Local Government

The police officer initially lost his job and his certification over allegations of excessive force against prisoners, but a legal loophole prevents the state from taking action.

Assembly members in committee also discussed an anti-racism resolution that’s part of the response to the Black Lives Matter movement’s demands, and Assembly member Rob Edwardson’s ordinance to create a Systemic Racism Review Committee. 

“We want to show people that we’re trying to be transparent. We’re not trying to hide anything. We’re just trying to do the best job we can and serve the community.”

Eight candidates are running for three Juneau Assembly seats and three are running for two school board positions.

Assembly members and the public expressed support for rooting out systemic racism. But there were also concerns that the proposal would introduce a major hurdle to local policymaking. 

During a special meeting Monday night, the Juneau Assembly passed an emergency ordinance mandating face coverings in public.

The outbreak at Alaska Glacier Seafoods and another on board a factory fishing vessel that docked in Unalaska are causing the number of COVID-19 cases in Alaska to soar.

The proposal followed a high-profile demonstration outside Heavenly Creations, a Ketchikan flower shop, after the owner reportedly refused to take an order for a same-sex wedding.