Liz Ruskin
@lizruskin.bsky.social
Hi, I'm the Washington, D.C. correspondent for Alaska Public Media. I post and RT Alaska news, D.C. news and random bits of beauty. Edward R. Murrow Award winner. I ❤️dogs. Send news tips to lruskin@alaskapublic.org.
#AlaskaSky
#AlaskaSky
Alaska's furloughed feds stave off stress and despair. Some are speaking out, despite fear of retaliation alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Alaska's furloughed feds take on 'lemonade' projects amid stress and uncertainty
Despite fear of retribution, some are speaking out. "I might as well go down swinging," one says.
alaskapublic.org
November 6, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Alaska's furloughed feds stave off stress and despair. Some are speaking out, despite fear of retaliation alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
New poll shows Peltola neck-and-neck with Sullivan, if she were to run for U.S. Senate alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
New poll shows Peltola neck-and-neck with Sullivan, if she were to run for U.S. Senate
The Data for Progress poll also shows she leads the field in the governors race. But she has more name recognition and a year of campaigning could change that.
alaskapublic.org
November 3, 2025 at 5:32 PM
New poll shows Peltola neck-and-neck with Sullivan, if she were to run for U.S. Senate alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
From food to financing, Alaska Native organizations feel the shutdown's pinch alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
From food to financing, Alaska Native organizations feel the shutdown's pinch
"Our tribal citizens will have to decide between fuel and food,” AFN President Ben Mallott told a U.S. Senate panel.
alaskapublic.org
October 30, 2025 at 2:42 PM
From food to financing, Alaska Native organizations feel the shutdown's pinch alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
How Sen. Murkowski is setting herself apart from fellow Republicans now
"I think I'm being faithful to my responsibility," says Murkowski, the only Republican on a Supreme Court brief saying President Trump's tariffs are unconstitutional. alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
"I think I'm being faithful to my responsibility," says Murkowski, the only Republican on a Supreme Court brief saying President Trump's tariffs are unconstitutional. alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
How Murkowski is setting herself apart from fellow Republicans now
On government funding, tariffs and Venezuelan boat strikes, Sen. Lisa Murkowski finds common cause with Democrats.
alaskapublic.org
October 28, 2025 at 8:24 PM
How Sen. Murkowski is setting herself apart from fellow Republicans now
"I think I'm being faithful to my responsibility," says Murkowski, the only Republican on a Supreme Court brief saying President Trump's tariffs are unconstitutional. alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
"I think I'm being faithful to my responsibility," says Murkowski, the only Republican on a Supreme Court brief saying President Trump's tariffs are unconstitutional. alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Update: President Trump signed a disaster declaration. Now we're just waiting to find out what's in it. alaskapublic.org/2025-western...
What's in a disaster declaration? One big detail matters for storm survivors.
Only a few Alaska disasters have qualified for a federal program that distributes as much as $85,000 per household.
alaskapublic.org
October 22, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Update: President Trump signed a disaster declaration. Now we're just waiting to find out what's in it. alaskapublic.org/2025-western...
President Trump has approved a federal disaster declaration for Western Alaska. His social media post doesn't answer a crucial q for survivors — is he granting access to Individual Assistance? (But it does recount his election victories in Alaska!) Stay tuned for more ...
October 22, 2025 at 8:46 PM
President Trump has approved a federal disaster declaration for Western Alaska. His social media post doesn't answer a crucial q for survivors — is he granting access to Individual Assistance? (But it does recount his election victories in Alaska!) Stay tuned for more ...
Lest you think the National Guard isn’t doing anything while deployed in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of D.C. …https://open.substack.com/pub/maryfarran/p/dramatic-rescue-in-lincoln-park?r=ezel6&utm_medium=ios
DRAMATIC RESCUE IN LINCOLN PARK
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO IN LINCOLN PARK NEWSLETTER: For hours, National Guard soldiers, US Park Police, MPD officers and firefighters attempted to coax a white-and-black cat from a tree. It ended with a plop.
open.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Lest you think the National Guard isn’t doing anything while deployed in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of D.C. …https://open.substack.com/pub/maryfarran/p/dramatic-rescue-in-lincoln-park?r=ezel6&utm_medium=ios
What's in a disaster declaration? One big detail that matters for Alaska storm survivors.
