Federal court deals another blow to Dunleavy/Clarkson anti-union crusade

AG Kevin Clarkson hired a $600-per-hour right-wing lawyer to push an anti-union dream. He started off with a no-bid $50,000 deal last August, upped it to $100,000 and then added $600,000 early this year. It’s good money after bad.

Dermot ColeJuly 15, 2020 Comments

Rigid state rules cripple effort to give $290 million in grants to struggling small businesses

The state has been unable to give the federal money away because of the rigid rules it created a few months ago.

Dermot ColeJuly 14, 2020 Comments

ConocoPhillips, Exxon, Hilcorp and BP will spend whatever it takes to keep oil taxes low

It may call itself “OneAlaska,” but a more accurate name for the group fighting the oil tax initiative would be “OilAlaska.”

Dermot ColeJuly 13, 2020 Comments

Deafening silence of Alaska congressional delegation on Trump's unprecedented corruption

At the very least, every Alaska news organization should have had a story saying that the delegation refused to comment or explain their refusal to comment on Trump’s unprecedented, historic corruption.

Dermot ColeJuly 11, 2020 Comments

Space Force Moondoggle: 26 states volunteer to spend lots more federal money

Not satisfied with a 2019 decision to base the operation in Alabama, Colorado or California, the Trump administration is looking for political points with what one Congressman has labeled a Moondoggle, making it worse than a boondoggle.

Dermot ColeJuly 9, 2020 Comments

Alaskans deserve thoughtful discussion on school opening, not a Dunleavy soliloquy

Left unsaid was whether state officials and school district officials have reason to believe that children, teachers, other staff members can be safe in schools this fall and whether families will be safe when kids come home from school. This warrants real discussion.

Dermot ColeJuly 8, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy special session delay puts $200 million for small businesses at risk

Most of the $290 million available for COVID-19 grants to small businesses will have to be refunded to the federal government if the Dunleavy administration does not get the program straightened out soon. The governor needs to call a special session now.

Dermot ColeJuly 7, 2020 Comments

1,653 Alaska enterprises, including churches and nonprofits, receive federal loans/grants of at least $150K

A total of 1,653 Alaska enterprises ranging from the Anchorage Baptist Temple to the Arctic Slope Native Association received at least $150,000 in government assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to federal documents released Monday.

Dermot ColeJuly 6, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy won't discuss preemption of Anchorage mask mandate

The reporter asked a simple question at Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s state-managed publicity event Tuesday: “You and Dr. Zink have both continually advocated for masks as an effective way to reduce the spread of the virus. Could you walk me through the intent behind preempting Anchorage’s mask order for state buildings?”

Dermot ColeJuly 1, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy’s ‘have a great weekend’ memo conceals origins of attack on Anchorage mask mandate

The news coverage of the Dunleavy decree did not examine why the governor kept his role in the attack on the Anchorage mask mandate secret, acting as if it was all the work of Attorney General Kevin Clarkson.

Dermot ColeJune 30, 2020 Comments