Fifty four kids from every state and some U.S. territories dined at the White House Tuesday. They were chosen as winners to attend the second annual Kids State Dinner.
Federal Government
Forest Service to speed up Tongass transition plan
Both loggers and environmentalists are frustrated by the Forest Service’s shift, which is expected to take 10 to 15 years.
Forest Service OKs timber sale on Tongass
Some welcome what they say is a needed supply of timber to keep local mills operating. But a regional conservation group criticizes the plan, which it predicts will harm habitat for wildlife.
Organizers to start collecting signatures for Alaska minimum wage initiative
A statewide initiative to increase the minimum wage will launch informally on the Fourth of July in Juneau.
Rate for Subsidized Stafford loans doubles
The increase affects all future loans, but Congress could intervene and fix the problem.
House passes bill to increase offshore oil, gas drilling
The U.S. House passed a bill Friday morning that aims to increase offshore oil and gas drilling.
White House establishes Native Affairs Council
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell called government to government consultations are the foundation of federal-tribal relationships
Halibut plan open for public comment
The public comment period is open on a halibut catch sharing plan for Southeast and the Central Gulf of Alaska.
Opinions vary on President’s plan to combat climate change
President Barack Obama is laying out his framework for combating climate change.
DOMA declared unconstitutional
The Defense of Marriage Act has been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.