Still no word a fed disaster declaration for areas slammed by ex-Typhoon Halong. If President Trump signs it, will it have "individual assistance"?
alaskapublic.org/2025-western...
Still no word a fed disaster declaration for areas slammed by ex-Typhoon Halong. If President Trump signs it, will it have "individual assistance"?
alaskapublic.org/2025-western...
What's in a disaster declaration? One big detail matters for storm survivors.
Only a few Alaska disasters have qualified for a federal program that distributes as much as $85,000 per household.
alaskapublic.org
October 22, 2025 at 5:28 PM
What's in a disaster declaration? One big detail that matters for Alaska storm survivors.
Still no word a fed disaster declaration for areas slammed by ex-Typhoon Halong. If President Trump signs it, will it have "individual assistance"?
alaskapublic.org/2025-western...
Still no word a fed disaster declaration for areas slammed by ex-Typhoon Halong. If President Trump signs it, will it have "individual assistance"?
alaskapublic.org/2025-western...
Reposted by Liz Ruskin
The remnant of Typhoon Halong slammed the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, an area in Western Alaska hundreds of miles from the U.S. road system. More than a thousand people are displaced.
What we know about the devastating storm in Western Alaska
The remnant of Typhoon Halong slammed the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, an area in Western Alaska hundreds of miles from the U.S. road system. More than a thousand people are displaced.
n.pr
October 17, 2025 at 8:03 PM
The remnant of Typhoon Halong slammed the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, an area in Western Alaska hundreds of miles from the U.S. road system. More than a thousand people are displaced.
Reposted by Liz Ruskin
Protesters stand and turn their backs to US Sen. Dan Sullivan during his address to the Alaska Federation of Natives conference.
Signs read: "Medicaid Matters" + "Public radio saves lives"
Sullivan does not acknowledge or stop speaking
Signs read: "Medicaid Matters" + "Public radio saves lives"
Sullivan does not acknowledge or stop speaking
October 17, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Protesters stand and turn their backs to US Sen. Dan Sullivan during his address to the Alaska Federation of Natives conference.
Signs read: "Medicaid Matters" + "Public radio saves lives"
Sullivan does not acknowledge or stop speaking
Signs read: "Medicaid Matters" + "Public radio saves lives"
Sullivan does not acknowledge or stop speaking
Hundreds evacuating from hardest hit Western Alaska villages following storm
A tribal administrator talks about how shocking it was to be drifting in his house, worried they would hit another house. Six kids in that home.
alaskapublic.org/news/public-...
A tribal administrator talks about how shocking it was to be drifting in his house, worried they would hit another house. Six kids in that home.
alaskapublic.org/news/public-...
Hundreds evacuating from hardest hit Western Alaska villages following storm
Nearly all the homes in both towns were damaged and a tribal administrator said it was unsafe to stay.
alaskapublic.org
October 16, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Hundreds evacuating from hardest hit Western Alaska villages following storm
A tribal administrator talks about how shocking it was to be drifting in his house, worried they would hit another house. Six kids in that home.
alaskapublic.org/news/public-...
A tribal administrator talks about how shocking it was to be drifting in his house, worried they would hit another house. Six kids in that home.
alaskapublic.org/news/public-...
Hundreds sheltering in Western Alaska schools. Conditions are dire.
“We're moving as fast as we can. We know that folks are miserable," incident commander says.
In one town, nearly the entire population is sheltering in the school. Toilets not working. alaskapublic.org/news/environ...
“We're moving as fast as we can. We know that folks are miserable," incident commander says.
In one town, nearly the entire population is sheltering in the school. Toilets not working. alaskapublic.org/news/environ...
'Miserable': Hundreds sheltering in Western Alaska schools in dire conditions
The state is evacuating the vulnerable and trying to find safe shelter for all. “We're moving as fast as we can,” the incident commander said. “We know that folks are miserable.”
alaskapublic.org
October 15, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Hundreds sheltering in Western Alaska schools. Conditions are dire.
