Government

Alaska National Guard gets new commander

Gov. Sean Parnell has named the new commander of the Alaska National Guard. Brig.

Are local libraries in process of checking out?

The city's budget problems are bringing to the fore an institution that for years has quietly served its patrons in the background of other city services like police and fire and public transportation.

What people think about libraries

Cruise passenger tax clearly legal, Alaska AG says

Alaska has a strong case to defend itself in the cruise ship industry's lawsuit on a passenger tax, according to the state attorney general.

Former police chief is nominated to be next Alaska US marshal

President Obama has nominated former Anchorage police Chief Rob Heun to be the U.S. marshal for Alaska.

State says it's keeping close eye on gas line project

State officials said Tuesday that they are closely monitoring a major pipeline company's progress on a North Slope gas line to ensure the state's multimillion-dollar stake in the project is well-spent.

PDF: State report on AGIA pipeline project

Public can join in gas authority meeting

Rural action panel on third tour

Gov. Sean Parnell's Rural Action Subcabinet flew to Tanana on Monday as part of its third tour. Stops also are scheduled for Ruby and Galena.

Permanent Fund grows along with economy on quarter market surge

The Alaska Permanent Fund produced a 10.7 percent return and grew by $3.4 billion during the July-September period, the first quarter of its fiscal year, fund officials said.

Legislative office building hinges on cost factors

Alaska legislators want better cost estimates before they decide whether to pursue construction of a legislative office building in downtown Anchorage. The Legislative Council, a panel of state senators and representatives that handles day-to day business of the Legislature, met Tuesday in Anchorage to talk about the matter.

Legislators consider a new building in Anchorage

Alaska lawmakers are again talking about building a new legislative office building in Anchorage, after ditching a plan to do so last year because of the price tag and worries of Juneau legislators that it could be a backhanded capital move.

Congressmen worry ocean policy will block development

Dozens of U.S. representatives sent a letter Monday to the head of the president's Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force with concerns that the policy will block offshore energy development and cost jobs to Americans.

7 qualified for seat on high court

The Alaska Judicial Council has nominated seven men it says are most qualified to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Alaska Supreme Court.

Risk assessment of Alaska oil infrastructure called flawed

A panel of national scientific experts is raising serious concerns about the state-led, $5 million project to evaluate risks posed by Alaska's aging oil and gas infrastructure.

PDF: National Academy study

State risk assessment

Governor wants more Bush police

Gov. Sean Parnell is calling for a greater law enforcement presence in rural Alaska.

Pioneering Nobel Prize winner influenced Alaska, resources

The first woman to win a Nobel Prize in economics also has bolstered the credibility of Alaskans who worked for decades to instill the concept of public ownership of the state's natural resources.

Governor wants good grades rewarded with scholarships

Gov. Sean Parnell is proposing the state pay the entire Alaska college or job training tuition for every high school student who graduates with a A average and takes four years of math, science and language arts. Students who graduate with a B could get 75 percent of their tuition covered under the plan.

Pebble players may face APOC penalties for proposition fight

Both sides in last year's ballot box ruckus over mining -- the most expensive election battle waged in Alaska history -- may have to pay state regulators major penalties for campaign law violations.

Blog: The Pebble Blog

Increase in PFD recipients has officials guessing why

The number of Permanent Fund dividend recipients has been increasing out of step with Alaska's population in recent years and appears to have shot up again this year.

Alaskans bank on annual oil dividend

Alaska Permanent Fund dividend checks will be $1,305

Flags to fly half staff for Sullivan

Gov. Sean Parnell has ordered that state flags be flown at half staff on Oct. 3 in honor of former Anchorage Mayor George Sullivan.

Alaskans bank on annual oil dividend

Evans Thomas Jr. and his neighbors know exactly how they're spending their dividend checks of $1,305 for being Alaskans -- not on new toys or vacations, but on warming their homes come winter in a village situated just below the Arctic Circle.

Governor will reveal Permanent Fund dividend Wednesday

Gov. Sean Parnell has planned a press conference to announce the amount of the 2009 Alaska Permanent Fund dividend.

Alaska to have one of eight new federal climate-change centers

The Interior Department is creating eight regional response centers, including one based in Alaska, to address the impact of climate change on the people and land overseen by the agency.