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…
Interior
No charges for officer who killed armed man
No charges will be filed against an officer who shot and killed an armed man last year. An investigation found Sgt. Gregory Foster was justified in shooting 28-year-old James Robert Richards twice in the head. The Fairbanks Police Department released body camera footage and announced the investigation results Friday. Richards was seen walking around downtown…
Senate majority unveils spending limit, Permanent Fund draw
Senate President Pete Kelly said the plan in Senate Bill 70 will prevent spending from getting out of control. The Senate isn’t including an income tax.
Organizations race to haul junk from villages before EPA funding cuts
The partnerships are racing to clean up as much of the stuff as possible by 2020 when federal funding for the projects is scheduled to run out.
Public testimony split on bill that would introduce an income tax
The measure would create a state income tax that’s 15 percent of federal tax liability and set Permanent Fund dividends at roughly $1,100. Roughly 80 residents signed up to testify on the bill.
Reserves, dividends would be gone in 10 years without action, lawmakers told
Teal said that by 2027, whether Alaskans receive Permanent Fund dividends each year would depend on annual Fund earnings.
Bill offers new option for PFDs: paying state income taxes
Employers could deduct state income tax payments from workers’ paychecks. But if workers prefer to pay with PFDs, they could ask their employers to deduct less money each pay period.
University of Alaska president addresses lawmakers after no-confidence votes
After absorbing over $50 million dollars in budget cuts over the last two years, University President Jim Johnsen and the Board of Regents are in the process of consolidating the university’s administration through what they call the “Strategic Pathways” program. Johnsen addressed issues with the university faculty this morning at a meeting of the Senate Education Committee.
Chief justice urges lawmakers to collaborate and compromise
The court has proposed cutting its $105 million budget by $3.6 million dollars.
UAS faculty offers support and criticism to university president
The UAS senate’s letter sits at the top of a growing pile of complaints against the university system’s cost-saving strategy. Faculty senates in Anchorage and Fairbanks announced they have no confidence in President Johnsen’s leadership.