WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Alaska House Fisheries Committee has submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management expressing concerns about the potential impact of commercial mineral leasing in the Alaskan Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The communication was addressed in response to the Request for Information and Interest concerning mineral mining leases offshore Alaska. The committee's primary concerns focus on proposed leasing areas including the Aleutian Islands, G more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Alaska Native Brotherhood Grand Camp has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior regarding proposed changes initiated by Safari Club International (SCI) and reflected in the Federal Subsistence Management Program (FSMP) programmatic review. The organization represents Alaska Native and rural residents of Northwest Alaska, emphasizing the critical importance of federal subsistence protections for food security, cultural preservation, an more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Algaaciq Tribal Government has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior concerning the review of the Federal Subsistence Management Program (FSMP) across Alaska. The tribal government emphasized the importance of maintaining federal protections for rural and Alaska Native subsistence use and called for comprehensive consultations with Alaska Native and rural communities before any program changes are made. In its letter, the Algaaciq T more ST

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * Blackburn, Kustoff Introduce Rural Health Agenda to Ease Financial Strain for Rural Hospitals, Expand Access to Urgent Care, and Strengthen Recruiting * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus, and U.S. Representative David Kustoff (R-Tenn.) introduced their bicameral and bipartisan Rural Health Agenda, which includes the S more PR

LINCOLN, Nebraska, March 27 -- The University of Nebraska posted the following news: * * * Buell uses 3-3 program to move from ranch life to law school * Brooklyn Buell grew up on a Sandhills ranch caring for the environment and wanting to continue protecting it in a career outside of ranching. Now a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she has identified environmental law as that career and the 3-3 Law Program as an affordable way to reach her goals. The College of Law 3-3 progra more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Calista Corp. has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regarding the agency's Request for Information on Commercial Leasing for Outer Continental Shelf Minerals Offshore Alaska. The letter raises concerns about the lack of meaningful consultation with affected Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) and the significant risks posed by unregulated ocean mineral extraction in the region. Calis more ST

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Rep. Nicholas J. Begich III, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Begich Votes to Restore DHS Funding and Support Homeland Security Personnel * WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 26, 2026 - Today, Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) voted in favor of H.R. 8029, the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act, legislation to restore full funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ensure that critical national security personnel. "Americans depend on the  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on March 27, 2026: * * * IN THE STATES: Democrats Score Major Victory in Trump's Backyard While Trump is Jacking Up the Cost of Gas and Health Care This week, Democrats handed Donald Trump and Republicans another humiliating defeat, this time in Trump's own backyard. Democrat Emily Gregory flipped Florida's House District 87, Trump's home district, which he won by 11 points in 2024. Gregory's victory i more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Elim Native Corp., Alaska, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior expressing concerns regarding the review of the Federal Subsistence Management Program. The corporation emphasized the need for full and meaningful Tribal Consultation before completion of the scoping report on the program. Elim Native Corporation highlighted the vital role that customary and traditional subsistence activities play in rural Alaska communities, particul more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Environment America Research and Policy Center submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management expressing opposition to the agency's consideration of commercial leasing for mineral extraction in the Outer Continental Shelf offshore Alaska. Environment America emphasized the ecological and community risks associated with deep sea mining along Alaska's coast. According to the organization, the area serves as critical habitat for diverse mari more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Environmental Action has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management voicing opposition to the agency's request for information and interest regarding commercial leasing for outer continental shelf minerals offshore Alaska. The letter, which includes 12,538 signatures from concerned citizens, urges BOEM not to proceed with leasing plans that could enable deep sea mining activities in the sensitive marine environments surrounding Alaska. more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Kawerak, Inc., Nome, Alaska, a nonprofit tribal consortium representing 20 federally recognized Tribes in Alaska's Bering Strait region, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior regarding the review of the Federal Subsistence Management Program. The letter emphasizes the importance of maintaining the current governance and regulatory framework governing subsistence activities on federal lands and waters in Alaska, which are vital to the foo more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: * * * Kelly, Murray, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Root Causes of Youth Homelessness * Legislation would authorize $105 million per year to prevent youth homelessness Today, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the bipartisan Preventing Youth Homelessness Demonstration Act to address the root causes of youth homelessness and expand prevent more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release: * * * King, Murkowski Introduce Legislation to Strengthen American Fisheries * WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) have introduced legislation to strengthen the American seafood industry by treating it the same as the nation's farmlands. The American Seafood Competitiveness Act would expand access to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loan and grant programs more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Kodiak/Aleutians Subsistence Regional Advisory Council submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Subsistence Management regarding the ongoing review of the Federal Subsistence Management Program. The Council provided its perspectives following a meeting held in September 2025 in Cold Bay focused on evaluating the program's effectiveness in meeting subsistence users' needs in Alaska. The Council requested an extension of the in more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: * * * Lujan, Murkowski, Schatz Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand and Modernize Native Housing Programs * Senators Push to Advance Housing Policy in NAHASDA's 30 TH Anniversary Year Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. S more PR

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairwoman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on March 27, 2026: * * * MURKOWSKI, SCHATZ REINTRODUCE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO EXPAND AND MODERNIZE NATIVE HOUSING PROGRAMS Senators Push to Advance Housing Policy in NAHASDA's 30TH Anniversary Year * U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Vice Chairman, introdu more PR

