Monday - August 24, 2026

Public Policy Tipoffs Involving Alaska

40 items
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23 Conservation Groups Urge National Park Service to Retain Strong Wilderness Stewardship Policies
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. National Parks Conservation Association, Alaska Wilderness League, Badlands Conservation Alliance, Californians for Western Wilderness, CalWild, Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, Continental Divide Trail Coalition, Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, Friends of Nevada Wilderness, Glacier Two-Medicine All  more
Access Fund Supports BLM Guidance Recognizing Fixed Anchors as Appropriate Use in Wilderness Areas
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. August 14, 2026 Submitted Electronically U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management 1849 C. St. NW, Room 5646 Washington, DC 20240 Re: Draft Recreational Climbing in Wilderness Guidance, Docket #BLM-2026-0034 We are writing on behalf of our client, the Access Fund, in response to the Bureau of Land Man  more
Access Fund Supports National Park Service Draft Guidance Affirming Fixed Anchors as Appropriate Use in Wilderness and Requests Permit Process Revisions
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. August 14, 2026 Submitted Electronically National Park Service 1849 C St., NW Washington, DC 20240 Re: Access Fund Comments to EXPLORE Act Mandated Wilderness Climbing Guidance Documents for National Park Service, Docket #NPS-2026-0101 We are writing on behalf of our client, the Access Fund, in response to the Nation  more
Acting Alaska A.G. Issues Opinion Clarifying Constitutionality of Board and Commission Appointment Practices
JUNEAU, Alaska, Aug. 14 -- The Alaska Department of Law issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Issues Opinion Clarifying Constitutionality of Board and Commission Appointment Practices Acting Attorney General Cori Mills today announced the issuance of an Attorney General Opinion (https://law.alaska.gov/pdf/opinions/opinions-2026/26-001-Private-Entity.pdf) addressing a significant constitutional question that impacts every executive administration--past, current and future.   more
Alaska Marine Community Coalition Opposes OMB Proposed Changes to Federal Financial Assistance Regulations
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. July 9, 2026 Re: Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance: OMB-2026-0034 Dear Director Vought and Office of Management and Budget Staff, On behalf of the Alaska Marine Community Coalition (AMCC), thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) proposed Regulation for Federal   more
Alaska Primary Care Association Urges Flexibility and Support in Medicaid Community Engagement Requirements
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. July 31, 2026 The Honorable Dr. Mehmet Oz Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-2454-IFC P.O. Box 8016 Baltimore, MD 21244-8016 RE: Medicaid Program Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals Submitted via regulations.gov Dear Administrator Oz:  more
Alaska Urges BLM to Exempt State Lands From Wilderness Manual Citing ANILCA Protections
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. Department of Natural Resources OFFICE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND PERMITTING 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1430 Anchorage, AK 99501-3561 Main: 907.269-8690 August 14, 2026 Bureau of Land Management Attention: Management of Designated Wilderness Areas Division of National Conservation Lands 1849 C St. NW, Room   more
Alaska Urges US Fish and Wildlife Service to Update Wilderness Stewardship Manual to Reflect ANILCA Provisions and State-Specific Management Needs
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. Department of Natural Resources OFFICE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND PERMITTING 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1430 Anchorage, AK 99501-3561 Main: 907.269-8690 August 14, 2026 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Public Comments Processing Attn: Docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2026-2575 Policy and Regulations Branch 5275 Leesb  more
America First Policy Institute, 12 Co-Signers Issue Letter to Treasury Secretary Bessent
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (TNSletter) -- The America First Policy Institute, with 12 co-signers issued the following letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent: * * * Here is the text of the letter: July 28, 2026 The Honorable Scott Bessent Secretary of the United States U.S. Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20220 Re: Student eligibility under Section 25F for children in homeschools, microschools, and other innovative learning settings Dear Mr. Bessent  more
America Outdoors Association Urge BLM to Allow New Fixed Anchors and Streamline Guide Safety Measures in Wilderness Climbing Policy
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. America Outdoors Association . Docket No. BLM-2026-0034 . 1 August 14, 2026 VIA REGULATIONS.GOV RE: Docket No. BLM-2026-0034-Draft Policy and Guidance for Managing Recreational Climbing in BLM-Managed Units of the National Wilderness Preservation System, BLM Manual 6340 Sec. 1.6.C.13.f-Comments of America Outdoors Asso  more
