Legislators say restrictions on how and when Rural Health Transformation Program funding can be used present problems for Alaska.

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and chair U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski visited Bethel this week to hear directly from tribal leaders and agency heads about the federal government’s response to ex-typhoon Halong and the path forward. Testimony showed that the need for better planning and cooperation between tribes and agencies is immediate.

A group of emergency experts wants the Trump administration to raise the bar for federal help after disasters, and also make it easier for survivors to get money quickly.

Across the country on May 5, communities gathered in honor of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. On the Y-K Delta, where several such cases remain unsolved, dozens took to the street to march in support.

The lion’s share of the funding, $16 million, is going to the coastal village of Chefornak to address the impacts of severe erosion, permafrost thaw, and failing infrastructure. Another $4 million is being used to purchase essential fuel and supplies for more than a dozen Alaska Native communities impacted by a historically cold winter.

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and chair Sen. Lisa Murkowski will appear in person at the YKHC hospital on May 6 to hear from leaders and community members about disaster response, mitigation, resilience, and relocation programs serving tribal communities. The hearing is open to the public.

With all bills set to die at the end of the session on May 20, lawmakers are racing against the clock, and it’s not clear a subsidy for the Alaska LNG project will make it over the finish line.

The Marines announced a new reserve detachment at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and a rotating force to support Marines who arrive for joint military exercises. No troop numbers were announced.

Senate Bill 111, known as the Consumer Digital Right to Repair Act, would require electronics manufacturers to provide parts, documentation and tools to Alaskans looking to fix broken products.

Scientists say Tracy Arm was not on their radar as a particularly dangerous fjord before last year’s tsunami, which was the second-tallest ever documented.