Yereth Rosen, Alaska Beacon
Bill mandating end to use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams becomes law in Alaska
The new law requires a switch to PFAS-free foams by Jan. 1 and sets up a system to help rural villages get rid of them.
Goals for new Alaska crime law range from harsher penalties for drug dealers to reducing recidivism
Some celebrate major progress on the state’s thorniest crime issues while others criticize the methods.
New federal program aims to speed restoration of damaged Alaska streams and rivers
A new program has a toolbox of techniques to be used as the Bureau of Land Management seeks to restore waterways damaged by mining.
Governor’s vetoes whittle list of funded Alaska Long Trail projects to four
Left intact are projects to improve trails at Flattop Mountain and develop an Indigenous gateway in downtown Anchorage.
Denali and Fairbanks-area fires disrupt tourists and communities in Alaska
Wildfires around the state have accelerated, with fires at the entrance of Denali National Park and around Fairbanks causing the most problems.
Federal departments announce about $280M in funding for Alaska projects
Grants from Transportation, Interior and Agriculture will fund road and harbor projects, energy development and cleanup of old oil wells.
Hilcorp announces plan to buy Eni’s oil fields on Alaska’s North Slope
The deal, which must be cleared by state regulators, would expand Hilcorp’s Alaska operations to the offshore Oooguruk and Nikaitchuq oil fields.
Coast Guard icebreaker Healy headed to Alaska for 3 Arctic research missions
This year's cruises by the nation's biggest icebreaker will support long-term ocean research and help train young scientists.
Royalty-free terms draw only 3 oil and gas lease bids in Alaska’s Cook Inlet
DNR Commissioner John Boyle is "disappointed" by the results but defends royalty reductions to encourage more inlet drilling.
Climate change disruptions to Alaska marine fisheries scrutinized at Kodiak workshop
It is hard to address sudden shocks like marine heatwaves that are expected to be more frequent, participants said.
Lawmaker-approved Alaska Long Trail projects, all in Anchorage, await governor’s verdict
The biggest project approved would put just over $1 million toward creating an uninterrupted 25-mile connection between Turnagain Arm and the northern area of Anchorage.
An Alaska wildlife refuge is changing its wildfire strategy to limit carbon emissions
If blazes break out in parts of the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, firefighters will protect forest floor and permafrost that hold carbon.
Environmental groups file new challenge to yet-unbuilt Alaska LNG export project
The groups argue that federal agencies failed to properly consider harms the project would cause to animals, including polar bears.
Alaska health officials point to wastewater sampling as useful disease-tracking tool
Wastewater testing is helpful in keeping track of COVID-19 and other contagious diseases, and state health officials hope to expand it.
Federal bill would add veterinary care to IHS duties to address rabies, other risks in rural Alaska
Veterinarians are scarce in Indigenous communities but the need is great, given the diseases circulating in wildlife that can spread to pets and people.
Dunleavy examining energy bills passed by Alaska Legislature
Gov. Mike Dunleavy was optimistic about a bill on carbon storage, but was pondering next steps on royalty relief bills that didn't pass.
Alaska lawmakers approve task force to consider responses to seafood industry ‘implosion’
The resolution calls for a task force of eight legislators to make recommendations for action on seafood, with a report due in January.
Alaska Native corporation ending involvement in controversial Ambler road project
NANA Regional Corp. says it supports mining development in the region, but it objects to the way the road project is being managed by the state entity sponsoring it.
Alaska lawmakers juggle late-session bills addressing Southcentral natural gas crunch
Bills to make storing gas easier, reduce royalties and spur new gas production, as well as energy transmission and renewable energy, are moving forward.
Report portrays mixed picture of Alaska’s huge seafood industry
The report says the industry's economic value rose in 2021 and 2022, but employment is declining and recent price collapses are worrisome.