Andrew Kitchenman, Alaska Public Media & KTOO - Juneau
Andrew Kitchenman is the state government and politics reporter for Alaska Public Media and KTOO in Juneau. Reach him at akitchenman@alaskapublic.org.
Gov. Dunleavy names first two members to high-stakes Redistricting Board
The board is charged with rewriting the legislative boundaries based on federal census results.
Task force looks to expand courts that offer treatment instead of prison time
A task force of lawmakers and criminal justice experts is examining how the state can expand a system of courts that offer treatment instead of jail time.
The state’s Division of Legislative Finance is hiring a director…again
It's the second time this year that the office has needed to hire a chief budget analyst after Pat Pitney was named interim president of the University of Alaska system.
No new mandates: Gov. Dunleavy will continue to rely on voluntary measures in response to COVID-19
More than 20% of the 1,539 Alaskan cases have been announced in the last five days.
Juneau judge refuses to block changes to the state’s small business relief grants
Judge Philip Pallenberg found that Juneau resident Eric Forrer failed to meet the standard required for the judge to issue an injunction.
Alaska’s top doctor lays out four ways to reduce COVID-19 exposure
Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink said that Alaskans can slow the spread of COVID-19 by minimizing contact with micro-droplets from others in the air.
Current, former leaders from both major political parties oppose election reform ballot initiative
That's exactly the point, say supporters.
Protections for Alaskans facing foreclosures, evictions and repossession end on July 1
The protections were put in place as part of the state's coronavirus response plan.
State’s top doctor says bars have been linked to seven outbreaks of COVID-19
Dr Anne Zink reported that there were seven different positive tests in seven different bars over the past weekend.
State reports 48 cases of COVID-19 as number of active cases hits 400
It's the largest daily increase of Alaska resident cases.
Alaska’s top doctor urges wearing masks to lawmakers, who ask why the state hasn’t mandated them
Dr Anne Zink acknowledged that there is increasing evidence that masks can help curb the spread of the coronavirus, but she didn't say whether she supported a statewide order that would make wearing face-coverings in public mandatory.
State announces two coronavirus deaths, as active COVID-19 count hits new high
The deaths occurred in early May and were among Juneau residents living out of state.
Alaska records more than 40 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily increase yet
It’s the fourth time in the past month that the state has a new daily high.
Lawsuit seeks to block small business relief, alleging it doesn’t follow approved plan
The lawsuit alleges that changes that Governor Dunleavy made to a relief plan approved by the legislature are unconstitional.
State will mail absentee ballot applications to seniors. Critics say that makes ballot access unequal.
Some lawmakers and advocates have raised concerns that not sending absentee applications to all voters will make it harder for younger and minority voters to send in their ballots. Those demographics tend to vote Democratic.
Anchorage senator to propose bill to make Juneteenth a state holiday
“The events of the past few months and the moment our nation is currently in has shown an urgent need for history to be more thoroughly understood,” said Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson.
More — but not all — Alaska small businesses to become eligible for grants
Changes loosened the rules, but some businesses still won't qualify for state funding because they received federal funds.
For the first time since 2013, the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend will be less than $1,000
The difference between the $992 and the $1000 that the legislature approved is due to a higher than expected amount being set aside to cover other costs paid for out of the dividend funding.
Thursday update: Alaska has the highest number of active COVID-19 cases since the pandemic started
With 24 new cases reported on Thursday, Alaska has more active cases than it ever has, though hospital and ventilator capacity has also increased.