Jennifer Canfield, KTOO - Juneau
Jennifer Canfield is a reporter at KTOO in Juneau.
Attorney General Says Tribal Protection Orders Deserve Equal Recognition
Law enforcement must uphold tribal protection orders the same as it does state protective orders, regardless of whether the order has been registered with the state, the attorney general announced in an opinion issued Thursday. The AG also encouraged the legislature to amend Alaska law to bring it into compliance with the Violence Against Women Act.
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With Erin’s Law signed, bill sponsors see more work to be done
Gov. Bill Walker signed the Alaska Safe Children’s Act Thursday in Anchorage. The bill, also known as Erin’s Law, was controversial for some and stalled by a legislature that was at odds regarding the state’s fiscal situation. While the fight over Erin’s Law may be over, two lawmakers who worked on the bill say there is still more to be done.
Federal bill introduced to fund Erin’s Law
Three U.S. senators have introduced a bill that would fund the implementation of Erin’s Law in states where it’s been adopted.
Media Awaits Release Of National Guard Emails
The State of Alaska still has not released all documents and emails related to the Alaska National Guard scandal. Alaska Public Media and the Alaska Dispatch News sued the state for the documents last October after the Parnell administration took four months to deny public record requests.
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Gov. Walker’s New Adviser To Focus On Rural Economy, Local Governments
Gov. Bill Walker named his new rural affairs adviser Tuesday at the Alaska Federation of Natives winter retreat in Kotzebue. Gerad Godfrey’s full title is “Senior Advisor on Rural Business and Intergovernmental Affairs” — a title that Godfrey says is meant to communicate that much of his work will focus on economic development in villages and bringing tribes to the table when the state consults local governments.
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Chugiak Lawmaker Proposes Legislature Move
Sen.-elect Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak, plans to introduce a bill to move the Alaska Legislature to Anchorage. Stoltze isn’t proposing a full-on capital move. Instead, KTUU reports that the bulk of state government would remain in Juneau and legislative sessions would be held at the Anchorage Legislative Information Office.
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Muñoz To Reintroduce Bill Adding Sexual Orientation To Anti-Discrimination Law
Rep. Cathy Muñoz (R- Juneau) will reintroduce a bill this legislative session to make discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal.
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Juneau Lawmakers Egan, Muñoz and Kito Re-elected To Legislature
All three of the capital city’s state lawmakers handily won re-election Tuesday. Sen. Dennis Egan and Reps. Cathy Muñoz and Sam Kito III all got at least 60 percent of the votes counted in their respective races on Election Day.
New federal regulations to favor subsistence users, rural residents
The Federal Subsistence Board’s rural determination process will change, according to an announcement made at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention last month.
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State Correspondence Details a ‘Deteriorated’ Nat’l Guard
There are numerous redactions in the released documents, and some of the requested documents are not included; many are still under review and are subject to release in the coming days.
DOJ May Intervene In Alaska Supreme Court Case
The U.S. Department of Justice may intervene in an Alaska Supreme Court case concerning a non-Native couple’s adoption of an Alaska Native child. In September, the Native Village of Tununak lost its appeal against the State of Alaska and the adoptive couple.
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UAS Chancellor Pugh to Retire in May
University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor John Pugh will retire in May. He announced his retirement Monday in an email to Southeast campus councils and the UAS Alumni Board of Directors.
Alaska Federation of Natives Wraps Up Annual Convention
The Alaska Federation of Natives wrapped up their annual convention with the usual process of amending and voting on resolutions. The resolutions process was similar to past conventions except for the notable difference this year of candidate endorsements.
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AFN Endorses Begich After Hearing From Senate Candidates
Candidate for U.S. Senate Dan Sullivan and incumbent Mark Begich met on-stage at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage Friday. AFN delegates voted Saturday to endorse Begich for re-election. An endorsement of Bill Walker for governor and Byron Mallot for lieutenant governor was also announced.
Begich, Sullivan Meet At AFN Senate Candidate Forum
Candidates for U.S. Senate Dan Sullivan and Sen. Mark Begich met on-stage at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage Friday.
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AFN President Criticizes Gov. Sean Parnell
The head of Alaska’s largest Native organization publicly criticized Gov. Sean Parnell Thursday morning, the opening day of the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage.
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Tanana Youths Speak Out Against Sexual Assault, Marijuana Legalization
The Tanana 4-H club returned to the Elders and Youth Conference Tuesday, following up on their emotional presentation at last year’s conference. The group’s message is still the same: they don’t always feel safe or cared for and they want that to change, but now they’re also taking a stand against marijuana legalization.
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Begich, Walker/Mallot Are the Early Frontrunners for AFN Endorsement
Alaska’s largest Native organization will vote on candidate endorsements Saturday morning. The Alaska Federation of Natives Board of Directors has drafted two resolutions that will be heard on the final day of the AFN convention in Anchorage.
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Elders and Youth Conference Kicks Off In Anchorage
The 30th annual Elders and Youth conference began Monday in Anchorage. The conference is held each year at the beginning of the same week as the Alaska Federation of Natives convention. The gathering is an opportunity for youth to discuss an array of issues relevant to Alaska Natives with support from their elders.
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Proposed Film/Photo Regs in Wilderness Areas Come Under Fire
As conservationists celebrate 50 years since the passage of the Wilderness Act, a U.S. Forest Service proposal to make certain wilderness area regulations permanent has brought forth accusations that the agency is infringing on First Amendment rights. Nearly a third of the 17 million-acre Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska is designated wilderness.
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