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Attorney General pushes back on ACLU lawsuit over court cuts
Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
Department of Law says it doesn’t believe the governor’s vetoes are unconstitutional, and that the ACLU’s suit risks elevating the judiciary above other branches of government.
Hospital group sues to block emergency Medicaid payment cut
Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau
The Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association’s president says the changes should have been handled through the normal process for changing rules.
Could climate change research in Alaska be put on ice?
Elizabeth Jenkins, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Juneau
The University of Alaska system is known as a leader in climate change research, studying melting permafrost to shrinking glaciers. But there’s growing uncertainty about the future of such projects with steep cuts to state funding.
Locals testify for hours at Senate Finance hearing in Fairbanks
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
Meeting yesterday in Fairbanks, the state House Finance Committee held the last of three marathon public hearings on a bill that would restore funding for projects, programs and services vetoed by Governor Dunleavy, and reduce the amount of this year’s Permanent Fund Dividend check.
Two worlds that overlap: Richard Glenn sees ANWR drilling as a boon to Inupiaq communities
Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media – Washington D.C.
Richard Glenn is an inconvenient truth for those who want to stop drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. In congressional hearings, he presents a challenge to the narrative prevalent in Washington, D.C., that Native people oppose development in the Arctic. Glenn has been a compelling witness in favor of drilling in ANWR for almost 20 years.
Planes violating airspace restrictions raise safety, operations concerns at Swan Lake Fire
Abbey Collins, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
Officials say some area pilots aren’t abiding by the temporary flight restriction over the fire, and that could have major consequences.
Amid PCE issues, what Y-K Delta residents can expect electric bills to look like
Greg Kim, KYUK – Bethel
Starting this month, people in rural Alaska will pay the high cost of electricity without any state subsidy. But that could still change.
New ADN report details how villages hire police with criminal background
Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
In some parts of Alaska, local governments are so desperate for law enforcement they’ve had to hire people with criminal records. In one village – Stebbins – all seven police officers have been convicted of domestic violence.