“We're moving as fast as we can. We know that folks are miserable," incident commander says.
In one town, nearly the entire population is sheltering in the school. Toilets not working. alaskapublic.org/news/environ...
“We're moving as fast as we can. We know that folks are miserable," incident commander says.
In one town, nearly the entire population is sheltering in the school. Toilets not working. alaskapublic.org/news/environ...
8 notable things Sen. @lisamurkowski told us on ‘Talk of Alaska’
What she said about the Comey indictment, the military deployment to Chicago, the shutdown, etc. alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
What she said about the Comey indictment, the military deployment to Chicago, the shutdown, etc. alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
8 notable things Murkowski said on ‘Talk of Alaska’
Murkowski spoke about a range of controversial subjects and took questions from callers across the state.
alaskapublic.org
October 9, 2025 at 2:08 PM
8 notable things Sen. @lisamurkowski told us on ‘Talk of Alaska’
What she said about the Comey indictment, the military deployment to Chicago, the shutdown, etc. alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
What she said about the Comey indictment, the military deployment to Chicago, the shutdown, etc. alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Trump approves a controversial road to develop a new mining region in the Arctic. He said he's making Alaska "greater, bigger and more powerful and job-producing."
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Trump OKs road for Ambler Mining District, to make Alaska 'bigger and more powerful'
The Ambler Road would enable development in a mineral-rich area of Northwest Alaska. Road opponents worry it would endanger the landscape and wildlife.
alaskapublic.org
October 7, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Trump approves a controversial road to develop a new mining region in the Arctic. He said he's making Alaska "greater, bigger and more powerful and job-producing."
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Alaska Women, Infants and Children food benefits are at risk if shutdown lasts. Gov's office says it has funds for a week. alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Women, Infants and Children food benefits are at risk if shutdown lasts
The state has enough money to pay WIC benefits for the first week of the shutdown. It's unclear what happens after that. In past lapses, the state found money to keep the program running.
alaskapublic.org
October 6, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Alaska Women, Infants and Children food benefits are at risk if shutdown lasts. Gov's office says it has funds for a week. alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Tiny public radio station KUCB in Unalaska basks in love from afar. It and 13 other small public radio stations in Alaska finally catch a break. alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
14 small public broadcasting stations in Alaska catch a break
Months after losing federal money, the Interior Department steps forward with a one-year reprieve. Meanwhile, stations like KUCB in Unalaska are basking in love from afar.
alaskapublic.org
October 2, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Tiny public radio station KUCB in Unalaska basks in love from afar. It and 13 other small public radio stations in Alaska finally catch a break. alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Shutdown. Sen. Murkowski says Congress giving up its authority, giving President Trump free rein to do as he likes.
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
The federal shutdown is upon us. Murkowski warns it could be a long one.
By letting funding lapse, Congress is giving President Trump free rein, Sen. Murkowski says. Both Alaska senators voted for a stop-gap spending bill but the measure failed.
alaskapublic.org
October 1, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Shutdown. Sen. Murkowski says Congress giving up its authority, giving President Trump free rein to do as he likes.
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Sen. Murkowski calls FCC chief's comments 'chilling' and inappropriate.
Kimmel is back on air but the threat still looms.
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Kimmel is back on air but the threat still looms.
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Murkowski calls FCC chief's Kimmel comments 'chilling' and inappropriate
Sen. Murkowski sees Brendan Carr's threat as part of a pattern in the Trump administration. "This is more than concerning," she says.
alaskapublic.org
September 26, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Sen. Murkowski calls FCC chief's comments 'chilling' and inappropriate.
Kimmel is back on air but the threat still looms.
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Kimmel is back on air but the threat still looms.
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Holey moley
www.politico.com/news/2025/09...
www.politico.com/news/2025/09...
White House to agencies: Prepare mass firing plans for a potential shutdown
In memo, the Trump administration says the Reduction-in-Force plans would go beyond standard shutdown furloughs.
www.politico.com
September 25, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Holey moley
www.politico.com/news/2025/09...
www.politico.com/news/2025/09...
