Government & Politics
Bill aimed at reducing hair discrimination in schools is headed to governor
The Senate on Wednesday agreed to accept the changes the House made to a bill that aimed to reduce hair discrimination – including the amendment to strip the protection for employees in the workplace. The bill still retains protection in public schools. “I’ll be voting yes today. Not because I support some of the changes […]
After U.S. Supreme Court opinion leaks, Alaska governor candidates share their thoughts
One week ago, the political news website Politico published a bombshell report saying that the U.S. Supreme Court is prepared to overturn prior rulings that uphold the legal right to an abortion. Here in Alaska, the state supreme court has repeatedly ruled that the privacy clause of the Alaska Constitution protects abortion access. Even if […]
Democrats from the West push update of 150-year-old federal mining law
Democrats in Congress are hoping to overhaul the nation’s 150-year-old system for mining the elements needed for battery manufacturing, as high gas prices and Russia’s war in Ukraine underline the need to transition from oil and gas to renewable energy sources. U.S. House Natural Resources Chairman Raúl Grijalva of Arizona and U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich […]
Alaska Senate approves $5,500 payout to Alaskans, but it’s not final yet
Alaskans will receive $5,500 and could get it as soon as July if the Alaska House agrees with a budget proposal approved Tuesday afternoon by the state Senate. Senators voted 15-5 to approve what would be the fifth-largest budget in state history and sent the draft to the House for agreement. If the House rejects […]
Entire life prepares Alaska investigator of missing and murdered Indigenous people
When Anne Sears spoke in front of a crowd of more than 100 people on the Alaska State Capitol steps for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People rally on May 5, she wore a red scarf that belonged to her mom. “She passed away a couple of years ago. I think she’d be beyond words […]
Beyond COVID: Zink seeks to refocus on Alaskans’ holistic health
When Anne Zink began working as the state’s chief medical officer in the summer of 2019, she had a vision of transforming the state’s health system into one that promotes health holistically rather than one that simply responds to sickness. Then came COVID-19. At least a third of Alaskans have tested positive for the COVID […]
The Alaska Beacon launches with the goal of a better-informed state
The Beacon aims to serve as a watchdog, looking out for how public dollars are being spent and public needs are being met.
Scholarship fund’s fate depends on Alaska Legislature
The Alaska House of Representatives has voted to refill the fund with hundreds of millions of dollars in expected oil revenue, but unless lawmakers also change the language of the state law that created the fund, it will be automatically drained again.
U.S. House passes $40 billion Ukraine aid package with broad bipartisan support
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to provide an additional $40 billion in economic, humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine as its troops continue fighting back against Russia’s invasion. The legislation, released just hours before, now goes to the U.S. Senate, where leaders hope to quickly send the bill to President Joe Biden’s […]
McConnell doesn’t rule out U.S. Senate vote outlawing abortion if GOP takes control
WASHINGTON — Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell isn’t ruling out bringing a nationwide abortion ban up for a vote, should the U.S. Supreme Court end the constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy and his party regains the chamber in the November elections. The Kentucky Republican was somewhat reserved last week when repeatedly asked by reporters […]
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy planning trip to East Asia, letters show
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy is planning a trip to East Asia, accompanied by the president of the state-owned corporation backing a trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline, according to letters released in a public records request. The two men are seeking support for the pipeline project, known as Alaska LNG. “All conditions permitting, I plan to travel […]
Dictionary decides Alaska Supreme Court case
The Alaska Supreme Court said last week that a dictionary definition of “official misconduct” was the key factor in proving the legality of a recall election against Anchorage Assembly Member Meg Zaletel. On Friday, the court released a legal opinion in a two-year-old, now-resolved dispute over a recall campaign seeking to remove Zaletel from office. […]