Ketchikan's Community Risk Level Raised to LEVEL 4 VERY HIGH (Raised on MAY 11, 2021) As of 05/21/21 Active Status: There are currently THREE (3) individuals admitted in the COVID-19 unit at PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center.   The total cumulative Ketchikan case count, including travelers, is 639.The number of positive cases of individuals residing or staying in Ketchikan is 618.  Of the 618 cases, there are 76 active cases, 2 deceased, and 540recovered. Ketchikan's Community Risk Level Raised to VERY HIGH (MAY 11, 2021) Ketchikan Vaccination Data Amount of COVID Funding Spent in Alaska & State-by-state (Click here) COVID-19 Vaccine Information for all Alaskans (Click here ) Alaska COVID-19 Daily Updates - Case Counts, etc. All Alaska Health Mandates: COVID-19 Health Mandates, Office of the Governor Ketchikan COVID-19 Daily Updates: Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center COVID-19 Dashboard, updates & alerts... Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Center for Disease Control (CDC) Situation Summary Updated Frequently Ketchikan: Public Meetings Ketchikan: Upcoming Events Ketchikan: Announcements Ketchikan: Classifieds CLASSIFIEDS Publish Your Ad Click Here Historical Ketchikan June Allen Dave Kiffer Louise B. Harrington Ketchikan Weather Ketchikan's Forecast March Daily Records 2021 Ketchikan Feb. 2021 Data Ketchikan Jan. 2021 Data Nat Weather Service KTN Ketchikan Tides & Currents Sunrise - Sunset Ketchikan Search the News Ketchikan Alaska U.S. Congress 2019-2020: Bills that have passed the House & Senate and become Law U.S. Congress 2019-2020: Bills Introduced

Alaska: ATRA Bill Heads to President's Desk; With Biden's Signature, Cruise Ship Operations to Alaska Can Resume; Major cruise lines operations to Alaska could resume the last week of July; Alaskans Come Out in Strong Support of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act Posted & Edited By MARY KAUFFMAN - Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1318, the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act (ATRA). This legislation, led by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all (R-AK), provides cruise ships transporting passengers between the State of Washington and the State of Alaska a temporary fix under the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA). This bill was necessarey due to the Canadian prohibition on passenger vessels traveling through Canadian waters. Without this bill, large cruise ships sailing to Alaska would not have been able to sail to Alaska, as the PVSA requires a stop in a foreign country. The return of large cruise ships to Alaska is critical to provide economic opportunity for communities who rely on tourism. The bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

Following Senate passage of the bill, Congressman Don Young worked with House Leadership to bring the legislation to the floor this week. The Alaska Delegation received assurances from the White House that it would be swiftly signed into law once sent to President Biden.

Dunlevay said, “This is great news for anyone hoping to experience the rugged beauty of the Last Frontier. I thank our partners in the cruise ship industry for their commitment to Alaska and our local economies. This announcement signals a hopeful new chapter for the dozens of communities and tens of thousands of Alaskans who rely on cruise industry partners to help them share Alaska with the world.”

The cruise industry has a combined direct and indirect impact of $3 billion to the state’s gross product. In 2019, 1.36 million passengers came to Alaska via cruise ship.

Quoting Governor Dunleavy's news release, Princess Cruises has announced they will resume operations in Alaska starting July 25th through September 26th, Holland America Line will resume operations July 24th through October 2nd, and Carnival Cruise Line will sail from July 27th through September 14th.

U. S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said, “COVID-19 has devastated Alaska’s tourism industry. After missing the 2020 season due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, Alaskans across the state have been feeling fear, anxiety, and uncertainty over whether or not their jobs—their livelihoods—could survive another cancelled cruise ship season. For many, the advice was just to ‘get through to 2022’, but for the Delegation, that was simply not acceptable. Together, we committed to bringing Alaskans some level of relief.” 

“Today [Thursday] is a great day for Alaska, for our small businesses all across the state, and for Congress. Members from both sides of the aisle - and in both chambers - have come together to help their fellow Americans who are hurting,” said U. S. Senator Sullivan (R-AK).

