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.
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.
Legislature considers plastic bag ban
The state legislature is considering a ban on plastic shopping bags.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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 Fisheries urges pressure on B.C. over transboundary mining
A legislative committee heard from mine critics on both sides of the border during a Tuesday hearing in Juneau. It’s part of an effort to pressure British Columbia to tighten its mining regulations to reduce the threat of pollution from transboundary mines.
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.
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.
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.
Emmonak votes to keep alcohol and remain ‘damp’
Voters in the Western Alaska community of Emmonak have narrowly decided to continue restricted alcohol sales and remain a so-called "damp" community under local option laws.
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.
Dunleavy administration dismisses Alaska ferries chief
The Alaska Marine Highway System’s top official lost her job this week to cost-cutting, according to Department of Transportation officials.
New Anchorage climate plan calls for 80 percent cut to emissions by 2050
On Tuesday, the city’s Assembly is receiving the 106-page document, which outlines everything from transportation recommendations to emission reduction targets.
Pompeo to Arctic Council: Easy days are over
The countries of the Arctic Council have for years rejoiced that their region is a zone of peace and cooperation. But in a speech in Finland Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took a harder edge.
Court system inches forward with years-long upgrade to digital filing system
The Alaska Court System takes in and maintains hard copies of millions of pages of documents annually. It’s been trying to upgrade to an electronic, paper-on-demand system for years.
Alaska lawmakers approve vaccine program continuation
Lawmakers have voted to extend the Alaska Vaccine Assessment Program, which provides universal
As memories of the Exxon Valdez fade, a plea to Congress to retain the lessons learned
A group of Alaskans traveled to Washington, D.C. to ask lawmakers to renew a fund that allows the government to launch a spill response and pay compensation, even before the company at fault is held to account.