Crime & Courts

An intrastate case raised grand legal questions about poor, rural Alaskans’ access to the justice system. Yet it was also an exercise in budgetary semantics with almost no practical effect — except for running up publicly funded legal bills.

The ruling allows the Recall Dunleavy campaign to move forward. But opponents are expected to appeal to the Alaska Supreme Court.

A judge ruled that an environmental review of ConocoPhillips’ exploration work did not violate federal conservation laws, as the Nuiqsut tribal government and environmental groups alleged.

The agency said it largely agreed with a report from Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration that reviewed the agency.

After more than a decade on the Alaska Supreme Court, Justice Craig Stowers is stepping down. The Alaska Judicial Council will take applications for his replacement through Feb. 14.

The Alaska Department of Law says the Native Village of Eklutna’s proposed casino would compete with state-licensed charitable gaming.

Initially, Alaska State Troopers wrote in a court filing that a woman had used a trooper’s cellphone to threaten to burn down her ex-boyfriend’s house. But troopers say that was a mistake.

The U.S. Coast Guard says a seaman will face a court martial on murder and other charges in the death of a fellow seaman.

Juneau police identified Kelly “Rabbit” Stephens as the man who was killed. The officer has not yet been named.