Krysti Shallenberger, Alaska's Energy Desk - Bethel

Six tribes have passed resolutions against the proposed mine in the past two months; and eight have spoken out against it in the last two years.

Walker, who is running for re-election as an independent, and three other top gubernatorial candidates have pledged support for the Donlin mine, which would be the one of the biggest gold mines in the world.

In the Yukon Kuskokwim region, the Stand for Salmon ballot initiative because could kill one of the biggest proposed gold mines in the world — the Donlin Mine.

The mine would be built in a region where many residents practice subsistence and would be one of the biggest gold mines in the world.

Governor Bill Walker visited Bethel last week to sign Senate Bill 148 into law. The bill allows the Alaska Police Standards Council to work with villages to conduct background checks for future police officers. But for village police officers, it will be voluntary. 

The state is intervening in a lawsuit over the EPA’s decision to rescind an Obama-era rule