Australia’s inaction on climate puts Great Barrier Reef ‘in danger,’ UNESCO report says
June 22 By Dennis Normile Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef should be inscribed on a list of World Heritage Sites that are “in danger,” according to a draft decision UNESCO released on 21 June. The Australian government opposes the recommendation, which was made partly to…
Here’s what you need to know about the Legislature’s stalled budget process
June 21 By Andrew Kitchenman The Alaska Legislature’s special session ended on Friday without an agreement to avoid a state government shutdown on July 1. Lawmakers will get back to work this week to, again, try to reach a deal. The new special session starts…
Senate holds historic hearing on DC statehood
June 21 By Zach Merchant The fight for D.C. statehood continues this week at the U.S. Capitol as proponents prepare to make their case in front of a Senate committee. The hearing before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs starts at 10…
Biden Says ‘America Is Back,’ But US Allies Aren’t So Sure
June 20 By Rob Garver In his meetings with G-7 and North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies in Europe last week, President Joe Biden missed no opportunity to repeat his assertion that “America is back” on the world stage and ready to take the lead in…
AP FACT CHECK: Putin’s Twisted Tale on Rival; Biden GOP Jab
June 19 By HOPE YEN Russian President Vladimir Putin faulted his imprisoned political rival for leaving Russia without legal permission, omitting the vital detail that the departure was, literally, an unconscious decision: Alexei Navalny was in a coma. After meeting President Joe Biden in Geneva,…
Alaska House Fails Key Vote Affecting Dividend, Programs
June 19 By Becky Bohrer The Alaska House passed a state budget late Tuesday but failed to garner sufficient support for a roughly $1,100 dividend for residents this year, which was the higher of two potential payouts under the package. Dividends typically have been paid…
Climate Change Batters The West Before Summer Even Begins
June 18 By Brad Plumer A heat dome is baking Arizona and Nevada, where temperatures have soared past 115 degrees this week and doctors are warning that people can get third-degree burns from the sizzling asphalt. At Lake Mead, which supplies water for 25 million…
Biden Signs Bill Making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday
June 17 By Kevin Freking President Joe Biden signed legislation Thursday establishing a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery, saying he believes it will go down as one of the greatest honors he has as president. Biden signed into law a bill to…
Biden Gives Putin Custom Aviator Sunglasses
June 16 By Annie Feidt President Joe Biden marked his first presidential summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin with a gift, presenting his counterpart with a pair of custom aviator sunglasses. Biden is so known for wearing aviator shades that he’s sometimes parodied over them. He…
Alaska House passes budget over Republican opposition, but many elements remain uncertain
June 15 By James Brooks The Alaska House of Representatives narrowly approved a compromise state budget on Tuesday night, but Republican opposition meant two key procedural votes failed, leaving significant uncertainty. Unless lawmakers successfully revote, one of the failed votes will cut this year’s Permanent…