The Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that airports in Alaska will receive in federal aid.The money is the state’s share of $10 billion issued to airports nationwide by the CARES Act., Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said the funding is to preserve airport operations and secure workers’ jobs. It can be used for airport capital projects, as well as payroll, utilities and debt payment.The funding formula given by the federal government is based on passenger numbers per airport, so airports with more people coming through brought in more money.For instance, travel via the...…The Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that airports in Alaska will receive in federal aid.The money is the state’s share of $10 billion issued to airports nationwide by the CARES Act., Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said the funding is to preserve airport operations and secure workers’ jobs. It can be used for airport capital projects, as well as payroll, utilities and debt payment.The funding formula given by the federal government is based on passenger numbers per airport, so airports with more people coming through brought in more money.For instance, travel via the...WW…

By executive order, Gov. Mike Dunleavy said he will create two new state agencies. One, the Department of Family and Community Services will include the Division of Juvenile Justice, the Office of Children’s Services, the Alaska Psychiatric Institute and the Alaska Pioneer HomesThe second agency will be a Department of Health. That department will include the Senior & Disabilities Services, Behavioral Health, Public Health, Public Assistance and Health Care Services divisions.Dunleavy said the idea is to provide better services for Alaskans as the department has continued to grow.Gov....…By executive order, Gov. Mike Dunleavy said he will create two new state agencies. One, the Department of Family and Community Services will include the Division of Juvenile Justice, the Office of Children’s Services, the Alaska Psychiatric Institute and the Alaska Pioneer HomesThe second agency will be a Department of Health. That department will include the Senior & Disabilities Services, Behavioral Health, Public Health, Public Assistance and Health Care Services divisions.Dunleavy said the idea is to provide better services for Alaskans as the department has continued to grow.Gov....WW…

Update — Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO and Alaska Public MediaGov. Mike Dunleavy announced on Tuesday that restaurants and other retail businesses can begin offering more services on Friday, if they follow certain health guidelines.Anchorage businesses will be opening three days later, on Monday, according to Dunleavy.Restaurants that follow the guidelines can offer dine-in services. In addition, retail stores; personal service providers like barbers, nail salons and hairdressers; and other nonessential businesses will be able to offer limited services.“For those that have been chomping at the...…Update — Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO and Alaska Public MediaGov. Mike Dunleavy announced on Tuesday that restaurants and other retail businesses can begin offering more services on Friday, if they follow certain health guidelines.Anchorage businesses will be opening three days later, on Monday, according to Dunleavy.Restaurants that follow the guidelines can offer dine-in services. In addition, retail stores; personal service providers like barbers, nail salons and hairdressers; and other nonessential businesses will be able to offer limited services.“For those that have been chomping at the...WW…

Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced on social media on Thursday afternoon that he’s making a disaster declaration following destructive landslides in and around Haines.I have authorized Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe from the Department of Military & Veteran Affairs to declare a disaster for the Haines area. A signed Disaster Declaration will be issued shortly. More resources & assistance are on the way for the people of Haines— Governor Mike Dunleavy (@GovDunleavy)“More resources & assistance are on the way for the people of Haines,” he tweeted.In a separate tweet, the governor said he’d...…Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced on social media on Thursday afternoon that he’s making a disaster declaration following destructive landslides in and around Haines.I have authorized Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe from the Department of Military & Veteran Affairs to declare a disaster for the Haines area. A signed Disaster Declaration will be issued shortly. More resources & assistance are on the way for the people of Haines— Governor Mike Dunleavy (@GovDunleavy)“More resources & assistance are on the way for the people of Haines,” he tweeted.In a separate tweet, the governor said he’d...WW…

Updated post — Dec. 5, 11:30 p.m.Ketchikan’s emergency operations center says it does not anticipate forcing anyone to leave flood-prone areas — yet. Officials had previously predicted a mandatory evacuation overnight.“I think our immediate danger from the potential to get to that critical level up at the dam has probably passed for the night,” Ketchikan’s emergency manager, Abner Hoage said late Saturday night.“I would sleep with my ringer on. I would not put my earplugs in if I normally sleep with earplugs — just so that you can remain somewhat alert,” he said.Officials continue to...…Updated post — Dec. 5, 11:30 p.m.Ketchikan’s emergency operations center says it does not anticipate forcing anyone to leave flood-prone areas — yet. Officials had previously predicted a mandatory evacuation overnight.“I think our immediate danger from the potential to get to that critical level up at the dam has probably passed for the night,” Ketchikan’s emergency manager, Abner Hoage said late Saturday night.“I would sleep with my ringer on. I would not put my earplugs in if I normally sleep with earplugs — just so that you can remain somewhat alert,” he said.Officials continue to...WW…

