Podcasts about alaska legislature

In this newscast: The Juneau Community Foundation is giving the Alaska Legislature 16 two-bedroom apartments as part of a long-term effort to keep the state's capital in Juneau; Four U.S. Coast Guard crew members involved in a helicopter crash in Sitka Monday morning have been reported safe with "non-serious injuries;" Juneau residents say they want to see the city's tourism task force address issues like helicopter noise, downtown bus traffic and whale watching congestion; Alaska State Troopers recovered the body of an Anchorage paddleboarder who went missing in Turnagain Arm after a weekend-long search; A man seeking to challenge U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan has filed suit after the Alaska Division of Elections removed him from this year's ballot; The winning team in a race from Washington state to Ketchikan crossed the finish line Monday night.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines: An attorney advising the Alaska Legislature says that Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom may have violated the U.S. Constitution when she disqualified Petersburg's Daniel J. Sullivan from this year's U.S. Senate race. A critical deep ocean observation network that includes a long-standing station off the coast of Alaska has been saved from getting dismantled. And a brother and sister team from Bethel recently won top honors at an innovation competition hosted from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.Photo: Bethel siblings Vjosa Pellumbi, left, and Drini Pellumbi pose after winning the top prize at the UAF College of Business and Security Management's Arctic Innovation Competition held at the 8 Star Events Center in Fairbanks on April 18, 2026. (UAF Photo by Sarah Lewis)

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines: It's National Safe Boating Week, and the U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue teams are asking residents to help prevent false alerts. he Alaska Legislature kicks off a special session today to continue working on tax cuts for the Alaska LNG project. And lawmakers in the state and national capitols implored their colleagues to help two western Alaska villages relocate to safer ground after a devastating storm last year.Photo: Rep. Nellie Unangiq Jimmie, whose district includes Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, spoke in favor of a resolution supporting their decision to relocate. (Gavel Alaska screenshot)

Jeff was joined by Attorney General-designee Stephen Cox. They discuss the recent Legislative Skits, how he ended up in Alaska, his background working as a lawyer in D.C., his time serving as a U.S. Attorney in East Texas, the problems with people using AI in the court system, the Alaska Department of Law, some of the things he has been working on as AG, his involvement in helping Alaska's senators find federal judges, and his upcoming confirmation vote by the Alaska Legislature. 

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines: Rail megaprojects in Interior and Southcentral Alaska got a symbolic show of support on Wednesday from the Alaska Legislature. The U.S. Forest Service is rethinking how it defines areas of the Tongass National Forest and wants the public to weigh in. And national Democrats are investing in Alaska's U.S. House race, hoping to unseat Congressman Nick Begich.Photo: Alaskan Railroad train. (Wikipedia)

A magnitude 4.1 earthquake shook the southern Kenai Peninsula Tuesday morning; former Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly President Brent Johnson is throwing his hat in the ring for the House District 6 seat in the Alaska Legislature, currently held by Homer Republican Sarah Vance; and mayors of the five boroughs that would host elements of the Alaska gasline project say they're not on board with a bill from Gov. Mike Dunleavy offering tax breaks for the project.

A magnitude 4.1 earthquake shook the southern Kenai Peninsula Tuesday morning; former Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly President Brent Johnson is throwing his hat in the ring for the House District 6 seat in the Alaska Legislature, currently held by Homer Republican Sarah Vance; and mayors of the five boroughs that would host elements of the Alaska gasline project say they're not on board with a bill from Gov. Mike Dunleavy offering tax breaks for the project.

In this newscast: Juneau's Thane Road remains closed until further notice since high winds have raised the risk of avalanches; The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is prioritizing short and medium-term solutions to glacial outburst flooding in the Mendenhall Valley; The second iteration of the City and Borough of Juneau's Visitor Industry Task Force has been meeting since mid-December; The Alaska Legislature is on the verge of passing a major election reform bill

The Alaska Legislature is on the verge of passing a major election reform bill. The House approved Senate Bill 64 on Monday in a 23-16 vote, after the state Senate gave it the greenlight last year. Alaska's annual Tsunami Bowl brings high school teams from around the state to meet in Seward for an academic competition related to fisheries and ocean sciences. Five kelp farmers from around Kodiak Island have started the Kodiak Ocean Growers Co-op.