Senator Sullivan said, “Hundreds of Alaska’s small business owners, who have put their savings, their hopes and their dreams into their businesses, were on the brink of being ruined as a result of the pandemic and the fact that our short cruise ship season was about to be canceled again. Our friends in Canada could have helped us here when we really needed them, and it’s unfortunate that they ultimately did not. But thanks to bipartisan cooperation of Congress and the unrelenting advocacy of Alaska’s delegation, our state is open for business and poised to welcome cruise ship passengers this summer. 2021 will not be the robust cruise ship season we have had in previous years, or was forecasted this year before the pandemic hit, but there will be ships, and there will be people, and that is excellent for Alaska.”

Congressman Don Young (R-AK) said, “Today [Thursday] truly is a great day for the State of Alaska and our communities in Southeast. Alaska's tourism economy depends on the summer cruise season. The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the tourism sector and caused undue stress on the Alaskan small businesses that rely on being able to welcome visitors from around the world."

Congress Young said, "Families in Southeast have been kept awake at night from the stress-driven by uncertainty surrounding the upcoming season. Today's passage of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act brings urgently needed good news to our mom and pop small businesses."

Young said, "This bill solves one-half of the puzzle for the resumption of the 2021 Alaska cruise season, and now it is the CDC's turn to act decisively and promulgate the guidance the industry needs to set sail for Alaska. Even before we had effective vaccines, the CDC allowed airlines, trains, and other hospitality providers to operate unencumbered. On the other hand, cruise lines were singled out and held to a much more prohibitive standard that would have put the final nail in the coffin for the 2021 season. However, in recent weeks, I have worked with the Administration, and I want to thank them for seeing the bigger picture and honoring their commitment to work with the industry to find a path forward under the Conditional Sail Order. I urge the CDC and the Administration to bring that work to fruition so that ships may sail to Alaska."

Young said yesterday's bill passage comes at a critical time. Infections are down, mask mandates are being relaxed, and over 60% of the adult population has received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Young said, "We are turning a corner, and it is time to let our tourism sector get back to normal. This bill speaks to the dogged determination of the Alaska Delegation, and I am very grateful for the help of Senators Murkowski and Sullivan."

"Following Senate passage of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act last week, John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia, described our effort as a 'blip' that would not go any further than the Senate. Now that the bill is headed to the President's desk and cruises will bypass Canada entirely, I am sure that Premier Horgan will never again underestimate the 'small but mighty' Alaska Congressional Delegation," said Congressman Young.

Young concluded saying, "We now have a path forward for a 2021 cruise season, and I am confident that Alaskans will all do their part to ensure a safe and prosperous tour season. To those who will be visiting our state this summer, I say 'welcome to Alaska; we are open for business!'”

Alaskans Come Out in Strong Support of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act 

 The Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, is on its way to the President’s desk to be signed into law. This legislation, led by U.S. Senators Murkowski and Sullivan, and Congressman Young, provides cruise ships transporting passengers between the State of Washington and the State of Alaska a temporary fix under the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA). Due to the Canadian prohibition on passenger vessels traveling through Canadian waters, large cruise ships sailing to Alaska would not have been able to sail to Alaska, as the PVSA requires a stop in a foreign country. - More...
Friday PM - May 21, 2021

Ketchikan: Passage of Alaska Tourism Resoration Act by U.S. Senate Brings Return of Cruise Ships One Step Closer; VERY HIGH Community Risk Level in Ketchikan A Big Concern for Return of Port Calls Posted & Edited By MARY KAUFFMAN- Last Thursday the U.S. Senate passed S. 593, the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act (ATRA) with an amendment by Voice Vote. The legislation was sponsored by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK). This was a major victory for Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan and Alaskans.

The move would bypass the contentious Passenger Vessel Services Act, which requires foreign-flagged vessels to make a stop outside of the U.S. The suspension would lift in February 2022 when the Canada ban expires.

If the Bill passes through the U.S. House of Representatives and is signed by the President in a timely manner, it is possible we could see cruise ships sailing to Alaska this July. The passage of the bill will be a massive boost for the Alaska tourism season, which has suffered greatly from Canada's cruise ship ban.

