Credit rating agencies watch as Alaska pivots toward a new budget
Right now, there’s a plan in place that kept the state’s credit outlook stable. But there a new governor, and his administration has a new plan for the state’s budget.
House members talk about sharing power as speaker nomination fails
While no action occurred in the House, the Senate Finance subcommittees began meeting in preparation for the budget.
Juneau moves forward with plan for new Valley Transit Center
There are a lot of steps before construction can happen. There’s a private land sale to be finalized, the new owner will need to subdivide the property and a federal transportation grant application is also pending.
Interior Dept. kicks off new round of meetings on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Some people at the meeting expressed concern about the process. Lisa Baraff with the Northern Alaska Environmental Center said that the timeline BLM has been using for their environmental review is too short.
Maw’s dividend fraud, theft trial delayed again as judge considers indictments
Roland Maw, former executive director of the United Cook Inlet Drift Association, was first charged in January 2016 with a total of twelve felony counts of theft and unsworn falsification. Prosecutors allege Maw applied for and received permanent fund dividends while he was out of Alaska for over 90 days, in each year between 2009 and 2014.
Trump’s pick for Interior secretary has worked for Alaska and energy industry
David Bernhardt previously worked as a lobbyist for several energy companies. He also represented the state of Alaska in 2014 in an unsuccessful lawsuit over seismic testing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Southeast students explore careers to meet Alaska’s behavioral health needs
Alaska has a shortage of health care workers, especially in rural areas. Students from around Southeast came to Juneau to explore careers in behavioral health, a field that covers mental health and substance abuse.
Young Sitkans aim to establish local teen center
A group of young Sitkans is working to establish a Teen Center to provide a safe space where local teenagers can be themselves. But they want the Teen Center to be more than just a place to hang out.
Hunters sleep in Bethel parking lot to get muskox permits
Every year, thousands of people apply online for less than 200 winter permits to hunt muskox in Alaska. The truly devoted travel to Bethel to sign up in person.
Calls for ‘vigilance’ on Russian military buildup in Arctic
Moscow has been building its military presence in the Arctic, and one Russia scholar says she’s grown increasingly concerned. While Russia’s Arctic ambitions worry regional experts, so do the lack of ambitions on the part of the United States.
Community mourns loss of missing Guardian Flight colleagues
The Juneau-based crew of a medevac plane went missing this week. The news hit the medical evacuation community in Alaska particularly hard.
Dunleavy’s midyear budget bill would cut VPSO funds
Gov. Michael Dunleavy has proposed pulling back $3 million in unspent money for the Village Public Safety Officer program. Some Alaska lawmakers expressed dismay at the proposed cuts.
Forest Service reschedules meeting on Southeast Alaska timber sales
The agency worked on the project during the partial government shutdown, which drew sharp criticism from environmental groups.
‘Molly of Denali’ creators work to make show authentic to Alaska Native experiences
Kids across the country soon will be able to watch a young Athabascan girl’s adventures in “Molly of Denali,” the first national kids show to feature a main character who is Alaska Native.
Nonprofit raises questions over recent Donlin state permits
A Montana-based nonprofit group that participates in mine permitting across the U.S. thinks the company has room to improve the mine plans that were recently approved by the state.
‘Life is going to spring back to us’: The sun returns to Utqiaġvik
“Life is going to spring back to us,” said Robin Mongoyak. “Spring is coming, summer is around the corner. Birds when they come in big flocks, it’s like thousands of people coming to greet us.”
After scathing audit, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority says fixes are underway
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority CEO Mike Abbott sounded like he was talking about an invasive medical screening when he described being audited. He updated lawmakers on how the trust is fixing problems identified in a scathing audit report.
Crafting a story of romance and resiliency with Tongass bowls
Zach LaPerriere has heard some surprising comments about the wooden bowls he sells at markets. People reach out to touch them, admiring the detail of an exposed scar and the smooth curves.
Search suspended for missing plane near Kake
A search has been suspended for the medevac plane that vanished over Southeast Alaska with three crew members on board.
Survey will monitor cruise ship emissions in downtown Juneau this summer
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation shared a new plan Tuesday to start tracking air quality in downtown Juneau in order to learn more about the impact of cruise ship emissions.