US Army Corps extends comment period on Pebble’s draft EIS
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has extended the public comment period on its draft environmental review of the proposed Pebble Mine.
House Resources Committee considers making Tier 3 water protection a legislative process
The House and Senate are considering bills that would make the state Legislature responsible for approving Tier 3 nominations for federal waters.
Navy plans to be more active in the Arctic
As part of an increased presence in the Arctic, Navy Secretary Richard Spencer said he'd like to send a ship through the Northwest Passage this summer.
Dunleavy administration pick for $94,000-a-year labor relations manager comes without labor relations experience
Jared Goecker started as the state’s labor relations manager last month – a job that includes helping to supervise negotiation of union contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars. His boss said she interviewed several candidates for the job and that Goecker was the best fit.
In death, beached Turnagain humpback offers clues, research samples and food
A humpback whale that beached in Turnagain Arm south of Anchorage near Girdwood has died. Biologists say it is an uncommon location for a humpback and they are now studying its death.
Democrats on US House committee move anti-drilling ANWR bill
A bill to close the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling cleared the House Resources Committee Wednesday. The bill is unlikely to become law, but the session offered Congress members a chance to argue their case, and some did so loudly.
Senate passes budget that ignores most of Dunleavy’s cuts
On a 19-1 vote, the Alaska Senate approved a budget with a $3,000 dividend — and a $1.2 billion gap between what it spends and what it makes.
Dunleavy administration being sued for withholding $20M in education funding
The Dunleavy administration is being sued by education nonprofit Coalition for Education Equity over his refusal to release $20 million in funds that were delegated to public schools last year by the Legislature.
House committees take different approach on crime bills
House members have brought different ideas on addressing crime to the House Judiciary and House Finance committees.
Senate bill to change PFD formula advances
Senate Bill 103 would split the annual draw from permanent fund earnings evenly between dividends and state government.
Mine opponents ask SEC to investigate Pebble’s parent company
Two groups allege Northern Dynasty Minerals has described a massive deposit to potential investors while Pebble's permit application describes a mine barely a tenth that size.
Napakiak mourns after two prisoners die in jail fire
Two prisoners died early Sunday morning when flames engulfed the Napakiak jail.
Tongass ‘timber sale’ nearing the finish line
Crews are spending the warmer months on Prince of Wales Island surveying vast areas of national forest land for potential logging.
Pot could leave black mark on immigration cases
Federal immigration authorities issued a “policy alert” about cannabis. It's causing a stir among Alaska immigration attorneys and exposes a gulf between federal policy and Alaska values on what constitutes “good moral character.”
Legislature considers plastic bag ban
The state legislature is considering a ban on plastic shopping bags.
Interior delays offshore drilling plan, citing judge’s decision
The Trump administration's plan to expand offshore drilling in the Arctic and throughout U.S. coastal waters is on indefinite hold.
Survey: Southeast business leaders pan Dunleavy budget priorities
A questionnaire sent to business leaders across Southeast Alaska found deep misgivings over the governor’s approach to balancing the budget.
Murkowski asks for longer Pebble comment period
The current 90-day public comment period ends on May 30. The senator wants the Army Corps of Engineers to give the public an additional 30 days to weigh in.
Anchorage School District to allow for tribal, cultural attire at graduation
During graduation in the Anchorage School District, some of the students' attire will be a little more meaningful this year. The school district recently made a change allowing students to express their cultures as they celebrate their achievement.
Two tribes, Dunleavy at odds over tribal sovereignty
Two tribes say that Gov. Mike Dunleavy and his administration aren’t doing enough to consult with their leaders on big issues facing the state.