Articles & Op-eds
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: UAF, Defense Department take new approach to suicide prevention
by Staff Report
University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers have been selected to develop a suicide-prevention program that will focus on Alaska-based Army soldiers. The project will focus on the Army 11th Airborne Division in Alaska. The unit, which is split between Fort Wainwright and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, identified 17 deaths by suicide among its ranks in 2021. Sen. Lisa Murkowski included $3 million to support the project in the federal government's fiscal year 2022 appropriations act. UAF's Cen… Continue Reading
10.21.22
Military.com: Housing Allowance Shouldn't Stop Hungry Troops from Getting Food Stamps, Senators Say
by Rebecca Kheel and Konstantin Toropin
Heather Campbell has been a military spouse for years. She walked away from a full-ride Ph.D. when she met her husband and later became a mother to three kids. Campbell was once even selected as Eielson Air Force Base spouse of the year but she also faced unemployment as the family moved to remote locations such as Alaska. As a result, Campbell, who is now a registered dietician, and her family joined the nearly 25% of military families this past year that struggled to feed themselves, accordin… Continue Reading
10.18.22
Anchorage Daily News OPINION: Strengthening our commitment to the Arctic together
by Gail Schubert
As we continue to respond to the wreckage left by Typhoon Merbok and prepare for the challenging winter ahead, we are thankful. While the storm was devastating, we will recover. Our communities, friends and neighbors have pulled together and reminded all of us why we are blessed to live in rural Alaska. The outpouring of support we have received across Alaska, from our dedicated first responders to everyday Alaskans, also shows the best of our great state. When disaster strikes, Alaskans are the… Continue Reading
10.01.22
Fairbanks Daily News Miner: Alaska senators propose renaming volcano after Don Young
by Staff Report
Alaskans viewed the late U.S. Rep. Don Young as a larger-than-life figure while he served Alaska in Congress for 49 years. Alaska's U.S. senators see it as a fitting tribute to rename an active Aleutian Island volcano after Young, who died in March from natural causes. The pair introduced a bill in the Senate, identifying the volcano currently known as Mount Cerberus. "Don Young moved mountains for Alaska, it's only fitting we name one after him - even if it is a bit unpredictable," Mu… Continue Reading
09.30.22
Fairbanks Daily News Miner: FEMA grants full cost waiver for western Alaska response
by Jack Barnwell
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will pick up the full cost for all eligible storm recovery efforts in western Alaska over the next 30 days, according an announcement from the White House. The decision follows a joint request from Alaska's congressional delegation, including Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Mary Peltola, along with Gov. Mike Dunleavy's office, urging President Joe Biden to waive the state's share of costs. Murkowski, who visited five impacted communities … Continue Reading
09.07.22
Anchorage Daily News OPINION: Infrastructure bill shows Alaska wins when we work across party lines
by Bryce Edgmon
Good things happen when partisan politics are cast aside, like when our congressional delegation worked in a bipartisan manner to secure "Ted Stevens-like" funding for Alaska in last year's federal infrastructure bill. I think the significance of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and what it means for our state has not gotten its full due. Billions of dollars will be coming our way that will improve services for communities all over Alaska, but none more so than in rural Alaska. Signif… Continue Reading
09.03.22
Fairbanks Daily News Miner: State announces agriculture grants
by Jack Barnwell
Alaska continues to receive federal funding for agriculture initiatives, including $2 million from the United States Department of Agriculture for the state's food security micro-grant program. According to a news release from Sen. Lisa Murkowski's office, the $2 million will fund next year's grant program. Murkowski created the federal micro-grant program in 2018 "to ensure more Alaskans have greater access to healthy, affordable, locally grown options." The overall federal program provides … Continue Reading
09.02.22
Juneau Empire: Murkowski, Sullivan throw support behind Alaska LNG Project
by Ashlyn O'Hara
KENAI - Alaska's two U.S. senators threw their support behind the Alaska LNG Project this week in a joint letter that touted the project's economic and energy security benefits. The Alaska LNG Project, years in the works, would move gas from the North Slope through an 800-mile pipeline to a liquefaction plant in Nikiski. The project has seen revived interest since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and in light of new federal funding opportunities. U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan urged… Continue Reading
09.01.22
Peninsula Clarion: Murkowski, Sullivan throw support behind Alaska LNG Project
by Ashlyn O'Hara
Alaska's two U.S. senators threw their support behind the Alaska LNG Project this week in a joint letter that touted the project's economic and energy security benefits. The Alaska LNG Project, years in the works, would move gas from the North Slope through an 800-mile pipeline to a liquefaction plant in Nikiski. The project has seen revived interest since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and in light of new federal funding opportunities. U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan urged in a jo… Continue Reading
08.27.22
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: The newest role in the North? Arctic ambassador
by Amanda Bohman
The president is creating a new Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Region, the U.S. State Department announced on Friday. This comes as Russia has increased its military presence in the Arctic in recent years and after a warning from the NATO Secretary General about rising tensions in the so-called High North. Arctic nations, including the United States, currently coordinate as members of the Arctic Council. In March, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the council froze out Russia, issuin… Continue Reading
