Credit rating agency puts Alaska on ‘negative’ watch amid plunge in oil prices and COVID-19 pandemic
Tourism, fishing and the Permanent Fund have been hurt, complicating the state’s revenue picture, Fitch Ratings said.
Federal coronavirus rescue bill contains more than $1 billion for Alaska
Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan defended the $2 trillion stimulus bill as necessary to prevent a severe collapse of the U.S. economy.
Alaska jobless claims make unprecedented jump amid coronavirus downturn
Weekly jobless claims are likely to rise with next week’s report that more fully takes into account virus-related closures, a state economist said.
Union calls on state to treat Alaska grocery workers as 'first responders,’ bolstering access to masks and tests
Groceries have temporarily boosted pay and increased benefits to support workers.
BP considers flying oil workers from Lower 48 directly to North Slope to limit COVID-19 spread
BP is also extending shifts, like other oil and mining companies.
Red Dog Mine restricts worker travel to keep COVID-19 out of mine site and nearby villages
The operator of the Northwest Alaska zinc mine is also screening workers in Anchorage before they can board flights to the mine.
RavnAir to temporarily cut 150 employees amid reduction in air travel
The airline has had to “drastically” cut costs and reduce its flight schedule by 30%, a spokeswoman said.
Small Alaska businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis can apply for federal disaster loans
Businesses can receive up to $2 million in low-interest loans to deal with the impacts of the coronavirus.
As jobless claims in Alaska soar, economists say tens of thousands of workers could be affected
“This is uncharted territory,” said one economist.
Part of ‘The Beast,’ ConocoPhillips’ massive drilling rig, slides off Alaska North Slope road
There were no pipeline leaks or injuries, and it could be moving again soon, officials said.
Coronavirus causes ConocoPhillips to temporarily cancel flights for workers to North Slope fields
The oil company will ask critical workers currently in the fields to remain for an extra two weeks. It’s part of a larger effort to keep the virus out of Alaska’s remote work camps.
Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall will temporarily close doors to help curb spread of coronavirus
The mall will close Wednesday night until March 29. The Dimond Center has said it will remain open.