Politics

On March 13 of this year, Pete Kaiser became the first Bethel musher and the first musher of Yup’ik descent to win the Iditarod. Kaiser grew up competing in local races in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. His list of achievements include being the first winner of the "Kuskokwim Triple Crown," having won the Akiak Dash in 2005, the Bogus Creek 150 in 2008, and four consecutive Kuskokwim 300 victories from 2015 to 2018. On Tuesday, Bethel City Council will consider a proclamation to declare March 13 "Pete Kaiser Day." 

The Bethel City Council adopted a resolution opposing Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed state budget at its Tuesday meeting.

Another organization in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta came out against Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed budget cuts this week. The board of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation passed a resolution saying that cuts to state funding for Medicaid expansion "will not save Alaska any money.”

Bethel Mayor Fred Watson has drafted a resolution opposing Gov. Mike Dunleavy's proposed budget following a town hall meeting last week. During the meeting, representatives of Bethel organizations outlined how funding cuts could reduce or even eliminate their services.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed 2020 budget is unpopular with some leaders and organizations in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The Association of Village Council Presidents passed a resolution at the beginning of March that condemns his proposed cuts.

The Alaska House is holding public meetings across the state to hear from constituents on the state budget and Permanent Fund Dividends.

Michael Cohen, President Trump's former lawyer, is testifying on Capitol Hill. Cohen has been sentenced to three years in prison, to begin in May. He pleaded guilty last year to charges of campaign finance violations and other charges related to his work for Trump.

Be aware that during today’s live broadcast of Michael Cohen’s testimony to Congress some offensive language may be heard, as there may be offensive language during his testimony.

Casual vendors now have more opportunities to sell goods in Bethel before they have to get a business license and begin paying city sales tax. On Tuesday, the Bethel City Council unanimously voted to double the number of casual annual sales allowed per vendor from five to 10.