Facebook comments predict inevitable death and abuse. But no one knows what’s going to happen.
Business
Central Council seeks revenue to expand programs
The Tlingit-Haida Central Council, Southeast Alaska’s largest tribal organization, wants to expand its programs through profits from a business it’s buying.
Legislature OKs up to $12.5M for Wells Fargo building in Anchorage
The council turned to the Wells Fargo building after Gov. Bill Walker threatened to veto $32.5 million the council planned to spend to buy the Anchorage Legislative Information Office.
One more hurdle to clear for Skagway Spirits distillery
The aspiring distiller behind Skagway Spirits hopes to open its doors this year, and to be bottling and fully open for business by next summer.
Senate president aims to finish session in Juneau
The biggest stumbling block for completing the session is finding agreement on changes to oil and gas taxes.
Sitka Tribe opens biotoxin lab to monitor PSP
With warming ocean temperatures, the risk of paralytic shellfish poisoning can linger all year-round, and Alaska has only one Food and Drug Administration certified laboratory to test shellfish. There are no labs to protect those digging for their dinner, but that may soon change.
Committee to work out differences on bill drawing from rural power fund
Because the state government has a $4 billion deficit, some lawmakers have suggested drawing money from the fund to pay for other state costs.
Budget talks are quiet as Walker projects optimism
Progress on the state government budget has slowed to a crawl this week, but Gov. Bill Walker remains hopeful the Legislature will reach an agreement on an oil and gas tax bill that’s at the center of budget talks.
Legislature focuses on oil and gas tax credits in session overtime
It became clear that the largest stumbling block is how much and how quickly to scale back tax credits for the oil and gas industry.
Oil and gas tax credit debate rages ahead of legislative session end
The debate reveals a deep divide among lawmakers over how to respond to low oil prices – and the resulting state budget gap.