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Boeing CEO apologizes to families for aircraft safety failings
Boeing CEO David Calhoun on Tuesday apologized to the families of people who died in crashes in the manufacturer’s planes, while members of both parties on a U.S. Senate panel grilled the executive for failing on safety and transparency. Calhoun appeared at a hearing of the Investigations Subcommittee of the Senate Homeland Security and Government […] The post Boeing CEO apologizes to families for aircraft safety failings appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
In petition, environmentalists see future end to Alaska North Slope oil production
When Kay Brown was director of the Alaska Division of Oil and Gas in the 1980s, her job was to make sure the state got the maximum benefit from its abundant fossil fuel. At the time, North Slope activity was on the rise and Alaska was on its way to supplying a quarter of the […] The post In petition, environmentalists see future end to Alaska North Slope oil production appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Fishing boat malfunction causes former Alaska state lawmaker to drop out of election
A broken boat engine is causing former Republican Rep. Bill Thomas to cancel his plans to challenge Democratic Rep. Andi Story for a state House seat representing northern Southeast Alaska, Thomas said. Thomas, 77, is Story’s lone opponent in this year’s legislative elections but said recent mechanical troubles with his fishing boat have left him […] The post Fishing boat malfunction causes former Alaska state lawmaker to drop out of election appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Trump endorses Dahlstrom for Alaska’s U.S. House seat, criticizes Peltola and Begich
Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president in this year’s elections, has endorsed Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom in this year’s race for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat. Trump’s endorsement was among nine similar statements about different candidates posted on Truth Social, his preferred social media platform, on Monday afternoon. The statement praised […] The post Trump endorses Dahlstrom for Alaska’s U.S. House seat, criticizes Peltola and Begich appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
The warming ocean is leaving coastal economies in hot water
Ocean-related tourism and recreation supports more than 320,000 jobs and US$13.5 billion in goods and services in Florida. But a swim in the ocean became much less attractive in the summer of 2023, when the water temperatures off Miami reached as high as 101 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 Celsius). The future of some jobs and businesses […] The post The warming ocean is leaving coastal economies in hot water appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
For child care workers, state aid for their own kids’ care is ‘life-changing’
SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Child care worker Marci Then, 32, looked over at two 4-year-olds in her care who were tussling over a toy plate in a model kitchen set. “Are we sharing?” she gently asked them. They both let go. Then works at Little Learners Academy child care center near Providence, Rhode Island. Her daughter, […] The post For child care workers, state aid for their own kids’ care is ‘life-changing’ appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Coast Guard icebreaker Healy headed to Alaska for three Arctic research missions
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Healy, the largest U.S. icebreaker, is on its way to Alaska for the first of three Arctic scientific missions planned over the coming months. The Healy departed on Wednesday from Seattle, its home port, the Coast Guard said. Its first mission will bring scientists to the Beaufort Sea to service […] The post Coast Guard icebreaker Healy headed to Alaska for three Arctic research missions appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
States struggle with unreliable federal funding for making sure elections are secure
WASHINGTON — The federal government has sought to bolster election security for years through a popular grant program, but the wildly fluctuating funding levels have made it difficult for state officials to plan their budgets and their projects. Rising misinformation and disinformation about elections, often fueled by conspiracy theories, as well as threats against election […] The post States struggle with unreliable federal funding for making sure elections are secure appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Alaska has a new nonprofit newsroom in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough
The Mat-Su Sentinel, a new, nonprofit newsroom based in Palmer, began publishing online this month with a mission to contribute local reporting to the region. Founder, editor and reporter Amy Bushatz has worked in news for more than two decades, including as the executive editor for Military.com and as a part-time reporter for the Anchorage […] The post Alaska has a new nonprofit newsroom in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branch’s already-limited […] The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Trump claims ‘great unity’ after talks with congressional GOP
WASHINGTON — In his first visit to Capitol Hill since leaving office in January 2021, former President Donald J. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, mapped campaign strategy with GOP lawmakers and projected party unity ahead of the November elections. Trump said the meetings brought “great unity.” Surrounded by Republican senators who were smiling and applauding him […] The post Trump claims ‘great unity’ after talks with congressional GOP appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Fairbanks Catholic high school sues Alaska’s sport regulators, seeking new basketball division
This March, the Monroe Catholic Rams were among the four best large boys’ high school basketball teams in Alaska. For some supporters, that isn’t enough. Late last month, the school sued the Alaska School Activities Association, claiming that the Rams have been improperly placed in the large-schools division for high school basketball. The case was […] The post Fairbanks Catholic high school sues Alaska’s sport regulators, seeking new basketball division appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Alaska Gov. Dunleavy picks second ex-talk radio host for lucrative fish job after first rejected
