Trump says he is working with Chinese President Xi Jinping to get cellphone-maker ZTE “back in business” after it was punished for selling U.S. technology to Iran and then violated a settlement.
Government
Legislature passes state budget before adjourning
There would be $5.4 billion spent on the part of the operating budget the Legislature focuses on. It’s $433 million higher than the current budget.
Kreiss-Tomkins backs funding for Sitka harbors, NOAA research in Juneau
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, is based in Washington state. But Sitka Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins wants to see NOAA’s Alaska-focused staff, programs and assets relocated closer to home.
State budget compromise would yield $1,600 PFDs — and drive up overall budget
Homer Republican Rep. Paul Seaton said the proposal strikes a balance between the House and Senate budgets. It would be $433 million more than the current fiscal year.
Fairbanks lawmaker Guttenberg won’t seek re-election to ninth House term
Fairbanks Democrat Rep. David Guttenberg was hospitalized earlier this year for chest pains. But he says his reasons have nothing to do with that, nor with anything political.
Senate votes to end mandatory release of low- and moderate-risk defendants
Under the Senate’s amendment, judges would be able to order bail for all defendants. The change isn’t final; it’s up to the House to accept or reject, possibly sending it to conference committee.
Bill to overhaul Alaska’s alcohol laws is dead, for now
An amendment to Senate Bill 76 that would cut the amount that breweries and distilleries can sell as samples to customers opened up disagreements over the bill.
Alaska LNG project president says he’s done ‘preaching to the non-believers’
The president of the state-owned Alaska Gasline Development Corporation says he’s no longer bothering to convince skeptics that the project is real, and it’s moving forward.
Hacker got into Alaska elections server in 2016
Alaska officials say a hacker gained access to a server that hosts the state elections website on the morning of the 2016 general election but did not manipulate any information.
Despite governor’s request, legislators question pricier option for Wrangell cleanup
Wrangell is looking for any extra funds to ship tons of lead-contaminated soil off the island and down to the Lower 48.