The Alaska Legislature is on the verge of passing a major election reform bill. The House approved Senate Bill 64 on Monday in a 23-16 vote, after the state Senate gave it the greenlight last year. Alaska's annual Tsunami Bowl brings high school teams from around the state to meet in Seward for an academic competition related to fisheries and ocean sciences. Five kelp farmers from around Kodiak Island have started the Kodiak Ocean Growers Co-op.

In this newscast: Juneau residents will have multiple opportunities this week to provide feedback about how and where they'd like to see changes to better the capital city's roadways for all users; After months of on-an-off closures and limited services, the city's recycling center will be back to operating at full capacity and regular hours starting tomorrow; A bill meant to protect Alaskans from drinking water contaminated with PFAS had its first committee hearing last week; The fate of a closely watched budget bill in the Alaska Legislature is back up in the air, after House Republicans declined to back a supermajority vote that would have funded the bill from savings

On this week's episode with host Davis Hovey, we hear about the IPHC passing a decision on daily halibut bag limits to the NPFMC, Alaska Public Media reports on a bill in the Alaska Legislature to update requirements for resident hunting and fishing licenses, Alaska Public Media also has details on a new way to bring groceries to rural Alaska, and the KIBSD Board of Education puts off a decision on its FY'2027 budget until next week.

Today on the Morning Edition, the Alaska Legislature talks tax proposals. How much, when and what types, information that can and possibly will affect all Alakans and tourists when they come to visit. We'll break it down for you and tell you what you need to know. Later, have you heard of temperature blankets? Designs that take a year or more to make. We'll showcase a special blanket or two and share them with you.

On today's Morning Edition, Gov. Mike Dunleavy is asking the Alaska Legislature for a supplement to the budget to the tune of just over $1 billion to address shortfalls and legal systems and healthcare. We'll fill you in on the detials. Plus, downtown Anchorage is set to get a new library, beginning construction this summer. We'll let you know when and where you'll be able to enjoy it.

Send us a textBrian Fechter was the Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Revenue for the state of Alaska from 2021-2023. Brian grew up in Pennsylvania and moved to Alaska in 2012. He worked various financial positions in the state government before becoming Deputy Commissioner of Revenue. In 2023 he became the budget advisor for then Washington Governor Jay Inslee. Last year he moved to Idaho where he currently serves as the executive director for budget and financial planning for the College of Western Idaho. Much of today's conversation revolves around Brian's recent article published in the Alaska Landmine entitled, "The Alaska Legislature could learn a lot from Washington and Idaho."

A third defendant in a Klawock murder case is sentenced. Plus, Juneau residents call on the Alaska Legislature and the governor to suspend the state's push for a natural gas pipeline, and the rate of Alaskans dying from drug overdoses declined by 5%, compared to the year before.

In this newscast: More than 200 Juneau residents gathered downtown at Overstreet Park last night for a candlelight vigil. They were there to honor a man who was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during protests against ongoing ICE operations; Juneau teens and residents are calling on the Alaska Legislature and Governor Mike Dunleavy to call off the state's longtime push for a natural gas pipeline in Alaska; The State Board of Education unanimously approved a school psychology masters program at the University of Alaska Anchorage aimed to address the state's shortage of school psychologists. The approval took place during the board's special virtual meeting on Thursday; KTOO Morning Host Mike Lane checks in with Representative Andi Story; Former Alaska Revenue Commissioner Adam Crum deviated from state policy and failed to perform the necessary due diligence before committing millions in state savings to a private equity fund. That's the conclusion of an outside review ordered by Gov. Mike Dunleavy's administration after Crum's decision came to light last summer