America's Credit Unions, 47 Co-Signers Issues Letter to Senate Leadership
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (TNSletter) -- America's Credit Unions, with 47 co-signers issued the following letter to the Senate leadership: * * * Here is the text of the letter: July 21, 2026 The Honorable John Thune Majority Leader United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 - The Honorable Charles Schumer Minority Leader United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 - Re: Senate Consideration of H.R. 3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025 Dear Leader Thune and Leader Schumer: On  more
American Academy of Pediatrics Urges CMS to Revise Medicaid Community Engagement Rule to Protect Children and Families
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. AAP Headquarters 345 Park Blvd Itasca, IL 60143 Phone: 630/626-6000 Fax: 847/434-8000 E-mail: kidsdocs@aap.org www.aap.org Reply to AAP Washington Office 601 13th St NW, Suite 400N Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202/347-8600 E-mail: kids1st@aap.org Executive Committee President Andrew D. Racine, MD, PhD, FAAP President-Elect T  more
Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center Warns Proposed Federal Funding Regulations Could Threaten Alaska Healthcare Access
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. Our Mission: To be a trust partner in every person's wellness by providing integrated, compassionate, and high-quality health care, regardless of ability to pay. July 10, 2026 The Honorable Russell Vought Director Office of Management and Budget ATTN: OMB-2026-0034 725 17th Street, NW Washington, DC 20503 R  more
Ask an Expert: Could nuclear energy solve power grid struggles?
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania, Aug. 17 -- Pennsylvania State University posted the following news: * * * Ask an Expert: Could nuclear energy solve power grid struggles? * UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -Nuclear energy already plays a pivotal role in powering some of the largest economies in the U.S., including Illinois, Pennsylvania and Texas, and it could be the key to offsetting a rapidly increasing demand for electricity across the country, according to researchers at Penn State. In the following   more
Association for Utah Community Health Urges CMS To Remove Burdensome Medicaid Community Engagement Impairment Requirement
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. 5217 South State Street, Suite 201, Murray, UT 84107 801.716.4600 www.auch.org July 31, 2026 The Honorable Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-2454-IFC P.O. Box 8016 Baltimore, MD 21244-8016 RE: Medicaid Program; Community Engagement   more
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Proposes Enhanced State Coordination in BLM Wilderness Land Use Planning
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. 1 The voice of fish and wildlife agencies 1100 First Street, NE, Suite 825 Washington, DC 20002 Phone: 202-838-3474 Fax: 202-350-9869 Email: info@fishwildlife.org August 12, 2026 U.S. Department of the Interior Stevan Pearce, Director (630) Bureau of Land Management 1849 C St. NW Room 5646 Washington DC 20240 Atte  more
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Proposes Revisions to BLM Manual to Enhance State Authority and Scientific Standards in Wilderness Area Management
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. The voice of fish and wildlife agencies 1100 First Street, NE, Suite 825 Washington, DC 20002 Phone: 202-838-3474 Fax: 202-350-9869 Email: info@fishwildlife.org August 13, 2026 U.S. Department of the Interior Stevan Pearce, Director (630) Bureau of Land Management 1849 C St. NW Room 5646 Washington DC 20240 Att  more
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Proposes Revisions to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wilderness Administration Policies
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. 1 The voice of fish and wildlife agencies 1100 First Street, NE, Suite 825 Washington, DC 20002 Phone: 202-838-3474 Fax: 202-350-9869 Email: info@fishwildlife.org August 14, 2026 Josh Coursey, Senior Advisor to the Director U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1849 C St., NW Washington, DC 20240 Attention: Wilde  more
CAIR-NY Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Hate Vandalism Targeting Mosque Site on Long Island
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release: * * * CAIR-NY Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Hate Vandalism Targeting Mosque Site on Long Island The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate reported hate vandalism targeting a mosque site on Long Isl  more
Erie Family Health Centers Urge CMS to Reconsider Medicaid Community Engagement Rule to Prevent Coverage Losses and Administrative Burdens
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. July 31, 2026 The Honorable Dr. Mehmet Oz Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-2454-IFC P.O. Box 8016 Baltimore, MD 21244-8016 RE: Medicaid Program; Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals Dear Administrator Oz: On behalf of Erie F  more
Explore Diverse Voices in Labor History
