State mismanagement of ferry system threatens coastal communities

Under the Dunleavy plan to dismantle state government, it remains impossible for anyone to reserve space on the Alaska Marine Highway System after September.

Dermot ColeJune 11, 2019 Comments

Sullivan wants secrecy on his decision to delay Marine commandant confirmation

Sen. Dan Sullivan doesn’t want the public to know why he took action to hold up the appointment of Lt. Gen. David Berger as Marine commandant.

Dermot ColeJune 10, 2019 Comment

Alaska's permanent funding problem and fishing for a sustainable solution

If sustained yield — preserving enough salmon for the future — is good enough for the state’s fish resources, why not think of Permanent Fund earnings the same? Limit the annual withdrawal from the fund to no more than it can sustain — and still grow its returns.

By Larry Persily

Dermot ColeJune 5, 2019 Comments

Bitter battle between Reeves and Binkleys escalates with $500,000 easement claim

The long and costly feud between John Reeves and John Binkley, whose family owns a major Fairbanks tourist operation and the Anchorage Daily News, enters a new phase this week with another court trial in Fairbanks.

Dermot ColeJune 3, 2019 Comments

State dumps consultant for API privatization study

A Boston-based consultant hired by the Dunleavy administration for a privatization study about the Alaska Psychiatric Institute is not going to reverse its 2017 decision that privatization would make things worse at API.

Dermot ColeJune 1, 2019 Comments

State can't defend $441,000 no-bid contract with grandson of Bob Penney

In trying to justify his approval of a no-bid $441,000 state contract to a fellow Dunleavy loyalist, Tomas Boutin, CEO of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, claims there was no need to waste time with competitive bids.

Dermot ColeMay 31, 2019 Comments

State hides details on decision to accept more contamination in drinking water

Almost everything about the decision is being withheld from the public, with Dunleavy claiming “executive communications privilege” as a justification for secrecy. The release of emails that are empty except for the salutations and closings makes a mockery of the public process.

Dermot ColeMay 26, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy disclaimer should tell the truth on his state-funded attack ads

If Mike really wants to run ads attacking those he is supposed to work with, he should call up his brother in Texas and have Francis spend hundreds of thousands on image ads, trying to rehabilitate what’s gone wrong with the Dunleavy administration in its first six months.

Dermot ColeMay 25, 2019 Comments

Attorney general tries to shift blame on education bungling away from Dunleavy

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has made more promises about education than any politician in state history—most of them contradictory.

Dermot ColeMay 24, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy's intransigence may force massive school district layoffs across Alaska

Gov. Mike Dunleavy continues to bungle state education funding, which could force immediate layoffs of school district employees across the state in June. The governor now says that districts won’t get state money after July 15 because of a procedural fight.

Dermot ColeMay 21, 2019 Comments