Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media

Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media
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Liz Ruskin is the Washington, D.C., correspondent at Alaska Public Media. Reach her at lruskin@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Liz here.
Bright red salmon with green heads swim in shallow waters with small mountain in background.

State now has an opportunity to veto Pebble Mine. Pebble foes aren’t getting their hopes up.

The state of Alaska now has the power to veto Pebble's federal permit. But the opportunity won't last long, and mine opponents aren't hopeful.
A woman in a red kuspuk (jacket) is standing at a podium that is affixed with the Interior Department seal.

BIA opens Anchorage office to investigate cold cases of missing and murdered Indigenous people

Federal authorities in Anchorage Wednesday marked the start of a new effort to bring the perpetrators of those crimes to justice.

Corps says Pebble Mine would degrade aquatic environment; Pebble CEO says he can mitigate that

The Corps of Engineers hasn't killed Pebble. It's just imposed conditions that may be impossible to meet.
A man in a blue t-shirt and sunglasses. His t-shirt reads "Save America's Postal Service." Behind him are people wearing masks holding placards.

Young votes to protect Alaska’s bypass mail, but bill likely won’t go far

Alaska Congressman Don Young voted for a Democratic bill to prohibit changes to the U.S. Postal Service that would slow delivery.
A silver sign that reads "The Pebble Partnership"

No block: Pebble Mine says it’s still on track with federal permits

The Corps of Engineers has issued a letter outlining what the Pebble Mine has to do to mitigate stream damage. It does not block the mine, as mine opponents wanted.
Screenshot of Louis DeJoy with the insignia of the Postal Service behind him.

Postmaster general considers bringing budget axe down on Alaska’s Bypass Mail

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy says he’s considering cutting Alaska’s bypass mail program to save money.
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Trump Administration finalizes plan for oil drilling in Arctic Refuge

The decision opens up the entire coastal plain -- 8 percent of the refuge -- to drilling.
A smiling white woman with brown hair faces the camera.

Pandemic makes Alaska Bar exam too risky, new law grads say

Law school graduates are petitioning for safer alternatives to gathering indoors for a two-day test.
A man in a suit stands at a podium that says on it "alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium," as does the backdrop. To the viewers right is Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young. All three are wearing masks.

Health secretary lauds Alaska Native communities for response to pandemic

“The creativity of Alaska Native communities has helped you adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic," Sec. Alex Azar said.
alaska canadian border sig

Border woes: When Canada says no

Kathryn Miller and her boyfriend were just trying to get home to Juneau with a truck they'd just purchased in Anchorage. But at the Canadian border they were forced into a 400-mile U-turn. Their...

6 things you need to know about Alaska’s new travel rules

Alaska is imposing new testing requirements. Here's what travelers need to know.
A man reaches across the frame to shake hands with another man in a school cafeteria. Political placards are in the background, as is one man wearing a "Mike Dunleavy for governor" t-shirt.

Prevo selected to run Liberty University in Falwell’s absence

Liberty University has selected retired Anchorage Baptist Temple Pastor Jerry Prevo to be the interim president of the school.

Murkowski, Sullivan back Senate bill to help Postal Service

Alaska’s U.S. senators have signed on to the Postal Service Emergency Assistance Act. It has aid for USPS that Senate leaders left out of their latest coronavirus relief bill.
Donald Trump Jr. and his son in river shallows. Trump jr. holds in front of him a sockeye salmon that is bright red with a green head.

Donald Trump Jr. tweets his opposition to Pebble Mine

Opponents of the Pebble Mine found a gift on Twitter Tuesday: Donald Trump Jr. declared he’s against the mine.
Katherine Gottlieb in traditional dress

Katherine Gottlieb to resign from Southcentral Foundation

Katherine Gottlieb is resigning as president and chief executive of Southcentral Foundation. The news comes two weeks after Southcentral fired her husband.

Murkowski condemns Trump tweet predicting election fraud: ‘This is not leadership from the White House’

Sen. Murkowski says President Trump undermines faith in the legitimacy of American democracy by suggesting the 2020 election will be fraudulent.

With Alaska at ‘income cliff,’ labor calls on US senators to fight for unemployment benefits

The $600 weekly unemployment checks end this week. Alaska's senators are saying whether they'll join the fight to extend them.

With permit for controversial mine nearly in hand, Pebble CEO says he’s sure opposition will soften

Pebble Chief Executive Tom Collier said it’s the most significant day for the proposed mine n 15 years.

Pebble Mine to clear environmental review this week, but is it ‘practicable’?

The Pebble Mine becomes a step closer to reality this week but legal questions remain.
COVIDChart 7/17

State reports 49 new cases in daily COVID-19 count

After days of relatively high case counts, a slight reprieve: State health officials on Friday reported that they've identified just 49 new cases of COVID-19.