DENVER, Colorado, Aug. 17 -- The Colorado Education Association issued the following news release: [Category: Union] * * * Explore Diverse Voices in Labor History * The labor movement has always been shaped by people from many different backgrounds, identities, and communities, even when their stories have not always received the attention they deserve. A new series of NEA learning courses gives members the opportunity to explore some of those stories and learn more about the leaders, move  more
Faegre Drinker Issues Commentary: SBA Finalizes Rule Removing Rebuttable Presumption of Social Disadvantage for Individually Owned 8(a) Firms
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Aug. 18 -- Faegre Drinker Biddle and Reath, a law firm, issued the following commentary on Aug. 17, 2026, by senior counsel John G. Horan, partners Dana B. Pashkoff and Jessica C. Abrahams and associates Michelle Y. Francois and Asher Friedman Young: * * * SBA Finalizes Rule Removing Rebuttable Presumption of Social Disadvantage for Individually Owned 8(a) Firms Final rule takes effect for new and pending applications beginning September 10, 2026 At a Glance * On Aug  more
Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics Call for Stronger Wilderness Stewardship Policy and Adoption of Minimum Requirements Analysis Framework
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. 1 P.O. Box 11615, Eugene, OR 97440 Tel: (541) 484-2692 Email: kevin@fseee.org August 14, 2026 Michael P. Michener Deputy Associate Director, Visitor and Resource Protection National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240 Submitted electronically via https://www.regulation  more
Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics Urges USDA to Strengthen Wilderness Preservation Standards and Update Minimum Requirements Analysis Framework
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. P.O. Box 11615, Eugene, OR 97440 Tel: (541) 484-2692 Email: kevin@fseee.org August 14, 2026 Cynthia Martinez Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Attn: Docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2026-2575 Policy and Regulations Branch, MS: PRB (JAO/3W) 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 Su  more
GAO Denies Pacific Ohana Laulima Protest Over Exclusion From Army Corps of Engineers Construction Competition
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has denied a protest by Pacific Ohana Laulima LLC, a small business in Tamuning, Guam, challenging its exclusion from the second phase of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construction services competition. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the solicitation for up to six indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts to provide design-build and design-bid-build construction services supporting Department of Defense fuel in  more
GAO Dismisses Tyonek Protest Over Air Force Cyber Training Contract
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The Government Accountability Office has dismissed a protest by Tyonek Technical Innovations LLC, a small business in Anchorage, Alaska, challenging the terms of a U.S. Air Force solicitation for cyber operations training support services. Tyonek challenged the Air Force's interpretation of the solicitation's requirements for evaluating the past performance of affiliated companies, arguing that the agency was required to consider its affiliates' past performance without r  more
Healy Lake Tribe Urges OMB to Protect Tribal Sovereignty and Reduce Compliance Burdens in Proposed Federal Financial Assistance Rule
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. Healy Lake Village Council We are the Mendas Cha-ag Tribe 600 University Avenue, Suite 100, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709 907-371-4044 Office * 907-371-1898 Fax July 9th, 2026 Office of Management & Budget Office of Federal Financial Management Re: Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance (RIN 4040-AB18) Dear Director: The He  more
HGHI Announces 2026-2027 Scholarly Working Groups on Student Mental Health, Arctic Housing, and Postpartum Hemorrhage
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, Aug. 17 -- Harvard University Global Health Institute posted the following news: * * * HGHI Announces 2026-2027 Scholarly Working Groups on Student Mental Health, Arctic Housing, and Postpartum Hemorrhage * The Harvard Global Health Institute (HGHI) is pleased to announce its 2026-2027 cohort of Scholarly Working Groups. Now entering its third year, the program brings together Harvard faculty, researchers, and practitioners from across disciplines to advance collabo  more
More than 210 leading medical, health and patient advocacy groups oppose recent Executive Order on childhood vaccines
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, Aug. 17 [Category: Medical] -- The American College of Physicians posted the following news release: * * * More than 210 leading medical, health and patient advocacy groups oppose recent Executive Order on childhood vaccines * "Our organizations, representing physicians, nurses, medical professionals, scientists, pharmacists, public health, patients and families, are alarmed by the recent White House Executive Order that advises, without evidence, reducing and spa  more
More than 210 Leading Medical, Health and Patient Advocacy Groups Oppose Recent Executive Order on Childhood Vaccines
