Each time the state puts out its water quality report, there’s good news and there’s bad news.
Government
U.N. votes overwhelmingly to condemn U.S. decision on Jerusalem
By a 128-9 vote Thursday, the General Assembly rejected a U.S. decree that recognized the disputed city as Israel’s capital. “The United States will remember this day,” Ambassador Nikki Haley warned.
Juneau revisits scrapping eagle nest protections
A similar effort stalled in 2012 following public outcry. City staff say the problem now is there aren’t enough federal biologists to map eagles’ nests, so enforcement is inconsistent.
Can an Alaska lawmaker restore net neutrality in the state?
Alaska could join the ranks of states fighting to restore net neutrality. The Walker-Mallott administration has no immediate plans, but one lawmaker does.
Arctic Refuge drilling bill passes Congress
Alaska’s members of Congress are celebrating their success in opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. “We finally got it done,” U.S. Rep Don Young said minutes after the bill passed the House Wednesday afternoon.
Distracted dogging: Legal in most states, controversial in all
Those happy dogs sitting in a driver’s lap or hanging their heads out the car window may look like the model of canine companionship. But they’re also potential projectiles, poised to rocket through the air if there’s a crash.
ACLU won’t challenge Anchorage Assembly’s modified anti-camping measure
Earlier this month, the Anchorage Assembly voted on a measure designed to curb illegal camping in the city’s parks and wooded areas. The move reduces the number of days people have to vacate a camp from 15 to 10.
Congress passes $1.5T tax cut bill, a legislative win for Trump
The House gave final approval to the Republican bill to cut taxes, after a procedural hiccup in the Senate on Tuesday forced a repeat vote. It marks the GOP’s first major legislative victory of 2017.
Anchorage firefighter wins nearly $780,000 in lawsuit against city
The municipality of Anchorage has paid one of its firefighters more than three-quarter million dollars after his successful lawsuit against the fire department.
After 40 years, battle over ANWR is ending quietly
The Sierra Club’s Melinda Pierce thought if Sen. Ted Stevens couldn’t get Congress to open ANWR in 2005 when Republicans controlled Congress, gas prices were up and the Iraq war was raging, it may never happen. Opening it up now is a stunning reversal for environmentalists.