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.
DNR to complete its review of BP sale this week
DNR Commissioner Corri Feige says that will allow the companies to close a piece of their deal by June 30th.
Girdwood gathering leads to 5 COVID cases and concerns of more to come
Five individuals tested positive, but other attendees are showing symptoms of COVID-19. Officials say further spread is likely.
Bristol Bay seafood cases push Alaska’s coronavirus count up by 26
Seven of the new cases were reported among out-of-state seafood workers in the Bristol Bay region.
Some Alaska travelers report long waits for COVID-19 test results. Health officials say fixes are underway.
Alaska health officials acknowledge that the testing system had issues in the beginning that led to some delays and confusion. But they say fixes are underway, and the process should be smoother and faster now.
Childcare providers say they’re falling through the cracks without pandemic recovery aid
Already operating on razor thin margins, providers wonder if help will come.
Alaska’s salmon industry contends with a rumor from China that COVID-19 can be transmitted via fish
Fish marketing experts are assessing how the rumors could affect Alaska salmon’s image in the world.
Murkowski praises DACA decision and revisits her controversial vote on impeachment witnesses
Sen. Murkowski cheered the continued protection for undocumented people brought to the U.S. as children.
Helicopter removes ‘Into the Wild’ bus that lured Alaska travelers to their deaths
An Army National Guard heavy-lift helicopter has removed the old Fairbanks city bus from the spot near Denali National Park where it once housed...
For Yukon-Kuskokwim elders, pandemic brings back memories of TB
Elders who have live through past pandemics shared stories about the dangers of not listening to health guidelines during pandemics.
Assembly looks to expand where it can set up homeless shelters
The administration says that when the lease to use the Sullivan Arena ends, residents will be forced out on the streets without housing.
Anchorage police, fire departments remain disproportionately white, despite diversity efforts
In Anchorage, leaders of the police and firefighters say they’ve tried to boost the ranks of minority employees. But both departments remain disproportionately white, according to data released by Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s administration Wednesday.
Anchorage Police chief says his department is committed to ‘dignity and respect’
Chief Justin Doll says APD officers are taught to intervene if a colleague is out of bounds, and to report fellow officers for any misconduct they witness.
Action on Palmer police chief’s protest-inducing statements still pending
Two weeks, one protest and one city council meeting later, and the city of Palmer has made no decision yet on how to handle statements by its police chief calling the Black Lives Matter movement a "hate group" and questioning the honesty of sexual assault victims.
Ketchikan officials warn of potential ‘wide community spread’ of COVID-19 after traveler broke quarantine
A COVID-infected visitor did not follow quarantine requirements after arriving in the community.
Alaska’s active COVID-19 case count hits new high as 25 more people test positive
There’s now a total of 246 Alaskans who have been diagnosed with the disease and haven’t recovered yet — the highest number since the pandemic began.
Amidst calls for police reform, Anchorage School District opts to keep School Resource Officer program
The program is used across the country and stations local police officers in public schools.
Developers of proposed Pebble Mine offer dividends to everyone in Bristol Bay, hotbed of mine opposition
Register now, the company says, and payments will begin with construction. "Shameless" says one leading opponent.