Alaska Beacon
University of Alaska announces initial agreement with graduate workers on contract through 2026
The University of Alaska and the Alaska Graduate Workers Association have reached an agreement on a labor contract that would last from July through the end of 2026, the university announced on Tuesday. The university described the pact as a “tentative initial agreement” that must go through more steps. The agreement must be approved by […] The post University of Alaska announces initial agreement with graduate workers on contract through 2026 appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Alaska-wide building code would ensure more live in safe, energy-efficient homes
This is written in response to the April 11 article by Yereth Rosen, “In seismically active Alaska, plans for statewide residential building codes are on shaky ground.” The members of the Alaska State Home Building Association would like to address concerns about House Bill 150 and Senate Bill 197 concerning enacting a statewide building code […] The post Alaska-wide building code would ensure more live in safe, energy-efficient homes appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
After glacial flood and landslides, Alaska Senate votes to raise state disaster aid limit
A pair of Southeast Alaska disasters, including a deadly landslide in Haines and a glacial flood that dropped homes into a Juneau river, has inspired the Alaska Senate to raise the cap on state disaster aid. On Monday, the Senate voted 19-0 to pass Senate Bill 236, which would increase the maximum amount of state […] The post After glacial flood and landslides, Alaska Senate votes to raise state disaster aid limit appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Parents tote toddlers to D.C. to press for expanded child tax credit, child care funds
WASHINGTON — Families gathered outside the U.S. Capitol Tuesday to “make a fuss for babies,” who they believe are being left behind by lawmakers who direct only a fraction of U.S. resources to young children. Parents and kids representing 50 states and the District of Columbia convened for the eighth annual “Strolling Thunder.” Moms and […] The post Parents tote toddlers to D.C. to press for expanded child tax credit, child care funds appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Yellen touts success of IRS pilot program that allowed direct free filing of tax returns
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Internal Revenue Service saw a successful tax filing season, providing high levels of customer service, enforcing collection from the wealthy and launching a free filing option for taxpayers, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told tax writers on Capitol Hill Tuesday. The agency “met or exceeded” goals for the filing season and “successfully” […] The post Yellen touts success of IRS pilot program that allowed direct free filing of tax returns appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
University of Alaska student workers union members protest for contract, after judge bars strike
Hundreds of University of Alaska graduate students protested in marches on Monday at the Fairbanks and Anchorage campuses to increase pressure on the university system as it negotiates a contract with their union. The marches are a step down from a strike the Alaska Graduate Workers Association planned, after a Fairbanks Superior Court judge issued […] The post University of Alaska student workers union members protest for contract, after judge bars strike appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Alaska House votes down ethics board alternate member, citing signature on Dunleavy recall petition
The Alaska House of Representatives on Monday rejected the appointment of a Juneau woman as an alternate to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics, reflecting broader Republican dissatisfaction with the committee, which considers complaints against members of the Legislature. The vote on Rachel Kelly, a Juneau resident nominated to fill a public seat on the […] The post Alaska House votes down ethics board alternate member, citing signature on Dunleavy recall petition appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Governors oppose National Guard move to Space Force
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed on to a letter Monday alongside 47 other state governors, as well as governors of five territories and commonwealths, opposing the Biden administration’s move to incorporate Air National Guard service members into the Space Force. The letter from the National Governors’ Association, addressed to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, is […] The post Governors oppose National Guard move to Space Force appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Canadian, U.S. border officials extend operating days for northernmost crossing
The international border crossing on the Top of the World Highway will be open from May 17 through Sept. 15, Canadian and American border officials announced Thursday. The crossing, the northernmost in North America, will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Alaska time, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Yukon time, daily. The new […] The post Canadian, U.S. border officials extend operating days for northernmost crossing appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Congress to add flights at Washington National, require new air refund rule in FAA deal