Things aren't looking good locally for the return of either the large or small cruises for Ketchikan. Uncruise recently canceled its port calls in Ketchikan due to the VERY HIGH Community Risk Level spread of Covid-19. For the first time, Ketchikan's risk level was raised to Level 4 - Very High on May 11, 2021. As of today, the Community Risk Level for Ketchikan remains at Level 4 - VERY HIGH.

With the extreme increase in positive cases during May, even with the passage of this bill by the U.S. House of Represenative and with the President's signature, Ketchikan's currently high community spread risk would more likely than not prohibit the return of any port calls from cruise lines without Ketchkan soon returning to a LOW risk level.

The Ketchikan Emergency Operation Center has provided clear guidance and recommendations on how Ketchikan residents can help move the community risk back to a LOW by working together. May 2021 has been the largest reported positived cases since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. Face maskes are currently strongly recommented by the EOC.

The bill passed last week by the Senate provides a way for cruise ships to bring passengers to Alaska, despite the Canadian prohibition on passenger vessels traveling through Canadian waters en route to Alaska. It will give Alaskans, small business owners, and Alaska’s statewide economy an opportunity to have some semblance of a tourist season. Both Senators spoke on the Senate floor right after the legislation passed to urge the House to swiftly pass the bill in order to prevent Alaskan communities from losing out on another tourism season. U.S. Congressman Don Young (R-AK) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. 

After passage in the U.S. Senate, the bill was sent to to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration on May 17th and as of today is held at the desk. If the bill is passed by the House, it would then go to President Joe Biden. If President Biden signs the bill, it would then become law.

Alaska State Senator Bert Stedman (R-Southeast Islands) in a prepared statement thanked U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan for successfully passing the Alaska Tourism Recovery Act in the U.S. Senate, which would allow large cruise ships to visit Alaska. 

“Thanks to the hard work of Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Dan Sullivan, Alaska’s tourism industry has a fighting chance,” said Sen. Stedman. “Swift passage of the Alaska Tourism Recovery Act through Congress has the potential to not only jumpstart Southeast Alaska’s economic recovery, but provide significant benefit to the whole state.” 

The Act suspends the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 until February 29, 2022, which requires large foreign ships to either stop in a foreign port or start their voyages in a foreign port. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada has prohibited Alaska-bound cruise ships from operating in Canadian waters. 

This legislation comes in response to Canada’s Interim Order No. 5 Respecting Passenger Vessel Restrictions Due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) which bans pleasure craft in Canadian Arctic waters and cruise vessels in all Canadian waters until February 28, 2022. The ATRA works to provide economic opportunity for communities who rely on tourism by temporarily alleviating Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) restrictions—for as long as the Canadian ban is in place—for large cruise ships transporting passengers between the State of Washington and the State of Alaska. The fix is essential to allowing cruise ships to sail to Alaska without requiring they stop in Canada, as U.S. law would normally require. 

“The Alaska Delegation has been working every angle to help find a path forward for struggling Alaskans who rely on the tourism industry. Senate passage of my legislation sends a strong signal that we will not stand idly by, withering on the vine, until another country catches up to our level of readiness. This shows that the health and restoration of our economy cannot be held up by Canada, especially since Alaska has led with vaccinations in the country and our communities are ready to welcome visitors back,” said Senator Murkowski. “Unanimous agreement in the Senate on this bill provides certainty and opportunity for cruise companies to resume sailing to Alaska, as they have for so many years—and more importantly, helps safeguard the livelihoods of Alaskan-owned small businesses, and entire communities, that serve these cruise passengers. I thank Senators Cantwell, Wicker, Blumenthal, and Lee for coming to the table and working with us on a path forward and all my Senate colleagues for recognizing the urgency of this situation for Alaskans. Our hope is that the House will now promptly follow suit.”- More...
Wednesday PM - May 19, 2021

Alaska: Alaska Senate Approves FY22 Capital and Operating Budgets; Senate Approved Approximately $2,300 Permanent Fund Dividend; Largest in History - Today, on the 121st day of the legislative session, the Alaska Senate approved operating and capital budgets that fund constitutionally mandated services, protect billions in the Permanent Fund’s corpus, and provide critical relief to local communities and small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Senators also approved approximately a $2,300 Permanent Fund dividend – the largest in Alaska history.    

