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ACA repeal bill is dead; Rep. Young likes it that way
Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media – Washington D.C.
President Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan pulled the plug on their bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Ryan declared it a disappointing day for Republicans. But Alaska’s Republican congressman says he’s celebrating the bill’s defeat.
Income tax proposal pushed in state House
Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau
State House members from both sides of the aisle have put forward new ideas to balance the state government budget into the future. The co-chairmen of the House Finance Committee revised their plans to introduce an income tax to Alaska for the first time in nearly four decades.
House bill looks to tweak oil tax credit system
Rashah McChesney, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Juneau
Lawmakers are scheduled to take public comment tomorrow on a bill that would make major changes to the way the state pays credits to oil companies on the North Slope. House Bill 111 is the latest proposed tweak to the state’s oil tax system, one that supporters hope will hold oil companies to a minimum tax rate and get the state out of the business of writing checks to companies.
Kenai Assembly defeats proposal to drop invocation policy
Associated Press
Though legal challenges still remain, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly has defeated a proposal to drop its controversial invocation policy.
Mayor anticipates no firearm policy changes following Fairbanks library shooting
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Karl Kassel does not anticipate any policy changes following an apparent accidental shooting that injured a patron at the Noel Wien Public Library Wednesday. Police suspect a gun accidentally discharged, and in comments at a Borough assembly last night, Mayor Kassel said the incident has generated a lot of feedback.
Mushers experience a carnival of sorts as the Iditarod winds down
Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
Nome turns into a bit of a carnival when the Iditarod winner mushes into town. For nearly a week, racers continue arriving before the banquet that officially concludes each year’s Iditarod. For some, that means days of free time. And plenty of fun events to fill it.
AK: Fishing for herring from the sky
Emily Kwong, KCAW – Sitka
The Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery is in full swing. In less than a week, the fleet has caught over half of its quota. And while most crew members work on the water, spotter pilots fish for herring from the sky.
49 Voices: Shaylyn “Yosty” Storms of Unalakleet
Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
This week we’re hearing from Shaylyn Storms, though most people know her as Yosty. Storms is from Unalakleet, but she currently works in Anchorage as a regional director for ANSEP.
