Trump administration sued over ANWR
Trump administration plans to open the 1.56-million-acre coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to leasing for oil and gas exploration are being challenged in federal court by Indigenous people to whom ANWR is sacred land and allied environmental entities.
State announces extended UI benefits available
Grant funds totally nearly $20 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are coming to Alaska to provide a $300 weekly increase in addition to regular unemployment benefits, but only about 35,000 of 60,000 filers will be eligible for that additional aid.
Submit meeting thoughts to fish, game boards by Aug. 31
Public comments are due by Monday, Aug. 31 to the Alaska Boards of Fisheries and Game on the upcoming 2020/2021 meeting cycle as it relates to mitigation measures for the COVID-19 virus pandemic.
Update: New COVID-19 cases down, death toll rises to 39
Update: COVID-19 claimed the lives of two more elderly Alaskans this week, boosting the resident death toll to 39, with a total number of infections reaching 5,364 residents and 869 nonresidents, state health officials said.
SEITC urges new EA for transboundary mine
A consortium of 15 tribal nations in Southeast Alaska is asking British Columbia’s environmental officials to reject a request from Seabridge Gold in Toronto for a five-year extension on its KSM (Kerr-Sulphurets Mitchell) gold and copper mine prospect.
Federal decision puts hurdle in road to Pebble mine
A Trump administration decision that the Pebble mine could result in significant adverse effects on the environment of the Bristol Bay watershed has put hurdle in the road for project’s development.
Coast Guard Cutter Healy damaged by fire
It’s mission aborted due to a fire in one of the ship’s main propulsion motors, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy is returning from the Arctic to its homeport in Seattle, after efforts to reclaim sensor equipment deployed to measure the state of the Arctic environment.
Cook Inlet Tribal Council acquires employment firm
Cook Inlet Tribal Council has acquired Alaska Native Hire from Cook Inlet Region Inc. to help Alaska Native and American Indian job seekers statewide find employment opportunities within the state.
Stevens wins Senate GOP District P primary
Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, has won the Republican primary election in Senate District P, with 2,086 votes, or 52.94 percent of the vote, over challenger John “Bear” Cox, who garnered 1,854 votes, or 47.06 percent, state elections officials confirmed on Friday, Aug. 28.
New unemployment payments to begin in Alaska within 2 months
Additional unemployment benefits approved by the federal government are expected to reach Alaska residents in six to eight weeks, officials said.
