Local Government

Juneau begins to feel budget veto impacts

As the Alaska Legislature continues to grapple with the state’s budget, Juneau is dealing with the direct and indirect impacts of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes.

By Adelyn Baxter, KTOO | July 18, 2019 6:40 pm

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University of Alaska

UAS accreditation renewed despite budget concerns

The announcement comes despite concerns expressed by the accreditation commission’s president, who has warned that cuts to the University of Alaska’s budget could jeopardize accreditation in the future.

By Zoe Grueskin, KTOO | July 18, 2019 5:58 pm

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Health

Hospital group sues to block emergency Medicaid payment cut

The Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association’s president says the changes should have been handled through the normal process for changing rules.

By Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO and Alaska Public Media | July 18, 2019 5:08 pm

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Public Safety

Planes violating airspace restrictions raise safety, operations concerns at Swan Lake Fire

Officials say some area pilots aren’t abiding by the temporary flight restriction over the fire, and that could have major consequences.

By Abbey Collins, Alaska Public Media | July 18, 2019 2:47 pm

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Arts & Culture

Alaska State Arts Council shuts down after funding loss

The Alaska State Council on the Arts closed its doors Monday, making Alaska the only state without an arts council. Gov. Mike Dunleavy used a line-item budget veto to eliminate the council’s funding of $2.8 million. Alaska lawmakers fell short last week in attempts to override the vetoes.

By Associated Press | July 17, 2019 6:29 pm

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Alaska's Energy Desk

Could climate change research in Alaska be put on ice?

The University of Alaska system is known as a leader in climate change research, studying melting permafrost to shrinking glaciers. But there’s growing uncertainty about the future of such projects with steep cuts to state funding. 

By Elizabeth Jenkins, Alaska's Energy Desk | July 17, 2019 6:22 pm

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State Government

ACLU sues Dunleavy over ‘retaliatory’ cuts to court system

The civil rights group claims that the move by the governor infringes on the separation of powers laid out in Alaska’s constitution. Dunleavy said he vetoed the court system funding because the state Supreme Court has ruled that Medicaid funds can be used to pay for abortions.

By Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media | July 17, 2019 5:43 pm

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Alaska's Energy Desk

‘We’re never going to surrender’ — Sarah James on a life fighting oil drilling in the Arctic Refuge

Sarah James’ desire to preserve the Neetsa’ii Gwich’in way of life drove her into the thick of the battle over oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

By Elizabeth Harball, Alaska's Energy Desk | July 17, 2019 5:26 pm

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Health

Alaska sees first measles case since 2015

According to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, the diagnosis was confirmed Tuesday, in an unvaccinated teenager from the Kenai Peninsula.

By Abbey Collins, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage | July 17, 2019 2:56 pm

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State Government

Updated: Dunleavy calls lawmakers to Juneau to continue special session

In a declaration Wednesday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy amended his call for the second special session to have it take place in Juneau, rather than his original choice: Wasilla.

By Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO and Alaska Public Media | July 17, 2019 2:39 pm

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University of Alaska

National financial services company downgrades University of Alaska’s credit rating

The university’s previous rating of A1 has been dropped three notches to BAA1. The lower rating means it will be more expensive for the university to borrow money for various projects.

By Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media | July 17, 2019 12:16 pm

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Alaska's Energy Desk

Meet the Trump administration official whose signature could formally open ANWR to drilling

It’s 3,200 miles from Joe Balash’s office in Washington, D.C., to the Neets’aii Gwich’in community of Arctic Village. But Arctic Village is barely 200 miles from North Pole, the Alaska town where Balash grew up.

By Nathaniel Herz, Alaska's Energy Desk - Anchorage | July 17, 2019 11:21 am

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University of Alaska

As University of Alaska faces uncertain financial future, officials focus on supporting current students

In the face of an unprecedented cut from the state, University of Alaska staff, faculty and students have a lot of uncertainty about their futures.

By Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media | July 17, 2019 9:14 am

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Politics

Galvin tries again to unseat Young

Anchorage education advocate Alyse Galvin has filed to take another run at Alaska Congressman Don Young in 2020.

By Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media | July 17, 2019 6:00 am

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Public Safety

Containment efforts keep Swan Lake Fire away from communities

Suppression efforts are focused on the southern section of the fire to protect nearby communities. Fire crews have 50% of that portion of the fire contained.

By Abbey Collins, Alaska Public Media | July 16, 2019 7:12 pm

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