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Aug. 17 [Category: Psychiatry/Psychology] -- The American Psychiatric Association issued the following news release: * * * More than 210 Leading Medical, Health and Patient Advocacy Groups Oppose Recent Executive Order on Childhood Vaccines * Our organizations, representing physicians, nurses, medical professionals, scientists, pharmacists, public health, patients and families, are alarmed by the recent White House Executive Order that advises, without evidence, reducing  more
National Wilderness Coalition Opposes Changes to Federal Wilderness Management Policies
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. August 14, 2026 Stevan Pearce, Director Bureau of Land Management 1849 C St. NW Room 5646 Washington, DC 20240 Submitted electronically via public participation portal to https://www.regulations.gov (Docket Nos. BLM-2026-0067, BLM-2026-0068, and BLM-2026-0069) Attention: Management of Designated Wilderness Area  more
National Wilderness Coalition Urges Federal Agencies to Maintain Existing Wilderness Policy Framework
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. August 14, 2026 Stevan Pearce, Director Bureau of Land Management 1849 C St. NW Room 5646 Washington, DC 20240 Submitted electronically via public participation portal to https://www.regulations.gov (Docket Nos. BLM-2026-0067, BLM-2026-0068, and BLM-2026-0069) Attention: Management of Designated Wilderness Area  more
National Wilderness Coalition Urges Federal Agencies to Maintain Existing Wilderness Stewardship Policies
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. August 14, 2026 Cynthia Martinez Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 Submitted electronically via public participation portal to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/15/2026-11956/wilderness-administration-and-resource-stewardshi  more
National Wildlife Refuge System Wilderness Policy Requires Clarification and Strengthening to Preserve Wilderness Character
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. Docket Number NWRS-2026-2575 Nancy Roeper National Wilderness Coordinator, National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), 1999 - 2023 As the NWRS Wilderness Coordinator for many years, I took courses in Wilderness Stewardship and taught employees of the Service, National Park Service, B  more
Neighborhood Healthcare Urges CMS to Revise Medicaid Community Engagement Rules to Protect Vulnerable Patients and Support Health Centers
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. July 31, 2026 The Honorable Dr. Mehmet Oz Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-2454-IFC P.O. Box 8016 Baltimore, MD 21244-8016 RE: Medicaid Program; Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals Dear Administrator Oz: On behalf of Neighb  more
NOAA: Satellite Tag Offers Longer Tracking of Baleen Whales
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the following news: * * * New Satellite Tag Offers Longer Tracking of Baleen Whales A NOAA-affiliated research scientist pioneered a smaller, longer-lasting satellite tag design that anchors safely in the blubber layer of a whale. This engineering breakthrough improves scientists' monitoring of baleen whale species. How do you track a 40-ton ocean giant without leaving a mark? Monito  more
Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference and National Association of Development Organizations Urge OMB to Address Rural and Tribal Concerns in Proposed Federal Financial Assistance Regulation
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. 721 Sesame Street Suite 1A Anchorage, Alaska 99503 907.562.7380 director@swamc.org swamc.org July 10, 2026 The Honorable Russell T. Vought, Director Office of Management and Budget 725 17th Street, NW Washington, DC 20503 Re: Comments on Docket No. OMB-2026-0034, Document ID OMB-2026-0034-0001, "Regulation for Fed  more
UNM researchers study permafrost thaw, water quality and carbon cycling in Alaska
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, Aug. 17 -- The University of New Mexico posted the following news: * * * UNM researchers study permafrost thaw, water quality and carbon cycling in Alaska * A University of New Mexico research team spent several weeks in northern Alaska this summer studying how permafrost thaw may be changing water quality and the movement of carbon through Arctic watersheds. From left to right: Marisa Repasch (lead PI), Misha Toor (incoming PhD student), Preston Kemeny (collaborato  more
Venice Family Clinic Urges CMS to Revise Medicaid Community Engagement Rules to Prevent Coverage Loss and Support Vulnerable Patients
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. July 31, 2026 The Honorable Dr. Mehmet Oz Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-2454-IFC P.O. Box 8016 Baltimore, MD 21244-8016 RE: Medicaid Program; Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals Dear Administrator Oz: On behalf of Venice Fam  more
Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center Urges CMS to Clarify and Adjust Medicaid Community Engagement Requirements to Protect Vulnerable Patients and Support Health Centers
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 -- In response to a federal agency request for information, the following public comment letter was submitted electronically to the regulations.gov site. 1 July 31, 2026 The Honorable Dr. Mehmet Oz Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-2454-IFC P.O. Box 8016 Baltimore, MD 21244-8016 RE: Medicaid Program; Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals Dear Administrator Oz: On behalf of Virginia Ga  more