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.
Alaska officials fighting mad over Arctic lease cancellation
When the Obama Administration announced the cancelation of drilling opportunities in the Arctic Ocean, the reaction of Alaska’s congressional delegation and governor was swift and terrible. They're pledging a bold response, which, if Rep. Don Young has his way, involves renting a drilling rig.
For Sen. Sullivan, Rep. Young an easier AFN
At its convention last year, AFN endorsed Dan Sullivan’s opponent in a tense campaign, and Congressman Don Young apologized to the audience for remarks he’d made about a teen’s suicide.
What a difference a year makes. Sullivan today addressed the audience as their U.S. senator, and Young was all smiles.
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Murkowski raises big cash, expects a fight
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski is raising serious money for her re-election bid next year, despite having no serious challenger yet.
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Congressional panel to hear criticism of EPA’s Pebble process
A U.S. House Committee chairman has announced a hearing to examine whether the EPA unfairly blocked the Pebble Mine in Southwest Alaska with a so-called “pre-emptive veto,” before the mine has even applied for permits.
Begich says he’s no moper; urges Native youth to persist
Former U.S. senator Mark Begich spoke to the Alaska Federation of Natives Elders and Youth Conference today, one of his biggest Alaskan audiences since he lost re-election and left office in January.
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US House passes Native energy bill; White House threatens veto
The U.S. House on Thursday passed the Native American Energy Act, sponsored by Alaska Congressman Don Young. Young says the bill would encourage resource development on Indian land by cutting red tape and limiting legal challenges. Opponents say it would undermine environmental law.
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Alaskan receives White House honor, appointment as poetry ‘ambassador’
First Lady Michelle Obama honored five young American poets at the White House this morning, including one Alaskan: Anna Lance, a 17-year-old from Eagle River, who represents the West. But being named a National Student Poet isn’t just about glory. It comes with an obligation, too.
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Defense bill passes with measure Sullivan hopes will halt JBER cuts
The U.S. Senate yesterday passed a defense bill, with a provision by Sen. Dan Sullivan requiring an “Arctic Operation Plan." The O-PLAN is a key part of Sullivan's effort to stave off the Army’s announced cut of thousands of troops from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. An Army spokesman says plan will "help inform how and if" the troop reduction takes place.
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Arctic no rival to Suez, not this century, says shipping expert
As the ice retreats, Arctic shipping is expected to increase. But if your idea of “Arctic shipping” is cargo carriers plying a shortcut between Europe and Asia, you may want to choose a different image.
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Obama announces global fishing enforcement, new sanctuaries
President Obama today unveiled a package of global initiatives aimed at cracking down on illegal fishing. He also announced two new marine sanctuaries, and they are not in Alaska.
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Sullivan calls in Corps to bash EPA over water rule
The controversial “Waters of the U.S.” rule took effect in most states this summer, redefining which bodies of water are covered by the Clean Water Act. While legal challenges progress, the WOTUS rule remains a political hot button. Sen. Dan Sullivan pushed that button at a hearing this morning.
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Aleutians monument fought as threat, derided as ‘straw man’
Alaska Congressman Don Young and other Republicans this morning attacked the idea that President Obama might create a marine national monument around the Aleutian Islands, with unknown effects on the fishing industry. But the administration has given no sign it’s considering the notion.
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Murkowski calls Shell pull-out a ‘kick in the gut’
Sen. Lisa Murkowski says news that Shell is pulling out of the Alaska Arctic hit her hard.
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Murkowski: Shell decision shows how feds ‘chase business away’
Sen. Lisa Murkowski says news that Shell is pulling out of the Alaskan Arctic hit her hard.
“Heartsick. Kick in the gut. Just really devastated," she said.
Murkowski says dry holes are a fact of oil exploration, but she blames the federal government for curtailing Shell.
Pope wows Alaska senators — and Rep. Young’s wife
Alaska’s congressional delegation had an audience with this pope this morning. Actually, all of Congress did, along with the president’s cabinet and the Supreme Court. But Sen. Lisa Murkowski did have a close encounter with Pope Francis, a personal moment that left her awestruck.
This time, Murkowski votes with Democrats on Planned Parenthood
Sen. Lisa Murkowski was one of eight Republicans to vote against advancing a bill that would have defunded Planned Parenthood. She also explains why she missed an abortion-related vote on Tuesday: She was in Texas, fundraising.
Sullivan hopes pope learns about America during visit
Pope Francis' address to Congress is tomorrow, and if his speeches in Washington Wednesday are an indication, Alaska’s congressional delegation is likely to hear the pontiff say things they disagree with. This is especially true for U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, who says he’s not convinced human activity is a major cause of climate change. Sullivan describes himself as a life-long Catholic, and he is getting a double dose of pope this week.
Murkowski missed – didn’t duck – abortion vote, staffer says
Sen. Lisa Murkowski was absent today for a procedural vote on banning abortion after the 20th week. As her spokeswoman explains it, Murkowski did not intentionally duck the abortion vote, but missed it due to "prior travel commitments."
Murkowski frets fees on public lands, especially Mendenhall
Sen. Lisa Murkowski on Thursday challenged National Park and Forest Service officials about the fees they collect from visitors. At a Senate hearing, Murkowski said she “generally” supports the law allowing the agencies to collect fees. But then Murkowski homed in on the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center, in Juneau.
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Of $1B settlement, $125M earmarked for Alaska tribes
Attorneys for Indian tribes and the Interior Department announced today an agreement to settle a class-action lawsuit for $940 million. It’s a case that dates back to 1994. Since then, until 2013, the department short-changed some 640 tribes that had federal contracts to provide services to their people. Alaska tribes are among those owed money.
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