Two Anchorage House races also were resolved with today’s vote count.
Government
Listen: A COVID-19 vaccine is on the horizon but Alaska faces unique challenges
While a COVID-19 vaccine may be available in Alaska as soon as mid-December, there will be challenges with bringing it to people in rural areas.
How Dan Ortiz fended off a conservative challenge in his right-leaning House district
In a Republican-leaning district that supported President Trump by 14 points, voters re-elected independent Rep. Dan Ortiz by a wide margin.
New health orders add testing and quarantine mandates for some in-state travel
While Juneau Democratic Sen. Jesse Kiehl said the declaration wouldn’t withstand a legal challenge, Acting Attorney General Ed Sniffen said Gov. Dunleavy does have the power to issue a new declaration, though he said it would be in a “gray area” if challenged.
Trump administration rushes to sell oil rights in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Conservation groups say the Trump administration is rushing the process to open ANWR before President-elect Joe Biden takes office.
In the home stretch for Alaska’s vote count, election overhaul looks likely to pass
Monday’s count included most of the remaining ballots from districts that have opposed Ballot Measure 2, but the total vote count indicates that the measure will pass.
Rep. Young released from hospital, recovering from COVID-19
Young said he was admitted to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage over the weekend but has since been discharged.
School board votes to recognize Ketchikan’s Indigenous people at start of meetings
Board President Kim Hodne said that he hoped the move was the start of a lasting tradition. The vote was unanimous.
Alaska House control unclear as Republican leader trails by 17 votes
If Snyder wins, the Republicans will have no more than 21 seats, the minimum number for a majority. But three House Republicans have caucused with the largely Democratic majority the past two years.
Gov. Dunleavy issues new health orders to go with 30-day emergency declaration
A new, 30-day disaster declaration goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 16. And with it comes eight new COVID-19 outbreak health orders. Some of the orders are similar to the previous mandates.