The U.S. Department of Agriculture has part of the solution through an alternative to Food Stamps for members of federally recognized tribes in rural areas of Alaska and on Indian Reservations.
Federal Government
Investigators drop query into Zinke calls to Alaska senators
The inspector general’s office for the U.S. Interior Department has dropped its inquiry into whether the Interior secretary threatened to retaliate against Sen. Lisa Murkowski for voting against proceeding on a health care reform bill.
Historic flooding in Houston leads to surge in federal assistance efforts
FEMA’s director predicts hundreds of thousands of calls for assistance in storms wake. Meanwhile, President Trump’s proposed budget cuts some FEMA programs.
Secretary Chao announces infrastructure changes for Alaska
During a visit from the country’s head of transportation, Alaskans got news that one of the most trafficked roads in the state is a step closer to improvements that have been 40 years in the making.
Federal prosecutors may seek death penalty in Alaska cruise ship murder case
The judge gave the federal prosecutor 60 days to consider whether to pursue the death penalty. The defendant, Kenneth Manzanares of Santa Clara, Utah, pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder charge in the death of his wife, Kristy.
Spaulding pleads not guilty to federal drug conspiracy charge
Tiffany Jo Spaulding, 34, appeared in federal court today and pleaded not guilty to the drug-related charge. She was one of two residents charged after a downtown Juneau home was raided earlier this month.
Potential initiatives would enshrine Medicaid expansion, ACA provisions in state law
One initiative would require insurers to cover people with pre-existing conditions. It also would allow parents to cover their children until they turn 26.
Feds say Alaska ferry system violates family leave act
The U.S. Department of Labor says the state ferry system is violating the Family and Medical Leave Act. It’s filed a civil complaint in federal court.
Alaska senators fault Trump’s tack on racist rally
Alaska’s U.S. senators have issued a second round of statements following the rally of white nationalists in Charlottesville, Virginia. This time their criticisms are aimed at President Donald Trump.
Steve Bannon out as chief White House strategist
Steve Bannon, who salvaged Donald Trump’s presidential campaign but struggled once he reached the West Wing, is out as Trump’s chief strategist.