The Legislature’s budget work
Alaska legislators have a big task to wrangle a budget that stops deficit spending without grinding the state’s economy to a halt.
Walker, House Dems aim to put climate policy back on the table
Climate change has always been a sticky issue for Alaska policymakers.
After Alaska lawmaker’s fundraising controversy, Senate considers tighter rules
Alaska state Sen. Kevin Meyer, left, is sponsoring Senate Bill 5, which would extend state campaign finance rules to PACs controlled by individual legislators.
Privatization could save some money at API, not at youth centers
Alaska’s state government can save money by privatizing some services at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute, or API.
School board invites public to budget meetings
This week the Juneau School Board is inviting the public to give their take on the school district’s budget for the next fiscal year.
DeVos opponents press Sullivan
Parents and activists who don’t want to see Betsy DeVos confirmed as U.S. Education secretary are hitting the streets and the phone lines, around the country and in Alaska.
Central Council plans constitutional convention
Alaska’s largest tribal government is revamping its constitution with an eye toward greater efficiency and cultural context.
It's 'Bizarro World' in Juneau
as Alaska lawmakers kick off another oil tax battle
Another oil tax battle is brewing in the Alaska Legislature.
Anchorage School District suggests cutting 99 full-time teaching
positions to close $15M budget gap
The Anchorage School District unveiled on Monday a $563.6 million general fund budget for next year with a $15.3 million gap that would be mainly closed by eliminating 99 full-time…
University researchers in Anchorage find property crimes decreased over 30-year
period
Researchers at the University of Alaska Anchorage released a fact sheet Monday showing that property crimes decreased over a 30-year period ending in 2015.
Alaska Sen. Sullivan takes a new shot at breaking up the 9th Circuit court
Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan is hoping this is the year to bring to fruition a decades-long desire of Western Republicans…
UAF becomes second campus to vote no confidence in university president
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Faculty Senate on Monday became the second campus to vote no confidence in the leadership of UA President Jim Johnsen.
Temper our tribal war with Golden Rule
In my lifetime, I have never seen more widespread divisiveness and rancor in our politics than what we are seeing today.
Loud paint in Anchorage City Hall suite an 'exception' for government buildings
Government office wall paint isn't known for shocking the system, but Brendan Babb has to warn people heading into his office on the eighth floor of Anchorage City Hall.
Utqiagvik City Council won't send name change back for a second vote
The Utqiaġvik City Council on Jan. 31 voted down an ordinance that would have sent its recent name change back for a second vote.
They guarded severely mentally ill criminals, maybe Alaska's toughest job
A lone Anchorage prison guard sits at the receiving end of Alaska's failed mental health system, trying to keep 28 acutely disturbed men from harming themselves or others.
Readers write: Letters to the editor, February 7, 2017
Our ballot is still secret There was an article in today's paper titled "Walker won't say if he voted for Trump but he wants his help"…
Murkowski:
Trump travel ban put greater 'focus,' 'target' on Muslims
Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Saturday that the direction of President Donald Trump’s executive order temporarily banning travel to the U.S. from seven nations…
Scholars: 'Liberal' reputation of 9th Circuit overblown
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which is weighing the appeal concerning President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration…
Fairbanksans ask City Council to grant city sanctuary status
Mayor Jim Matherly said he and City Attorney Paul Ewers would explore the possibility of sanctuary city status after a dozen people asked the City Council…
Capitol Decode: 26 new bills arise in third week of session
There were 37 new bills in the first week of the 30th Alaska Legislature, 25 in the second week, and now 26 in the third.
Lawmakers expect session will extend into May
Expect the first cruise ship of the year to arrive in Juneau before the Alaska Legislature finishes its work.
House committee advances plan to address conflicts of interest in the Legislature
A pair of measures tightening the Legislature’s own rules on conflicts of interest are moving through the committee process in the Alaska House of Representatives.
University of Alaska president faces no-confidence vote
The University of Alaska’s president is facing a no-confidence vote related to a decision to put the school of education at the Juneau campus instead of in Fairbanks.
Photos: “Stand with Refugees and Immigrants” rally at the Capitol
A panorama of the front of the Alaska Capitol shortly after 8 a.m. Monday shows several dozen people gathered to show support for refugees and immigrants.
My Turn: Alaska’s criminal justice reform efforts should be celebrated
Alaska lawmakers should celebrate their landmark successful criminal justice overhaul last year.
AEDC: business confidence fall tied to legislative inaction
Anchorage is in for another tough year economically as businesses continue adjusting to the sudden and wholesale change in the city’s dominant oil industry that happened in 2014.
DATA VIZ: High percentages of Alaskan high
school students struggle with college coursework
According to the data pull, the UA Transcript Study takes
into account UA first-time freshmen, from Alaskan high schools with 10 or more graduates in 2015…
Anchorage to consider giving Uber second chance
Anchorage officials are set to consider a proposal that would allow ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft to operate in the city this coming year.
Group of Alaskans make one last push to convince Sen. Sullivan to vote 'No' on DeVos
A big crowd of people gathered outside of Senator Dan Sullivan's Anchorage office to share their thoughts on President Trumps choice to run the Department of Education.
Alaska town's new Inupiat name of Utqiagvik to stay - for now
Alaska voters in the nation's northernmost town won't get a chance at the polls after all to repeal the community's new Inupiat Eskimo name.
Reports show privatizing state services may cost more, not less
In lawmakers’ quest to cut the state budget, new reports show that privatizing some services would actually cost the state money.
Despite protest, Sen. Sullivan to vote ‘yes’ for DeVos
U.S. Senate Democrats are holding the floor , trying to block the confirmation of education secretary nominee Betsy DeVos.
Anchorage business break-ins on the rise, some stores hit multiple times
Thieves are breaking in to more Anchorage businesses, according to data from the Anchorage Police Department.
Alaska’s first lady seeks nominations for volunteer of the year
Do you know a volunteer who has gone above and beyond to help their fellow Alaskans?
Assemblyman’s ordinance aimed at bringing Uber back
An Anchorage Assemblyman is pushing to allow ride-sharing companies to operate in Anchorage.
Barrow’s new Inupiat name to stay – for now
Alaska voters in the nation’s northernmost town won’t get a chance at the polls after all to repeal the community’s new Inupiat Eskimo name.
Energy & Oil Prices
Crude Oil (WTI) $52.19
Brent Crude (ICE) $54.98
Natural Gas (NYMEX) $3.12
Japan LNG (JLNGIP) $7.10
Compiled by the
Senate Majority Press Office
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