Dividend paybacks meet opposition in public testimony
While a majority spoke out against Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s legislation to pay back permanent fund dividend cuts from the last three years, others said PFDs should never have been cut in the first place.
In speech to JBER troops, Trump praises Alaska, military and Dunleavy
Returning to Washington D.C. from peace talks in Vietnam, the president gave a 20-minute speech, his first in-person address in Alaska.
North Slope village tribal government sues over ConocoPhillips’ drilling plans
Along with five environmental groups, the Native Village of Nuiqsut is challenging the Bureau of Land Management's approval of ConocoPhillips' exploratory drilling plans this winter in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.
Trump’s emergency declaration splits Alaska delegation
A close vote is expected when the Senate decides whether to reverse President Trump’s declaration of an emergency to build a wall on the southern border. The Alaska delegation is split on the question.
As Dunleavy’s budget looms, two Alaskans see diverging futures for Mat-Su
Alaskans on both sides of the budget debate weigh in on the proposal to dramatically cut state spending to pay full Permanent Fund dividends.
Dunleavy defends budget in wide-ranging interview
In this interview with Alaska Public Media and KTOO’s Andrew Kitchenman, Alaska Gov. Michael Dunleavy weighs in on reactions to his proposed budget.
Fairbanks City Council passes contentious non-discrimination ordinance
Fairbanks now has a law that prohibits discrimination in businesses, rentals and employment. The City Council passed a non-discrimination ordinance Monday after two hours of public hearing and weeks of work sessions.
Dunleavy fires head of state oil and gas watchdog agency
In a letter sent Tuesday, the governor informed Hollis French he is "immediately" being removed from his position as chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
As Dunleavy defends budget, nonpartisan analyst questions whether it was designed ‘to create chaos’
While lawmakers have been hearing a lot of criticism of the budget, Gov. Michael Dunleavy said he heard good things in a visit to Mat-Su Borough and Anchorage last weekend.
Native Vietnam vets get another chance to claim 160 acres
Congress passed a sweeping public lands bill that includes a provision allowing Alaska Native veterans of the Vietnam War era apply for land allotments. Critics worry about a land grab.
Gov. Dunleavy opens door to megaprojects with order
Gov. Mike Dunleavy rescinded seven administrative orders last week enacted by his predecessor, Bill Walker. They include an order that halted state spending on six infrastructure projects.
Plan to eliminate Power Cost Equalization Fund meets resistance
State senators are pushing back against Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s plan to eliminate a fund that’s intended to equalize the cost of supplying power to rural Alaska. Senators spoke about it in a Finance Committee meeting Monday.
US Senate sidelines “Born-Alive” bill
The stage was set for a divisive vote related to late-term abortion, and one open question was how Sen. Lisa Murkowski would vote.
Proposed Medicaid cut raises concern for health centers, hospitals
Gov. Michael Dunleavy has proposed a $249 million cut to Alaska's Medicaid program, one of the most expensive parts of the state budget. Health care providers say cuts could mean services for Alaskans will look “dramatically different than they do today.”
Alaska GOP Gov. Dunleavy disbands state climate response team
Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy has formally disbanded the task force formed by his predecessor to guide the state's response to global warming.
Rep. Young seeks legal path for CBD
Congressman Don Young is the only Republican to join a group of House Democrats on a letter seeking legal status for cannabidiol, a popular and non-intoxicating additive known as CBD.
Can Bethel afford the costs of climate change?
Alaska's temperatures are warming twice as fast as the global average, and rural Alaska is taking the brunt of the impacts. The costs from dealing with climate change are starting to become more visible in Bethel, a hub town for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.
Alaska ferries freeze autumn ticket sales amid uncertain future
The Alaska Marine Highway System has stopped selling tickets past September. That’s in anticipation to deep cuts that could be fatal to the state ferry network.
Sullivan: Trump’s emergency wall money ‘probably legal’
Sen. Dan Sullivan says President Trump probably can rely on his emergency declaration to divert military construction money to the southern border. "I've been supportive of the president's request for robust funding for barriers, fences, the wall ... however you want to describe it." Sullivan said, though he is concerned that money for Alaska projects could be diverted.
Why a wilderness lodge in the middle of nowhere became a magnet for mushers
Along one of the most remote stretches of the state's road system is a wilderness lodge that's become thoroughly popular with elite dog-mushers.