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The Alaska Senate passed legislation on April 17 that would significantly cap the interest rates and fees payday lenders can charge for loans of $25,000 or less. Senate Bill 39 would remove payday lenders from an exemption in the state’s lending laws, and require payday loan companies to cap interest rates and fees at an annual percentage rate of 36% for loans of $25,000 or less. An estimated 15,000 Alaskans take out a payday loan each year, according to research by the Alaska Public Interest Research Group, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group.... Full story
Federal workers across Alaska have been fired as part of the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency cost-cutting efforts, leaving many in a state of uncertainty, frustration and limbo. Three of those former employees spoke with the Alaska Beacon about the work they did, the experience of losing their positions and their insights into how the job losses will affect Alaska. Kitty Sopow was fired from her job with the National Weather Service, based in Nome. She was given warning of her impending termination — a complete sur... Full story
The University of Alaska Board of Regents has voted to comply with recent executive orders by President Donald Trump, including removing the words “diversity,” “equity,” “inclusion,” “DEI” and “affirmative action” from university websites, publications, job titles and office names. “We don’t think there’s anything wrong with saying that everyone at the university, faculty, staff, students, has equal opportunity, and is free from discrimination,” said Board Chair Ralph Seekins in a phone interview Feb. 26 explaining the action. The regents vot... Full story
A federal workers union expects a total of at least 1,378 federal employees in Alaska with probationary status to be fired by the Trump administration. David Owens, a national representative with the American Federation of Government Employees, said the union did not have current numbers of those already fired as of Thursday, Feb. 20, but expects the Trump administration to fire all probationary employees. Out of the 1,378 employees, 331 are veterans, he said. He cited an Office of Personnel Management database in giving the following... Full story
Dozens of Alaska students, parents and school board members from across the state visited the Legislature on Feb. 10, painting a picture of crowded classrooms, teacher shortages, agonizing school closures, loss of learning opportunities and uncertainty about the future. "We have cut and cut and cut, year after year after year, due to stagnant funding from the state," said Bobby Burgess, a school board member from Fairbanks. "We have trimmed the fat. We have cut into the flesh, and we are... Full story
Alaska law enforcement officials say statewide drug enforcement actions focused on the U.S. Mail resulted in the seizure of more than four times as much alcohol in 2024 than in 2023. Officials seized more than 8,500 liters of distilled spirits, malted beverages and wine, according to new data by the Alaska Department of Public Safety released in an annual report for the state’s drug enforcement unit. State authorities identified and intercepted large and small alcohol imports headed for communities that have opted to prohibit alcohol, known a... Full story