Juneau Independent

U.S. jobs increased by 130,000 in January, buoyed by hires in health care, social assistance and construction. But in another sign of anemic hiring last year, estimates for 2025 were revised down by more than a million jobs to a level of low growth rarely seen outside of recessions. 

Lawmakers say the proposals are part of a complex and uncertain budget process — but are they misleading residents who take them seriously?

Officials with the Alaska Department of Corrections told lawmakers a “large fight” with a hefty price tag broke out at the state’s maximum security prison in January, amid downsizing and cost-cutting efforts. 

Eaglecrest is in the news again, with clouds clearing but storm potential. The good news is the Eaglecrest Board of Directors (EBD) recently re-formed under new leadership and new members have extensive Eaglecrest and leadership experience — the “A Team.” Also, Eaglecrest’s General Manager (GM) Craig Cimmons resigned after 14 tumultuous months on the job.

Here’s what’s happening in the Alaska Capitol and elsewhere across the state.

This report contains public information available from local emergency response and law enforcement organizations.

Monday is Elizabeth Peratrovich Day, an Alaska State holiday honoring a Lingit activist, who testified before Alaska’s territorial legislature in Juneau to demand civil rights for Alaska Native people.

The Departments of Agriculture and Interior announced Thursday they're extending the deadline for public comments on changes proposed to the Federal Subsistence Management Program. The deadline to submit public comments was changed from Feb. 13 to March 30, six weeks away.

State auditors found the Office of Children’s Services, which runs the foster care system, had failed to make progress on caseworker shortages despite lawmakers appropriating millions.

Falcons’ Leighton Hall outstanding female wrestler, Andrew Erickson outstanding male.

Ten hopefuls mostly agree on cutting state spending, repealing ranked choice voting and not moving the Capitol during annual Lincoln Day gathering.

I am saddened to see so many people still believe that the 2020 election was stolen. The 2020 election was the most secure election ever. If there were any substantial evidence of voter fraud, it would have emerged.