House Bill 69  authorizes $4.43 billion in state unrestricted general funds for the upcoming fiscal year 2022 operating expenses and $274.6 million for next year’s capital budget, which leverages nearly $1.9 billion in federal funds for roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. 

With more than $10 billion in the Permanent Fund’s spendable portion, Senators voted to transfer $4 billion into the fund’s principal account, which cannot be spent without amending the state constitution. 

“As we finalize the budgets, we look forward to working with the House and Governor over the summer to finally resolve Alaska’s multi-year fiscal challenge,” said Senate President Peter Micciche R-Soldotna). “With a sustainable fiscal package, our state will attract new investment, grow our economy, and generate good paying jobs for Alaska families.” 

“I'd like to congratulate and thank all the Senators for working collectively on holding the operating expenses flat and passing another historic transfer into the Permanent Fund’s protected principal,” said Senator Bert Stedman (R-Southeast Islands) co-chairman of the Senate Finance.  - More...
Wednesday PM - May 19, 2021

Fish Factor: Alaska’s Seafood Marketing Arm Gets Zero Budget From State By LAINE WELCH - Alaska’s lone seafood marketing arm gets zero budget from the state and to date, has received no pandemic funds.

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute is hoping to get a breather from the more than $1 billion coming to Alaska in the latest round of federal relief dollars under the American Rescue Plan (ARP).

The influx also provides $518 million of non-discretionary funds to Alaska and $220 million for public health and safety, workforce development, education, transportation, and emergency management.

ASMI put in a $20 million request two months ago, but Governor Dunleavy made no mention of it in mid-April when he released his proposals for the ARP money nor anything since.

Dunleavy did include $150 million for Alaska Tourism Revitalization citing the need for “industry relief to promote tourism and adapt services for potential loss of cruise ship season.”

“Recovering market losses from the pandemic will require additional investment,” said Jack Schultheis, ASMI board chair and manager of Kwik’Pac Fisheries in Emmonak.  He cited wide-spread closures, shipping disruptions to markets and added costs for harvesters and processors in the  communities where they operate.  

ASMI revenues dropped 25% in the last year, due to an estimated $500 million in lost income to the statewide fleet. The group is solely funded by a .5% voluntary industry tax based on dock prices and competitive grant funding.

“ASMI’s revenue is expected to decline by $5 million over two years,” said executive director Jeremy Woodrow at a House Fisheries Committee presentation last week.

Along with Covid impacts, Alaska’s seafood industry faces a double-whammy from hurtful trade barriers. Seafood is Alaska’s largest export by far with nearly 75% exported each year to nearly 100 countries.

The newest trade snafu is a 25%-35% tariff imposed last November on U.S. salmon going to the 27 countries that comprise the European Union. The dispute stems from U.S. subsidies being paid to Boeing and competing European aircraft.

China, Alaska’s largest trading partner, has levied 37%-42% tariffs on Alaska seafood since 2018.

Russia, Alaska’s largest competitor, slammed its doors on U.S. seafood purchases in 2014, but Russian exports to the U.S. are up 173%.

ASMI’s profile and the off-kilter seafood trade deals could get a nudge from two resolutions filed last week by Alaska senators. Senate Joint Resolution 16 calls on President Biden to immediately seek and secure an end to the Russian embargo on U.S. seafood imports.

Senate Joint Resolution 17 asks the U.S. Trade Representative to bring a renewed focus on the plight of producers of seafood in Alaska and the U.S., and to compel China to comply with its commitment to increase its imports of U.S. seafood products. - More...
Wednesday PM - May 19, 2021

Southeast Alaska: IFA to resume daily service - On Tuesday June 1st, the Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA) will return to their seven day a week schedule with a 140 passenger capacity.

Current demand leading into the summer is strong, we are making this change to stay within our self-imposed 75% capacity limit to safely accommodate as many of our customers as possible.

This change has been made in the reservation system for the months of June, July and August. IFA managementg will make a decision later in the summer as to the permanency of this change.

