Previously, the PPP recognized crew members as “self-employed” by the Internal Revenue Service. The previous requirements left crew wages out of the equation when applying for the loans.
Economy
Court rules Native corporations can receive CARES Act money intended for tribes
The decision is a blow to tribes leery of any delegation of their self-governance powers. Three Alaska tribes were among the plaintiffs in the case: the Akiak Native Community, Asa’carsarmiut Tribe of Mountain Village and the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island.
Federal fisheries agency to staff: Keep “COVID-19” and “pandemic” out of documents
A federal fisheries management agency has barred some of its employees from making formal references to the COVID-19 pandemic without preapproval from leadership, according to an internal agency document. The National Marine Fisheries Service, part of the Commerce Department, manages federal fish stocks in partnership with appointed regional councils. Fishing crews and seafood businesses have been…
Alaska’s top doctor urges wearing masks to lawmakers, who ask why the state hasn’t mandated them
Alaska’s chief medical officer gave several reasons on Wednesday for why Alaskans should wear masks when they can’t stay six feet away from others. But she didn’t say that they have to do it. Some Alaska lawmakers said they want to know why the state hasn’t announced more changes in response to the recent rise…
Progress slows on mine project near Haines
Last summer, the Canadian metals company employed about 60 people, roughly half of them locals. This year, it has just one full-time and three part-time employees.
Trump administration wants to open millions of more acres to oil development on Alaska’s North Slope
Opening millions of acres in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska is a move blasted by environmental groups and praised by Alaska’s governor and other state and federal officials
Trump wants to bail out Maine lobster fisherman. Alaska’s seafood industry is unimpressed
Fishing businesses across the country have suffered during President Donald Trump’s trade war against China: They’ve faced big tariffs that cut into their exports.
Alaska records more than 40 new COVID-19 cases, a new daily high
State health officials reported a new daily high of 44 new COVID-19 cases by the end of the day Wednesday: 25 Alaskans and 19 nonresidents.
Nearly 30 bidders want to buy at least a piece of Ravn Air, but next steps are murky
Ravn was Alaska’s largest rural airline, with 1,300 workers and some 70 planes before the COVID-19 pandemic forced it to shut down operations and file for bankruptcy.
Court deals potentially fatal blow to logging plan for tens of thousands of acres of Tongass National Forest
The ruling effectively sends the feds back to square one, triggering a fresh environmental review under the landmark National Environmental Policy Act.