U.S. House candidate Alyse Galvin raised more than twice as much money as incumbent Congressman Don Young during the first three months of the year.Galvin, an independent endorsed by the Alaska Democratic Party, raised half a million dollars, according to her latest campaign finance report, covering the first quarter.Young, the most senior Republican in Congress, reports receipts of a little more than $200,000 for the same period. Looking at the whole 2020 campaign, Galvin has also outraised Young, though not as dramatically: $1.3 million versus $1 million.About 45% of Young’s campaign...…U.S. House candidate Alyse Galvin raised more than twice as much money as incumbent Congressman Don Young during the first three months of the year.Galvin, an independent endorsed by the Alaska Democratic Party, raised half a million dollars, according to her latest campaign finance report, covering the first quarter.Young, the most senior Republican in Congress, reports receipts of a little more than $200,000 for the same period. Looking at the whole 2020 campaign, Galvin has also outraised Young, though not as dramatically: $1.3 million versus $1 million.About 45% of Young’s campaign...WW…

Update — Lex Treinen, Alaska Public MediaGov. Mike Dunleavy said Monday that the state will announce later this week its plan for opening hair and nail salons, restaurants, and retail businesses with added protocols to avoid the spread of coronavirus.He said the state may begin to relax regulations as early as next week. He will meet with mayors on the issue this week.“In those businesses, we feel there are protocols those businesses can put in place — face coverings, sanitizing, spacing within their businesses,” Dunleavy said.As the state reopens some sectors, it will watch carefully...…Update — Lex Treinen, Alaska Public MediaGov. Mike Dunleavy said Monday that the state will announce later this week its plan for opening hair and nail salons, restaurants, and retail businesses with added protocols to avoid the spread of coronavirus.He said the state may begin to relax regulations as early as next week. He will meet with mayors on the issue this week.“In those businesses, we feel there are protocols those businesses can put in place — face coverings, sanitizing, spacing within their businesses,” Dunleavy said.As the state reopens some sectors, it will watch carefully...WW…

The state Division of Motor Vehicles office in Haines is among a half-dozen rural branches on the chopping block in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed budget. The administration has suggested Haines residents travel to Juneau — by ferry — so the state can save on employees and offices.Gov. Dunleavy’s budget rolled out earlier this month proposes saving money but eliminating state jobs and lease expenses by shuttering six DMVs: Haines, Tok, Valdez, Eagle River, Homer and Delta Junction.Juneau Democratic Rep. Sarah Hannan, who represents the Upper Lynn Canal, called the plan “ridiculous.”“This is...…The state Division of Motor Vehicles office in Haines is among a half-dozen rural branches on the chopping block in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed budget. The administration has suggested Haines residents travel to Juneau — by ferry — so the state can save on employees and offices.Gov. Dunleavy’s budget rolled out earlier this month proposes saving money but eliminating state jobs and lease expenses by shuttering six DMVs: Haines, Tok, Valdez, Eagle River, Homer and Delta Junction.Juneau Democratic Rep. Sarah Hannan, who represents the Upper Lynn Canal, called the plan “ridiculous.”“This is...WW…

 Gov. Mike Dunleavy is ready to propose his third budget. His first budget proposed dramatic cuts to state services. The next didn’t include those deep cuts, but it drew down state savings. This time, it’s not clear what his plan is — though there are someThe state’s government has been hit hard by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, The state’s budget deficit is now more than $2 billion and the politically divided legislature has struggled to agree on a solution to address it.Dunleavy will be accompanied by the Department of Revenue Commissioner, Lucinda Mahoney, Office of Management and...… Gov. Mike Dunleavy is ready to propose his third budget. His first budget proposed dramatic cuts to state services. The next didn’t include those deep cuts, but it drew down state savings. This time, it’s not clear what his plan is — though there are someThe state’s government has been hit hard by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, The state’s budget deficit is now more than $2 billion and the politically divided legislature has struggled to agree on a solution to address it.Dunleavy will be accompanied by the Department of Revenue Commissioner, Lucinda Mahoney, Office of Management and...WW…