Politics

  Deadline to override the governor’s vetoes is Friday, but first effort failed for lack of votes.   Story by Andrew Kitchenman at KTOO in Juneau who also reports for AlaskaPublic. Alaska lawmakers failed Wednesday to override some $400 million in budget vetoes by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, as fewer legislators were present in Juneau than the 45 votes needed to …

Despite some opposition, the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly voted four to one last night to extend the dates during which fireworks can be legally purchased and used on the island. This is in response to the state fire marshall’s ban on the sale and use of fireworks around much of Alaska due to hot, dry weather, and the dozens of …

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy announced sweeping budget vetoes on Friday, including nearly a $1 million for commercial fisheries management. Plus, a 50-percent cut in travel, which was implemented across all state divisions. The governor says the cuts are necessary to balance the state’s budget and issue a full $3,000 Permanent Fund Dividend this fall. Those vetoes to ADF&G’s budget are …

Among the cuts that Governor Mike Dunleavy announced at today’s press conference was the complete elimination of the state’s senior benefits program, a $21 million cut. City of Kodiak Mayor Pat Branson, who also serves as Executive Director of Senior Citizens of Kodiak, says that this could represent a major hardship for Kodiak seniors, many of whom rely on the …

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy signed the state’s operating budget which goes into effect on July 1.  The governor made 182 line item vetoes. To help you sort through it, here’s a number of links as well a recording of the governor’s half-hour press conference announcing the cuts.   Recording of KMXT’s broadcast of governor’s press conferences: This program was made …

***** KMXT will air live starting at 11:00. Tune in to 100.1 FM. *****   People around Alaska are awaiting the result of Governor Mike Dunleavy’s line item vetoes to the state’s budget. He plans to announce those cuts this morning. The governor will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. to sign the state’s operating budget for the year …

A law that went into effect on January 1 of this year has had boat owners across the state scrambling to get their vessels registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles. SB92, also known as the Derelict Vessels Act, requires all boats, barges, sport fishing guide boats, and tenders over 24 feet in length to be registered with the Alaska …

Despite one voice of opposition during public comments, the Kodiak Borough Assembly voted unanimously to approve almost $160,000 in funding grants to nonprofit organizations around the island. These included the Brother Francis Shelter, at $36,000 and Senior Citizens of Kodiak at $21,000. The Kodiak Island Borough Building. (Photo by Kayla Desroches/KMXT) KMXT was also one of the recipients — the …

  The Alaska legislature has just a few days remaining in the 30-day special session called by Governor Mike Dunleavy. Much of the time has been spent on trying to figure out what the state should do with the Permanent Fund Dividend. And at this point, it is anyone’s guess what could happen with this year’s PFD checks. Governor Mike …

More than two years after the 2016 pink salmon season was officially declared a disaster, things might finally be looking up for gulf fishers expecting relief payments. For months, the disaster relief plan has bounced around in federal and state bureaucracy, without a clear timeline for when it would be officially approved. And as the 2019 season ramps up, many …