Oil companies say they’ll move ahead to develop giant Pikka oil project on Alaska’s North Slope
August 15 By Alex DeMarban Global oil and gas companies Santos and Repsol said Tuesday that they will invest $2.6 billion to move ahead with development of a huge oil field on Alaska’s North Slope. The money will cover the initial phase of development at…
House Democrats Pass Spending Bill in Latest Victory for Biden
August 12 By Kaia Hubbard House Democrats voted Friday to pass a landmark climate, health care and tax bill that is set to deliver on years-long Democratic Party promises in a major turnaround after the legislation seemed doomed just weeks ago. “Today is really a…
Alaska Supreme Court rules against forward funding for education, confirms limit on legislative power
August 12 By James Brooks The Alaska Legislature may not set multi-year budgets for public education and other state agencies unless it provides up-front funding, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled Friday. The decision settles a three-year-old dispute between the Legislature and Gov. Mike Dunleavy. It…
Inflation Reduction Act Becomes Crown Jewel of Democratic Messaging as Bill Nears Passage
August 11 By Kaia Hubbard House lawmakers are set to return to Washington on Friday to vote on a landmark climate, health care and tax bill. But even before its passage, the legislation is becoming a key component of Democrats’ midterm messaging strategy. After the…
Assembly launches inquiry after report of fabricated resume from Anchorage Health Department head
August 11 By Emily Goodykoontz The Anchorage Assembly is beginning an inquiry into the hiring of a Health Department director who fabricated credentials and work history on his resume, and it is looking into whether it can independently vet top executives appointed by the mayor….
Justice Department’s ‘No Comment’ Lets Trump Team Set Search Narrative
August 10 By Susan Milligan The legal walls are starting to close in on team Trump, after federal agents searched former President Donald Trump’s Florida home Monday and investigations advance in New York and Georgia. But it’s the embattled former president and his loyalists who…
In Alaska’s U.S. Senate race, Murkowski and Tshibaka look ahead to November
August 10 By Iris Samuels A week before Alaska’s primary election day, Sen. Lisa Murkowski was pumping gas. The moderate Republican, who is often in the center of national attention as a swing vote in the U.S. Senate, had stopped at an Anchorage gas station…
Biden’s Bipartisan (and Partisan) Winning Streak
August 9 By Susan Milligan Bipartisanship is back in Washington. And it lives with its bitter cousin, fierce partisanship. The last two weeks have been a dizzying time of legislative activity in Washington and the most consequential and successful period of unpopular President Joe Biden’s…
Anchorage Health Department director resigns, citing health issues
August 8 By Emily Goodykoontz Anchorage Health Department director Joe Gerace has resigned, citing severe health issues. Mayor Dave Bronson’s office announced Gerace’s departure Monday afternoon in a written statement. “Last week, I suffered a stroke while working and spent three days in the hospital…
Why is there more and more talk in Europe about the need to revise the policy of sanctions?
August 8 By Alex Trainen The Kiel Institute for the World Economy, the world’s leading analytical center for economic research, published a study on the impact of sanctions on the economies of Russia and countries that have announced sanctions. According to the findings of the…
Republican Prospects for Midterm Pickups Dim Amid Democratic Wins
August 5 By Susan Milligan Republicans have spent much of the last 18 months planning for 2023 and beyond. They’re not just measuring the drapes in majority leaders’ offices, they’ve been plotting to eject certain Democrats from House committees, preparing to investigate President Joe Biden’s…
Senate to Convene Saturday as Clock Ticks on Reconciliation
August 5 By Kaia Hubbard The Senate will return to the Capitol on Saturday for a last-minute effort to pass a long-awaited reconciliation package before breaking for August recess, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Thursday. “In the end, we’re going to make good…