Peter Granitz, NPR- Washington DC
pgranitz (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 202.488.1961 | About Peter
Rains slow as Hilary moves north and leaves Southern California underwater
The first tropical storm to hit Southern California in nine decades dropped as much as 7 inches of rainwater in some mountain regions.
Major oil companies pull out of once-promising Russia
The announcements signal that even though Western countries have not sanctioned Russian energy companies, businesses no longer see operation in Russia as a safe investment.
COVID-19 vaccine for young kids could be ready this month
zer-BioNTech is expected to file a submission for emergency use to the Food and Drug Administration for a vaccine regimen designed for use in children aged six months to five years.
Federal Government Shuts Down
Much of the federal government is now shutdown because of Congress’s failure to pass a funding bill. Huge sections of the government – the costliest ones, like Social Security, Medicare, veterans’ benefits and war-fighting efforts – remain open. But the shutdown could have huge affects in Alaska, the state with the third highest percentage of federal employees.
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Senators Weigh In On Government Shutdown
The Senate passed a measure advancing a government funding bill yesterday that zeroes out money for the Affordable Care Act. Both Senators Murkowski and Begich supported the measure. And Congressman Don Young supported it in the House last week.
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Delegation Not Expecting Movement In Gun Control Legislation
The mass shooting at a Navy installation in Washington, D.C. Monday is reigniting the debate over guns and background checks. The Alaska Congressional delegation is not predicting any movement.
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Delegation Skeptical Of Northern Dynasty’s Continued Pebble Plan Development
Although Northern Dynasty officials say the company will continue to develop plans for the mine in Southwest Alaska, the state’s senators are skeptical.
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Obama Asks Congress To Delay Vote On Syria
The debate over whether to attack Syria is extremely fluid right now. President Barack Obama, in a national address Tuesday night, called on Congress to delay a vote authorizing the use of force. Alaska’s delegation has all weighed in against that action.
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Syria Strikes Could Catapult Oil Prices Even Higher
Syria does not produce much oil. It's allies do, though, said Ed Hirs, an energy economist at the University of Houston.
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Begich Skeptical of Syrian Strikes Without Congressional Assent
The United States Sixth Fleet is sailing in the Mediterranean Sea, and the Fifth Fleet is in nearby Bahrain. The Pentagon is mobilizing forces for long-range bombings or cruise missile strikes.
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Poll Shows Wide Fears of Pebble Mine
Hays Research Group asked 388 likely primary voters their opinions of a possible 2014 ballot initiative that would prohibit the Pebble Mine. More than 60% said they favor the measure. Some two-thirds of that group strongly support it.
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Alaska Education Leaders Tepid to Obama’s Education Plans
President Barack Obama wants to tie college rankings to how affordable they are and whether students are landing in the workforce after graduation.
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Oil Prices Surge As Alaskans Stockpile for Winter
Global unrest is forcing oil prices to rise just as rural Alaskans are purchasing heating oil for the coming winter.
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Alaska Republicans Worry Of Shutdown Fallout
Senator Lisa Murkowski and Representative Don Young hope members of their party won't shut down the government over the health care bill.
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Congress Shows No Urgency on Voting Rights Act
In June, the United States Supreme Court struck down a key formula of the Voting Rights Act. Section IV of the 1965 law determined which states needed to get federal approval before changing any voting laws. Alaska was one of nine states subject to that rule known as preclearance.
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Japan Looks To Revitalize Nuclear Program
Japanese political leaders hope to revitalize the country’s nuclear program. It scaled back from more than 50 nuclear reactors to less than five after an earthquake caused a meltdown at the Fukushima reactors in 2011.
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Pebble Waits, Frustration Grows
Alaska's Congressional delegation has been urging the Pebble Partnership to submit its application for its Bristol Bay mine.
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Federal Judge Rules Shell’s Spill Plan Sufficient
A host of environmental groups sued the federal government for allowing Shell to proceed with its Arctic drilling campaign despite weak spill response plans.
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House Appropriations Proposes EPA Cuts, Senate Proposes Nothing
The House Appropriations Committee aims to slash the Interior Department's budget by $5 billion. The Senate has yet to release its plan.
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Obama’s Tax Proposals Win Tepid Response
Alaska's senators welcomed President Barack Obama's new corporate tax rates with little fanfare.
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