KTOO Public Media

Where does Juneau’s cruise ship head tax money go?

Between passenger taxes and city sales taxes, Juneau collects enough revenue during cruise ship season to pay each permanent resident over $700. But it doesn’t. So where does it all go?

By Jeremy Hsieh, KTOO | November 15, 2019 6:30 am

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a news conference at his Anchorage office on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019.

Dunleavy: Special session this year increasingly less likely

Under Alaska state law, at least 30 days’ notice is needed to hold a non-emergency special session during the interim. That would push any special session now up against the holidays.

By Becky Bohrer, Associated Press | November 16, 2019 7:06 am

Tazlina brought back into service to provide more Southeast Alaska ferry sailings

The Tazlina was scheduled to have new side doors installed this winter. Instead, the state ferry will provide service between Juneau and the communities of Haines, Skagway, Hoonah and Gustavus.

By Henry Leasia, KHNS - Haines | November 15, 2019 6:23 pm

Revenue Commissioner Bruce Tangeman answers questions from the press about the governor’s 10-year budget plan on March 21, 2019. He spoke at a press briefing held in the governor’s cabinet room at the State Capitol in Juneau.

Tangeman resigns, saying revenue commissioner should be ‘100% aligned’ with Dunleavy

Bruce Tangeman, who ran the state’s Department of Revenue, also wrote that any potential new taxes would support what he called an unsustainable budget, as well as permanent fund dividends.

By Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO and Alaska Public Media | November 15, 2019 5:11 pm

A preliminary National Transportation Safety Board investigation into a fatal PenAir crash in Dutch Harbor on Oct. 17, 2019, includes this photo of damage to the left side of the plane.

NTSB: Pilot inexperience and unfavorable winds factors in fatal PenAir crash in Unalaska

The NTSB update is a detailed, seven-page statement of facts about the flight and the investigation, with sections on the runway, the flight recorders, the plane and its engines. It does not assign a cause to the crash. That’s expected later.

By Nathaniel Herz, Alaska Public Media | November 15, 2019 3:10 pm

A USMC F-35B at Joint Base Elmondorf-Richardson as part of Northern Edge exercises in 2019 (Photo: Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage)

Saddled with problems, new F-35 fighter jets can’t get enough spare parts

A new government report is flagging more problems with the new generation of fighter jets scheduled to come to Alaska.

By Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media | November 15, 2019 1:58 pm

Energy & Mining

Could tiny nuclear reactors power Alaska villages?

U.S. Senate Energy Committee Chair Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said modular reactors may be a solution for remote Alaska communities that now depend on diesel fuel generators for their electricity.

By Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media | November 15, 2019 12:08 pm

Southwest

Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta to get new domestic violence shelter in Hooper Bay

The community has never had a domestic violence shelter.

By Emily Hofstaedter, KNOM - Nome | November 15, 2019 8:00 am

Federal Government

Watch: US House hearings on Trump impeachment inquiry

The U.S. House of Representatives held open hearings Friday in its impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.

By KTOO News Department | November 15, 2019 12:01 am

Kake Tribal Council President Joel Jackson, second from left, prepares to testify to the U.S. House Subcommittee on Public Lands. Photo: Liz Ruskin

Politics

How would lifting the Roadless Rule change Tongass logging? Not much, both sides say.

At a U.S. House hearing Wednesday, people for and against the rule agreed that removing the roadless restrictions won’t make much difference for an industry that’s already in a steep decline.

By Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media | November 14, 2019 4:33 pm

Aleutians

Unalaska considers legal action against airlines involved in last month’s fatal plane crash

Whether or not the city pursues legal action, officials said the crash and suspension of flights have “highlighted how fragile public transportation is for Unalaska and the entire region.”

By Laura Kraegel, KUCB - Unalaska | November 14, 2019 4:30 pm

Science & Tech

Dillingham woman is a semifinalist to name celestial bodies after rivers in Bristol Bay

Nushagak and Mulchatna could soon be a star and exoplanet 255 light-years away.

By Isabelle Ross, KDLG - Dillingham | November 14, 2019 3:48 pm

Sitka Tribe of Alaska, or STA, began co-managing interpretation at the Sitka National Historical Park last year. The national park is part of the ancestral lands of the Kiks.ádi and the site of the fort that impeded Russian forces for four days during the Battle of Sitka in 1804. (KCAW File Photo)

Southeast

Sitka Tribe, National Park Service in talks over who will lead interpretation at historical park

After the agreement expired, the Sitka tribe was given four days to vacate and remove its property from the park.

By Katherine Rose, KCAW - Sitka | November 14, 2019 3:17 pm

State Government

Governor recall effort on hold as judge sides with state of Alaska on timeline

Lawyers for all three parties now involved in the case say they expect it to eventually end up before the state Supreme Court, due to the lack of legal precedent on recalling governors in Alaska.

By Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media | November 14, 2019 2:50 pm

Weather

Rains erase last of ‘severe drought’ in Southeast as conditions improve statewide

Rains throughout October and November mean Southeast Alaska is finally out of “severe drought.”

By Eric Stone, KRBD - Ketchikan | November 14, 2019 10:22 am

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Alaska’s Energy Desk

Tourism

Where does Juneau’s cruise ship head tax money go?

State Government

Dunleavy: Special session this year increasingly less likely

Transportation

Tazlina brought back into service to provide more Southeast Alaska ferry sailings

State Government

Tangeman resigns, saying revenue commissioner should be ‘100% aligned’ with Dunleavy

NTSB: Pilot inexperience and unfavorable winds factors in fatal PenAir crash in Unalaska

Saddled with problems, new F-35 fighter jets can’t get enough spare parts

Energy & Mining

Could tiny nuclear reactors power Alaska villages?

Southwest

Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta to get new domestic violence shelter in Hooper Bay

Federal Government

Watch: US House hearings on Trump impeachment inquiry

Politics

How would lifting the Roadless Rule change Tongass logging? Not much, both sides say.

Aleutians

Unalaska considers legal action against airlines involved in last month’s fatal plane crash

Science & Tech

Dillingham woman is a semifinalist to name celestial bodies after rivers in Bristol Bay

Southeast

Sitka Tribe, National Park Service in talks over who will lead interpretation at historical park

State Government

Governor recall effort on hold as judge sides with state of Alaska on timeline

Weather

Rains erase last of ‘severe drought’ in Southeast as conditions improve statewide

Juneau

Tazlina brought back into service to provide more Southeast Alaska ferry sailings

Where does Juneau’s cruise ship head tax money go?

Story, Hannan announce reelection bids for Alaska House

Q&A: Rocker Johnny Solinger to auction off star-studded guitar for Alaska veterans

Alaska

Tangeman resigns, saying revenue commissioner should be ‘100% aligned’ with Dunleavy

NTSB: Pilot inexperience and unfavorable winds factors in fatal PenAir crash in Unalaska

Could tiny nuclear reactors power Alaska villages?

Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta to get new domestic violence shelter in Hooper Bay

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Watch: US House hearings on Trump impeachment inquiry

Dillingham woman is a semifinalist to name celestial bodies after rivers in Bristol Bay

With pixels and stagecraft, ‘Arctic Experience’ aims to inspire the next generation to fight Big Oil

Watch: US House hearings on Trump impeachment inquiry

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