Articles & Op-eds
Fairbanks Daily News Miner: Murkowski introduces legislation to bolster Alaska agriculture, food security
by Jack Barnwell
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced legislation on Tuesday that, if approved, would be folded into the national Farm Bill with the intent to improve agriculture in the state. The ARCTIC Act, or Improving Agriculture, Research, Cultivation, Timber, and Indigenous Commodities Act, proposes to strengthen several aspects of farming and food security in Alaska, according to Murkowski’s office. “By helping more Alaskans access healthy foods; supporting Alaska’s farmers and our seafood, floricu… Continue Reading
07.18.23
Fairbanks Daily News Miner: Murkowski introduces legislation to bolster Alaska agriculture, food security
by Jack Barnwell
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced legislation on Tuesday that, if approved, would be folded into the national Farm Bill with the intent to improve agriculture in the state. The ARCTIC Act, or Improving Agriculture, Research, Cultivation, Timber, and Indigenous Commodities Act, proposes to strengthen several aspects of farming and food security in Alaska, according to Murkowski’s office. “By helping more Alaskans access healthy foods; supporting Alaska’s farmers and our seafood, floricu… Continue Reading
07.17.23
Anchorage Daily News: Department of Defense awards $37M to Graphite One mining project near Nome
by Riley Rogerson
WASHINGTON — The Department of Defense has awarded $37.5 million to a graphite mining prospect in Western Alaska. The Graphite Creek project is located about 40 miles north of Nome and is thought to be the largest natural graphite deposit in the U.S. Federal and industry officials say if it is developed, it would stabilize the graphite supply chain and boost economic development in Alaska. The U.S. Geological Survey considers graphite a “critical mineral” that is essential to… Continue Reading
07.15.23
Anchorage Daily News: As the climate warms, the face of Denali National Park changes
by Iris Samuels
DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE — On a gravel road that cuts through one of America’s most famous national parks, a tan school bus rumbled westward. Five members of Congress had come to Alaska to see the subtle effects of a warming climate. They encountered something more dramatic. “I think I envisioned rocks on the road. I didn’t envision the entire road had fallen away,” said Rep. Katie Porter of California, one of the five Democrats to recently tour the park. … Continue Reading
07.15.23
Cordova Times: Senators back plan for additional weapons for Ukraine
by Cordova Times
Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Mark Kelly, D-AZ, Joe Manchin, D-WV, and Tammy Duckworth, D-IL, have come out in support of the Biden administration’s decision to provide additional weapons to Ukraine, including cluster munitions, to support their fight against Russian invaders. “After visiting Kyiv, I believe more strongly than ever that the U.S. must do more to help Ukraine and its citizens defend their country from Russia’s catastrophic aggression,” Murkowski said, in… Continue Reading
07.13.23
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: Murkowski authors bill to improve apprenticeship programs
by Carter DeJong
Sen. Lisa Murkowski has introduced a bill aimed at improving apprenticeship programs in the United States. “Workforce shortages continue to have a significant impact on Alaskan communities and businesses — and the inability of apprenticeship funding to be used for unique needs such as transportation and housing for students — only exacerbates that issue,” Murkowski said in a news release. The National Apprenticeship Act of 2023, authored by Murkowski and Sen. Tammy Bald… Continue Reading
07.10.23
Anchorage Daily News: Healthy oceans are vital to Alaska
by Lisa Murkowski
On an early morning walk around Juneau, I saw a bustling waterfront — a harbor full of small fishing boats, a large cruise ship in the distance, locals walking their dogs, and businesses ready to welcome the many tourists visiting Southeast. It was a great walk to reflect on how important the ocean is to us all. Recently, folks from across America — including Alaska — traveled to Washington, D.C. to take part in Capitol Hill Oceans Week, or CHOW, an annual gathering of governm… Continue Reading
07.07.23
Cordova Times: An interview with Sen. Lisa Murkowski
by Kinsey Brown
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, sat down with The Cordova Times during a recent visit to town to discuss how current federal policies and initiatives will address issues locally in Cordova. Murkowski was in town to attend Copper River Nouveau on June 10, the Prince William Sound Science Center’s (PWSSC) annual fundraiser event for which she has been an honorary co-host for the last 15 years. The weekend also highlighted the synergy between PWSSC and Cordova Electric Cooperative (CEC). Murk… Continue Reading
07.05.23
JBER: Military pays for Alaska service members' flights home
by Senior Airman J. Michael Peña
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Service members assigned to Alaska duty stations can take a military-paid flight home, according to a recent Department of Defense policy change. Per the June 1 update to the Joint Travel Regulations, eligible Alaska service members can be reimbursed for the cost of one round-trip airfare from their duty station to their home of record between Dec. 23, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2031. “Being an Airman up here, it’s especially difficult to b… Continue Reading
07.02.23
Anchorage Daily News: Murkowski’s interns tried to get photos with all 100 US senators in a month. They got to 75.