In this newscast: More than 200 Juneau residents gathered downtown at Overstreet Park last night for a candlelight vigil. They were there to honor a man who was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during protests against ongoing ICE operations; Juneau teens and residents are calling on the Alaska Legislature and Governor Mike Dunleavy to call off the state's longtime push for a natural gas pipeline in Alaska; The State Board of Education unanimously approved a school psychology masters program at the University of Alaska Anchorage aimed to address the state's shortage of school psychologists. The approval took place during the board's special virtual meeting on Thursday; KTOO Morning Host Mike Lane checks in with Representative Andi Story; Former Alaska Revenue Commissioner Adam Crum deviated from state policy and failed to perform the necessary due diligence before committing millions in state savings to a private equity fund. That's the conclusion of an outside review ordered by Gov. Mike Dunleavy's administration after Crum's decision came to light last summer

On this week's episode with host Davis Hovey, we hear about the Coast Guard rescuing two fishermen in Pasagshak Bay, the details of the Bycatch Reduction and Research Act in Congress, our colleagues at Alaska Public Media report on Gov. Dunleavy's plans for a seasonal sales tax, the Alaska Legislature started its latest session this week, and the Kodiak Island Borough School District is holding off on a FY'2027 budget decision until next month.

In this newscast: After more than a year of negotiations, the Anchorage School District and the local teachers' union have come to a tentative contract agreement; The Alaska Legislature is back in session; With the second regular session of the 34th Alaska Legislature underway, KTOO is checking in with members of Juneau's delegation to talk priorities and plans for the session.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:About 70 Sitkans formed a whistle choir Saturday (1-17-26) in an act of ICE resistance. The Alaska Legislature is back in session. And after more than a year of negotiations, the Anchorage School District and the local teachers' union have reached a tentative contract agreement.Photo: Nearly 70 Sitkans formed a whistle choir at the roundabout on Saturday in an act of ICE resistance. (KCAW/McKenney)

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:Can Mary Peltola help the Democrats flip the Senate? The Alaska Legislature has a lot on its plate this session. And Skagway codifies how student athletes spend the night away from home. Photo: Mary Peltola at the U.S. Capitol in 2022, after she won a special election for a congressional seat. ( Liz Ruskin/Alaska Public Media)

Political reporter Wil Courtney speaks with Alaska Beacon reporter James Brooks about the state of the race for Alaska's next governor, what role Mary Peltola plays in the election and what's next for the Alaska Legislature months before it reconvenes. 

In this newscast: A second, minor glacial lake outburst flood is underway in Juneau; On Saturday, more than 100 people gathered in Juneau to protest the potential rescission of the Roadless Rule; Eaglecrest Ski Area celebrated 50 years of downhill skiing and outdoor adventures this weekend; The Alaska Legislature last week took a step towards suing Gov. Mike Dunleavy over an executive order he issued ahead of last month's special legislative session

In today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:What just happened at Saturday's Special Session of the Alaska Legislature? Is Senator Murkowski thinking about running for Governor? And what do very deep boreholes have to do with coal fired powerplants?Photo: House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, a Dillingham independent, speaks alongside Senate President Gary Stevens, a Kodiak Republican, during a news conference at the Alaska State Capitol following two successful veto override votes on August 2, 2025. (Eric Stone/Alaska Public Media)

This week we hear about harmful algal blooms around Kodiak, the City Council picked its next clerk, halibut populations are at some of the lowest levels in a century, the Alaska Legislature is winding down its 2025 session, Ouzinkie is declared tsunami ready, and Kodiak Middle School's Kaci Martin, Jasper Ignacio, Neal Skonberg, Ryker Christiansen, and Cole Martin give us a preview of CrabFest. That story is featured in KMXT's Weekly Wrap thanks to a collaboration between KMS' journalism class and KMXT News staff.

