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Current Topics
Airline passengers could be in for a rougher ride, thanks to climate change. Alaska Public Media
North Dakota wants to lead the nation on rare earth production. Governing
The U.S. Department of Energy last week announced $16 million in funding to establish domestic supply chains of rare earth elements and critical minerals, aimed at reducing our dependence on foreign sources for these important materials. Rare earths are essential in the manufacture of modern electronic devices including applications in national defense and clean energy technologies. Half of the $16 million will support research conducted by the Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks where they will be looking at ways to recover and refine rare earth elements from coal mine waste.
Alaska population dipped last year, Census Bureau finds. Alaska Public Media
More people moved out of Alaska than into the state last year, but other population factors nearly offset the loss, according to new figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.
DNR Gives Graphite One Winter Trail Permit. Nome Nugget
Graphite One, based in Vancouver, has done exploration work on a graphite deposit that is thought to be the largest in the United States. The company could be years away from applying for permits to begin mining operations, but it has been ramping up its exploration efforts in recent years. The plan to mine includes eventually building an industrial access road to the site. The winter trail follows the general route of that road.
Department launches new effort to support Alaska's refugees and legal aliens. Alaska Labor
It's spring and Juneau's bears are waking up hungry. Alaska Public Media
Anchorage snow is costly for some businesses and a boon for others. Alaska's News Source
With over 100 inches of snow recorded for the season, snow plowing and hauling have been big budget items.
Fisheries
In unprecedented move, federal council takes no action on Cook Inlet salmon plan. Alaska Public Media
A federal council made the unprecedented decision to take no action on choosing a new fishing management plan for Cook Inlet commercial salmon fishing Friday, after it said it was left with no good options on a tight, court-ordered timeline.
Politics
Proposal is a fiscal plan, but not a good one. Juneau Empire
Alaska Gov. Dunleavy creates task force to address child care shortage. Alaska Beacon
How much could younger voters affect future election outcomes? Governing
Millennial and Gen Z Americans will be the majority of the electorate in 2028. But predicting which party will benefit will be challenging. These young voters care more about policy than party, according to experts.
Economy News
States get hit as market swings. Axios
Inflation expectations are on the rise again. Axios
For months, consumers have been steadily marking down near-term inflation expectations, a sign of confidence in the Fed's war on price pressures. That changed in March.
Pushing China to play ball. Axios
During COVID, China agreed to a plan to help poor countries that could no longer repay their debts. Now, pressure is building on Beijing to keep its word.
To help state budget, legislator proposes income tax: $20 for most Alaskans, more for those with upper incomes. Alaska Beacon
House Bill 156 would tax Alaskans 2% of any annual income above $200,000. If someone makes less than that amount, they’d pay $20. Any income tax could be automatically deducted from that year’s Permanent Fund dividend.
Healthcare News
Hospitals' off-site fees draw lawmakers' scrutiny. Axios
More than two years after Congress acted to shield patients from surprise medical bills, lawmakers are turning to another source of costs: the fees that hospitals tack on for services provided in clinics they own.
Alaska would be better off without the '80th percentile rule'. ADN
Energy News
EVs face many barriers in Alaska, but experts say the time to act is now. Alaska Beacon
As the electric vehicle market is booming nationally, Alaska is struggling to keep up. With the remoteness of much of Alaska and the state's many separate power grids, creating charging infrastructure for electric vehicles has proven to be difficult.
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