Residents and staff at the Palmer and Juneau Pioneer Homes, the state-run senior-care facilities, have been put on notice that a budget battle in the Alaska legislature is threatening to displace them.
Economy
Thane Campground reopens as Juneau’s downtown sleeping ban takes effect
Juneau’s controversial ordinance prohibiting sleeping on private property downtown goes into effect April 15. The anti-camping initiative coincides with the reopening of the seasonal Thane Campground.
DOT artillery defends Thane Road from avalanche threats
Alaska’s Department of Transportation operates a howitzer to protect Thane, a community of about 60 houses 5 miles south of downtown Juneau.
Alaska Legislature on pace to pass fewest bills ever
The Legislature passed 10 bills in the first 87 days of the session.
CBJ, UAS make progress on sharing Auke Bay lab property
The city and university had previously submitted competing applications vying for the waterfront parcel.
State Senate approves Alaska Mental Health land exchange
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.
Juneau city manager proposes shuttering history museum
Cost-cutting by the City and Borough of Juneau could mean closing several public facilities, including the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, Mt. Jumbo Gym in Douglas and Eagle Valley Center.
Rep. Young wants feds to lay off medical marijuana prosecution
U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, is among 43 U.S. House members asking that Congress prevent the Justice Department from pursuing federal drug cases against people who are complying with their state’s medical marijuana laws.
Sculptor of Wall Street bull says ‘Fearless Girl’ horns in on his work
Arturo Di Modica is not happy that the Fearless Girl now staring down his Charging Bull has effectively turned it into a villain. He and his lawyer are now asking that the new statue be removed.
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.