Jury trials remain suspended, and many people have no idea when they will get their day in court. Plus, defense attorneys say their inability to meet with clients put a damper on resolving cases through plea deals.
Government
In lawsuit, groups ask that ‘Roadless Rule’ protections be put back in place for the Tongass
A coalition including environmental groups, tribes and fishermen filed a lawsuit on Wednesday to restore Roadless Rule protections to 9 million acres of Tongass National Forest.
Alaska Legislature will sue Gov. Mike Dunleavy over lapsed appointments
A panel of Alaska legislators voted 11-1 on Tuesday afternoon to sue Gov. Mike Dunleavy over his decision to bypass legislative confirmation for his picks for state boards and commissions.
Tribal leaders express ‘no confidence’ in superintendent of Ketchikan schools
Ketchikan Indian Community Tribal Council’s letter to the school board says it’s aware of “numerous instances” of disrespect towards Alaska Native staff and parents.
Large COVID-19 outbreak reported at women’s prison in Eagle River
Hiland Mountain Correctional Center has 109 active cases of COVID-19 as of Monday. That’s up from just three cases a week ago.
Alaska state-owned agency to weigh bidding in ANWR lease sale
The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority is asking its board to allow it to spend up to $20 million on the sale.
Juneau Assembly reverses itself on eligibility for both housing and individual grants
The reversal means people who get the city’s housing assistance grant can get the city’s individual assistance grants as well.
Gov. Dunleavy splits health and social services department into two new agencies
The two new agencies will be the Department of Family and Community Services and the Department of Health. Beyond those agency divisions, it’s not clear how the reorganization will work.
New rules could change how money is spent for Exxon Valdez oil spill restoration
New proposed bylaws would change how the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council can spend its trust funds and expand the oil spill’s original boundaries to incorporate an ecosystem approach.
Online news outlet Alaska Landmine sues Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration over access
The lawsuit names Gov. Mike Dunleavy, his spokesman Jeff Turner and his Chief of Staff Ben Stevens — three people Landfield said he has tried to talk to to find out why he’s being locked out of press conferences.