Dunleavy seeks PFD back payments over three years
Alaskans who received permanent fund dividends in 2016 — and who still live in the state — would receive the back payment for 2016 this year.
On Alaska’s stately birds, some ponder the beguiling raven
There are flutterings of a small movement taking wing in Alaska to change the state bird from willow ptarmigan to raven.
Military’s remote Cold War radars face a new threat: climate change
Even with decades of technological advances, 15 remote radars across Alaska are still the military's primary way to monitor airspace over huge swaths of the continent. But now their core mission is threatened by climate change.
Communities reliant on Coast Guard services feel the pain of the federal gov. shutdown
Most U.S. Coast Guard operations are suspended and that’s holding up commercial boat and permit sales as well as some construction of passenger vessels.
State says it will temporarily recognize teaching license recommendations from UAA, amid accreditation loss
The state says it will recognize the UAA students who meet licensure requirements during 2019 Spring and Summer semesters.
Alaska House tied in knots on session’s first day
The uncertainty in the Alaska House of Representatives became clear when Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer attempted to swear in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s nominee to fill a vacant seat in Eagle River.
In this shutdown, every day is a winding road
Sen. Lisa Murkowski says it's slow-going, but she sees progress at the U.S. Capitol among lawmakers working to end the partial government shutdown, now in its fourth week.
Last year, local governments shelled out $2.6 million for ‘ears on the ground’ in Alaska’s capital
At least $2.6 million in public money went to state lobbyists in 2018. That’s Alaska cities, boroughs and school districts hiring private contractors to represent them in the state capital.
Lt. Gov. Meyer prepares to wield gavel amid House uncertainty
Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer will gavel in the legislative session on Tuesday, and there’s an unusual amount of uncertainty surrounding the Alaska House of Representatives. As of Monday afternoon, there was still no majority coalition.
Loss of accreditation leaves UAA students unsure about getting teaching licenses
Two-hundred-fifty students in teaching programs at the University of Alaska Anchorage are wondering if they'll qualify for teaching licenses when they graduate. That's because UAA's education program lost it's national accreditation late last week.
Federal furlough drives Alaskans to the unemployment line
Hundreds of furloughed federal workers in Alaska are filing unemployment claims. They'll have to pay back any benefits they receive once they get retroactive pay.
Friends went looking for a missing Southeast Alaska artist. Instead, they found a note.
“To the world and all concerned: This is to officially notify you that Eric and Pam Bealer, by their own choice and free will, have committed suicide,” the note said. “We have gone to some effort to hide our bodies, as we do not want them found. Please do not waste time and money looking. It would serve no purpose. We are gone, leave us to our peace.”
State agency orders review following accident at Prudhoe Bay well
A state agency is holding a public hearing and requesting a field-wide review of all of BP's oil wells at Prudhoe Bay following an accident last month.
A functioning government or border security? Murkowski wants both
"I've got a lot of people who are saying 'Lisa, you've got to stand with the president. ...'" Murkowski said on the Senate floor. "And then I have an equal number that are saying, 'Please, please, do something to help reopen this government.'"
Trump administration responds to criticism about continued work on Arctic drilling during shutdown
The Interior department has responded to questions from a Democratic Congressman about its continued work to advance oil development in Alaska during the partial government shutdown.
Former state workers sue, saying they were unconstitutionally fired
A lawyer and two doctors are suing the state, saying Gov. Mike Dunleavy fired them for unconstitutional reasons. The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska filed the lawsuits Thursday.
In Congress, Alaskans are split over shutdown
Republicans in Congress remain mostly united behind President Trump and his rejection of legislation to re-open government departments unless it includes $5 billion for a border wall. But the Alaska delegation is split on this.
Pebble EIS delayed, but not by federal shutdown, says Army Corps
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirmed that the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Pebble Mine is now expected in mid-February rather than January 2019, as previously estimated.
Alaska gasline project board ousts its $1 million man
The state’s highest paid employee was fired from $45 billion gas line project today.
Young considers crossing aisle as shutdown grinds on
In Congress, several Republicans are talking about voting with the Democrats to reopen most of the unfunded departments. Among Alaska's delegation to Congress, two say they're warm to the idea, and one isn't saying.