08.27.22
Anchorage Daily News: Biden administration to appoint Arctic ambassador
by Riley Rogerson
The Biden administration announced plans to appoint an Arctic Ambassador, the U.S.'s latest effort to increase its influence in the Arctic amid growing tensions with Russia and China. The Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Region will promote U.S. policy in the region and work with the other seven Arctic nations, Indigenous groups and other non-governmental entities, according to a State Department statement. In recent years, U.S. officials have pushed to protect national security and economic… Continue Reading
08.21.22
Fairbanks Daily News Miner: Borough receives $2.5M for CNG bus conversion
by Amanda Bohman
Almost $2.5 million was awarded to the Fairbanks North Star Borough from the Federal Transit Administration for Compressed Natural Gas buses and vans, according to a borough news release. The funds come from the FTA's bus and low-and-no-emission grant program as part of the overall Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. Borough Mayor Bryce Ward called the grant "a massive step in the right direction" for the borough's plans to swap out its public transit buses and vans with en… Continue Reading
08.04.22
The Hill OPINION: The State Department must step up on Arctic diplomacy
by Lisa Murkowski
When it comes to Arctic policy, there is no shortage of steps we can take. One is ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty, to prevent other nations from making territorial claims that deprive the U.S. of vital access and resources. Another is passage of my Arctic Commitment Act, which focuses on regional security, shipping, research, and trade. But the quickest and most obvious step is for the State Department to elevate its efforts on Arctic diplomacy, which the Biden administration can immed… Continue Reading
08.01.22
UPI: Bipartisan senators introduce bill to guarantee abortion rights
by Sheri Walsh
A bipartisan group of senators has introduced legislation that would guarantee federal access to abortion, after the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, despite a lack of Republican votes to pass the bill. The Reproductive Freedom For All Act would codify abortion rights and contraception access. It was co-authored by Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. "After the Supreme Court gutted … Continue Reading
07.31.22
The Hill: Murkowski gets late Rep. Don Young’s 900-pound totem pole in Capitol Hill office
by Jared Gans
A 900-pound totem pole found yet another home in an Alaska lawmaker's office on Capitol Hill on Saturday. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said in a tweet that the pole, which has stood in the office of the late Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), has now been moved to her office. She said the pole was originally belonged to former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), who served in his seat for 40 years. Murkowski said she now occupies what was once Stevens' office, so the totem pole will be returning to its hom… Continue Reading
07.26.22
The Ripon Advance: Murkowski proposes bipartisan Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act
by Ripon Advance News Service
Every U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center would have a designated lactation space under a bipartisan bill introduced on July 21 by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). "Right now, only half of VA medical centers have a nursing room, so we need to change that," Sen. Murkowski said. "I'm proud to support female veterans by ensuring our VA facilities have nursing rooms that are accessible for employees, veterans and their partners." Sen. Murkowski signed on as the lead original co… Continue Reading
07.24.22
Anchorage Daily News: Murkowski and Sullivan advocate for speedy approval of major Arctic oil project
by Riley Rogerson
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan are calling on President Joe Biden's administration to promptly advance the Willow oil project in a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Willow is a ConocoPhillips project on the North Slope that could yield over 180,000 barrels of oil per day and generate billions in state revenue. The Biden administration released a draft supplemental environmental impact statement earlier this month - a step in the federal approval process. The pro… Continue Reading
07.18.22
Anchorage Daily News OPINION: Alaska wins with America’s Outdoor Recreation Act
by Lee Hart and Lisa Aangeenbrug
Outdoor recreation is a cornerstone of Alaska's economy and culture, buoyed by the state's majestic glaciers, vast tracts of rugged wilderness, and pristine national parks. With?34,000 miles?of coastline and?222 million acres?of national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests and more, it comes as no surprise why visitors flock to the state in droves each year. As many come to appreciate all Alaska's natural beauty has to offer, it is important we ensure everyone has the necessary access to t… Continue Reading
07.13.22
Anchorage Daily News: Murkowski presses Interior secretary to advance drilling in Cook Inlet and accelerate wildfire mitigation
by Riley Rogerson
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski urged the Interior Department to advance drilling in Alaska's Cook Inlet and distribute wildfire prevention funding during a Senate hearing Wednesday. Murkowski, a Republican, questioned Interior Secretary Deb Haaland about the department's proposed five-year offshore drilling plan, which includes 10 lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and another in Cook Inlet. The Biden administration has made clear that it may not move forward with any of the proposed sales. "I feel s… Continue Reading
07.10.22
Anchorage Daily News: After spike in suicides, Alaska’s U.S. senators sponsor act aimed at improving military mental health
by Riley Rogerson
WASHINGTON - Alaska's U.S. senators have introduced legislation aimed at improving quality of life and expanding mental health resources for military personnel amid a rise in U.S. Army Alaska soldiers dying by suicide. The Don Young Arctic Warrior Act would boost pay by $300 a month for service members who perform cold weather operations, among other benefits. The act also seeks to train and retain more behavioral health providers to work with the military by authorizing annual bonuses up to $5… Continue Reading
