Infrastructure bill is ‘once in a lifetime investment,’ Murkowski says
July 31 By Liz Ruskin U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski says the trillion-dollar infrastructure bill she helped negotiate is good for Americans, and good for Alaska in particular. “It is pretty historic,” she told reporters on Thursday. “We haven’t seen this level of support and focus…
‘Covid With a Vengeance’ Consumes U.S. Politics
July 31 By Alexander Burns The American political system has come down with a case of long Covid. In Washington and the states, and in both political parties, expectations that the virus might be routed this summer and make way for some version of political-life-as-usual…
Alaska’s gold medal swimmer looked like a winner even before race, dad says
July 30 By Casey Grove Alaskans are still celebrating Seward swimmer Lydia Jacoby’s gold medal win in the Olympics. The 17-year-old shocked the world Monday by winning the 100-meter breaststroke at the Tokyo games. Her parents, Richard and Leslie Jacoby, said the last couple days…
Congress Passes Bill to Fund Capitol Security, Afghan Visas
July 30 By Mary Clare Jalonick Congress overwhelmingly passed emergency legislation Thursday that would bolster security at the Capitol, repay outstanding debts from the violent Jan. 6 insurrection and increase the number of visas for allies who worked alongside Americans in the Afghanistan war. The…
Newsom Casts Political Blame in New California Vaccine Push
July 29 By Janie Har Making a fresh push for vaccinations as coronavirus cases climb in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom turned political as he announced new requirements for state workers and health care employees to show proof of vaccination, blaming “right wing” politicians and media…
Doing it for Alaska: State’s first Olympic swimmer wins gold
July 28 By Paul Newberry When you’re a swimmer from Alaska, there are some misguided stereotypes that must be laughed off. Lydia Jacoby has surely heard them all before. “She practically swims in iced-over lakes,” teammate Gunnar Bentz said. Uhh, no. Jacoby does her swimming…
In Emotional Testimony, Police Condemn Politicians Who Downplayed Capitol Riots
July 28 By Lisa Hagen Police officers who responded to the Jan. 6 attack reconstructed the dangerous and traumatic events of the day at the first hearing of the Democrat-led select committee to investigate the Capitol riots. But they also used their time in the…
US Infrastructure Legislation Stalls
July 27 By Salma Still A group of centrist U.S. senators remained deadlocked Monday on trying to reach agreement on a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package to repair the country’s deteriorating roads and bridges and boost funding for broadband internet service. The Republican and Democratic lawmakers…
Ahead of special session, Alaska lawmakers consider phasing in PFD changes along with new revenue
July 26 By Andrew Kitchenman The Alaska Legislature has just days to go before the scheduled start of a special session, on Aug. 2. But it’s not yet clear whether a working group of lawmakers will recommend proposals for the rest to consider during the…
‘Political virus also needs origin tracing’ as US politicizes, stigmatizes epidemic: FM Wang Yi
July 26 By Jim Spears The coronavirus needs origins-tracing, and so does the political virus, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, noting that the US has been trying to politicize the epidemic from the beginning and has continued to spread political viruses…