Senate Bill 88, sponsored by Sitka Republican Sen. Bert Stedman, allows a land trade between Alaska Mental Health Trust and the U.S. Forest Service, in which the trust would receive nearly 20,000 acres for timber harvest in exchange for approximately 18,000 acres near several Southeast communities.
Southeast
Tlingit and Haida students in Arkansas help archive Jeanie Greene videos
It’s probably not the first place you’d imagine preserving Alaska Native history, but the Sequoyah National Research Center is doing just that. A team of archivists with ties to the state are cataloging over a thousand video tapes that showcase Alaska Native life.
Forest transfer bill won’t impact funding to Tongass, Young says
U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, defended his bill that could give up to two million acres of the Tongass National Forest to the state of Alaska. Young was in Petersburg, a community that just passed a resolution opposing his legislation, on Monday.
Long line for first legal cannabis sales in Ketchikan
Ketchikan’s first marijuana retail store opened its doors to customers at about 4:30 p.m. Monday, which was a few days later than originally planned. The 50-plus people in line were happy to buy legal cannabis for the first time in Alaska’s First City.
New version of Permanent Fund bill would require income tax, oil tax hike
Homer Republican Rep. Paul Seaton says the committee made the change to avoid a potential lawsuit challenging a House proposal.
One harvester hopes for herring eggs
Every spring millions of herring return to spawn in Sitka Sound. The small, silvery fish are prized by commercial fishermen, who sell them for their eggs, known as herring roe.
Low oil prices hit Sealaska dividends
Southeast’s regional Native corporation will pay out $10.6 million to its more than 22,000 members mid-month. That’s a third less than last spring.
Fate of competing plans to close state budget is uncertain
House Finance looks at income tax, while senators talk about future cuts
Recall effort underway for three Haines Assembly members
A group of Haines residents is trying to recall half of the borough assembly, including the two newest members. Resident Don Turner Jr., along with nine other people, signed three requests for recall petitions. They accuse Assembly members Tom Morphet, Heather Lende and Tresham Gregg of misconduct in office.
Forest Service mishandled timber sales, environmental group says
A Washington, D.C., environmental group is accusing the Tongass National Forest of breaking its own timber-sale rules.