The financial picture is improving for the Inter-Island Ferry Authority, which connects Prince of Wales Island and Ketchikan. But the southern Southeast system still needs more money to maintain a full schedule all year.
State Government
State Presents New Plan For ANWR Development
After getting a “no” from the Department of the Interior, Gov. Sean Parnell has doubled down on a plan to conduct seismic testing in a section of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Signature drive for oil tax cut repeal winding down
Signature gatherers for the effort to repeal Senate Bill 21, the oil and gas tax cut bill meant to spur new production and economic growth, are wrapping up their drive in Juneau.
State seeks input on road, ferry, trail improvement list
A bike path in Saxman, a bridge replacement in Juneau and trail improvements in Sitka are on the list of federally-funded transportation projects for Southeast Alaska.
NEA Alaska President says teachers should not be armed
National Education Association Alaska President Ron Fuhrer says representatives from all 50 states believe they have as much if not more information about how to reform public education than lawmakers do.
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.
Southeast has its say on redistricting
Haines and Skagway should be in the same election district as Juneau. The Capital City’s Mendenhall Valley wants to stay on its own. Petersburg doesn’t want to be split up. And the whole redistricting process has been a boondoggle.
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.
Jones, Brown reappointed to state boards
Governor Sean Parnell has reappointed two Juneau residents to state boards. Zachary Jones will continue serving on the State Historical Records Advisory Board; and Ben Brown has been reappointed to the Alaska State Council on the Arts.
Employees worry about state-imposed office space standards
Officials claim new universal space standards will save money and create a better work environment, but some state employees think otherwise.