Alaska agency moves to spend $1.5M on Arctic Refuge development, setting up clash with Biden administration
The state agency that holds Alaska's oil leases in the refuge wants to spend $1.5 million on studies, data collection and permitting needed in advance of what’s known as seismic exploration: using heavy equipment to map areas under the earth’s surface to see how much oil could be there.
Nice try, pollock: How Alaska’s most prolific fish almost won the state’s ranked choice mock election
The humble pollock was, for a few hours, the frontrunner in the state's mock election. Alaskans smelled a rat.
Ravn Alaska to purchase fleet of electric aircrafts
But the company that builds them first has to finalize its aircraft design. Airflow CEO Marc Ausman said he hopes to have Airflow’s planes ready for service by 2025.
State workers receive layoff notices as governor calls Legislature’s budget ‘defective’
Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced that layoff notices are being sent to state workers on Thursday. He said that’s because the budget the Legislature passed is “defective” because it won’t go into effect by July 1.
Pebble: Appeals Court revives case challenging EPA’s removal of watershed protection
In an opinion released Thursday, the panel said EPA could remove the protection adopted by the Obama administration "only when an 'unacceptable adverse effect' on specified resources was not 'likely.'”
Alaska’s brewing industry continues to grow, despite pandemic challenges
New breweries have been popping up in Alaska for years, and, despite earlier predictions that growth would plateau, it hasn’t let up yet. vv
Senate GOP hails new Interior deputy as ‘voice of reason’
The Senate easily confirmed former Obama administration official Tommy Beaudreau as deputy secretary at the Interior Department on Thursday, a rare bipartisan moment in an increasingly bitter fight over President Joe Biden’s policies on energy production and climate change.
Senate passes budget, motion funding $1,100 PFD fails
This year's Permanent Fund dividend will be $525 if the legislature doesn't add more funding later.
Commercial aviation is essential to life in Alaska. It’s also home to a growing share of the country’s deadly crashes.
Alaska’s terrain and infrastructure pose unique challenges when flying. Some say the Federal Aviation Administration has been slow to account for these hazards, leaving pilots and customers to fend for themselves, sometimes at risk to their lives.
Anchorage government forgot to budget money for its mayoral transition. Now that’s being fixed.
Up to now, mayor-elect Dave Bronson's transition team was relying on volunteer labor and donated supplies. Members even brought in printers from home.
After bruising campaign, Bronson says he’s looking for common ground in Anchorage
After a fraught year and a contentious election, Anchorage mayor-elect Dave Bronson represents a return to conservative leadership in the city. A 30-year resident of Alaska who has never held elected office before, he’s described as sharp and principled by observers.
Voting rights bill seems doomed in Senate, without Murkowski on board
Lisa Murkowski is the most likely Senate Republican to be on board. She’s not.
Hiker missing after being charged by bears near Palmer
A search is ongoing for a hiker near Palmer who was reportedly charged by bears on a local trail.
Bronson administration details plans for large, city-funded shelter in Anchorage
"This is a sea change,” said Mayor-elect Dave Bronson about the proposal, which for the first time would have the city pay for the construction and operations of a shelter that could house up to 1000 people.
Federal judge blocks Biden’s pause on new oil, gas leases
The Biden administration’s suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and water was blocked Tuesday by a federal judge in Louisiana, who ordered that plans be resumed for lease sales that were delayed for the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska.
Credit rating agencies see improved outlook for Alaska, but note risks from budget uncertainty
As Alaska lawmakers decide what to do about the budget, one group that’s keeping an eye on the outcome are the agencies that rate the state’s ability to pay off its debts. And they say Alaska's rating is actually showing positive signs.
Fire crews respond in force to Loon Lake fire outside of Sterling
The Division of Forestry said it intends to fully suppress the fire and is attacking it with water drops and fire retardant. As of Monday afternoon, it had built 15 percent of a containment line around the fire’s perimeter.
‘It’s just a very life-affirming story’: Witness describes campers helping Kenai bear attack victims
A man involved in the rescue said that two kayakers paddled 6 miles across Skilak Lake after being attacked and injured by a bear. He heard them scream for help as they pulled in.
LISTEN: Alaska eating disorder experts see greater need for treatment, few options
That's according to recent reporting by Anchorage Daily News health reporter Annie Berman, who spoke to both providers and former patients who've battled with eating disorders in the past.
Pentagon ponders where to build new Ted Stevens Arctic Center. Alaska? Maybe.
The Pentagon is considering three cities for the center, named for the late Sen. Ted Stevens.