The IFA reminds their customers that wearing a face covering is required on IFA Vessels and in IFA Terminals. - More...
Wednesday PM - May 19, 2021

Ketchikan: Bob McClory, Ketchikan High School Counselor, Congratulated for Recent Award - The University of Alaska Southeast acknowledged Bob McClory of Ketchikan High School for his recent honor receiving the Sister Shawn Marie Barry Distinguished Service to Youth Award from the Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling (PNACAC).  This award is given to members of the organization who demonstrate outstanding and faithful service to youth. 

According to the PNACAC announcement, “Throughout Bob's years in education, he has helped numerous students with setting up summer internships, meetings with potential employers, and other various recognitions and experiences! He is passionate about creating opportunities and maintaining programs in his state that will provide students with the necessary skills to enter today’s workforce, specifically within skilled trades. Bob is a counselor who cares deeply about his students and continues to maintain contact with his students during their adult lives. Retiring this year, Bob plans to continue his involvement in education in various ways.”

UAS works with high school counselors across Alaska, and their Rural Admissions Counselor Dannielle Carlson remarked, “Bob McClory is hands down one of the best high school counselors I have ever had the pleasure to work with. It is undeniably clear how much he cares about each one of his students and their futures. He shows so much gratitude every time I am able to help one of his students with an application, scholarship information, or even just sitting down and talking with them. He is fantastic at what he does and it makes complete sense that he received this award. Totally deserved!.” - More...
Wednesday PM - May 19, 2021

Southeast Alaska: Tribes, Southeast Alaskans, and British Columbians respond to lack of commitment to protect salmon rivers from Transboundary Bilateral Working Group  - Alaskan and British Columbian Members of the Transboundary Bilateral Working Group held a public meeting today to share information on progress under the memorandum of understanding, the results of the recently completed transboundary monitoring project, and information on the Tulsequah Chief Mine.

At their first joint public meeting today, Alaska’s Dunleavy Administration and the Province of British Columbia (B.C.) attempted to reassure the public they are working to protect people, imperiled salmon, and transboundary salmon rivers from B.C.’s modern-day Gold Rush at the headwaters of the shared Taku, Stikine, and Unuk Rivers. Peter Robb, Assistant Deputy Minister of the B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low-Carbon Innovation, stated that this region is where most of B.C.’s mining exploration is focused and where B.C. hopes to build more mines because “it is the ‘Golden Triangle’ after all.” According to some attendees, this comment and the meeting presentations did little to allay or meaningfully address three long-term concerns and requests of Alaskans and British Columbians - asks that are only growing more urgent as transboundary salmon runs continue to plummet. 

Southeast Alaskans and British Columbians have been calling for cleanup of the Tulsequah Chief mine for decades. The mine, which was abandoned in 1957, has been polluting the Taku River watershed for 63 years. In August 2020, the B.C. government released a draft Closure and Reclamation Plan for the Tulsequah Chief Mine Site. However, this Plan appears more of an options package with numerous unanswered questions than a specific plan with clear timelines and procedures. 

First, “Today’s presentation did not provide much clarity. While it is encouraging to see B.C. take some actions to address the ongoing pollution from Tulsequah Chief, we are very much concerned about the slow pace, lack of funding, and lack of a clear and detailed commitment to full cleanup and closure of Tulsequah Chief. B.C. has taken no action to hold any of the previous owners of the mine accountable, including Teck Resources, which raises concerns about cleanup of the Tulsequah Chief, and also for B.C.’s commitment to a ‘polluter pays’ policy,” said Chris Zimmer of Rivers Without Borders.

“Tulsequah Chief is one of B.C.’s top 12 polluting and risky mines for its pollution of a top salmon-producing watershed and for the financial risks it has imposed on B.C.'s public. A regulatory overhaul is urgently needed in B.C. before the many large-scale mines being proposed and approved on transboundary waters amplify these types of risks and negative impacts on both sides of the border,” urged Adrienne Berchtold, Mining Impacts Researcher for SkeenaWild Conservation Trust in British Columbia.

