Alaska is facing the first tax increase in a decade after Governor Bill Walker signed the measure into law on Saturday morning. The law places new tax...
Prisons and Redskins
To fight rising prison costs, Alaska must reform It’s time for Alaskans to take a hard look at the state’s prison system and who inhabits ...
Over 1 Million Acres and August Is Far Away Still
In 2004, Alaska suffered its worst wildfire season on record. Heat, dry conditions and lightning strikes combined to produce 701 fires and a staggerin...
Alaska Trollers Angered over Reduced Chinook Limit
"This year's quota shines a bright light on a treaty agreement that is not working for Southeast Chinook fishermen and communities," Dale Kelley, exec...
Oil Rig Arrives In Alaska, On Its Way To The Arctic
The rig is scheduled to head into the Arctic later this summer as part of an exploratory offshore drilling operation. That drilling is controversial —...
Should Alaska Ban Floatplanes After Accident Kills Cruise Passengers?
Despite a deadly crash that claimed the lives of eight passengers and one pilot in southeast Alaska on Thursday, pilots there say floatplanes are stil...
Military Conducting Large Exercise over Alaska
The sparse expanses above Alaska are a little more crowded this month as nearly 200 military aircraft are taking part in an annual training exercise. ...
Name Change Sought for Alaska Area Named for Confederate Officer
Some of the most important Army bases in the U.S. — including forts Hood, Bragg, Benning, Gordon and Polk — are named for Confederate officers, nearly...
Supreme Court Declares Same-Sex Marriage Legal In All 50 States
States cannot keep same-sex couples from marrying and must recognize their unions, the Supreme Court says in a ruling that for months has been the foc...
Walker Ecstatic; Murkowski Okay; Sullivan Not At All
Alaska politicians are weighing in Thursday on the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision to uphold federal subsidies for the Affordable Care Act — a ruli...
How Low Can Essential Services Go Before We Seek New Revenues?
Alaska Department of Revenue Commissioner Randy Hoffbeck shared that he and the Governor both agree that before any discussions on revenues occur spen...
When You Give Middle Schoolers Higher-Level Texts
What happens when you throw a mix of middle school kids who all learn at different levels into one class then hand them a couple of college-level text...
A 5 Point 8 Rattles Southcentral
WILLOW, Alaska (CBS SF) — The U.S. Geological Survey says a strong earthquake struck in Alaska, but no tsunami was expected. The 6.2-magnitude quake s...
Vets Frustrated with New “Choice” Program
When the scandal erupted last year over long wait lists at the Phoenix VA, Alaska was found to have quite short wait times. The Alaska VA has for yea...
More than Burning through Trees, the DNR Budget
Alaska’s busy firefighting season comes at a price higher than the cash-strapped state planned to spend on fire suppression this summer. After l...
Alaska Prison Population Rising Due to those Waiting for Trial
More than a quarter of people in Alaska’s prisons have not yet been convicted of a crime, according to a non-profit’s report on AlaskaR...
Landless Natives Bill Gets First Hearing Before Congress
A bill creating corporations for Native residents of five “landless” Southeast Alaska communities had its first hearing in Congress today. Haines, Pet...
Card Street Fire at 7,500 Acres, Currently Top Fire in Nation
Due to more accurate mapping, the Card Street fire has shrunk to 7,578 acres, said Alaska Interagency Coordination Center Public Information Officer A...
Death and Taxes
“Things as certain as Death and Taxes, can be more firmly believ’d.” —Daniel Defoe The Political History of the Devil 1726. I attended a dialog hosted...
2015 Alaskan Wildfire Tally is Below Normal
So far this year, about 78,000 acres have burned in 280 fires in Alaska. That may sound like a lot, but it’s actually below normal. That’s according t...
Sockeye Fire Slows, For Now
There is a bit of heartening news from the Sockeye fire. Erratic weather, expected to bring strong winds to the area late Tuesday, did not actually ma...
The Obama Administration’s Huge Nuclear Concessions to Iran
Fred Fleitz — On June 11, the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) released a report on a stunning new concession offered by the Obama adminis...
Patriot Act Opponents Are Misrepresenting an FBI Report about the Metadata Program
Fred Fleitz ~ As a strong supporter of the NSA metadata program, I was dismayed when a Department of Justice Inspector General report suddenly was rel...
GoFundMe Alaska
For Geoff Kirsch, following the Alaska State Legislature has been like watching the last seasons of Lost. It’s confusing, and frustrating, but you jus...
