Alaskans greet Mueller report with shrugs, nods and dismay
We went to a Fred Meyer parking lot in Midtown Anchorage to ask Alaskans what they think of the Mueller report.
Homer Rep. Vance looks into Board of Fish vote on Cook Inlet meeting location
Homer House Rep. Sarah Vance announced Friday that she is launching an inquiry into the Alaska Board of Fisheries’ January vote to move its 2020 Upper Cook Inlet finfish meeting on the Kenai Peninsula back to Anchorage.
Murkowski calls for many ‘silver bullets’ to tackle climate change
Sen. Lisa Murkowski stopped in Bethel to celebrate the breakup of the Kuskokwim River. She says climate change “is a reality that we are seeing.”
Legislators reject six Dunleavy appointees to boards and commissions
The Alaska Legislature confirmed 82 other members to state boards and commissions during a joint session.
Alaska Legislature confirms all of Dunleavy’s commissioners
The closest votes were for Public Safety Commissioner Amanda Price and Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum.
Glennallen man selected to lead Denali Commission
The U.S. secretary of Commerce has appointed Jason Hoke of Glennallen to be the commission’s federal co-chair.
Cost to move Legislature could be up to $45M if state builds office, analysts find
The first-year cost is closer to $3 million if the state rents office space instead of building new facilities, analysts find.
State ferry reshaping study stalls as coastal lawmakers remain skeptical
A state contract worth up to $250,000 to study the future of Alaska’s ferries is on hold.
Kodiak goat dairy faces an uncertain future amid proposed budget cuts
Governor Dunleavy’s proposed budget would eliminate the state’s only dairy inspector, making it nearly impossible for up-and-coming dairies like Kodiak Baptist Mission’s Heritage Farms to sell milk commercially.
Union sues to block API privatization plan
An organization representing public employees is seeking to block the transfer of management over the facility, saying the move violates state labor laws.
Final Pebble hearing draws mix of views
A sizable minority of speakers - maybe one in three - argued in favor of the mine, saying the state needs the jobs. Others, like Emily Taylor, said the mine threatens the salmon runs of Bristol Bay.
Federal government shutdown’s effects linger for Coast Guard in Alaska
The commanding officer of the Coast Guard’s Alaska district says it may take until summer’s end to catch up on some of the work delayed by the partial federal government shutdown.
State dials back PFAS response standard
The state has rolled back a stricter PFAS drinking water contamination standard, and suspended development of new regulations for the chemicals.
Murkowski mostly neutral on Dunleavy budget, but urges full education funding
Sen. Lisa Murkowski is keeping mostly neutral on Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed budget cuts. She spoke about his budget on a visit to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta this past weekend.
Bill would shift Medicaid recipients to private insurance market
Under a measure backed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Medicaid would pay the insurance premiums for the people who are shifted over to the private health insurance market.
To stay or to go? Anchor Point parents and teachers grapple with potential school closure
Students, parents and faculty on the Kenai Peninsula are coming to grips with the reality that state cuts to education may force school closures.
House sends budget with spending cuts to Senate, without setting PFDs
The Alaska House passed a budget on Thursday that includes $257 million in cuts to the portion of the state budget the Legislature directly controls.
What’s up with the Mat-Su, and why is it steering Alaska’s politics?
Over the last several decades, the population of the Matanuska and Susitna valleys has grown dramatically. With that boom has come political power — and the rise of a particular brand of conservatism.
State DHSS suspends thousands of senior benefits payments
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services has suspended payments for some recipients of the state’s Senior Benefits Program due to a lack of funding.
Ocean Rangers log potential cruise pollution, face axe by lawmakers
Over the past two years Alaska’s on-board cruise ship inspectors called Ocean Rangers have documented a pattern of potentially serious water pollution. But there’s been no apparent action by regulators, and Gov. Dunleavy’s administration wants to get rid of the program.