Politics

Students in a second grade classroom at Ptarmigan Elementary School in Anchorage receive instruction from student teacher Erisa Koci.

Alaska’s education spending lags behind national average when costs are factored in, economists say

Adjusted for the cost of living in rural and urban areas, Alaska spends about 7% less per student than the nationwide average, according to a recent study.
U.S. Capitol dome

EPA wants to get the lead out of aviation gas. Alaska’s U.S. senators say it’s a bad move for the state.

Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan are trying to reverse an EPA finding that the lead in fuel for small aircraft poses a danger to public health.
There are pamphlets on a table in the foreground and people sit in chairs watching a presentation.

Alaska campaign regulator declines to fast-track complaint against anti-ranked choice campaign

The Alaska Public Offices Commission voted unanimously to conduct a full investigation before hearing the case in February.
two men

Committee dismisses ethics complaints against 2 Alaska lawmakers

Current and former Reps. David Eastman and Christopher Kurka were accused of allowing a visitor to improperly use state resources.
A mirrored building.

Anchorage Assembly overrides all Bronson budget vetoes

Some Assembly members took issue with Bronson’s stated rationale for the cuts. They debated the veto overrides for about a half-hour.
a grocery store

A new SNAP backlog leaves 12,000 Alaskans waiting for food stamps

The backlog affects more than 10% of the state's roughly 92,000 SNAP recipients. State officials say they're pausing applicant interviews to catch up.

Biden to sign order promoting tribal self-determination

The White House is hosting the 11th tribal summit this week. Interior Secretary Haaland says the administration has focused on co-management.
a person speaks into a microphone

400 military officers were just promoted. Sen. Sullivan says the confirmation blockade shouldn’t have lasted so long.

Sen. Tuberville has blocked every military confirmation vote since February to protest an abortion policy. He finally relented.
the Alaska State Capitol

Funding gap looms for Alaska’s domestic violence programs, but need for services is as high as ever

Domestic violence advocates are scrambling to adequately fund the groups that keep one of the state’s most vulnerable populations safe.
a lecture

Persily perforates Alaska natural gas line’s prospects in ‘Gasonomics’ talk

Longtime energy observer Larry Persily thinks Alaska will import natural gas to meet its needs, rather than building an in-state gas pipeline.
a state ferry

Alaska ferry system awarded $132M in federal grants

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said the funds, largely intended to replace the ferry Tustumena, represent “a big, fat deal” for Alaskan ferry riders.
Tommy Tuberville

Sen. Tuberville drops his monthslong hold on hundreds of military promotions

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., still has holds on four-star generals' promotions over a Pentagon policy covering travel for abortion care.
sign posted on green grass says "sign here" and says ranked choice voting "get rid of it"

Anti-ranked choice voting campaign is operating out of a South Anchorage church, new APOC complaint alleges

An attorney for ranked choice foes says the complaint is overblown and that the religious organization receives rent.
man in suit in hallway, seated on bench

For Wrangell’s new city manager, deadly landslide highlights other potential threats to public safety

It was Mason Villarma's first day on the job when the disaster struck. Now he's also concerned about the city's dam giving way.
a grocery store

Peltola hosts online town hall on Albertsons-Kroger merger

In the tele-town hall Tuesday night, Rep. Mary Peltola said she was nervous about what the merger could mean for grocery options in Alaska communities.

Peltola flips script on long-running congressional drama over Arctic drilling

Room 1324 has seen this Alaska controversy play out for decades. This time, new characters changed the vibe.
a rainbow flag

Russia’s Supreme Court effectively outlaws LGBTQ+ activism in a landmark ruling

The ruling is the latest step in a crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights under President Vladimir Putin, who has emphasized "traditional family values."
A float plane sits on the water in an overcast day.

On Alaska having 5 new Native corporations, Wilderness Society reverses opposition

Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee Springs and Wrangell were initially excluded from the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
a building

Lawmakers hash out pet peeves over new Juneau legislative housing

Pets will be allowed in housing being prepared for legislators and staff, with apartments set to rent for $1,100 to $1,600 a month.
Wrangell

Conservation group supports formation of new Alaska Native corporations

A leader within The Wilderness Society called the change "a significant step toward correcting injustices against Alaska Native communities."
a healthcare bill

Alaska health care providers sue to keep state rule mandating minimum payments for care

The state plans to end regulation on Jan. 1, citing upward pressure on prices, but some doctors say it will affect access to care.
a woodstove pipe

EPA takes final action on plan to improve Fairbanks-area air quality

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced final action on a state plan to improve wintertime air quality in Fairbanks and North Pole.

Congress members behaving badly? Murkowski sees a solution in song.

Amid congressional ruckus, Sen. Murkowski finds a sing-along can boost collegiality and get senators "energized about working together.”
Students in Halloween costumes hold signs during a walkout protest of recent school board decisions.

Alaska attorney general says teachers need parental consent to discuss gender identity

Attorney General Treg Taylor has reinterpreted a statute requiring public schools to notify parents in advance of any content involving “human reproduction” or “sexual matters.”

The Legacy of Ted Stevens | Talk of Alaska

Few people have shaped Alaska as much as the late Sen. Ted Stevens. We discuss his legacy and his fall from politics on this Talk of Alaska.

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Alaska At-Large

Your politics roundup from Washington, D.C., Correspondent Liz Ruskin.


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