Secondly, there is broad support from political, community, and Indigenous leaders on both sides of the border for B.C. to require companies with transboundary mines to post a full reclamation bond at permitting to ensure full mine cleanup at closure--in order to avoid chronic pollution like that at Tulsequah Chief. The State of Alaska requires this full reclamation bond, but B.C. still does not require this of companies who operate or wish to operate some of North America’s largest open-pit mines along shared salmon rivers. - More...
Wednesday PM - May 19, 2021

Alaska: Alaska joins other states ending participation in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation; Legislators are urging Governor to reconsider Posted & Edited By MARY KAUFFMAN - Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Dr. Tamika L. Ledbetter announced last week Alaska will end its participation in the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation weekly $300 supplemental benefit on June 12, 2021.

"As Alaska's economy opens up, employers are posting a wide range of job opportunities and workers are needed," said Commissioner Ledbetter.

Quoting a news release from the Alaska Department of Labor, Unemployment Insurance is a short-term relief program funded through employer and employee contributions.  Federal and state program expansions have added additional weeks of eligibility and supplemental funding to the normal state benefit.  

However, Legislators are urging Gov. Mike Dunleavy to reconsider his decision to prematurely end distribution of federal pandemic unemployment compensation payments.

While eligible Alaskans should receive an additional $300 in weekly unemployment benefits through September 6, the governor opted to take tens of millions of dollars out of the pockets of Alaskans by ending our state's participation in the federal program on June 12.

According to the Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Alaska’s unemployment rate in March was at 6.6 percent, higher than the national average of 6 percent. The State is currently down 21,900 jobs from last year. 

"If Governor Dunleavy doesn’t reverse his decision, Alaskans will lose at least $50 million dollars. At a time when local businesses are struggling, we need every dollar we can get circulating in our economy," said Rep. Zack Fields (D-Anchorage), co-chair of the Labor and Commerce Committee. 

"Alaskans who lose a job receive the least support of workers anywhere in the country," added Rep. Ivy Spohnholz (D-Anchorage), co-chair of the Labor and Commerce Committee. "This is especially devastating to the thousands of unemployed workers from the oil and gas, mining, and professional services industries, who will, on average, go from 35% to 19% replacement of lost wages."

"I sympathize with Alaskan business owners who are struggling to hire right now, but drastically reducing these benefits which were already temporary, and at no costs to Alaskans, is bad policy as our communities continue to suffer the economic effects of COVID," Rep. Bryce Edgmon (I-Dillingham) said. "Collecting unemployment benefits without actively searching for work or turning down offers is fraud. Our fraud rate for 2020, during periods of distribution for historically high benefits, was 1 percent." - More...
Wednesday PM - May 19, 2021

Alaska: Proposal aimed at identifying long-term ferry solutions passes Senate, 20-0; Back to House for final approval before being sent to Governor - A bill establishing a nine-member Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board passed the Alaska State Senate yesterday, 20-0. 

House Bill 63 is designed to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders who rely on the ferry to keep the system working for Coastal Alaska.

"Restoring reliable and consistent ferry service has been my top priority since I was sent to Juneau, and my seventh year here has proven to be the lucky charm," said House Speaker Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak), who sponsored the bill. "The fact this bill passed both bodies unanimously shows the incredible work we've all done to emphasize how important our ferries are to Alaskans. I am absolutely delighted with today's outcome." 

"The marine highway touches virtually every aspect of life in my district," Rep. Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan) said. "Having long-time marine highway expertise helps guide decision-making for the ferries and can only benefit the system and the many Alaskans who rely on it.” - More...
Wednesday PM - May 19, 2021

Alaska: Measure supporting Alaska's aquatic farmers unanimously passes Legislature; Heads to Governor's Desk - A bill that removes a layer of bureaucracy from aquatic farmers cleared its final legislative hurdle this weekend, as the House of Representatives voted 37-3 to adopt the Senate version of House Bill 115.

HB115 expedites the lease renewal process by making it consistent with other DNR lease renewal processes. This lowers the risk of investment for farmers and reduces the state agency’s workload. The process would be shortened from 200 days to around 90 days, without sacrificing appropriate regulator oversight, public engagement, and appeal. 

"One of the biggest things the State of Alaska needs to do is support small businesses, especially as we recover economically from the pandemic," added Rep. Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan). "Lowering the regulatory burden on our aquatic farmers will encourage new businesses to open and support the good work many are already doing." - More...
Wednesday PM - May 19, 2021

Alaska: Alaska Legislature Passes Bill Allowing for Permanent Industrial Hemp Program; Goes to Governor - Senate Bill 27,  a bill allowing for more business opportunities for industrial hemp, was passed by the Alaska Legislature today.

