Elena Symmes

The Arctic Encounter Symposium (AES) held its 2023 event, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, military leaders and other experts to discuss the leading issues in Arctic policy, innovation and development. The final luncheon of the event allowed attendees to hear from several Alaska Natives about their experiences in a rapidly changing climate and ecosystem, with four mothers sharing their perspectives.

Alaska's last school shooting was 25 years ago, but how to legislate gun safety remains a hot topic across the state and country.

The bill requires school districts to grant parental access to school records and develop policies requiring written consent before providing instruction related to these topics.

The focus for the Senate Majority is on finding sustainable solutions to Alaska's fiscal challenges. A looming deficit crisis of up to $600 million has left legislators with the task of finding new ways to fund the Permanent Fund dividend and balance the state budget without draining the reserve.

The Dunleavy administration recommends fast-tracking food stamp relief by increasing funding for the Division of Public Assistance.

The news comes months after the hockey, gymnastics, and alpine ski programs raised millions to avoid being eliminated completely due to state budget cuts. The hockey program itself raised $3 million mostly from public and private donations to stay alive.

The proposed legislative changes will force lawmakers to weigh public safety and the civil rights of the accused.

The Alaska State Officers Compensation Commission last week, during a 15-minute meeting, said “yes” to a sizeable pay increase for state legislators, nearly a $30,000 boost, bringing their pay to $84,000. The governor’s pay will increase to about $176,000 per year, up from the current $145,000.

The Senate majority addressed the state of legislation that will impact the budgeting process.

These forecasts from the Department of Revenue are critical elements in the state budget formulation process, and the latest data suggest that Alaska needs to brace for declining oil prices and production for the remainder of FY 2023 and into 2024.

SB 88 would bring Alaska back to a defined benefits system, reversing a 2006 change overseen by former Gov. Frank Murkowksi.

On Saint Patrick's Day 2023, the House Resources Committee talked about "going green" with carbon credits.

HB 43 would amend existing statutes so that Alaskans under 18 years of age cannot be subjected to conversion therapy by a licensed state health care practitioner.

Alaska leads the nation with the worst job growth rate of -5%, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The suit names DOC Commissioner-designee Jennifer Winkelman, DOC Chief Medical Officer Robert Lawrence, and Superintendent of the Spring Creek Correctional Center James Milburn as the defendants in the case.

Six groups filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The final decision gives ConocoPhillips Alaska the green light to start developing an oil site worth at least $8 billion, but also risks fueling the planet's climate crisis with greenhouse gas emissions.

Gov. Dunleavy's bills related to carbon management receive the latest in a slew of hearings about the offsets and sequestration of carbon, one of the most common elements on Earth.

While legal in Alaska, getting an abortion isn't getting easier after the state attorney general signed a letter, along with 20 other state attorneys general, restricting Walgreens from dispensing an abortion pill.

Amidst calls to raise the Base Student Allocation (BSA), Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday presented his latest effort to improve teacher recruitment and retention in Alaska, the Teacher Retention and Recruitment Incentive bill.

Governor Mike Dunleavy announced education-focused legislation on Tuesday that he hopes will find new solutions to problems facing Alaska’s public education system.

A new proposed amendment to the Alaska Constitution could restructure the Permanent Fund.

The Senate Finance Committee inquired about new projects and efforts undertaken by the Division of Public Assistance after a statewide backlog in application processing and certification.

Members of the House minority coalition call for deeper investment and legislator engagement on two key issues dominating the session

Rising case numbers of HIV in Fairbanks and Interior Alaska threaten the state's public health and alarms health officials.

Alaska is joining several other states in revising the visibility of convictions for criminal actions that are now legal.

The censure comes two days after Eastman made comments on the financial implications of abused children in the state who end up dying.

Education funding was a major topic of discussion during a press availability for the Alaska Senate majority coalition.

Gov. Dunleavy looks to legislate the future of carbon, public lands, and public resources in Alaska.

The address was delivered to a joint session of the Legislature at the State Capitol in Juneau.

Some Anchorage School District students with disabilities have been improperly restrained and placed in seclusion as a form of discipline, the DOJ says.

A new administrative order by Gov. Dunleavy would open up the potential field of candidates by looking more closely at practical experience, instead of holding them to a four-year degree requirement.

Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources John Crowther discussed proposed carbon management legislation at a lunchtime forum on Monday.

Approximately 7,500 teachers are employed across the state. But, the Dept. of Education reports decreasing numbers of applicants for vacant positions, increased numbers of first day vacancies, and increased use of emergency certificates to fill vacancies.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski confirmed the balloon first entered Alaska on Jan. 28th, and left for Canada after crossing the state Jan. 30th.

The last day of the performances on Mar. 12th, coinciding with Ashley Johnson-Barr Day to commemorate both victims and survivors of violence.

In real-time, phones with the PulsePoint app receive notifications about how to help in ongoing, nearby cardiac crises.

"We're looking at another great year in 2023. The phone has been ringing, the bookings are coming in, we just see a really positive future for tourism in Alaska," says the Director of Sales and Marketing for an Anchorage-based cruiseline.

The goal is to meet the needs of each student while making sure they're performing at the appropriate grade level so they can succeed.

The Environmental Protection Agency issued its final determination under the Clean Water Act. It’s a victory for conservation groups and a blow to advocacy groups for Pebble Mine, the proposed project in Southwest Alaska.

Months of rigorous instruction introduces new firefighters to all aspects of the job and the AFD family.

Anchorage Rabbi Yosef Greenberg heralds the special day as one for "reflection."

Gov. Dunleavy is taking on a new tone to tackle old issues in Alaska as he delivered his 2023 State of the State address.

Governor Dunleavy discussed the PFD, education, resource development, and more at the outset of the 33rd legislative session.

Both the Alaska House and Senate look ahead to the major issues facing lawmakers on the eve of the 33rd legislature.

Among the more than 60 pre-filed bills from lawmakers across Alaska, spending caps and voting reform are two major issues.

The department confirmed that Shawnda O’Brien is no longer working as the Division of Public Assistance director effective Jan. 9.

National security and sustainable resource development dominated the discussion, from the formation of the Alaska Salmon Research Task Force to USMC Force Design 2030.

East Anchorage resident Joey Sweet will serve as Forrest Dunbar’s successor until the April municipal election results are certified.

The meeting addressed private hauling contracts, the city's '84 hour plow-out rule,' and hazard planning for the future, as the climate becomes more volatile, and winter precipitation more common.