In this newscast: The chairman of the US House Science Committee asked the EPA to rescind its veto of the Pebble Mine. High schoolers from across the state addressed gun violence at a student government conference in Juneau. For the first time, the Federal Communications Commission is allowing full foreign ownership of U.S. radio stations.
Caroline Halter, KTOO
Newscast – March 21, 2017
In this newscast: Alaska Health and Social Services Commissioner Valerie Davidson and Alaska Congressman Don Young expressed concerns about the replacement bill for the Affordable Care Act. The Sitka Sound Sac Roe herring fishery opened Mar. 19. The lawsuit brought against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by the group pursuing a gold-and-copper mine in southwest Alaska was…
House Majority Leader Chris Tuck pushes reforms to improve voter turnout
House Bill 1 would give people the option to permanently vote by mail and allow for same day registration, among other things. It’s intended to help rural Alaska especially — which tends to vote blue — which could help Democrats in statewide races.
Rep. Josephson says he will rework trapping legislation
State Rep. Andy Josephson wants to make it illegal to set traps within 200 feet of public trails, but he’s getting a lot of pushback from the trapping community.
Alaska lawmakers deal with death in the digital age
Alaska lawmakers are considering a bill that seeks to help loved ones get access to online accounts of the deceased, from Facebook to digital photo libraries and financial investments, without having to go through a lengthy legal process. It’s called the Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act — also known as FADA.
Claman renews effort to give Alaska women 12-month prescriptions for birth control
Rep. Matt Claman is picking up where he left off last year with legislation that would require public and private insurers to cover 12-month prescriptions for birth control. He’s pitching it as a way for the state to save money by reducing unintended pregnancies.