In this newscast: The Alaska Legislature passed a bill Friday that would boost per-student education funding by $1,000. Gov. Mike Dunleavy said he plans to veto it; Juneau residents who haven't filed have some extra time; A new Juneau advocacy group called the the Affordable Juneau Coalition filed three ballot petitions with the city last week, to lower the property tax rate, to remove sales tax on food and utilities, and to make in-person voting the default again; The Norwegian Bliss and its more than 4,0000 passengers arrived in Juneau yesterday to kick of the 2025 cruise ship season; Tensions over a levee that's taking shape in backyards along Juneau's Mendenhall River have come to a head as one homeowner filed a suit against the city, seeking to exempt his property or be paid for it; A Ketchikan woman now officially holds the Guinness World Record for "largest female mouth gape"

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines: Sen. Lisa Murkowski is urging Alaskans to speak out against changes the Trump administration is bringing to their lives and the government they've relied on. The Alaska Legislature passed a bill Friday that would boost per-student education funding by $1,000. And federal investigators have issued a final report on the crash of a commercial cargo plane near Fairbanks last year.Photo: The Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, pictured May 6, 2024. (Eric Stone/Alaska Public Media)

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:If countries want to keep the Trump administration from imposing tariffs on their exports to the United States, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggests they invest in Alaska's Liquified Natural Gas project. The Alaska Legislature's quest to pass a viable state budget for this year isn't getting any easier. And two Alaska State Troopers facing assault charges over alleged conduct during their arrest of the wrong man in Kenai last year won't go to trial until next February.Photo: The facade of the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau on May 22, 2024. ( Eric Stone/Alaska Public Media)

Thousands on the Kenai Peninsula lost power Sunday after a power plant in Anchorage went offline; the Kenai Peninsula School District has been offering Mass Band, an opportunity for schools to come together for a workshop and performance since the early 1980's. This evening the event is being held at Homer High School; and Soldotna Republican Reps. Bill Elam and Justin Ruffridge have introduced their first bills of the 34th Alaska Legislature.

In this newscast: The state House passed a bill last week that would help protect foster kids from unnecessary stays in acute psychiatric care facilities. If it becomes law, a court hearing will be required within seven days of entering a facility to determine if the placement is necessary, instead of 30 days currently. Kids in foster care worked on the legislation and say it's long overdue; The pilot recently rescued from a small plane in an icy Kenai Peninsula lake may face disciplinary consequences and be responsible for cleaning up the wreck; The Alaska Legislature passed a bill last week designating March as Women's History Month in state law.

On this today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:A University of Alaska Fairbanks researcher says electric vehicles could benefit rural communities that are off the road system. A rockslide near Ketchikan has blocked the island's main road. And Sen. Dan Sullivan enthusiastically embraced President Trump and many of his policies during his annual address to the Alaska Legislature.Photo: Thursday's Wolfe Point landslide near Ketchikan seen from above. (Jason Baldwin/KPU)

On this today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:Sen. Lisa Murkowski says President Trump is testing the limits of his power. The Nanook Diversity and Action Center closing and having its website taken down. And the BLM released a draft feasibility study for public comment last week that evaluates whether the proposed Alaska Long Trail would be a suitable National Scenic Trail.Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, smiles on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, as she exits the Alaska House of Representatives following her annual address to the Alaska Legislature. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Astronaut Nichole Ayers, who previously served in the 90th fighter squadron at Elmendorf Air Force base, is now aboard the International Space Station. Plus U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, called the recent firings of Alaska federal employees by the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiencies “unlawful” during a nearly hour-long speech addressing to the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this newscast: Roughly three-quarters of the staff at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center have been laid off, according to former employees with knowledge of the situation; Bartlett Regional Hospital's board voted to incrementally pay back $2 million to the City and Borough of Juneau over the next three years; Congressman Nick Begich III told the Alaska Legislature the state has become too dependent on federal spending; A panel of civil rights and immigration advocates addressed how immigration policy changes from the Trump administration may affect Alaskans; The Southeast island community of Petersburg called a town hall meeting last week to discuss the future of tourism, as they consider a potential partnership with a small cruise ship company

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:Congressman Nick Begich III told the Alaska Legislature yesterday the state has become too dependent on federal spending. Sen. Lisa Murkowski voted against confirming Kash Patel as President Trump's FBI director. Plus: are chicken coops the new gold mines?Photo: A fried egg. (Matthew Murdoch)

