Gov. Mike Dunleavy has tapped his former legislative aide to serve on the Alaska Board of Fisheries. Matanuska-Susitna Borough resident John Wood is largely unknown by fishing groups.
Politics
Interior: Arctic Refuge lease sale still on track for 2019
The Trump administration remains on track to hold an oil lease sale in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge this year, a top Interior Department official confirmed Thursday.
‘Enough is enough’: AG Barr hears from Alaska Native leaders about rural justice problems
U.S. Attorney General William Barr is in Alaska this week, learning about law enforcement challenges in rural areas. He declined to comment on the Mueller investigation on Wednesday.
Dunleavy calls for state budget, while senators discuss separate PFD bill
Gov. Mike Dunleavy sent a message to state workers Wednesday afternoon, saying layoff notices would go out if the Legislature hasn’t passed a budget by June 14.
Can ‘Indian Country’ powers combat violence in rural Alaska? Sullivan says he’ll discuss it with AG Barr.
U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr is coming to Alaska this week. Sen. Dan Sullivan says he will focus on rural law enforcement, particularly for the dozens of Alaska villages with no police.
Alaska Legislature prepares to sue governor over school funding
Lawmakers say they hope a lawsuit won’t be needed. But lawyers for the Legislature and the Dunleavy administration differ on whether a law passed last year can provide funding for next school year.
Senate sends criminal justice bill to Dunleavy’s desk
The bill repeals much of the controversial three-year-old law known as Senate Bill 91. While that law reduced criminal sentencing, the new measure increases sentencing.
Bill aims to make health care coverage for school districts cheaper
A House bill would allow employees from municipalities, school districts and the University of Alaska to opt into the state’s health care program. But not everyone is jumping on board with the idea.
Trump administration appeals ruling that blocked Arctic offshore drilling
The Trump administration Tuesday appealed a federal court decision that blocked plans to reopen vast portions of Alaska’s Arctic waters to oil drilling.
Dunleavy spokesperson: Next special session could be outside Juneau, with Mat-Su as an option
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office is considering sites in the Mat-Su Borough and elsewhere on the road system for a possible second special session, according to spokesperson Matt Shuckerow.