Business

Oil company Hilcorp has received the last regulatory approval in its deal to buy the Alaska assets once owned by BP.

According to the Anchorage Downtown Partnership, many businesses are adapting to online ordering and curbside pickup to ease COVID-19 concerns and salvage the holiday season.

Congressman Don Young was one of only five Republicans to vote for a bill that would decriminalize marijuana. The bill passed 228-164 but is unlikely to go further before Congress adjourns.

Earthquake policies usually cover landslides, while flood policies usually cover mudflows. But they’re usually separate additions to regular property insurance.

Frustration and impatience with Congress is building among out-of-work Alaskans and local leaders, who say the lack of a social safety net has made it far more painful to maintain the health mandates aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic came at a rough time for Alaska. The state was just beginning to climb out of its recession and was projected to see economic growth. Instead, as the pandemic unfolded and shut down the tourism season, businesses closed and a record number of Alaskans found themselves out of work. 

“If somehow this improves the world that we live in locally here, and it can make things better for those that are not here yet, that is so classically Tlingit.”

Three big programs are competing for what remains of the city’s CARES Act money: direct payments, business grants and housing and utility assistance.

Some realtors objected to the new policy and said they should have been consulted. The Assembly could vote on the policy again as early as Nov. 16.

Business owners and local officials say they’re worried that keeping guests in a bubble would squeeze out most of Southeast Alaska’s small tour companies, retailers and restaurants.