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.
Dentists say mandating COVID-19 tests for patients before procedures will ‘shut down’ dentistry
New state guidelines require patients to get a negative result from a coronavirus test within 48 hours of many dental procedures. But dentists say that's not feasible.
Governor, legislature spar over power to allocate $1 billion in CARES Act funding
The legislature's legal advisers argue that it's the legislature - not the governor's - job to allocate money.
Alaska’s chief medical officer pushes back against ‘herd immunity’ to control virus spread
State Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink said that if cases are allowed to grow unchecked, there's still a real risk of overwhelming Alaska's health care system.
Zink to Alaskans: ‘It’s no time to let your guard down.’
Zink said that the state must go 28 days without a community case to say it doesn’t have community spread. That’s far from happening.
Federal judge temporarily blocks aid to Alaska Native corporations
U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta issued an order finding that the tribes that sued to block the money from being paid to regional or village corporations were likely to win.
Scientists are struggling to understand COVID-19. As Alaska ramps up testing, what will they find out?
There’s a lot you can learn from testing data, besides just who has the disease. State researchers are working to understand where it is, what symptoms people have and how to prepare for future outbreaks.
Dunleavy says Alaska is in a better position than other states to reopen some businesses
Gov. Mike Dunleavy said on Wednesday that Alaska is in a better position than other states to reopen hair salons, nail shops and tattoo parlors.
Dunleavy details plan to spend $1.25 billion in federal aid
The plan includes $300 million of relief for small businesses, through existing state loan programs.
Dunleavy says restaurants and other retail businesses can reopen Friday
Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced on Tuesday restaurants and other retail businesses can begin offering more services on Friday, if they follow certain health guidelines.
Dunleavy on Trump’s May 1 reopening goal: ‘We’re going to be charting our own course’
The governor said he wants to reopen sectors of Alaska’s economy as quickly as possible, but “not at the expense of the health of Alaskans.”
Legal experts, legislators push back on Dunleavy’s claim that CARES Act funding will fill in budget vetoes
The question is who controls the $1.25 billion that the state of Alaska got from the CARES Act, the governor or the legislature?
‘Staged approach’: Some elective medical procedures in Alaska will restart next week
Health care providers must keep proper social distancing and minimize the use of personal protective equipment under the new directives.
Audit finds problems after state denies access to oil tax records
The auditor tasked with reviewing the state's budgeting said she couldn't complete the process adequately because the Dunleavy administration did not grant access to oil tax records.
Dunleavy loosens restrictions on elective medical procedures, alcohol pickups
At a nightly press conference, the governor said the state would carefully monitor the number of coronavirus cases as it eases restrictions on the healthcare industry.
State will let health care providers resume elective procedures, allows takeout alcohol
Dunleavy said the state is getting a handle on the personal protective equipment needed by health care workers and that’s allowing the change.
Alaska’s request for medical supplies from the feds fell short, now it’s on the hunt for more as COVID-19 cases grow
Meanwhile, the number of Alaskans diagnosed with COVID-19 cases continues to steadily grow, and a seventh Alaskan has died.
Judge dismisses lawsuit over location of contentious July 2019 special session
The lawsuit contended that the special session held in Juneau was invalid because the governor had asked the legislature to meet in Wasilla.
Alaska’s budget forecast just got even worse
Alaska’s state government can expect $1.3 billion less than it previously forecast, largely because of the drop in oil prices.
Dunleavy vetoes millions in programs, but says federal stimulus funds will make up for most cuts
The vetoes include $31 million to Medicaid, $15.5 million to the Alaska Marine Highway System, $4.3 million to pre-kindergarten grants, and others.
Alaska efforts are helping slow the spread of COVID-19, governor says
Dunleavy said during his daily news briefing that the relatively low number of cases appears to be primarily due to the actions Alaskans are taking to minimize the spread. He said the administration will review what it’s doing later this week to determine if it should make changes.