State ends Wellpath contract to run psychiatric institute, could open up contract for bids
The company will continue to work at the facility through December. The state also has hired a contractor to study whether it makes sense to privatize API.
As Capitol reporters dwindle, Alaska lawmakers grapple with rise of political blogs
The newest member of the Alaska Capitol press corps isn't your average reporter -- he once made the news for posing for photos in a Speedo. But he's one of a growing number of political bloggers who are trying to fill in gaps left by Alaska's shrinking mainstream media.
As part of Dunleavy administration directive, ADF&G considered selling its hatcheries
When Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveiled his budget proposal back in February, he also issued a directive asking departments to seek out state-owned properties that could be sold in an effort to save money.
Lawmakers strike compromise on scaling back conflict of interest restrictions
The Senate passed an earlier version of the bill, which would have repealed the conflict of interest provisions entirely. The House passed its own version. A conference committee agreed on the compromise Monday.
As his crime bills languish, Gov. Dunleavy renews the idea of a special session
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, at a news conference Monday, again suggested he could order Alaska lawmakers into a special session unless they start advancing his batch of criminal justice bills.
Through language, a Yup’ik teacher passes on a way of life
As a child, Alice Fitka was punished for speaking her Yup'ik language in school. Since then, she's spent decades teaching it in the Western Alaska village of Tuntutuliak.
Yukon River ready for breakup
Tonight's upcoming winter snow storm for the Interior may slow down some river break-ups this month. But the Kuskokwim and Tanana Rivers have seen record early breakups this year, and it’s likely the Yukon will follow suit.
Records reveal DOT planning Berners Bay ferry terminal on Lynn Canal
The Dunleavy administration is considering a new Juneau ferry terminal 30 miles north of the existing one to accommodate the short-range of the new Alaska-class ferries. It’s part of the plan to ensure day boats can connect Juneau with Haines and Skagway.
The special ingredient inside these new gluten-free noodles? Fish, from Alaska.
The featured ingredient in the new gluten-free “protein noodles” stocked at Costco might surprise you: It’s pollock, the unassuming whitefish caught by the millions in the Bering Sea, off Alaska’s coast.
Maine governor approves extradition of accused UAF cold case killer to Alaska
The governor of Maine has signed a warrant allowing the extradition of a man accused of a rape and murder 26 years ago in Fairbanks.
READ: The Mueller Report, with redactions
Attorney General William Barr has released a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 election to Congress and the public.
Legislators reject six Dunleavy appointees to boards and commissions
The Alaska Legislature confirmed 82 other members to state boards and commissions during a joint session.
Alaska Legislature confirms all of Dunleavy’s commissioners
The closest votes were for Public Safety Commissioner Amanda Price and Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum.
North Pole High ‘bathroom incident’ raises concerns over bullying, policy
The community was concerned about an incident two weeks ago at North Pole High School involving boys coming into a girls’ bathroom. The boys were protesting a transgender student who posted a photo of himself in the boys’ bathroom.
Cost to move Legislature could be up to $45M if state builds office, analysts find
The first-year cost is closer to $3 million if the state rents office space instead of building new facilities, analysts find.
Union sues to block API privatization plan
An organization representing public employees is seeking to block the transfer of management over the facility, saying the move violates state labor laws.
Final Pebble hearing draws mix of views
A sizable minority of speakers - maybe one in three - argued in favor of the mine, saying the state needs the jobs. Others, like Emily Taylor, said the mine threatens the salmon runs of Bristol Bay.
Bill would shift Medicaid recipients to private insurance market
Under a measure backed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Medicaid would pay the insurance premiums for the people who are shifted over to the private health insurance market.
Candidate Dunleavy said he had no plans to cut ferries, schools, university. Then Gov. Dunleavy proposed deep reductions.
Dunleavy’s shifting positions on state spending and budget cuts have left critics fuming; they argue that the governor was able to make dubious claims on the campaign trail that were never debunked by a weakened mainstream media, and that that might have changed the election's outcome.
Southcentral residents still have until April 30 to file taxes, due to earthquake
Thousands of Alaskans affected by the earthquake that struck Southcentral Alaska Nov. 30 are eligible for an automatic extension for filing their tax returns.