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: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.”
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.
EPA reconsiders restrictions on Pebble
The EPA is officially reconsidering the proposal it made during the Obama administration to essentially block the Southwest Alaska project.
Alaska AG: Dunleavy could have state troopers bring legislators to Wasilla
Alaska’s attorney general and the Legislature’s top lawyer are at odds over whether the governor is allowed to set a special session’s location.
Swan Lake Fire spreads smoky haze to much of Southcentral
The state Division of Air Quality is warning of the smoke's potential health effects, with advisories in effect until Friday evening, pending any extensions.