Traffic flow remains intermittent as Swan Lake Fire grows
The 40,000-acre Swan Lake Fire, burning northeast of Sterling, is ending its third week, now with over 500 firefighters responding.
Former Alaska lawmaker disappointed with retroactive per diem payments
Former Alaska state Rep. Jason Grenn sponsored an ethics law last year that affects legislators’ per diems. He called a recent vote on retroactive per diem payments “sad.”
Legislators defy Dunleavy, announce Juneau as special session location
Legislative leaders say the floor sessions would be held at the Capitol in Juneau, while most of the meetings would be in Anchorage at the Legislative Information Office.
Swan Lake fire grows, moving closer to Sterling Highway
The Swan Lake fire has grown to 32,300 acres. The fire has been burning since early June in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. This weekend, winds spread the fire within two miles of the Sterling Highway.
Legislators, Dunleavy administration expect school funds to be paid during potential lawsuit
The Legislative Council voted unanimously on June 13 to authorize a lawsuit against the Dunleavy administration over education funding.
Dunleavy to lawmakers: PFD formula must be approved by popular vote
Dunleavy and lawmakers are engaged in a worthy discussion over the future of Alaska Permanent Fund earnings and dividends.
Time for Murkowski to take a stand on Pebble? She says not yet.
Opponents of the Pebble Mine are doing all they can to get Sen. Lisa Murkowski on their side. But Murkowski is not ready to make a declaration about the mine, for or against.
In rural Alaska, school districts deal with a legacy of unaddressed contamination
Typically, when a contaminated site is discovered it’s up to the landowner — or the person responsible for making the mess — to clean it up. But there are dozens of sites where this process has broken down.
Federal audit finds gaps in Alaska ‘critical incident’ reporting
After a recent review from a federal watchdog agency found Alaska health care providers failed to correctly report and monitor critical incidents involving people with developmental disabilities, state health officials are making changes in an attempt to close the gaps.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly gets first satanic invocation
A member of the local Satanic Temple gave the invocation at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting Tuesday night for the first time since the borough changed its policy on invocations last year.
US House approves anti-Pebble amendment; Young votes no, defends permit process
The U.S. House voted 233-201 for an amendment that would block the Corps of Engineers from proceeding on a permit for the proposed Pebble Mine.
Working group seeks a path forward on PFDs amid heated debate
Working group members say they want the committee’s work to help end the annual legislative fights over permanent fund dividends.
Alaska fishermen appeal Carnival’s $20 million pollution settlement
Three Alaskans are appealing a deal reached between Carnival Corporation and federal prosecutors after the world’s largest cruise company recently admitted to violating its felony probation.
For Quinhagak, climate change means they may have to move
In Western Alaska, accelerating erosion is forcing several villages to consider moving. In Quinhagak, a village on the Bering Sea, erosion is threatening the sewer lagoon and the building that houses its washeteria and health clinic.
Alaskans push for acceptance of walrus ivory, but there’s an elephant in the room
Federal law prohibits sales of African elephant ivory, but six states have now banned the sale of ivory more broadly. That has repercussions for Alaska Native ivory carvers, who use tusks from legally hunted walrus.
Dunleavy: Wasilla special session will be focused on PFD, capital budget can come later
Dunleavy held a press conference Friday in front of Wasilla Middle School, his recommended venue for the session. He says while there is still work to be done on the capital budget, the dividend is his priority for this session.
Murkowski differs with Trump on campaign help from foreign powers
Sen. Lisa Murkowski was not happy to hear President Trump say he would accept foreign intel on a political opponent.
Dunleavy calls for round two in Wasilla after Alaska Legislature adjourns first special session
Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called for a second special session to be hosted in Wasilla next month. The session’s agenda is limited to PFD funding.
Why fishermen are mailing corks to Murkowski
Bristol Bay fishermen who oppose the Pebble Mine are adding an unusual task to their pre-season chores: They’re writing messages on cork floats and mailing them to Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
Vote to draw from state savings account to pay for capital projects falls short
With large differences remaining over permanent fund dividends, that means the special session will likely end Thursday or Friday with more work left to do.