Commentary
The burden of limiting physician assistants would fall on rural Alaska
This commentary is adapted from a letter submitted to the Alaska State Medical Board. I am a proud Alaska Native woman of the Gwich’in Nành and I am a proud physician assistant. As an Alaska Native who grew up in Aniak on the Kuskokwim River, I chose a very specific path of training in order […]
Here’s how physically demanding wildland firefighting is
Radios crackle with chatter from a wildfire incident command post. Up the fireline, firefighters in yellow jerseys are swinging Pulaskis, axlike hand tools, to carve a fuel break into the land. By 10 a.m., these firefighters have already hiked 3 miles up steep, uneven terrain and built nearly 1,200 feet of fireline. It’s physically exhausting […]
Fossil fuel interests press their case with Alaska lawmakers
As they’ve done for decades, fossil fuel interests and their allies are denigrating climate science and climate activists to protect and enhance their obscene profits at Alaskans’ expense. Curbing fossil fuel use and production, and stopping fossil fuel expansion, is critical to solving the climate crisis. A Sept. 8 United Nations report on the status […]
Proposal would prevent physician assistants from providing appropriate care in rural Alaska
Two years ago, the Alaska Academy of Physician Assistants entered into discussions with the Alaska State Medical Board with the goal of updating Alaska’s regulations of physician assistants. Now, the ASMB is proposing regulations which would render it virtually impossible for PAs to practice in rural areas, and which could deprive many Alaskans of needed […]
Gov. Dunleavy’s carbon math is bad
Gov. Mike Dunleavy persuaded Alaska’s Legislature to create a carbon offset program that monetizes the carbon dioxide that trees on state land breathe in and the carbon they store through photosynthesis. His 10-year budget plan relies heavily on filling gaps from dwindling oil revenues with carbon credit cash. Speaking with journalist Nathaniel Herz, he made […]
Feds sue Alaska for managing its own river
When someone else tries to take over your property, it’s up to you to legally defend your ownership rights. Imagine your neighbor comes over and starts determining who can park on your property, or worse, comes onto your property and bars a friend of yours from entering your house. That’s where we find ourselves today […]
UAA offers affordable and convenient pathways that prepare students for the next step
Through its community campuses and online program offerings, the University of Alaska Anchorage provides multiple entry points that meet learners where they are. UAA reaches far beyond the Municipality of Anchorage; we serve the communities of Southcentral Alaska through our campuses in Soldotna, Homer, Valdez, Kodiak, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and Anchorage, as well as thousands […]
Congress has a chance to reduce drug patent abuses, lower costs for Alaskans
Sen. Lisa Murkowski has long been a leader on issues concerning health care affordability and promoting more transparency in the health care system. As Congress plots out its next steps on health care reform, there is one glaring issue that deserves attention – Big Pharma’s abuse of the patent system – and there is a […]
Alaskans shouldn’t cover personal legal costs of governor, attorney general and lieutenant governor
It’s a tired game of deja vu: Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Attorney General Treg Taylor are again attempting to change regulations so that the state of Alaska has to cover legal costs for the governor, attorney general, and lieutenant governor if they are under investigation for dishonest and unethical misconduct. The public has until Sept. […]
Gas incentives, Indigenous language election materials and a possible corporate shakeup in Yakutat
The termination dust has arrived, and we’re decidedly out of the summer news doldrums and into the busy fall season for stories. This week there are two energy-related items — one on a new federal study on renewable power in Alaska, and another on proposed tax breaks or other incentives to boost Anchorage-area natural gas […]
Invasive species cause billions of dollars in damage worldwide: 4 essential reads
Invasive species – including plants, animals and fish – cause heavy damage to crops, wildlife and human health worldwide. Some prey on native species; other out-compete them for space and food or spread disease. A new United Nations report estimates the losses generated by invasives at more than US$423 billion yearly and shows that these […]