Threats, Contraception and Going Offline

Local First News (News of the North)

A Seward man, Matthew Stanley, was arrested after threatening to bomb and shoot Governor Dunleavy over a wage dispute. Federal authorities charged Stanley with identity theft and making terroristic threats.

The Juneau Police Department postponed the release of bodycam footage from the July shooting of Steven Kissack, a homeless man, until the state’s investigation concludes. Alaska’s Office of Special Prosecutions has never filed charges in its 148 prior officer-involved death investigations.

Sitka’s 8,000 residents have been without internet and phone services for over a week after a fiber optic cable break. While repairs are underway, the outage has caused disruptions to businesses and medical services, but has also led to unexpected community bonding as people embrace an offline lifestyle.

A ruling is expected soon in a case challenging the candidacy of Eric Hafner, currently incarcerated in New York, for Alaska's U.S. House seat. The Alaska Democratic Party claims Hafner cannot meet residency requirements while in prison. The court’s decision could alter the ballot ahead of the November election.

Governor Mike Dunleavy vetoed a bill that would have allowed people to get a year’s worth of birth control at once, which supporters said would make it easier for people in rural Alaska to access contraception.