Sen. Murkowski says letting subsidies expire would force some Alaskans off their health coverage:
“Now, you tell me, who out there can find an additional half of their income to go towards insurance?”
She wants a solution in the short-term spending bill.
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
“Now, you tell me, who out there can find an additional half of their income to go towards insurance?”
She wants a solution in the short-term spending bill.
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Alaskans would see spike in health insurance rates if Congress lets subsidies expire
Some Alaskans would have to pay half their income to keep health insurance without enhanced tax credits. Sen. Murkowski calls it a "looming crisis."
alaskapublic.org
September 24, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Sen. Murkowski says letting subsidies expire would force some Alaskans off their health coverage:
“Now, you tell me, who out there can find an additional half of their income to go towards insurance?”
She wants a solution in the short-term spending bill.
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
“Now, you tell me, who out there can find an additional half of their income to go towards insurance?”
She wants a solution in the short-term spending bill.
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
“A reporter who publishes only what the government ‘authorizes’ is doing something other than reporting.”
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Pentagon demands journalists pledge to not obtain unauthorized material
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is imposing strict new rules that would severely limit the ability of journalists to report on the Pentagon.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 20, 2025 at 5:53 AM
“A reporter who publishes only what the government ‘authorizes’ is doing something other than reporting.”
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Sen. Murkowski was 1 of 2 Republicans to join Ds & reject the GOP spending extension. She voted no on the Dem version, too alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Murkowski votes no on partisan spending bills, seeks middle path
Both parties' stop-gap spending bills failed. Sen. Murkowski says there’s still time to negotiate a solution to avoid a government shutdown.
alaskapublic.org
September 20, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Sen. Murkowski was 1 of 2 Republicans to join Ds & reject the GOP spending extension. She voted no on the Dem version, too alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Republicans gushed over Alaska’s oil/gas export potential.
Dems focused on the energy woes of tiny AK village, worsened by President Trump’s tariffs and aversion to windmills. alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Dems focused on the energy woes of tiny AK village, worsened by President Trump’s tariffs and aversion to windmills. alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Dueling Alaska narratives emerge at U.S. House hearing on ‘unleashing’ energy
Republicans focused on Alaska's exportable oil and LNG. Democrats homed in on a small Alaska village whose energy solutions hit Trump administration roadblocks.
alaskapublic.org
September 17, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Republicans gushed over Alaska’s oil/gas export potential.
Dems focused on the energy woes of tiny AK village, worsened by President Trump’s tariffs and aversion to windmills. alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Dems focused on the energy woes of tiny AK village, worsened by President Trump’s tariffs and aversion to windmills. alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
Some Alaskans want Mary Peltola to run for governor. Some want her to challenge US Sen. Dan Sullivan. Some on the left are sidelined until they know: “What will Mary do?” alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
In Alaska governor’s race, Democrats leave the aisle clear for Mary Peltola
As more Republicans join the crowded field, a question hangs over potential Democratic hopefuls: What will Mary Peltola do?
alaskapublic.org
September 10, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Some Alaskans want Mary Peltola to run for governor. Some want her to challenge US Sen. Dan Sullivan. Some on the left are sidelined until they know: “What will Mary do?” alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
US House votes to repeal Central Yukon land plan. Stated goal: advance mining, the Ambler road & Alaska LNG. Also, to transfer fed land to the state.
That alarms subsistence users, who'd lose their rural priority for hunting/fishing on those lands.
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
That alarms subsistence users, who'd lose their rural priority for hunting/fishing on those lands.
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
U.S. House votes to repeal Central Yukon land plan
The stated goal is to advance the Ambler Road and Alaska LNG Project. But residents of the region say they worked for years to create that plan, balancing subsistence and and development.
alaskapublic.org
September 4, 2025 at 6:51 PM
US House votes to repeal Central Yukon land plan. Stated goal: advance mining, the Ambler road & Alaska LNG. Also, to transfer fed land to the state.
That alarms subsistence users, who'd lose their rural priority for hunting/fishing on those lands.
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...
That alarms subsistence users, who'd lose their rural priority for hunting/fishing on those lands.
alaskapublic.org/news/politic...