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, issued the following news release: * * * Murray, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Preventing Youth Homelessness Demonstration Act to Address Root Causes of Youth Homelessness * New legislation led by Murray would authorize $105 million per year to prevent youth homelessness ; Murray has funded this effort through appropriations for the last several years, this bill would formally establish those grant programs and help ensure their long- more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Native Village of Tazlina submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior emphasizing the importance of an unhurried and thorough review process. The federally recognized tribe located in Alaska's Valdez census area highlighted the critical role the program plays for rural Alaskans who depend on subsistence fishing and hunting for food and cultural survival. The letter addressed to the Office of the Secretary, Senior Advisor for Alaska Affair more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Nondalton Village, Alaska, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior addressing concerns over potential changes to the Federal Subsistence Board (FSB) and the Office of Subsistence Management (OSM). The village underscores the importance of maintaining the current composition of the FSB, which governs subsistence fishing and hunting regulations on federal lands in Alaska, and advocates for preserving rural Alaskan subsistence rights enshrine more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The North American Submarine Cable Association (NASCA) submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management urging the agency to take comprehensive steps to protect submarine cable infrastructure in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) offshore Alaska. The letter addresses the agency's Request for Information and Interest (RFI) concerning commercial leasing for minerals exploration and development in this environmentally and strategically important more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The North Pacific Fisheries Association (NPFA) has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management expressing opposition to commercial leasing for seabed minerals on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore Alaska. Based in Homer, Alaska, NPFA represents over 60 independent commercial fishermen and their communities who depend on the region's fisheries for their livelihoods. The association raised concerns about the  more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The North Slope Subsistence Regional Advisory Council has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture addressing concerns about the ongoing review of the Federal Subsistence Management Program. The council expressed frustrations with the limited notice and guidance provided for their input, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive public engagement given the importance of the program to subsistence use more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Pacific Islands Heritage Coalition has submitted a public comment letter expressing opposition to deep-sea mining on the outer continental shelf of Alaska. The letter was addressed to the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Alaska Region office in response to a Request for Information (RFI) regarding potential seabed mining activities. The Coalition represents a network of elders, fishers, cultural practitioners, scientists, and community more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI), dedicated to preserving and promoting the cultures of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples of Southeast Alaska, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior. The letter addresses the Department's ongoing review of the Federal Subsistence Management Program, which implements the rural priority established in Title VIII of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). SHI highlights more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Sealaska Heritage Institute, Juneau, Alaska, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior concerning its "Program Review- Subsistence Management for Public Lands in Alaska." The federal Subsistence Management Program, responsible for implementing the rural priority outlined in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), is under examination to better address the subsistence needs of Indigenous peoples throughout Alaska. SHI h more ST

WASHINGTON, March 28 -- Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, chairman of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, issued the following news release on March 26, 2026: * * * Securing Alaska Native Rights and Supporting Water Resources Today, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a legislative hearing on bills that will ensure Alaska Natives have the right to sell ivory artwork and articles of handicraft, maintain critical water infrastructure for  more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service issued the following news release: * * * Service Awards More Than $6.6 Million in Tribal Wildlife Grants to Advance Shared Conservation Goals * The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is awarding more than $6.6 million to federally recognized Native American and Alaska Native tribes to benefit fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. This year's funding will support 35 tribes for conservation projects acr more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, issued the following news release: * * * Shaheen, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Hold E-Cigarette Companies Accountable for the Youth Vaping Crisis * (Washington, DC) - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) are introducing bipartisan legislation to hold e-cigarette companies accountable for the youth vaping crisis. The Resources to Prevent Youth Vaping Act would require e-cigarette manufactur more PR

NEW YORK, March 28 (TNSjou) -- The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry issued the following news: * * * Buried Bounty: Caribou Survival Depends on Lichen and Snow A study by researchers at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry indicates that if lichen continues to decline across the Arctic, caribou populations could struggle to survive the winter. In the study, "Winter survival shaped by forage abundance and snow depth for a long-distan more PR

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The Sustainable Ocean Alliance has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management regarding the agency's Request for Information and Interest (RFI) on Commercial Leasing for Outer Continental Shelf Minerals Offshore Alaska. SOA strongly urges BOEM to deny the unsolicited lease request and suspend the leasing process for deep-sea mining (DSM) in the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). SOA emphasizes that pursui more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- The United Fishermen of Alaska submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior regarding its Request for Information and Interest on potential mineral leasing on the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf. UFA emphasized the importance of Alaska's fisheries to the nation's seafood supply, economy, and coastal communities while expressing concerns about the environmental risks associated with deep-sea mining (DSM). The letter stated that Alaska's fisherie more ST

WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * Whitehouse Calls for Leadership Change at EPA * In 'Time to Wake Up' speech on Senate Floor, Senator Whitehouse detailed EPA Administrator Zeldin's lies to Congress and the American people as he serves fossil fuel polluters Whitehouse was joined on the Senate floor by Senator Markey Washington, DC - Last night, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) delivered his 305 th speech urging more PR