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ACA replacement bill has skimpier tax credits for Alaskans
Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media – Washington D.C.
U.S. House Republicans have released their plan to replace the Affordable Care Act. Their plan would defund Planned Parenthood and phase out Medicaid expansion. It offers tax credits to help people buy insurance, but the credits are far less generous to Alaskans than the subsidies in existing law.
Governor Walker introduces bill to combat opioid crisis
Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau
A new state bill is aimed at curbing opioid addiction and overdose deaths. The bill lets patients tell health care providers and hospitals to not give them opioids. It also requires health care providers receive training in opioid addiction.
Feds: Hilcorp will have to shut down pipeline if leak isn’t fixed by May
Annie Feidt, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Anchorage
The federal agency overseeing the ongoing gas leak in Cook Inlet has said the responsible company must shut down the pipeline if it’s not fixed by May 1.
Sea Grant program faces tough financial hit with Trump cuts
Elizabeth Jenkins, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Juneau
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration received a surprise on Friday: The Trump administration is proposing deep cuts to the organization, which focuses on fisheries and climate science. As reported in the Washington Post, NOAA could lose 26 percent of its overall budget. The Sea Grant program, with more than a dozen projects in Alaska, could be hit particularly hard.
Proper packing becomes more important as mushers kick off from Fairbanks
Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
Mushers are on the rivers heading out of Fairbanks right now, as the 45th Iditarod starts in earnest. This is the second time in three races that the restart has been in Fairbanks. And a lot of the mushers have vivid memories of the 2015 race, so this year, they’re trying to pack accordingly.
As mushers race to Nome, a Chicago educator will teach on the trail
Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
The Iditarod trail won’t be full of just mushers: a teacher will be following along as part of a yearly program.
Senate passes bill to recognize Black soldiers’ efforts in building Alaska Highway
Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
The state Senate today (March 6) unanimously passed a bill that would make October 25th African American Soldiers’ Contribution to Building the Alaska Highway Day.
Fairbanks Four may receive dividends for 18 years of wrongful imprisonment
Caroline Halter, KTOO – Juneau
It took the work of journalists, lawyers, tribal leaders and citizens to release the Fairbanks Four after they wrongfully convicted on a murder charge and other serious crimes in 1997. Now, an effort is underway to compensate the men for the 18 years they spent in prison in the form of two state House measures.
Kenai Peninsula invocation lawsuit has roots in New York case
Shahla Farzan, KBBI – Homer
For the past six months, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly has debated whether it should restrict who gives the opening prayer at each assembly meeting. They’re not alone; similar disputes are taking place across the country. Several years ago, a lawsuit over prayer in public meetings consumed a town in upstate New York, eventually making its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