In this newscast: The Alaska House of Representatives offered a rebuke to President Donald Trump's move to rename North America's highest peak as Mount McKinley; The Alaska Legislature is getting to work on a bill that would boost state funding for public schools by more than $460 million; One of the more than 200 executive orders President Donald Trump signed in the first days of his new term was aimed at accessing more natural resources in Alaska, and seeks to roll back protections on millions of acres in the Tongass National Forest; The City of Delta Junction's privately-owned ambulance service announced it would dissolve, possibly leaving residents to provide their own emergency transportation to Fairbanks, almost a hundred miles away 

On today's Midday Report with Host Terry Haines: he Alaska Legislature is getting to work on a bill that would boost state funding for public schools by more than $460 million. At least three districts across the state are considering closing at least one school. And the icebreaker Aiviq is the Coast Guard's newest vessel, despite a history of design problems and failure. Photo: The Aiviq (blue hull) escorts the tugs Corbin Foss, Ocean Wave and Lauren Foss as they tow the conical drilling unit Kulluk from Kiliuda Bay near Kodiak Island, Alaska, Feb. 26, 2013. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Sara Francis)

In this newscast: The City and Borough of Juneau is warning of a potential measles exposure at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport that could impact Southeast Alaska residents; Juneau residents will have a chance to learn more about Huna Totem Corporation's proposal to build a fifth cruise ship dock in downtown Juneau at two joint meetings at City Hall this week; State lawmakers convened in Juneau this afternoon to kick off the first session of the 34th Alaska Legislature; Tongass Voices: Rich Mattson on uncovering stories from the pages of Juneau's history

On today's Midday Report with Host Terry Haines: State lawmakers convened in Juneau yesterday to kick off the first session of the 34th Alaska Legislature. President Trump is in favor of a gas pipeline in Alaska, but state lawmakers remain skeptical. And a mini-protest in Soldotna. The proposed route for an Alaska natural gas pipeline.

The 34th Alaska Legislature doesn't convene until Jan. 21. But some state lawmakers are already getting to work. Next month will be the last time a Maersk-branded vessel stops in Alaska.

The state corporation spearheading an effort to build a $44 billion natural gas pipeline between the North Slope and Nikiski says it's finalizing an agreement with a private company to lead the project. Alaska State Troopers arrested a former candidate for the Homer City Council last Saturday for several charges including arson. The 34th Alaska Legislature starts this month.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines: Loons in Alaska are facing a number of human-caused threats. The Alaska Legislature has announced its committee chairs. And another flurry of shootings in Anchorage. Photo: Loons are striking, and have an unforgettable call often heard at dusk on local lakes when they are here. Adeline Baxter, KTOO

In this newscast: Alaska is well into the start of respiratory disease season. And with it, Alaskans are getting coughs, colds, COVID-19 and cases of flu.  And physicians are seeing a few things that make this year stand out; The Hecla Greens Creek mine near Juneau plans to break ground on an expansion sometime next year. That's because on Thursday the U.S. Forest officially permitted its project on Admiralty Island. The move will extend mine operations for up to 18 years, but it will be subjected to some new environmental mitigation and oversight along the way; Unofficial results from the Division of Elections showed one Southeast Alaska precinct seemed to overwhelmingly choose a peculiar candidate for the U.S. House earlier this week — a man currently imprisoned in New York. But, those results confused voters who said that didn't line up with how they voted. And it turns out — they were right. The Division of Elections has since updated its error; There are still tens of thousands of votes across the state left to be counted, and some key races remain undetermined. But in the Alaska Legislature members of bipartisan coalitions in the House and Senate are wasting no time in announcing their leadership and organizing their caucuses. 

In this newscast: President Joe Biden issued an apology last week for the nation's history of federally-funded boarding schools for Native Americans. Here's how Alaskans are reacting; Education is playing a big role in campaigns for the Alaska Legislature this fall; 46,000 Alaskans have already cast their ballots for the 2024 election. 

