U.S. Army Corps releases Pebble Mine’s draft EIS
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' release of Pebble Mine's draft environmental impact statement is a major step in the federal permitting process.
Dunleavy seeks to scuttle Ocean Rangers cruise ship monitors
Voters in Alaska approved a 2006 ballot measure that put independent environmental watchdogs on cruise ships. But Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration is looking to scrap the program.
Tourism, courts, pensions, oil tax credits: Where Alaska Gov. Dunleavy wants to spend more cash
Dunleavy is proposing to increase spending on a handful of projects and programs. They represent some of the governor's core priorities, like public safety and criminal justice, along with non-negotiable obligations, like the system that pays pensions to retired teachers and other public employees.
House committees organize, five weeks after session began
The powerful House Finance Committee will have eight Republicans — including four from each caucus — two Democrats and one independent.
Murkowski cool to Dunleavy cuts
Sen. Lisa Murkowski said the state has big budget decisions to make, decisions she made clear are not up to her. But she expressed reservations about several cuts Gov. Mike Dunleavy has proposed.
In Sitka, a teacher wants her classroom to know who’s responsible for climate change
Some school districts don’t elaborate on the causes of climate change, while others make it clear: Humans are largely to blame. This week, we’re going inside two Alaska classrooms to learn how teachers and students are navigating these difficult conversations.
Senators question Dunleavy’s budget proposal
Anchorage Republican Sen. Natasha von Imhof said that to maintain Dunleavy’s commitment to full permanent fund dividends — without having an income tax — would require cuts on the scale he’s proposed.
Industry launches campaign to rid ocean of plastic. Is it for real?
The plastics industry has a new billion-dollar campaign to get plastic trash out of the ocean. Sen. Dan Sullivan and a close ally are working on a bill to enhance that campaign. But is industry really suited to clean up the mess its products create?
Suspect arrested for 25-year-old murder of UAF student
There’s a break in a murder case that has haunted Fairbanks for over a quarter century.
Multi-partisan House majority takes shape
The newly-formed House majority is working out who will fill its committee seats. Meanwhile, the majority coalition is still trying to add more Republican members who are currently in the minority.
Legislative Finance gets ready to release its version of Dunleavy’s new budget
Typically, the governor is required to release a budget by mid-December, and the Legislative Finance Division has about a month to get through it before lawmakers come into session. But that didn’t happen this year.
Trump’s wall could drain money from Alaska military projects
President Trump's plan to divert $3.6 billion from military construction accounts could drain money from Alaska projects.
Alaska fishing towns would forfeit $28M in fish tax under Dunleavy budget
Governor Mike Dunleavy’s proposals for balancing the state’s budget include a plan to stop sharing of millions of dollars in taxes on commercial fishing with coastal communities.
Rep. Young sponsors bill to bring back deported vets
The "Repatriate Our Patriots" bill would allow honorably discharged veterans to return to the U.S. as permanent residents and apply for citizenship.
After a month of deadlock, Bryce Edgmon selected as state House speaker
The Alaska House has a new speaker and can officially begin its work.
Among Dunleavy’s proposed DOC cuts, sending 500 prisoners out of state
Governor Mike Dunleavy's proposed budget for the Department of Corrections cuts $19 million from this year's budget. About $12.8 million of the estimated savings will come from a plan to send 500 inmates to private prisons outside of Alaska.
Gov. Dunleavy faces political, legal obstacles to enacting far-reaching budget cuts
Governor Dunleavy's power to reduce Alaska's budget only goes so far – there are legal and political obstacles that stand between the governor and his goal of a balanced budget.
‘Devastating’ and ‘significant’: Educators react to Dunleavy’s budget proposal
Education leaders are deeply worried about how the cuts will affect schools.
Dunleavy unveils budget proposal, with deep cuts to education and health care
The spending plan would overhaul major government functions and eliminate specific programs and services. Dunleavy says the cuts are needed to balance the state budget while paying out larger Permanent Fund dividend checks under a historical legal formula.
House deadlock persists after Knopp votes for himself for speaker
Rep. Gary Knopp said on the House floor that he committed to being the 21st vote for a Republican nominee, but he didn’t say which one. He then voted for himself to become speaker.