Politics

As Tuesday’s meeting approaches, tensions rise as Bethel City Council members remain divided on the completion of the city's audit for last year.

The Alaska State House has set a record for the most days into a legislative session with no House Speaker elected. Thursday marks the 24th day without a speaker. With the House unable to formally deliberate bills or form committees until a leader is elected, Democratic Sen. Lyman Hoffman of Bethel is predicting another long session ahead.

Federal employees returned to work on Monday, following Congress’ decision to fund the government for the next three weeks. The longest federal government shutdown in our nation’s history ended on Friday after stretching 35 days and causing federal workers to miss two paychecks. KYUK checked in on how the shutdown impacted U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service workers in Bethel at the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy's state-of-the-state speech on January 22 hit on key themes from his 2018 campaign. In the speech, he vowed to protect the Permanent Fund Dividend and repeal Senate Bill 91, an attempt to reform criminal justice reform that became law three years ago during the Walker administration. Gov. Dunleavy said that he is making public safety at top priority.

House District 38 Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky, a Bethel Democrat representing most of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, said that she was encouraged by Dunleavy's speech, but still has some concerns. 

Saturday, during the K300 sled dog race, over 40 people gathered at the Cultural Center for Bethel’s Women’s March. Here is an audio postcard of the event. Among those joining the march were men, young and old.