In this newscast: The National Weather Service Office in Juneau said water levels in Suicide Basin dropped this morning. That could mean this year's second glacial outburst flood is on the way. But based on current water levels in the basin, the potential flood would be far less damaging than this past summer's flood; Next Tuesday, the City and Borough of Juneau will open its cold weather emergency warming shelter for the winter. It's the shelter's second year in a warehouse in Thane operated by St. Vincent de Paul; Moderate candidates have a large fundraising advantage in state House and Senate races key to control of the Alaska Legislature, according to a new round of campaign finance data reported a month ahead of Election Day. 

“The notion of getting rid of a closed primary system in Alaska appealed to me instantly,” says former Alaska House Speaker Bryce Edgmon who has represented Bristol Bay and parts of the Aleutian Islands for nearly two decades. “It overrode right there almost on the spot any trepidation I might have about having to rank candidates or anything else that would eventually become part of the ballot measure that narrowly passed in Alaska.” Rep. Edgmon is referring to Alaska's first-in-nation passage of a final or top four voting system with a unified open primary plus ranked choice general election. In this episode we examine the dynamics of the first state legislature in the country to have been elected by this system in 2022, even as a ballot measure to repeal the system has been put before Alaska voters in 2024. We also discuss the dynamics of the Alaska legislature with Anchorage Daily News Reporter, Iris Samuels, and University of Alaska Southeast Political Science Professor, Dr. Glenn Wright.   “Alaska is fairly unique in that even before this election reform, we've had bipartisan and tri-partisan coalitions in the House and Senate,” says Samuels, who covers the Juneau State House. “But it has reinforced that phenomenon and made it possible for elected officials to envision doing that and not experience repercussions from within their party and from voters.”  “If you talk to incumbent politicians,” explains Dr. Wright, “ they will tell you that they're less concerned about the primary challenge now– that before the reform that was in the back of their mind. And they were thinking not about what do voters in my district want but what do party primary voters in my district want.” AFL-CIO President Joelle Hall has also observed what might be a similar deepening of Alaska's cross-partisan tendencies in the two years since passage of the top four reform.  “One of the ways that we are really different is that we have always come to a bipartisan coalition at the end of every decade,” observes Hall, a legislative lobbyist for nearly three decades. “Redistricting happens. Then slowly the two parties claw back to roughly even. So it's accelerated what is already a normal path in Alaska where we gravitate towards these coalitions. But our final guest on this first of two Alaska episodes, Rep. Alyse Galvin of Anchorage, cautions that these post reform dynamics have not yet translated into legislative action. That's partially because senior house leadership has blocked several bipartisan legislative efforts, while others were vetoed at the executive level.  “if we don't allow this to play out a bit more, I'd say one more cycle, maybe two,” says Galvin, previously a two time candidate for the US House, ”then we're really missing a big chance to get things done that will give Alaskans hope.” Tune in for five different perspectives on the first legislature in the country elected by final or top four voting as citizens in four other US states (NV, ID, CO & MT) consider passing the Alaskan model for less divisive elections toward more collaborative governance.  The Purple Principle is a Fluent Knowledge production. Original music by Ryan Adair Rooney.

Today I get to chat with both of my own current representatives in the Alaska Legislature. We start in hour one with House Rep Kevin McCabe who's running for reelection. We'll discuss his vision of the future. Then in hour two we'll catch up with Senator Mike Shower and chat about all the latest happenings from the last couple weeks and get his hot take on it all for the "Shower Hour of Power".

In this newscast: The Juneau Assembly approved the school district's more than $85 million budget for next school year last night; Budget negotiators in the Alaska Legislature have settled on the amount of this year's Permanent Fund dividend and energy relief check; Since statehood, Alaska has not had the death penalty, but the men who were last executed here shouldn't be forgotten

The Alaska Legislature fails to override Governor Mike Dunleavy's veto of education funds. The history of the downtown parking fairies. April is National Poetry Month and we're slamming. A love letter to Costco shoppers from my alter ego.