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.
Murkowski strikes a certain note
For her annual address to the Alaska Legislature, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski tucked her Senate accomplishments into a speech that was decidedly homey and reassuring. The theme: "Certainty." Download Audio
Hovercraft case among those Scalia’s death leaves in limbo
The death of Justice Scalia has unclear implications for one Alaska-specific case: Sturgeon v. Frost. Oral arguments in the case last month were the last formal arguments Scalia heard. Download Audio
FAA break-up bill clears U.S. House committee
A bill to privatize the nation’s air traffic controllers cleared the Transportation Committee in the U.S. House last night. Rep. Don Young says he amended it to protect Essential Air Service and Alaska's air taxis. Download Audio
Fainting aside, Air Force says F-35 is OK
President Obama’s 2017 Air Force budget would slow the pace of buying F-35s. That’s the new fighter jet slated for Eielson Air Force Base. But top Air Force officials still speak highly of the plan to station them at the Fairbanks base. Never mind that one general lost consciousness when discussing the F-35's budget. Download Audio
Budget defers 5 jets, but Air Force general ‘excited’ for F-35s in Alaska
President Obama’s 2017 Air Force budget would slow the pace of buying F-35s, the new fighter jet slated for Eielson Air Force Base. But the Air Force chief of staff still speaks highly of the plan to keep them at the Fairbanks base.
Young: FAA privatization bill harms Alaska air travel
A U.S. House bill would turn air traffic controllers into employees of a non-profit corporation. Surprisingly, the air traffic controllers’ union supports it. Alaska Congressman Don Young says the bill would also undermine Essential Air Service. Download Audio
Obama budget reveals Alaska flashes
President Obama delivered his final budget to Congress this morning. It has a picture of Denali on the cover, and several big-ticket Alaska items among its pages. Download Audio
State seeks power to prosecute Bill Allen on federal trafficking charge
Alaska Attorney General Craig Richards says the state wants authority to pursue charges against former VECO boss Bill Allen for allegedly transporting a young woman across state lines for sex. The state has tried before, but in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch today, Richards cites a new law that requires her to allow the state to pursue the federal case, or provide a detailed explanation why she won’t. Download Audio
Obama proposes big new tax on oil
President Obama wants to impose a $10-per-barrel tax on crude oil. An industry adovcate calls it an attempt to punish oil companies. Sen. Lisa Murkowski gave it "absolutely no chance" of passing Congress.
Download Audio
Sen. Sullivan co-sponsors bill to split 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
The age-old effort to split up the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is back. Republican senators Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Steve Daines of Montana have co-sponsored the latest bill.
Bill aims to split Ninth Circuit Court
The age-old effort to split up the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is back. Republican senators Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Steve Daines of Montana have co-sponsored the latest bill.
New system will warn of big quakes – but not in Alaska
A prototype of an earthquake early warning system called Shake Alert is close to launch. Soon, West Coast residents will be able to get alerts on their cell phones a few seconds to a few minutes before a big quake strikes. But the warnings won’t cover Alaska.
Congress OKs Coast Guard bill to transfer lands
Congress has approved a Coast Guard bill that includes several land transfers Alaska’s congressional delegation has pursued for years. One of them is at Point Spencer, to advance the possible construction of an Arctic deepwater port near Nome. Bering Straits Native Corporation hopes to develop the port, in partnership with the state of Alaska. Download Audio
As U.S. buys more guns, state agency has more dough than it can handle
The Alaska Division of Wildlife Conservation is largely funded by a federal tax on the sale of guns and ammunition, and sales nationwide are booming. But now the division may have to give back a portion of its bounty.
Download Audio
FDA stops imports of genetically engineered salmon
The FDA issued an alert this morning to stop imports of genetically engineered salmon.
For one brief day, women run the U.S. Senate
In Washington, the side streets of Capitol Hill look suitable for running the Iditarod. But the U.S. Senate did meet this morning. For all of 10 minutes. Only the female senators from two northern states participated.
Download Audio
Senate to take up energy modernization bill
The big snow storm that struck the East Coast over the weekend has delayed the start of Congress’s work week. But when the Senate returns, it will take up one of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s biggest priorities: an energy modernization bill. Murkowski says the energy world has changed a lot since 2007, when the last such bill passed Congress.
Download Audio
Murkowski sees departures, promotions of top staff
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski today announced a slew of staff changes. Current and former employees say the timing of the multiple departures is coincidental. For those of you keeping score at home, sharpen your pencils: We'll take it from the top.
Download Audio
The name is ‘Pollock.’ Just ‘Pollock’
It’s official: The fish formerly known as “Alaska Pollock” now goes by a single name. It’s just called “pollock” now.
Download Audio
Top Army nominee says he’s not keen to cut Alaska troops
When Pentagon nominees comes before the Senate Armed Services Committee for a confirmation hearing, it’s a sure bet that Sen. Dan Sullivan will press them to rethink the announced cuts to JBER's 4-25th. Eric Fanning, nominated for Army secretary, offered little resistance.
Download Audio