With so many Obamacare repeal options in play, confusion reigns
Congress has been trying to repeal and/or replace the Affordable Care Act for years. Now it’s down to the wire, but there are multiple proposals on the Senate’s table, and more could be on the way.
Washington’s new, tougher distracted driving law takes effect Sunday
Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste said you can get a ticket for eating, sipping coffee, starting a video or grooming if a trooper sees you driving badly as a consequence.
Why isn’t Gastineau Channel navigable all the way through?
Curious Juneau examines why Gastineau Channel isn’t maintained as a through waterway. Instead most vessels have to take the long way around Douglas Island.
Initiative to regulate Anchorage bathrooms likely to appear on ballot
A coalition of groups called Fair Anchorage that is opposed to the measure plans to mount a public education campaign over the next several months.
U.S. House passes King Cove Road bill
The Senate hasn’t passed the bill yet. Don Young hinted the Trump administration might not need new legislation to take action.
Sen. David Wilson says he filed to run lieutenant governor by accident, doesn’t intend to run
On Wednesday, state Sen. David Wilson filed a letter of intent to run for lieutenant governor. Later the same day, he amended that filing, saying he is not running.
Wreckage of crabber Destination discovered after disappearing in February
Wreckage from the F/V Destination has been found off St. George Island. The boat and its six crew members were fishing for snow crab when they disappeared Feb. 11.
Dillingham man sentenced to 5 years after sixth DUI conviction
Basil Backford, 44, of Dillingham was sentenced to five years in prison Thursday for his repeated drinking and driving violations. Backford was ordered to begin serving his time immediately after the hearing at the Dillingham courthouse.
Catch rates higher than expected in first Southeast summer king troll opening
Southeast Alaska’s commercial salmon troll fleet had higher than expected catch rates of king salmon during the first summer opening at the start of the month.
Gardentalk – Garlic harvesting
It’s nearly time for harvest when the garlic plant’s lower leaves turn yellow and dry out, and the scape uncurls and points straight up.
Eruptions can’t stop sealife from calling Bogoslof home
Bogoslof’s unpredictable eruptions have prevented scientists from setting foot on the island. But it hasn’t kept them from seeing whether animals have returned.
Safeway to pay feds $3M after Wasilla pharmacy lost thousands of pain pills
The supermarket chain Safeway Inc. has agreed to pay $3 million in a settlement that involves missing pain medication from a pharmacy in Wasilla.
O.J. Simpson granted parole after serving nearly nine years in prison
Speaking to the parole board, the former NFL star stressed that he has been a model inmate during his time at the Lovelock Correctional Center. He has served nearly nine years for armed robbery.
Baltimore police caught planting drugs in body-cam footage, public defender says
The officer has been suspended and two others are on administrative duty, Baltimore Police say. The public defender’s office is questioning the officer’s involvement in 53 active cases.
Justice Department announces ‘largest darknet takedown in history’
A joint operation by the department, the FBI and international law enforcement has shut down AlphaBay and Hansa, two of the world’s largest anonymous marketplaces for illicit drugs and goods.
Kenai assembly member charged with DUI after early morning four-wheeler ride
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Jill Schaefer was arrested this week. Kenai police were called about 1 a.m. Monday with a report of a four-wheeler making laps around the neighborhood.
North Pole Council urges water-system expansion to help Moose Creek deal with tainted groundwater
Officials with the Air Force and other agencies are asking members of the public to weigh in on several proposals to provide drinking water to Moose Creek residents who can’t use their wells because of groundwater contamination.
Fishermen on Yukon lose economic opportunity when buyer becomes overloaded, cancels opening
Fishermen are selling more salmon than the Yukon River’s only buyer can handle. Record-breaking sales Monday closed a commercial opening for fishermen upriver.
At White House lunch with GOP senators, table set for awkwardness with repeal and replace opponents
The table was set for awkwardness. Murkowski was placed one senator away from the president, on his left. West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito was just as near, on his right side. She is another senator who said “no” to repealing the ACA without a replacement. Between her and the president: Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nevada, an early critic of the Senate health care bill.
State, municipalities face higher borrowing costs from falling credit ratings
A state official estimates the rating downgrades since last year could cost the state an extra $5 million to $6 million over 20 years on a $100 million transportation bond issuance.