Key members of Congress announced an agreement Monday on a $105 billion bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration for five years ahead of a May 10 deadline. The 1,000-page bill would raise hiring targets for air traffic control and would codify in law a rule the Biden administration introduced this month requiring airlines to […] The post Congress to add flights at Washington National, require new air refund rule in FAA deal appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
School closure on Alaska Air Force base highlights effects of education policy choices
Zoe Fuller said she has made some peace with the news of her school’s closure, but initially, she said she was really upset. She and her friend Kaitlyn Manning chatted easily on Monday as they walked down Ben Eielson Junior Senior High School’s linoleum halls, lined with sports trophies and blue lockers. Ben Eielson is […] The post School closure on Alaska Air Force base highlights effects of education policy choices appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Alaska tribal health consortiums are legally immune in many cases, state Supreme Court says
The Alaska Supreme Court overturned a 20-year-old precedent Friday by ruling that Alaska Native tribal organizations can more easily receive the kind of sovereign legal immunity that individual tribes have. Friday’s 4-1 decision means the tribal consortiums that provide health care for tens of thousands of Alaskans — both Native and non-Native — are largely […] The post Alaska tribal health consortiums are legally immune in many cases, state Supreme Court says appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Both sides of Alaska homeschool case want programs in place, disagree over how it should happen
The administration of Gov. Mike Dunleavy and plaintiffs in a court case whose outcome struck down key components of Alaska’s homeschool programs have different ideas for how to get families who use those programs through the next year. Earlier this month, Anchorage Superior Court Judge Adolf Zeman ruled that the law allowing the state to […] The post Both sides of Alaska homeschool case want programs in place, disagree over how it should happen appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Alaska House approves social media ban for young kids, online pornography ID checks for all
The Alaska House of Representatives voted by a wide margin and with bipartisan support on Friday to ban children younger than 14 from using online social media. House Bill 254, from Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, also requires companies that provide internet pornography to check whether an Alaskan viewing that pornography is at least 18 years […] The post Alaska House approves social media ban for young kids, online pornography ID checks for all appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Tire toxicity faces fresh scrutiny after salmon die-offs
For decades, concerns about automobile pollution have focused on what comes out of the tailpipe. Now, researchers and regulators say, we need to pay more attention to toxic emissions from tires as vehicles roll down the road. At the top of the list of worries is a chemical called 6PPD, which is added to rubber […] The post Tire toxicity faces fresh scrutiny after salmon die-offs appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Top GOP ‘election integrity’ lawyer charged in Arizona fake elector scheme
Less than a week after the Republican National Committee unveiled a “historic” new program to monitor the polls for fraud, a top lawyer with the committee was among those indicted for an alleged scheme to use false fraud claims to overturn the results of Arizona’s presidential election. Indeed, the lawyer, RNC senior counsel for election […] The post Top GOP ‘election integrity’ lawyer charged in Arizona fake elector scheme appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Report portrays mixed picture of Alaska’s huge seafood industry
The Alaska seafood industry remains an economic juggernaut, but it is under strain from forces outside of the state’s control, according to a new report commissioned by the state’s seafood marketing agency. The report from the McKinley Research Group, titled The Economic Value of Alaska’s Seafood Industry, is the latest in a periodic series commissioned […] The post Report portrays mixed picture of Alaska’s huge seafood industry appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Alaska Senate panel approves state spending plan with smaller dividend than House proposed
The Alaska Senate is moving toward a final vote on its draft state spending plan for the coming fiscal year, with lawmakers expected to vote next week on a proposal that includes enough money to pay a 2024 Permanent Fund dividend estimated to be $1,580 per recipient. The Senate’s draft operating budget is different from […] The post Alaska Senate panel approves state spending plan with smaller dividend than House proposed appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
New Alaska research projects focus on climate change, mercury and workforce development
Four new research projects selected for funding in a University of Alaska Anchorage program will address some of the most pressing problems facing the state: climate change, marine ecosystem health and losses in the labor force. The projects, each designed to run for two years, were winners in an annual competition that uses an endowment […] The post New Alaska research projects focus on climate change, mercury and workforce development appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
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