The DEC says that the neglected contamination poses a continuing threat to human health and the environment. Gov. Dunleavy, Attorney General Treg Taylor, and DEC Commissioner Jason Brune sent letters to President Biden and the DOI in May demanding action.

Council motioned to postpone voting on the ordinance till the December 15th meeting because several members of city council and the public indicated the need to request a list of specific titles that Library Director, Katja Wolfe was going to purchase.

Gov. Dunleavy in the press conference Wednesday said that his proposed budget continues the trend of less state spending since he came into office, putting Alaska on track to rebuild and thrive in Fiscal Year 2023 and into the future.

Kenai Peninsula Borough’s unemployment rate in November was 6.5%, compared to 7.9% in November 2020. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 6.0% in November. The comparable U.S. rate declined to 4.2%.

The Biden Administration investments focus on rural communities and will help expand access to high-speed internet, clean water, and reliable electricity in people’s homes and businesses across rural America.

Kenai Police Chief Dave Ross explained to council, “If we don’t change the definition, then off-road vehicles would probably be allowed in all of those places, bike paths, sidewalks, parks and stuff, so it’s important to change the definition. That’s all that this does.”

The townhall meeting was organized by District 29 Rep. Ben Carpenter who said, “I had hoped that the community would show up, ask questions, and get their questions answered from the source instead of what we hear rumors swirling around on Facebook.”

Sullivan says that the NDAA includes numerous provisions for Alaska, including $155 million for military construction, and a new Arctic Security Initiative that aims to resource and integrate Alaska into the larger defense strategy.

The FY23 operating, mental health and capital budget totals $4.6 billion in Unrestricted General Funds (UGF), $912 million in Designated General Funds (DGF), $792 Other State Funds, and $4.6 billion in Federal Funding with the total of all funds at $10.9 billion.