Funding for the Department of Homeland Security stopped more than a month ago when congressional Democrats and Republicans and the president put partisanship, reelection campaigns and social media messaging ahead of doing their job.

The Wrangell borough assembly on Feb. 24 unanimously approved a three-year lease with JAG Marine Group, giving the company time to decide if it will proceed with development of a shipyard at the 6-Mile Mill property.

The Alaska Marine Highway System has been struggling with less than full staffing since 2019, with last month’s numbers showing the state ferries were short 59 workers to fill jobs as masters, mates, engineers, seaman and stewards.