Politics & Government

Troopers say driver fled at over 100 mph on Sterling Highway, switched seats before arrest

Troopers say a driver fled at over 100 mph on the Sterling Highway, took two PIT maneuvers to stop and swapped seats with his passenger just before the end.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Kodiak City Council meets in closed session to discuss potential litigation

odiak's City Council met in closed session with its attorney about a potential claim involving a former employee. Details weren't discussed in public.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Super PAC reports $815,000 more against Peltola as outside spending grows on both sides of Alaska Senate race

Last Frontier PAC reported another $815,000 against Peltola, while groups opposing Sullivan reported more than $1.5 million last week. The ads keep coming.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Anchorage police seek man wanted on escape warrant after he left transitional housing

Anchorage police are looking for a 24-year-old man they say walked away from transitional housing Sept. 25. He's wanted on a felony escape warrant.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readFrom Sep 25

Anchorage Assembly to hold hearing on keeping three advisory boards from dissolving

Three Anchorage advisory boards dissolve Oct. 14 unless the Assembly saves them. City auditors say keep all three, though notice and staffing need work.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom Sep 1

Haines Borough voters decide five tax and planning measures with no fiscal note

Haines Borough voters decide Tuesday on five tax and planning measures with no fiscal estimates released. • Initiative 3 would repeal the seasonal sales tax and restore a year-round 5.5% rate starting Jan. 1, 2027. • Other measures would tax resource exports and mining, add a 2% alcohol tax, cut the senior property tax exemption cap, and return the planning commission to mayoral appointment.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Permanent Fund draw now provides two-thirds of Alaska's unrestricted revenue, corporation says

The Permanent Fund now pays for two-thirds of what Alaska spends from general revenue. Its trustees meet in Nome this week, and the public can weigh in.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Senate leaders release bipartisan permitting overhaul that would change NEPA reviews

Senate leaders from both parties released a 417-page bill to overhaul federal permitting, NEPA included. Murkowski says it's good news from rural Alaska on up.

by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Murkowski cosponsors bill to write newborn and postpartum supply kit program into law

Murkowski is backing a bill to write into law a federal program that mails diapers, thermometers and postpartum kits to expectant moms in high-need areas.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Murkowski-backed bill extending ALS treatment access programs for five years passes Congress

Congress passed a Murkowski-backed bill keeping federal ALS treatment access and research programs running through 2031, two days before they would have lapsed.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Alaska's SNAP work-requirement waiver ends Oct. 31, and the time limit already applies in Anchorage

Alaska's SNAP work-rule waiver ends Oct. 31, and Anchorage was never under it. Also: a letter from DPA doesn't mean you're losing your benefits.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Sitka Assembly votes to negotiate contract with Gerrie Cotter for municipal administrator

Sitka's Assembly voted 7-0 to start contract talks with its only finalist for city administrator. Salary and start date are still up for negotiation.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Follows: Sitka Assembly to interview municipal administrator applicant Gerrie Cotter on Sept. 10

Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly sets Oct. 5 work session on school activities funding

Ketchikan students, coaches and parents told the borough school activities are turning pay-to-play. The Assembly takes up whether it can help Oct. 5.

by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom Sep 21

Wasilla man dies after motorcycle strikes guardrail supports on Wasilla Fishhook Road

A 28-year-old Wasilla man died early Tuesday when his motorcycle went out of control on Wasilla Fishhook Road. His passenger survived with minor injuries.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Juneau resolution would encourage employers to let workers serve on city boards during work hours

Juneau Assembly may review a resolution encouraging employers to let workers serve on city boards during paid work time, citing 33 unfilled board vacancies.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readFrom Sep 22

Follows: Juneau committee moves board recruitment plan out of resolution and into a letter

Anchorage Assembly to consider $511,190 grant to replace police mobile data computers

Anchorage police mobile data computers, the laptops in patrol cars, are due for an upgrade. The Assembly weighs a $511,190 federal grant Tuesday.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Alaska Air National Guard merges two recruiting offices into one flight

Alaska Air National Guard merged its two separate recruiting offices into one flight in September, adding recruiters to cover the state's spread-out population.

by Melinda Communities.News1mo ago1 min readFrom Sep 25

Murkowski votes no as Senate blocks Israel human rights request

The Senate voted down a push to make the State Department report on Israel's human rights practices. Murkowski voted no; Sullivan didn't vote.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

AVCP opens comment on $14.5 million Y-K Delta aid plan through Nov. 13

AVCP opened public comment Tuesday on a $14.5 million aid plan for cash, heating and child care covering 2027 to 2029 in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, with comment due Nov. 13.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Richards and Kendall debate repealing Alaska's open primary, ranked choice voting and disclosure rules

Two Anchorage attorneys squared off over Ballot Measure 2, which would scrap open primaries, ranked choice voting and dark money rules. Voters decide Nov. 3.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

