Recent News

Officials say Sitka Assembly unlikely to raise smoking age

SITKA, Alaska (AP) — The smoking age in Sitka is unlikely to change, as officials say convincing Sitka Assembly members has been a struggle. The Daily Sitka Sentinel reports that city Health Needs and Human Services Commission Assembly Liaison Tristan Guevin told the commission Wednesday that Assembly members have been reluctant to back the commission’s…

Report: Alaska’s top federal prosecutor asked to resign

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports that the U.S. attorney for the District of Alaska is among the 46 Obama-era federal prosecutors asked to resign by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Chloe Martin, spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Alaska, told the News-Miner in an email Friday night that Karen Loeffler…

Walker asks lawmakers to extend opioid disaster declaration

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Gov. Bill Walker has introduced legislation to keep in place the public health disaster declaration he issued in response to rampant opioid abuse in Alaska. The bill cites a state law limiting disaster emergency proclamations to 30 days unless extended by the Legislature. Walker signed his declaration Feb. 14. He is…

Inclusivity measure stirs debate in Alaska fishing town

The small Alaska fishing community of Homer is wading into national politics. Homer is the latest U.S. city to consider affirming its commitment to inclusion following the election of President Donald Trump. On Monday, the City Council is expected to weigh a resolution that states Homer will resist any efforts to profile “vulnerable populations” and…

Alaska village banishes 4 people for dealing meth

The chief of an Alaskan tribe says four community members have been banished for dealing methamphetamine. Allakaket Chief PJ Simon tells the News-Miner that 25 residents confronted the suspected meth dealers and escorted them out of town. They were placed on a Tuesday afternoon flight. The banishment came after an emotional town hall meeting, which…

Alaska Senate leaders propose spending limit, fund draws

Alaska Senate leaders have proposed what they see as key pieces for addressing the state’s multibillion-dollar deficit. The bill, from the Senate Finance Committee, would draw from the earnings of Alaska’s oil-wealth fund based on a percentage of the fund’s market value and change how the annual dividends Alaskans receive are calculated. It also would…

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