Cotter said he doesn’t plan to endorse anyone else in the race. His withdrawal leaves Democrat Jesse Kiehl and nonpartisan Don Etheridge vying for the Senate District Q seat.
State Government
Alaska’s China trade mission wraps up with no big gasline news
Gov. Walker and the delegation met with Sinopec, the state-owned oil and gas company that could be a partner for the gasline. But the company’s president said there was a lot more work to be done on the project than originally imagined.
Mallott views growth in energy sector as Alaska’s future
Alaska needs to focus on transitioning from a fossil-fuel based economy to more renewable resources, like hydro and wind power, Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott said.
Stedman opposes last-minute spending additions
Sitka Republican Senator Bert Stedman says Alaska is not out of its fiscal crisis. He said if he had been there he would have opposed last-minute spending added into state budgets to get agreement on the spending plan and bring about an end to the session.
Four gubernatorial candidates to debate at Bristol Bay Fish Expo
The second annual Bristol Bay Fish Expo will feature a variety of events aimed at developing Bristol Bay communities and the commercial fishing industry. One of this year’s highlight will be a debate between gubernatorial candidates.
Bill would increase health care price transparency for Alaskans
The measure, modeled on similar rules enacted in Anchorage last year, could make it easier for Alaskans to know how much they’re going to pay out of pocket for healthcare.
State-run raffle could be new way to fund schools
Each Alaskan adult would be able to donate $100 increments to the raffle, when they apply for their PFD. Each $100 would count as one entry. And once per year, four winners would be drawn.
Lawsuit alleges Muslim inmates in Anchorage being starved and fed pork during Ramadan
A corrections official says he can’t comment on the lawsuit, but that the jail is a non-pork facility and that there are dietary options, including vegan meals, available.
Transboundary mine meeting includes State Department, B.C. reps
The U.S. State Department has taken a role in the transboundary mine controversy. A representative will be part of an Alaska stakeholders meeting June 1 in Juneau.
After ending trade talks in D.C. with an agreement to buy, China finds Alaska looking to sell
China’s top economic adviser returned from a week of trade talks in Washington, D.C. to find Alaska on his doorstep in Beijing.