th State before he leaves office, and others are urging him to resist the call. Listen Now
Rep. Young bucks tide, supports Obama on veto
Congress, for the first time, overrode one of President Obama’s vetoes. The bill – which now becomes law - allows 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia based on allegations it provided support to the terrorist attackers. The veto override was bipartisan, but Rep. Don Young sided with Obama on this one. Listen Now
White House: No nation an island on Arctic science
Cabinet members and high-ranking science advisors from 25 governments will convene on the White House tomorrow to discuss rapid changes in the Arctic. “The Arctic is ... a preview of what is coming our way in the rest of the world," says Mark Brzezinski, the top White House liaison to the region. Listen Now
Doyon’s $2b discount: Fair play or ‘rip off’?
Doyon was in federal court in Washington D.C. today, trying to keep a $2 billion discount it says it should have been granted two years ago, when it bid billions of dollars on wireless spectrum. The FCC claims the company Doyon partially owns, Northstar, doesn't deserve the discount because of its substantial ties to Dish Network. Listen Now
Obama addresses tribes one last time
President Barack Obama addressed his final White House Tribal Nations Conference today. He says progress for first nations will continue, regardless of who wins the White House next. Listen Now
Murkowski launches big Alaska bills whose days are numbered
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski this morning brought some of her most controversial Alaska bills to the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which she chairs. The contentious bills stand almost no chance of passing in this Congress. But some, she hopes, will pack a punch anyway.
Begich will not enter race for U.S. Senate
Former U.S. Senator Mark Begich says he will not mount a write-in campaign in the race for Senator Lisa Murkowski's seat.
Murkowski says Navy has explaining to do
Sen. Lisa Murkowski says the Navy is again snubbing the concerns of Alaskans as it prepares for the next Northern Edge training exercise in the Gulf of Alaska.
Flint water help could spill into rural Alaska
The Senate is likely to pass a Water Resources bill this week that would send $100 million to Flint, Michigan to resolve that community’s drinking water crisis. But the bill could be a plum for rural Alaska, too.
GOP officers ditch party roles to back Miller
The Central Committee of the Alaska Republican Party voted to remove one of its members over the weekend, and several other party officers resigned, all so they can publicly support Joe Miller. He's running as a Libertarian against the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, Lisa Murkowski. Republicans describe it as a friendly separation.
Joe Miller nabs Libertarian spot to challenge Murkowski
A shake-up this afternoon in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race: Fairbanks attorney Joe Miller announces he will challenge Sen. Lisa Murkowski after all. Listen now
In U.S. House race, both claim labor’s love
Congressman Don Young and his Democratic challenger, Steve Lindbeck, both say they've got strong support from organized labor. Listen Now
No surprises in U.S. House and Senate primaries
When it came to the federal races, Tuesday’s election held no surprises. Listen now