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VAWA bill would create limited ‘Indian Country’ for 5 Alaska tribes
Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau
The Violence Against Women Act renewal bill would allow up to five Alaska tribes territorial jurisdiction in their villages to prosecute domestic abuse and other crimes, whether the accused is a tribal member or not.
Jurors hear rap song recorded by suspected police shooter
Associated Press
The judge in the trial of an Alaska man charged with killing a police officer has allowed jurors to hear a rap song recorded by the suspect in jail.
Alaska public defender says he plans to resign
Associated Press
Alaska’s longtime public defender says he’ll resign as soon as a replacement is appointed.
The night a Guardian Flight vanished, the Coast Guard’s nearest helicopters couldn’t fly
Jacob Resneck, CoastAlaska – Juneau
When a Guardian Flight air ambulance plane inexplicably vanished Jan. 29 over Frederick Sound, mechanical failures grounded the nearest Coast Guard helicopters at Air Station Sitka.
Lawmakers amend budget to stop reimbursing municipalities for school bond debt
Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau
The vote brings the House budget back into agreement with Gov. Mike Dunleavy on the issue. If the amendment makes it into the final budget, it would shift roughly $100 million in spending from the state to municipalities.
Aboard Alaska’s endangered ferries, passengers fear a “giant step back in time”
Nathaniel Herz, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Anchorage
Step onboard the MV LeConte, where a single trip last week showed how Southeast Alaska residents have knit the state’s ferries into their lives – and how they would adapt if the ships stopped running, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy is proposing.
At Iliamna Lake hearings, residents speak out on Pebble Mine
Isabelle Ross, KDLG – Dillingham
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is holding a series of public hearings on the proposed Pebble Mine’s draft environmental review. Three were held in communities on Iliamna Lake. That region – and the people who live there – would be among the most immediately impacted by the project.
Anchorage keeps liberal-leaning Assembly, says no to alcohol tax in initial municipal results
Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
In unofficial results for Tuesday’s Municipal election in Anchorage, two Anchorage Assembly members handily won reelection, while three new faces will join the local municipal body.
