State claims to conduct thorough BP-Hilcorp review, though it didn't tell legislators or public

The revelation is enough to justify public hearings by the Legislature and belatedly involve Alaskans in the debate about the BP sale to Hilcorp announced on Aug. 27.

Dermot ColeNovember 14, 2019 Comments

Hands-off approach to Hilcorp sale, a marked contrast to BP-Arco merger 20 years ago

The silence from the Dunleavy administration about the BP $5.6 billion sale to Hilcorp is alarming. Where is the report informing Alaskans about the public policy questions related to taxes, maintenance and the future of the pipeline?

Dermot ColeNovember 12, 2019 Comments

When former Gov. Cowper met Carnahan

“It was a life based on service, not on the accumulation of money. America needs more people like that.”

—By Steve Cowper

Dermot ColeNovember 12, 2019

Remembering JB Carnahan, the 'KIAK Country Cruiser'

JB Carnahan was a Fairbanks fixture for nearly a half-century—a policeman, borough assembly member, Shriner, volunteer, Crimestoppers TV spokesman, businessman and one of the morning hosts on KIAK-FM.

Dermot ColeNovember 10, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy counts on Alaska amnesia for his political survival

Gov. Mike Dunleavy continues to be the governor of the education promise, abandoning one pledge after another depending upon the conditions of the moment and the audience, always acting as if he is not contradicted himself.

Dermot ColeNovember 9, 2019 Comments

Dunleavy/Clarkson see no need to 'rush to judgment' on recall court case

What Gov. Mike Dunleavy wants is what Attorney General Kevin Clarkson wants—for the recall court case to be tied up as long as possible, hoping that the momentum for recalling Dunleavy will dissipate.

Dermot ColeNovember 8, 2019 Comments

Clarkson’s anti-union crusade could now cost state $700,000

Attorney General Kevin Clarkson, backed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, now wants to spend an additional $500,000 to $600,000 pushing his anti-union crusade. The Legislature should refuse to appropriate a dime.

Dermot ColeNovember 7, 2019 Comments

Another day, another court loss for Dunleavy administration

Attorney General Kevin Clarkson invented the idea that funding education a year in advance was improper. It was a political move to try to force the Legislature to appropriate money so the governor could veto hundreds of millions from schools. The scare tactic didn’t work.

Dermot ColeNovember 7, 2019 Comment

Kevin Clarkson's inescapable conflict of interest

The Alaska attorney general understood better than anyone that he had no business deciding the merits of a petition to recall the governor of Alaska.

Dermot ColeNovember 6, 2019 Comments

Time to end no-bid $600-per-hour state contract with Trump lawyer

Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson has lost another round in state court in his anti-union crusade. It turns out the $600-an-hour discount legal help he sought from President Trump’s lawyers, the same guys who say the president if above the law, didn’t help.

Dermot ColeNovember 5, 2019 Comments