by Riley Rogerson
WASHINGTON — The first Tuesday of June at around 5:30 p.m., reporters gathered outside the underground subway of the U.S. Capitol Building as senators made their way to an evening vote. Journalists typically stake out the Senate basement, waiting for their chance to flag down a senator with questions about the news of the day. It’s a convenient spot to catch them as they journey from their offices to the Senate floor. But this time, it wasn’t just reporters on the hunt. This … Continue Reading
06.30.23
Cordova Times: Bill calls for labeling domestic catch as American-caught
by Cordova Times
Legislation now before the U.S. Senate calls for a “Wild USA Seafood” label for wild seafood harvested in U.S. waters, including fish, crustaceans and aquatic plants. The bill was introduced on June 22 by Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both R-Alaska. “Consumers want to know where their food comes from – and by creating a specific label allowing wild seafood, like Alaskan salmon caught in Bristol Bay, wild kelp harvested in Southeast, or pollock caught in the Ber… Continue Reading
06.30.23
Alaska Public Media: Murkowski boosts her resolve to help Ukraine after visit to NATO allies
by Liz Ruskin
Sen. Lisa Murkowski was in Lithuania and Norway last week, just as a mercenary boss launched a march on Moscow. Lithuania and Norway are NATO allies and both are wary of Russia’s aggression in the region. Murkowski said her visit has strengthened her resolve to continue U.S. aid for Ukraine’s defense. “We can’t get soft on our support for Ukraine,” Murkowski told reporters. “These people have demonstrated a resilience and a commitment to freedom that is unpar… Continue Reading
06.29.23
Alaska Beacon: U.S. senators propose new fish labeling, enhanced ocean research and more economic tools
by Yereth Rosen
A new bill introduced by Alaska’s U.S. senators would set up a new consumer-focused label for wild seafood. It’s among several bills eyed by Congress that could affect fishing in Alaska. Under the bill introduced last week, there would be a program to voluntarily label qualified products as “Wild USA Seafood,” a tool that Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Dan Sullivan, both Republicans, said would serve consumers who already have a strong preference for those products. ̶… Continue Reading
06.29.23
KTUU: Nearly $2B in broadband funding earmarked to connect Alaskans to faster internet Officials aim to connect every Alaskan community under new program
by Mike Mason and David Bernknopf
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The state of Alaska and some of its communities have been awarded nearly $2 billion in federal funding to ensure that every resident has access to the internet. But where does all that money come from — and who’s keeping track of it all? “It is clearly unprecedented in size and scope,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski said. “Some parts of America are just more difficult to access so the initial investment is a big one.” Murkowski says the fede… Continue Reading
06.28.23
KTUU: ‘It’s the little things that makes the difference’: Alaska service members offered free flight home
by Georgina Fernandez
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - It’s a long way from Alaska to Texas. Just ask Pfc. Mike Godinez-Martinez. The 18-year-old reported to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson from Texas just a month ago for his first duty station. “Alaska to Texas, that’s the farthest north point of the United States to the farthest south,” Godinez-Martinez said. And up until recently, going back home to where his family lives in San Antonio was not in the picture for him, or many of his other fell… Continue Reading
06.27.23
Center Square: Alaska receiving $1 billion for broadband
by Kim Jarrett
(The Center Square) - Alaska is receiving $1 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, also known as BEAD. The money is part of a $42.5 billion distributed to the 50 states, five territories and the District of Columbia, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Commerce. "The BEAD allocation for Alaska will go a long way toward connecting unserved Alaskans with reliable, affordable, high-speed broadband," said Ch… Continue Reading
06.27.23
Seafood Source: Murkowski, Sullivan introduce bill to create “Wild USA Seafood” label for domestic-caught seafood
by By Chris Chase
Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both Republican U.S. senators from Alaska, have introduced a bill to establish a “Wild USA Seafood” label for all seafood caught in U.S. waters. The senators said the bill, the “Wild USA Seafood Act of 2023,” will help the U.S. domestic seafood industry promote its wild-caught seafood – including fish, crustaceans, and aquatic plants harvested in U.S. waters. “Alaska’s seafood is the best in the world – and I̵… Continue Reading
06.26.23
Frontiersman: Alaska to get $1.1 billion in new federal money for broadband infrastructure
by Tim Bradner
Alaska will receive $1,017 billion in new federal funding to build out broadband infrastructure connecting communities with high speed internet, the state’s U.S. Senators, Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, announced Monday, June 26. The money is from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment, or BEAD program, which is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) passed by Congress two years ago. The funding comes from the IIJA’s Alaska BEAD allocation of $1,017,… Continue Reading
06.26.23
Anchorage Daily News: Officials, telecom industry say $1B federal investment will go a ‘heck of a long way’ toward closing Alaska’s digital divide
by Riley Rogerson
WASHINGTON — The White House announced more than $1 billion in new funding for Alaska broadband access Monday, money that officials say will play a significant role in bringing improved internet to rural Alaska communities. The investment is one piece of the $42 billion President Joe Biden announced will be distributed across the country. Alaska is one of 19 states to receive over $1 billion and received the top allocation per capita. Close to 200 Alaska communities do not have access to… Continue Reading
06.26.23
Fairbanks Daily News Miner: Another $1 billion for Alaska broadband internet announced
by Carter DeJong
Alaska will receive an additional $1.01 billion to fund high speed internet in the state. “One of my highest priorities when authoring and negotiating the bipartisan infrastructure law was sharing the unique circumstances Alaskans face with our infrastructure,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski said in a news release. The funding comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, passed in 2021. Earlier this month, Alaska received a $100.5 m… Continue Reading