SB 27 would allow for the state to maintain a permanent industrial hemp program and allow for more broad interstate commerce of Alaska-grown and manufactured hemp products.

“The passage of Senate Bill 27 will not only ensure federal compliance, but will also provide agricultural and manufacturing business opportunities for hemp and help diversify our state’s economy,” said Senate Majority Leader Shelley Hughes (R-Palme), the bill’s sponsor. - More...
Wednesday PM - May 19, 2021

Alaska: Legislature Passes Bill To Help Property Owners Stuck With Abandoned Vehicles; Heads to Governor for Signature - Today, the Alaska State Legislature passed Senate Bill 76 by Senator Jesse Kiehl (D-Juneau), which shortens the wait for private property owners to dispose of abandoned vehicles. Current law requires a person to live with an abandoned car in their driveway or on their lot for six months before starting the legal process to deal with it. Senate Bill 76 shortens that six month waiting period to 30 days. 

“Dumping cars on private property happens way too often, all across our state. With this bill, the process to get rid of abandoned vehicles left on your property gets five months shorter,” said Sen. Kiehl. “In a perfect world, we’d take the burden of paying for disposal off the homeowner’s shoulders, too, but I’m glad we could at least give people an option to deal with it much, much sooner.” - More...
Wednesday PM - May 19, 2021

Alaska: Alaska Senate Passes Bill Expanding Disability Coverage for Firefighters; Heads House for Consideration - On Tuesday, the Alaska Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 131, adding breast cancer to the list of diseases presumed covered by workers’ compensation insurance for firefighters.

“Male firefighters are seven and half times more likely to die from breast cancer than their non-fire service counterparts,” said Sen. Roger Holland, R-Anchorage, the bill’s sponsor. “Without presumptive law coverage, the process to get care can be difficult and expensive at a time when the firefighter and their loved ones should be able to focus on treatment, wellness and sometimes end-of-life decisions.” 

Between 2002 and 2019, cancer was responsible for two-thirds of firefighter line of duty deaths. - More...
Wednesday PM - May 19, 2021

Alaska: Alaska SBDC Releases Compelling COVID-19 Impact Data on Small Businesses; Tourism and Hiring Present Ongoing Challenges for Alaskans - The Alaska Small Business Development Center (Alaska SBDC) has released its preliminary COVID-19 impact survey results on small businesses spanning the state. A familiar story emerges from the data: COVID-19 has negatively impacted the hiring market and tourism-based businesses. The main takeaways from the 1,200 survey responses are:

• 43% of respondents reported they received PPP funding and 37% said they used the funds to retain staff that they otherwise would have let go or furloughed
  
  
• The top 4 industries to report “Hiring Difficulties'' include Food Service/Accommodation, Retail, Agriculture/Fishing, and Arts/Recreation
  
  
• The top 5 hardest-hit Southeast Alaskan communities include Skagway, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Haines, and Hoonah-Angoon

Hiring Difficulties

Nearly 1,200 responses collected from across the state show that small businesses are struggling to hire employees. In fact, 31% of respondents have decreased staffing levels since COVID-19, and another 38% have maintained levels of staffing. This is particularly interesting considering that $3 billion in direct spending was allocated across the state, primarily for payroll expenses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). - More...
Wednesday PM - May 19, 2021

Alaska: Alaska Court System Website Experiencing Cyberattack; Online Services Temporarily Disconnected - The Alaska Court System (ACS) has temporarily disconnected online services, including the ability to look up case information in CourtView, to remove malware from its servers. At this time, the court system does not believe any confidential court documents or employee information has been compromised, but will promptly notify any affected individuals if that occurs. No customer credit card information was compromised. Last updates were on April 20, 2021.