Impermanent Fund
The House’s Republican Majority is moving forward with a contingency plan to tap the rainy day account without Democratic support. APRN’s Alexandra Gu...
Begich Unlikely to Challenge
Begich is frank that he pines for his old job — “Do I miss it all? Absolutely,” he said — even as he insists he’s moved past the bitter feud he endure...
Alaska’s Oil Executives
On some things, the Alaska leaders of the oil giants BP, ExxonMobil and Royal Dutch Shell agree: The state’s oil future remains solid despite to...
National Guard Welcomes New Leadership
The Alaska Army National Guard welcomes a new commander during a change of command ceremony at the Alaska National Guard armory on Joint Base Elmendor...
Obama Administration Opposes Changes to Fishery Laws
In a statement issued last week by the Executive Office of the President, the Administration announced that it strongly opposes a reauthorization bill...
Remember the Marines Who Died on a Mission of Mercy in Nepal
Eric Seaman of Murrieta, Calif., was 30. He had two children, and was a U.S. Marine sergeant. His wife, Samantha Seaman, told CNN, “Last week I got an...
Wielechowski: “This week something’s going to happen.”
Senate President Kevin Meyer, an Anchorage Republican, says there has been some progress between the House’s Republican Majority and Democratic Minori...
Lawmakers Come Back Ready to Finalize Budget
The Alaska House reconvened in Anchorage Saturday for the third day of its second special session. It turned out to be a light lineup; the House sessi...
Blaming Saudi Arabia for Alaska’s Woes
The state is heavily reliant on income from the oil industry to balance its books. The Alaska Oil and Gas Association estimates that a third of the st...
Pledging Allegiance Twice
The Senate held two nearly identical floor sessions, and then the House did the same. Over the course of three hours, there were four pledges of alleg...
Alaska Unemployment Reaches 6.7 Percent in April
Alaska’s unemployment rate reached 6.7 percent in April, up from March but lower than the same time last year. The state labor department says the rec...
Rand Paul Is Wrong — NSA Surveillance Is Constitutional and Effective
Fred Fleitz — As Kentucky Senator and presidential candidate Rand Paul prepares to filibuster a House bill to extend a controversial NSA counterterror...
Dunleavey Thinks About It
Joe Miller isn’t the only conservative Alaskan with eyes on Sen. Lisa Murkowski — state Sen. Mike Dunleavy is also considering coming after the Republ...
LNG Global Market Being Transformed without Alaska’s Gas
The U.S. is about to change the global LNG market forever. When the first tanker carrying liquefied natural gas from shale fields leaves the Sabine Pa...
Anchorage Mayor-elect Calls Upon Community Values
Anchorage Mayor-Elect Ethan Berkowitz is developing a plan to transition into his new role. He says it will be created by a group of community leaders...
Answer This Medicaid Quiz First
The Legislature must take this quiz — test, really — before graduating our medicaid program into a full-borne expanded one here in Alaska....
Okay! Let’s Meet in Anchorage
Gov. Bill Walker will allow the Legislature to leave Juneau and convene the special session in Anchorage this week. His spokesperson, Grace Jang, said...
Governor Plays State Employees
Governor Bill Walker responded to the legislature’s inaction on the budget by sending a message to them loud and clear: layoff notices to the St...
California Drought Opens Alaska Bulk Water Business
Finally, there’s a crisis worthy pulling out Alaska’s prime resource. In this case, California’s drought crisis is drawing out a lat...
Inaugural Alaska Race Likened to ‘Iditarod with Chance of Drowning’
For centuries, native canoes have paddled the inside passage to Alaska and next month the historic route will again be teeming with vessels, this time...
Alaska and Washington State Exchange Salvos Over Oil Drilling
Contention has grown between Alaska and Washington state, revolving around oil development. Leadership in Washington state at all levels, the mayor of...
Alaska’s Strong Ties with Puget Sound
Alaska shipping and commerce activities contribute hugely to Washington state’s Puget Sound economy. In a February 2015 report by The McDowell G...
Chinese Billionaire and Clinton Donor Helping Alaska’s Wildlife
Chinese billionaire Wang Wenliang is breaking the mold, amidst skepticism, of course, regarding the intentions of Chinese donations, especially the on...
NSA Data Collection: Necessary, or Unconstitutional?
Fred Fleitz — Although the Obama administration refuses to say that the attempted massacre by two heavily armed assailants at a “draw Mohammed” contes...
