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.
Walker leads in fundraising and cash on hand, but other candidates have own strengths
Counting the money Gov. Walker and Lt. Gov. Mallott have spent, it leaves the ticket with $445,000 in cash on hand. Listen now
State leaders say salmon initiative would cost time and money if it passes
Initiative supporters say it would actually lower costs for the state. Listen now
Feds join governor in ending Juneau road extension
Walker announced in 2016 that he wasn’t going ahead with the project. But the new Federal Highway Administration decision finalizes that choice.
Parnell endorses Dunleavy for governor
The announcement came the same day that Mead Treadwell said he has the business experience needed to be governor – and Dunleavy doesn’t. Listen now
Inupiaq woman criticizes use of her image in Dunleavy ad, campaign deletes footage
Marjorie Tahbone said she became aware of the ad on social media when friends forwarded it to her. Listen now
State government receives grant for opioid-related job training
Some Alaskans with opioid addictions who are leaving prisons or juvenile justice facilities will receive federally funded job training. A grant also will pay to increase the number of people trained to provide opioid treatment. Listen now
Alaska AFL-CIO president says Walker has earned re-election
Beltrami wants Walker and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich to reach an agreement that would leave only one of them in the race for governor. Listen now
New law gives judges more discretion when setting bail
For the second time in six months, there’s a change coming in how defendants awaiting trial must post bail. As of January, most Alaskans charged with misdemeanor offenses didn’t have to post cash bail in order to be released from jail. But due to a new change in state law, this measure is being reversed.
Corrections seeks alternatives to halfway houses
One approach could be based on Haven House, which serves women in Juneau, and My House, which serves homeless teens in Wasilla. Listen now
Fansler sentenced to year of probation, alcohol treatment and community service
Former Alaska state Rep. Zach Fansler pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree harassment in connection with a January incident in which he struck a woman in his hotel room. Listen now
Walker asks Trump administration to protect people with pre-existing conditions
Walker has been working with a bipartisan governors’ group over the past year on health care issues. Listen now
State backlog means long wait for health coverage for some Alaskans
Jill Yordy has been waiting since January to learn whether her five-year-old daughter Raven has qualified for Denali KidCare. Listen now
Rating agency improves Alaska’s credit outlook
It took the action Friday in part as a response to a new state law that outlines a plan to draw money from permanent fund earnings to pay for state government. Listen now
Bill would increase health care price transparency for Alaskans
The measure, modeled on similar rules enacted in Anchorage last year, could make it easier for Alaskans to know how much they’re going to pay out of pocket for healthcare. Listen now
State-run raffle could be new way to fund schools
Each Alaskan adult would be able to donate $100 increments to the raffle, when they apply for their PFD. Each $100 would count as one entry. And once per year, four winners would be drawn. Listen now
State has started delaying Medicaid payments to some hospitals
The state budget includes $20 million less for Medicaid than state officials say they’ll need. That’s to cover services provided through June 30. Listen now
Legislature passes state budget before adjourning
There would be $5.4 billion spent on the part of the operating budget the Legislature focuses on. It’s $433 million higher than the current budget. Listen now
Bill to overhaul Alaska’s alcohol laws is dead, for now
An amendment to Senate Bill 76 that would cut the amount that breweries and distilleries can sell as samples to customers opened up disagreements over the bill. Listen now
Senate votes to end mandatory release of low- and moderate-risk defendants
Under the Senate’s amendment, judges would be able to order bail for all defendants. The change isn’t final; it’s up to the House to accept or reject, possibly sending it to conference committee. Listen now
Senate seeks to revive Juneau Access and Knik Arm projects through capital budget
The Senate’s capital budget also doesn’t include Medicaid funding that state officials say is needed by next week to pay health care providers. Listen now