The court system is working with a cybersecurity company to respond to the incident and prevent any further system breaches. ACS disconnected its servers from the internet to stop any additional incursions. This impacts the public’s ability to:

• access the court calendars on the Alaska Court System website;
• access to CourtView, the court’s case management system which includes listings of all filings, orders, and hearing dates;
• send email to any court email addresses, including filing documents by email;
• receive email from court email addresses;
• eFiling through TrueFiling;
• submit online juror questionnaires;
• participate by Zoom in hearings or meetings;
• participate in hearings by video from jail facilities that use Polycom systems;
• make online payments for bail or filing fees; and
• send citations through TRACS.

The following systems will continue to work: - More...
Wednesday PM - May 19, 2021

Alaska: DHSS website experiencing cyberattack; some services disrupted as investigation is conducted -The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has identified the dhss.alaska.gov website as the target of a malware attack. The department is investigating the incident in cooperation with the appropriate authorities and is taking immediate actions to prevent further disruption and harm to its servers, systems and databases.

“I am grateful to our Information Technology staff for the long hours they have already put in to work through this cyberattack and for everyone at DHSS who is making sure our programs and services have not been halted,” said Commissioner Adam Crum. “Unfortunately, this type of malicious attack is part of the cost of conducting any kind of business online as there are constant threats from people worldwide trying to infiltrate IT systems. I want to assure Alaskans that our department is doing everything possible to get our website back up and running safely and to understand the scope of the attack, its impacts, and how to prevent this from happening in the future.”

The DHSS website was taken offline the evening of Monday, May 17 while the investigation is being conducted and will be unavailable to the public until further details are known about the incident. Some services, such as COVID-19 vaccine appointment scheduling and the data dashboards, are hosted by outside sources and can still be accessed through covid19.alaska.gov.

The list of affected services is below. However, the department is working as quickly as possible to ensure continuity of services to beneficiaries and providers. Investigators are also in the process of determining whether any personal or confidential information was compromised. - More...
Wednesday PM - May 19, 2021

FINANCIAL FOCUS: What to Expect from a Financial Review Provided By BEN EDWARDS, AAMS® - The COVID-19 pandemic may have unsettled many aspects of your life – including your financial situation. Even if your employment and earnings were not directly affected, you might have concerns about whether you’ve been making the right investment moves in such a stressful environment. The pandemic is, hopefully, just a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, but different events can rattle financial markets. And changes in your own life also can affect your plans. To prepare yourself for whatever tomorrow may hold, you may want to get some professional help – but what, really, can you expect from a financial advisor?

A financial advisor will look holistically at your life – your family composition, your career, your hopes and dreams, your instincts about saving and spending money, your risk tolerance and other factors. So, during your initial meeting, and at subsequent reviews afterward, here are some of the key areas you’ll discuss: - More...
Wednesday PM - May 19, 2021

DAVE KIFFER: Smile. For the next 40 years. - As another school year winds down, students will soon take part in that honored tradition: The receiving of the school yearbook.

Granted, it's not as big a deal as prom or graduation or even that last walk-through the door into a glorious summer of "no more pencils, no more books, no more teachers' dirty looks". (Shout out to Alice Cooper!)

To be honest, at the time, it seems that the only people who really care about the yearbook are the students who work on it and the always harried advisor that "pushes them like a rented mule" to make the deadlines.

But if you jump ahead a couple of decades, the yearbooks suddenly take on a very significant role in the mythology of our high school experience.

In the same way that living in a small town guarantees that you will make the make the newspaper at least a few times (birth, marriage, death) in your life, the yearbook turns out - in the future - to be the only tangible evidence that you were - indeed - here.

Which, of course, can be a good or a bad thing. - More...
Wednesday PM - May 19, 2021

Political Cartoon: Lumber Shortage 2021
by Dave Granlund©2021, PoliticalCartoons.com
Distributed to subscribers for publication for Cagle Cartoons, Inc.

Political Cartoon: The CDC masking advice
by Dave Whamond©2021, Canada, PoliticalCartoons.com Distributed to subscribers for publication for Cagle Cartoons, Inc.

Political Cartoon: MIDDLE EAST POLICY
by Dick Wright©2021 PoliticalCartoons.com
Distributed to subscribers for publication for Cagle Cartoons, Inc.

Political Cartoon: US Increases Vaccine Exports to The World
by R.J. Matson©2021 CQ Roll Call
Distributed to subscribers for publication for Cagle Cartoons, Inc.