Government

Lieutenant governor pick must be confirmed, lawyer says

The Legislature's top lawyer said this week that the man Gov. Sarah Palin picked to replace Sean Parnell as lieutenant governor can't take office July 26 unless lawmakers first say it's OK.

Palin to appoint pair of Fairbanks judges before she leaves office

Gov. Sarah Palin plans to appoint two Fairbanks judges before she leaves office July 26.

Lieutenant governor's job has one too many candidates

Alaska legislators are questioning whether Gov. Sarah Palin can appoint the state's No. 2 elected official without their input. Or at all.

Palin returns to work, defends decision to resign

Palin cites 'higher calling' on Facebook

Outgoing Gov. Sarah Palin on Saturday laid the groundwork to take on a larger, national role after leaving state government, citing a "higher calling" with the aim of uniting the country along conservative lines.

Palin's career one surprise after another

Ethics investigations cost state $296,000

Ethics complaints against Gov. Sarah Palin and top members of her administration have cost the state personnel board nearly $300,000 over the past year, almost two-thirds of which appear to be from the Troopergate investigation of the governor.

Ethics complaints filed against Palin

Cabinet secretaries to visit Bethel on rural tour

The White House announced Tuesday that five Cabinet secretaries will be visiting Bethel this summer as part of a nine-state tour to find out how "communities, states, and the federal government can work together to help strengthen rural America."

Federal archives project in Anchorage still gathering dust

A much touted National Archives building destined for the nine acres at 40th Avenue and Denali Street hasn't happened. Plans and funding are in limbo.

PDF: NARA report of investigation

Bill resurrects missile defense field at Fort Greely

Plans by the Defense Department to abandon construction of a third field of 14 missile silos at Fort Greely would be reversed under a bill approved last week by the Senate Armed Services Committee, according to U.S. Sen. Mark Begich.

State dismisses ethics complaint against Palin aide

The state has dismissed an ethics complaint alleging a close adviser to Gov. Palin played politics on state time while traveling with Palin on the vice presidential campaign trail and afterward.

Palin reimburses state $8,100 for family trips

U.S. House energy bill has Alaska-friendly provisions

A sweeping energy bill was approved Wednesday by the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, with the support of the panel's top Republican, Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Palin's attorney general choice has extensive credentials

Gov. Palin on Tuesday appointed a former assistant secretary of state in the Bush administration to be Alaska's new attorney general. Daniel S. Sullivan's resume is heavy with military, federal government and foreign policy experience.

Alaska Politics blog: More on Sullivan

Begich continues to fight against defense cuts

The Pentagon on Tuesday continued to reassure Sen. Mark Begich that $1.2 billion in proposed cuts to the nation's missile defense program won't pose a threat to Alaska or the rest of the country.

Cell call solicitations outlawed

Gov. Sarah Palin has signed various bills into law, including one that outlaws unwanted solicitations on cell phones.

Former legislator joins fund board

A former Alaska lawmaker has been named to the Permanent Fund Corp. board of trustees.

Feds must pay legal fees for whistleblower widow's suit

A federal court judge says the U.S. Forest Service must pay the legal fees for the widow of a Tongass National Forest whistleblower who died shortly after he lost his job.

Surplus stimulus funds open new possibilities

Bids on transportation projects to be funded by federal stimulus money are being submitted far below expected estimates, leaving the state with opportunities to fund additional work.

Grads give troopers full house

Years of chronic vacancies in the ranks of Alaska State Troopers have come to an end, at least for the moment, with the graduation of the latest training academy last week, the Department of Public Safety said Wednesday.

Young asks defense secretary to reconsider missile defense cuts

U.S. Rep. Don Young says Congress is being shortsighted by proposing cuts to the Missile Defense Agency as North Korea tests a long-range missile that could strike Alaska.

Supreme Court hopeful withdraws from two cases

An Anchorage judge who has applied for a seat on the state Supreme Court this week took himself off two public records cases pending against Gov. Palin.

PDF: Judge Stowers' recusal order

National forest roads, bridges to get repairs

National forest roads and bridges in 31 states, including Alaska, will get long-needed repairs under an economic stimulus spending plan announced by the Obama administration.

Stimulus money available for Native housing

Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan says the government will offer more than $250 million in housing grants to American Indians and Alaska Natives as part of the federal stimulus package.