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.
Alaska’s House majority weighs whether to hold open caucus meetings
Last year, when most Democrats were in the minority in the Alaska House of Representatives, they held regular caucus meetings that were open to the public before voting in sessions on the House floor. Most of the Democrats who were out of power last year will be in the majority this year. But it’s not clear whether the majority caucus will hold these pre-session open meetings. Listen now
Insurance for law enforcement and firefighters’ survivors among early bills
Lawmakers couldn’t agree last year whether to permanently provide health insurance to the survivors of police officers and firefighters who die in the line of duty. Starting next week, they’ll have another chance. Listen now
PFD lawsuit moves to Alaska Supreme Court
The state Supreme Court will decide if Alaskans’ Permanent Fund dividends this year were the right amount. Listen Now
Alaska saw record-high number of suicides in 2015
More Alaskans killed themselves in 2015 than in any previous year since at least 1978. 200 people died by suicide in the state, 28 more than the previous record set in 2013. Listen Now
Governor Walker’s proposed budget leaves gap of almost $900 million
Walker’s proposed spending plan totals $10 billion for the coming year, but much of that is federal funding. The budget includes $4.3 billion for the part of the budget directly controlled by the Legislature. Listen Now
Beth Kerttula returns to Juneau with message: Time to plan for ocean’s future
Former Juneau state Rep. Beth Kerttula returned to Alaska this summer after two years serving the White House as director of the National Ocean Council. Listen Now
Former Fairbanks state Rep. Mike Kelly dies in plane crash
Former state Rep. Mike Kelly died Wednesday in a plane crash, according to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. The crash occurred around 1:30 p.m., 17 miles southeast of Kelly’s hometown of Fairbanks on Fort Wainwright, according to the Alaska State Troopers. Listen Now
Census Bureau adds areas, languages to be translated for Alaska elections
More people who speak Alaska Native languages but who have limited English proficiency will receive translated sample ballots and other election material. That’s due to changes the U.S. Census Bureau announced on Monday. Listen Now
State looks to federal government to help sustain insurance market
Alaska’s state government has gained national attention for what it’s doing to keep its individual and family health insurance market from collapsing. Now the state is looking to the federal government to pay some of the cost of keeping down insurance price hikes. Listen Now
Murkowski to feds: Let marijuana users buy guns
When Americans buy guns, they’re asked whether they use marijuana. If they say yes, they can’t buy the gun. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski wants to change that, and some Alaskan gun sellers, marijuana industry advocates and local officials applaud the move. Listen Now
Former Attorney General Richards joins Bering Straits Native Corp.
Alaska’s former attorney general has a new job. Craig Richards will be the vice president and general counsel for the Bering Straits Native Corporation. Listen Now
Rural lawmakers wield power without recent precedent
Dillingham Democrat Bryce Edgmon will be the first speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives from off the road system or outside of Southeast Alaska since Nome’s Howard Lyng in the Territorial Legislature of 1941. Listen Now
New legislative leaders prepare to start work ahead of challenging session
Both houses of the legislature will have new leaders in January. Incoming Senate President Pete Kelly and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon both said they have positive feelings toward the other. But they lead very different caucuses that will likely have different priorities in the coming legislative session. Listen Now
Judge upholds Walker’s veto halving Permanent Fund dividends
Gov. Bill Walker’s veto of half of Permanent Fund dividend money will stand for now. A judge found Thursday that Walker had the authority to cut the money. Listen Now
Walker names Anchorage lawyer as new chief of staff
Gov. Bill Walker named a new chief of staff Wednesday, bringing in Anchorage lawyer Scott Kendall to replace Jim Whitaker, effective Dec. 2. Listen Now
Other states look to Alaska as model for insurance relief
Donald Trump’s election as president is expected to lead to major changes in the individual health insurance market. While states don’t know what those changes will be, some policy experts suggested before the election that other states follow Alaska’s lead in addressing rising prices. Listen Now
New House majority names slate of chairpersons
The new House majority will be taking a different approach to legislation next year. That became clear today, as the majority named the committee chairpersons who will guide the agenda. Listen Now
Alaska Legislative races hold few surprises
In the state Legislature, only two of the 50 seats up for election have likely changed party hands. Anchorage Republican Liz Vasquez lost House District 22 to independent Jason Grenn. Juneau Republican Cathy Munoz lost District 34 to Democrat Justin Parish.
Number of registered Alaska voters at all-time high
More Alaskans than ever are eligible to cast ballots this year, thanks to record-high voter registration. Listen Now
Walker: Prostate cancer diagnosis won’t impair ability to perform duties
Gov. Bill Walker announced today he’s been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Following his doctor’s advice, he will have surgery in December to remove it. Listen Now