“We spent 23 years together in Alaska and just having an opportunity to come back and re-engage with folks and work on Alaska issues has just been a dream of mine,” said incoming Regional Forester David Schmid.
Southcentral
Bacteria that can kill wild sheep and goats has never turned up in Alaska — until now
Four Dall sheep from the Talkeetna Mountains and two Kenai Peninsula mountain goats became the state’s first wild sheep and goats to test positive for a pathogen known as Movi that has led to deadly outbreaks among bighorn sheep in the Lower 48 and is triggering calls for restrictions on domestic livestock here.
Oil revenue is up in state’s spring forecast
The state will still have a $2.3 billion gap between what it spends and what it raises. Lawmakers from the two majorities in the Legislature had different responses to the news.
Senators propose spending limit to curb future sprees
The amount allowed under the constitutional limit has grown so much that the state is nowhere near it.
Walker hopeful plan to pay off oil tax credit debt with bonds will pass this session
What the state owes in tax credit payouts varies wildly from year to year. By paying off the tax credit debt with bonds, the repayment rate would theoretically become predictable.
Proposed constitutional amendment would protect dividends, sort of
Concern over the dividend’s future led House members to propose a constitutional amendment, House Joint Resolution 23.
Trump tariffs could jack up boat prices
The general manager of Bay Weld Boats in Homer says he’s seen in some cases 50 to 60 percent increases the purchasing prices of aluminum as aluminum users stocked up ahead of the tariff announcement.
House passes fast-track bill to keep ferries and Medicaid funded through spring
The bill now goes to the Senate. It includes $45 million for Medicaid, $24 million for the ferry system and $18 million for the Department of Corrections.
Governor calls for federal disaster declaration for Pacific cod fishery
A disaster declaration could make the fishery eligible for federal relief funds, although who specifically would receive money would be figured out later.
Palmer skier wins first gold ever for an Alaskan at Winter Paralympic Games
Previously, Andrew Kurka had qualified for the Sochi Paralympics in 2014 — but re-broke his back in his first training run.