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Walker says tax is needed to pay for services
Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau
Gov. Bill Walker and his top aides tried to make the case for enacting a new tax to a group of business and political leaders Friday.
Mayors urge Alaska Legislature to take action on deficit
Associated Press
Mayors across Alaska are asking the Legislature to solve the state’s multibillion-dollar deficit during next month’s special session.
Haines first community to sign DOC contract focused on pretrial services
Emily Files, KHNS – Haines
The state wants to shift its relationship with 15 communities that operate rural jails. It will mean more money for local police departments, but also more work on the prevention side of things. Haines is the first community to sign the new contract.
Senate budget could open door for future ANWR development
Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media – Washington D.C.
With one ambiguous paragraph, the U.S. Senate Budget Committee has taken a step toward opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.
Noted Alaskan storyteller sentenced for attempted statutory rape
Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
A well-known Alaska story-teller was sentenced to two years in prison Friday, after pleading guilty to the attempted sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree.
Alaska VA office gets mixed report from watchdog
Associated Press
A government watchdog says the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regional office in Anchorage has made strides in processing claims but has work to do in other areas.
Fairbanks voters to decide on outlawing local pot businesses on Tuesday
Tim Ellis, KUAC – Fairbanks
Voters in Fairbanks and outlying areas will consider ballot measures Tuesday to outlaw marijuana businesses in the city and borough.
Sea critters hitchhiked across the Pacific on tsunami debris
Associated Press
Researchers say nearly 300 species of fish, mussels and other sea critters hitchhiked across the Pacific Ocean on debris from the 2011 Japanese tsunami, washing ashore alive in the United States.
Federal court upholds contentious ‘roadless rule’ for national forests
Jacob Resneck, KTOO – Juneau
A federal court upheld a rule limiting road construction and logging on about 50 million acres of national forestland nationwide.
AK: Juneau business showcases diverse artists’ work in postcard contest
Scott Burton, KTOO – Juneau
Kindred Post, a post office, gift shop and gathering space in downtown Juneau held a recent art contest. The prize? 10 winners will now get their art printed on the shop’s postcards. The selections came from around the state, and from a purposely diverse group of artists.
49 Voices: Joey Shugarts of Anchorage
Samantha Davenport, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
This week we’re hearing from Joey Shugarts in Anchorage. Shugarts moved to Anchorage three years ago from Michigan.