While Pitching Expansion, Health Department Officials Cite Fixes To Payment System
The state’s troubled Medicaid payment system has seen improvements in recent months, according to Walker administration officials. Health-care Service...
Make Alaska an Independent Sovereignty
Some of us would like Alaska to be free from federal rule. A native group, the Alaska-Hawaii Alliance for Self-Determination, has pronounced its cause...
Sen. Sullivan Defends ANWR from Administrative Overreach
Senator Dan Sullivan strongly questions the Administration on its intent to “manage” the 1002 area in ANWR for wilderness. He said it goes...
“Summer School” Required for Legislators
Tough teacher; that is, if the Fairbanks News Miner were the Legislature’s teacher this session, handing out grades. The State’s lawmakers...
State Gets the Word Out: Don’t Drive Buzzed
The State of Alaska created an information web portal for marijuana regulations. It explains the law as it now stands, what is acceptable and what is ...
Berkowitz Overwhelms
The night was short. By 11 PM Demboski conceded. Ethan Berkowitz will take leadership over the Municipality of Anchorage with an overwhelming m...
Can You Figure Out a New Toilet System for the Bush?
Research is being done to do it better, safer, cleaner, easier, cheaper, that is to flush the toilet in subzero weather. The state is funding research...
The Skagway News Will Be “Labor of Love” for New Owners
The Skagway News was sold to a PR firm from Whitehorse. The new owners did not buy it for the money potential, it has but a 900 circulation, but for a...
Greater Early Voter Numbers Don’t Translate into Higher Overall Turnout
Many folks in Anchorage this past week voted early because of the convenience, more of them than last month, but that is not an indication of a higher...
Fracking Technology for Alaska?
To reach all the oil underneath Alaska’s shoreline, new technologies similar to the fracking technology that has opened up new reserves in Texas...
Halcro Endorses Berkowitz
Not unexpected. Personally, I had wondered why Halcro had even entered the mayoral race as late as he did, because I didn’t think he had a chanc...
Distracting APOC Complaint Against Berkowitz
One more thing, a last minute APOC complaint that really has nothing to do with any key issues in the mayoral race. It’s actually kind of funny,...
Berkowitz Did Say It
According to Bernadette Wilson, the co-host that sparred with Ethan Berkowitz on the radio about the possibility of incestual marriage between a fathe...
The Vitriol of the Left – Why Pastor Prevo’s Opinion Matters
Frank Dahl ~ An election must be close at hand, otherwise the toxic news stories and blog posts appearing in Anchorage wouldn’t now be bubbling ...
Who Invited the Gorilla to the Mayoral Debate?
At the start of a televised Anchorage mayoral election debate, the host introduced a famous gorilla. And you got to know, we at APEonline.org just can...
Getting Out of Dodge; Legislature Votes to Recess
They’ve been wrestling together during one of the most intense three months of any legislative session. They’re locked like moose horns in...
The Bite Begins: Teacher Layoffs Announced
The Anchorage School District announced earlier than normal this year that they will be laying off dozens of teachers next year. By doing so they have...
Union PAC Dollars in the Race
With but days left before the vote, the money has been counted in the Anchorage mayoral race with a 2:1 clear winner: Berkowitz, according to an Alask...
Alaska’s Unique EPA Territory
The Environmental Protection Agency is making and adjusting regulations for both air and water issues that impact Alaska uniquely. In two separate EPA...
Governor: “Finish Up the Budget”
Governor Bill Walker today responded to legislative leadership’s request to take a two-week break before convening the special session in Anchorage. G...
PFD Used to Promote “Basic Income” Idea
What’s really strange about this story by Basic Income Earth Network (I never heard of them before either) is the idea of hinting that the Perm...
Unions Back Berkowitz
The Anchorage mayoral race heads into its final week with muscle power taking up the financial sides of it. The Alaska Family Action and other conserv...
Alaska PTA Protest Against Education Funding Cuts
Community groups in Anchorage are continuing to protest the state legislature’s cuts to education funding. The Alaska PTA spoke publicly about the iss...
No Budget Deal, No Gavel Out
Almost finished up, but no cookie yet. The Alaska Legislature has entered, today Monday April 27, 2015, the 98th day of their 90-day session. To break...
State Releases 4,000-plus Email Pages in National Guard Scandal
The saga continues with new emails being released from the Governor’s office during Parnell’s administration, dealing with how the investi...