Politics

It’s been three weeks since a fire destroyed Tuluksak’s only source of drinking water. Since then, the village has been living on donations of bottled water that have come from activists, a gold mining company, and even an Indigenous rapper from the pop-rap group the Black Eyed Peas. But noticeably absent have been supplies from the state government.

Democratic State Sen. Lyman Hoffman predicts that this legislative session will be “one of the most interesting for the people of Alaska to watch.” 

The City of Bethel has vacant seats on most of its committees and commissions. Some of them haven’t been able to meet in months, due to lack of a quorum. City committees and commissions make up an important part of city government. Their volunteer members help shape city policies and laws.

The 32nd Alaska Legislature convened in Juneau on Jan. 19. The Senate organized a Republican majority caucus for the ninth straight year and selected a leader, but the House remains unorganized, without a majority or a Speaker. Democratic Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky represents the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in the House. She spoke with KYUK about how the unorganized body can move forward.

The incentives that the City of Bethel offers to encourage people arriving at the airport to be tested for COVID-19 may not be working all that well, but the city council has decided to renew the program anyway.

Alaska’s largest Alaska Native organization is calling for President Donald Trump to resign.