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House Debates Limiting Medicaid Funding For Abortions
Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN – Juneau
Debate is underway in the Alaska State House on a bill that would put limits on state Medicaid payments for abortions.
Sponsor Wants Vote On Judicial Council Issue
Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN – Juneau
The sponsor of a constitutional amendment to reconfigure the Judicial Council says he wants a vote on the bill, even if the outcome is not guaranteed to be favorable.
Sen. Pete Kelly, a Fairbanks Republican, has been trying to shore up support for Senate Joint Resolution 21 since Monday, when the measure was initially scheduled to appear on the Senate floor.
Geraghty Testifies On Tribal Law And Order Commission Report Findings
Joaqlin Estus, KNBA – Anchorage
State Attorney General Michael Geraghty again testified before a legislative committee this week to respond to a national report that singles out Alaska for its high rates of violence against Alaska Natives, especially Native women. The Indian Law and Order Commission report was deeply critical of Alaska’s law enforcement and judicial system. But the state’s Geraghty says the Indian Law and Order Commission is trying to impose lower 48 solutions that won’t work in Alaska.
Army Sets New Protocols During Fire Season
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
The Army has a new protocol for live ordnance training during times of high wildfire danger. Army artillery practice sparked the Stewart Creek 2 wildfire that burned east of Fairbanks though much of last summer. The 87,000 acre blaze forced evacuations and cost more than $20 million to fight.
Exit Exam Bill Could Bring Diplomas To More Students
Angela Denning, KFSK – Petersburg
Graduation time is just around the corner and for most seniors that means walking a stage and accepting a diploma. But a few students a year in Petersburg do not receive a diploma because they don’t pass a test. A bill making its way through the state Legislature would change that. House Bill 220 would repeal the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam.
Assembly Passes Anti-Smoking Law
Rachel Waldholz, KCAW – Sitka
The Sitka Assembly passed a controversial amendment Tuesday night, tightening the city’s anti-smoking laws. The question before the assembly was whether children should be prohibited from entering any business that allows smoking — even for a non-smoking event. The decision came down to different interpretations of what voters intended nearly a decade ago.
Fairbanks Will Help Fund New Mental Health Drop In Center
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
The City of Fairbanks will help fund a new mental health drop in center. Earlier this week, the city council approved $58,000 for the Northern Door Clubhouse.
Retired Detective Discusses ‘Finding Bethany’
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
Retired Anchorage Detective Glen Klinkhart has written a true crime memoir called Finding Bethany. The story reveals the years of work it took Klinkhart and others within APD to find the killer of Bethany Correira, a young woman from Talkeetna who had moved to Anchorage for college and in 2003 was murdered by Michael Lawson, the man who managed the apartment building where she lived. Klinkhart says he also wanted to tell the stories of the dedicated people who helped solve the case in big and small ways.