Troopers say Sterling driver failed to stop and had heroin after a short pursuit

Troopers say a Sterling driver wouldn't stop, led a short chase that ended at a residence and had heroin in his wallet. He faces a felony drug charge.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Unalaska creates its first Key to the City, carved from walrus ivory by Unangan artist Gertrude Svarny

Unalaska now has an official Key to the City: a two-sided walrus ivory carving by Unangan artist Gertrude Svarny, with 50 numbered replicas to give out.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom Sep 22

Senators question Golden Dome's $185 billion price as budget office puts full shield at $1.2 trillion

A Congressional Budget Office estimate puts a Trump missile defense system at $1.2 trillion over 20 years, six times the Pentagon's $185 billion target.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

Court orders former Curyung Tribal Council accountant to repay $125,834 to tribe

Federal court ordered former Curyung Tribal Council accountant William Corbett to repay $125,834 after he embezzled funds through forged checks and falsified payroll documents.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Board of Fisheries takes written comments through Oct. 13 for its October work session

The Board of Fisheries meets in Anchorage Oct. 28-29 to decide which off-cycle proposals to take up. Want a say? Written comments only, due Oct. 13.

by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Follows: Board of Fisheries committee weighs how to let the public weigh in on last-minute rewrites

Anchorage transit advisory board asks for more city money for AnchorRIDES and bus drivers

Anchorage's transit advisory board wants more city money for AnchorRIDES and five more bus drivers. It didn't say how much, and the Assembly isn't voting yet.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readFrom Sep 10

Anchorage Assembly to consider $1.2 million safety review contract for water and sewer utility

The Anchorage Assembly will weigh a $1.2 million contract for Nortech to review water and sewer crews' safety programs, from fall hazards to confined spaces.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readFrom Sep 4

Lee objection blocks Murkowski-Merkley bill on presidential memorials

Senator Mike Lee blocked a bill requiring congressional approval to demolish presidential memorials. Senator Lisa Murkowski backed the measure.

by Alaska News1mo ago1 min read

Kodiak school board accepts superintendent's resignation less than three months into his tenure

Kodiak's school superintendent is out less than three months into the job. The board accepted Dan Brigman's resignation and hasn't said why.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Senate passes national college NIL bill 77-22, with Murkowski voting yes and Sullivan not voting

The Senate passed a national college NIL bill 77-22 Monday. Murkowski voted yes; Sullivan didn't vote on any of the day's six roll calls, all on the bill.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Follows: Both Alaska senators back advancing a federal NIL bill

Nome council tables pull-tab tax change pending legal opinion on mayor's possible conflict

Nome's council put its pull-tab tax change on ice until a lawyer says whether the mayor, who leads the Chamber of Commerce, has a conflict of interest.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Kodiak borough weighs $70,919 off-road rescue vehicle for Womens Bay firefighters

Womens Bay's volunteer firefighters have been riding their own ATVs to off-road calls. The borough may buy them a $70,919 side-by-side with a pump and a plow.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Alaska backs challenge to Maine's 72-hour gun purchase wait

Alaska joined 23 other states backing a challenge to Maine's three-day wait for gun buyers. The law stands for now; the Supreme Court may weigh in.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Unruly passenger who diverted Delta flight to Anchorage gets two years

A South Carolina man drank his way onto a diverted Delta flight's zip-tie list and into two years of federal prison. The Seoul-bound plane landed in Anchorage.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min readFrom Sep 23

Alaska Permanent Fund hits $91.9 billion with a 12.4% return

The Alaska Permanent Fund turns 50 worth $91.9 billion after a 12.4% return. Its trustees want the annual draw locked into the state constitution.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

MatCom adds two fire and EMS dispatch positions paid for by the Mat-Su Borough

MatCom gets two more fire and medical dispatch positions so a second dispatcher and call taker can be on duty around the clock. The borough pays.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Follows: Wasilla weighs $569,600 for round-the-clock Fire/EMS dispatch at MatCom

Judicial Council seeks dismissal of DC group's suit over scoring records

The Alaska Judicial Council asked a court to dismiss a lawsuit demanding six years of judicial applicant scoring records, arguing the 10-day public records deadline does not apply to it.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom Sep 2

Follows: Suit seeks Alaska Judicial Council records on judge screening

Fairbanks woman charged with felony assault after Parks Highway injury crash

Fairbanks woman charged with felony assault, DUI, and leaving the scene after hitting another driver on Parks Highway near Mile 318 on Sunday night.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Bernadette Wilson amends disclosure to list Denali Disposal after APOC staff finds violation

Governor candidate Bernadette Wilson added her Denali Disposal ownership to her state disclosure, a week after APOC staff said leaving it off broke the law.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Follows: APOC denies fast-track review of disclosure complaint against Wilson

North Slope crude runs $15 above Alaska's spring forecast, budget group says

Alaska North Slope crude is averaging $90 a barrel, $15 above the spring forecast, potentially adding nearly $1 billion to state revenue this year if prices hold.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read