In May, the Alaska Legislature narrowly rejected a conservative talk radio host’s appointment to a highly paid position regulating the state’s commercial fisheries. Now, after the failure of that pick, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy has chosen a new appointee with a similar — though not identical — background for the six-figure job at the Commercial […] The post Alaska Gov. Dunleavy picks second ex-talk radio host for lucrative fish job after first rejected appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
State abortion bans forcing interstate travel, U.S. Senate panel hears
WASHINGTON — When Lauren Miller flew from her home state of Texas to Colorado two years ago she felt a moment of relief when the plane took off — not because she had been delayed for hours or because she needed a vacation, but because she was about to meet with doctors who would be […] The post State abortion bans forcing interstate travel, U.S. Senate panel hears appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Feds accuse two men of smuggling snowmachines to Russia via Alaska tour company
Federal officials have indicted two men for allegedly attempting to smuggle 17 snowmachines to Russia via an Alaska-registered tour company and an intermediary in Hong Kong. The grand jury indictment was announced Wednesday, and the FBI arrested Sergey Nefedov and Mark Shumovich that same day. Nefedov, who lives in Anchorage, is scheduled to be arraigned […] The post Feds accuse two men of smuggling snowmachines to Russia via Alaska tour company appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Watchdog group, GOP U.S. House members blast ‘reckless’ earmark spending
WASHINGTON – A group opposed to wasteful government spending and a handful of U.S. House Republicans warned at a Wednesday press event that project-specific spending known as earmarks was contributing to an increase in the national debt. The event to discuss the Citizens Against Government Waste’s latest annual report, titled the 2024 Congressional Pig Book […] The post Watchdog group, GOP U.S. House members blast ‘reckless’ earmark spending appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects attempt to limit access to abortion pill
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a much-anticipated decision Thursday that mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion, can remain available under current prescribing guidelines. The high court unanimously rejected attempts by anti-abortion groups to roll back access to what was in place more than eight years ago, writing that they […] The post U.S. Supreme Court rejects attempt to limit access to abortion pill appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Royalty-free terms draw only three oil and gas lease bids in Alaska’s Cook Inlet
A state oil and gas auction that offered royalty-free leases in the Cook Inlet basin as an incentive for new exploration drew only three bids, according to results released Wednesday by the Alaska Division of Oil and Gas. The annual areawide Cook Inlet sale featured special terms for the 725 tracts covering 3 million offshore […] The post Royalty-free terms draw only three oil and gas lease bids in Alaska’s Cook Inlet appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Pacific salmon move north to Arctic Canada from Alaska when ocean conditions allow
As the climate warms, more Pacific salmon from Alaska are showing up in the Western Arctic waters of Canada. But residents in those Arctic Canadian communities are not catching salmon every year, which led them to ask why. Now a study by scientists from Canada and Alaska has described the ocean gateway that must open […] The post Pacific salmon move north to Arctic Canada from Alaska when ocean conditions allow appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Pair of U.S. House Dems add to chorus calling for Alito, Thomas recusals
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democrats echoed Senate colleagues Tuesday in calling for U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito to recuse themselves from Jan. 6 cases, and for congressional Republicans to support passing an enforceable ethics code for the entire bench. Reps. Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight […] The post Pair of U.S. House Dems add to chorus calling for Alito, Thomas recusals appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
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Alaska Beacon is an independent, nonpartisan news organization focused on connecting Alaskans to their state government. Alaska, like many states, has seen a decline in the coverage of state news. We aim to reverse that. Our name comes from the first verse of the Alaska Flag Song: “The great North Star with its steady light, O'er land and sea a beacon bright.” Our journalists report fairly and fearlessly on the people and interests that determine state policy. We do not serve any political party or private interest. We support the ability of all Alaskans to participate in the political process. We provide accurate, factual reporting. We promptly correct errors. If you see one, let us know. Beacon reporters explore how state policies affect specific areas like the economy and environment, education, health, and criminal and social justice. We aim to tell stories that aren’t being told, to bring fresh perspectives to state issues and to amplify the voices of Alaska communities that have been marginalized. Alaska Beacon provides a forum for commentary on state issues, with a goal of elevating policy conversations. These commentaries don’t come from our reporters and are labeled differently than our news reporting. Read our submission guidelines here. To do our jobs, we rely solely on the donations of those who value independent journalism. We welcome other news organizations to republish our work, and ask that they credit us. Alaska Beacon is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. Our editorial decisions are made inside Alaska by Alaska journalists.
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