Alaska Legislature rejects Dunleavy AG appointee Stephen Cox
Thursday’s vote was only the second rejection of a commissioner-level appointment in state history. The last was during the Palin administration.
Alaska’s famously massive cabbages should be the official state vegetable, state House says
The giant green cabbage, enabled by the midnight sun, is a fitting symbol of Alaskans’ spirit and a nod to the state’s history, said bill sponsor Rep. DeLena Johnson, a Palmer Republican.
Cruise traffic in Haines could skyrocket under potential deal with major cruise port operator
Global Ports Holding wants to lease Haines’ large cruise ship dock, in a move that could boost cruise passengers to 300,000 per year.
Canagold plans to drive 98-foot-long ship up Taku River to proposed New Polaris mine in June
The route is up the Taku River, south of Juneau, to where it meets the Tulsequah River, just over the U.S.-Canada border.
Juneau School Board ends 30 minute early release for elementary students next year
Board members cited concerns around impacts on families and a lack of data showing improvement.
Alaska Legislature considers exempting some Native corporations from public disclosure
Current law requires them to share financial information publicly if they have more than 500 shareholders.
Dunleavy issues disaster declaration for flooded Interior Alaska communities
The declaration covers areas near Chalkyitsik on the Black River and Hughes on the Koyukuk River, which were struck by rapidly rising water over the last week.
Bill aiming to stabilize school budget process passes out of Alaska House
The bill would allow school districts to build budgets based on known enrollment numbers.
It’s bill-passing season. Here’s what to expect in the final days of the Alaska Legislature’s session.
With all bills set to die at the end of the session on May 20, lawmakers are racing against the clock, and it’s not clear a subsidy for the Alaska LNG project will make it over the finish line.
AEL&P to raise Juneau electricity rates due to inflation, capital improvements
Juneau residents could see monthly bills increase by 18 to 20%.
Local ballot initiatives aimed at boosting city revenue, recreation facilities certified for signature gathering
The two propositions were filed late last month. One seeks to restore some recently-eliminated city funding, while the other would add a new seasonal sales tax to boost funding to the city’s recreational facilities.
U.S. Marine Corps expands Alaska footprint
The Marines announced a new reserve detachment at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and a rotating force to support Marines who arrive for joint military exercises. No troop numbers were announced.
Juneau middle school students learn traditional Lingít carving ahead of Celebration
This semester is the first time students at Thunder Mountain are carving full-size, 5-foot-tall paddles in the class.
State prosecutors ask to delay new election misconduct trial for former Alaska legislator
A new status hearing on LeDoux’s case is scheduled for May 26.
Alaska Senate-passed bill seeks to assert ‘right to repair’ for consumer electronics
Senate Bill 111, known as the Consumer Digital Right to Repair Act, would require electronics manufacturers to provide parts, documentation and tools to Alaskans looking to fix broken products.
Juneau youth rock out on stage after months of practice
Young Juneau musicians got a chance to bring down the house over the weekend at a dual fundraiser for the Juneau Soccer Club and a music program that groups kids who want to play in rock bands.
Juneau School Board to consider adding language arts curriculum, technology equipment to this year’s budget
The Juneau School Board will consider what to add back to its budget for this fiscal year during a regular meeting Tuesday night.
Lawmakers take aim at Alaska’s chronic problems with abandoned and loose dogs
More access to veterinarian care, which is scarce in rural communities, would boost both human health and safety as well as animal welfare, bill supporters say.
Alaska Legislature approves standardized disaster-evacuation scale for statewide use
“Ready,” “Set,” and “Go,” will become required terms for disaster evacuation planning and public warning systems.
Alaska Legislature asks federal government for more flexibility on rural health funding
Legislators say restrictions on how and when Rural Health Transformation Program funding can be used present problems for Alaska.