Felons for Office and Faculty Pay Problems

Local First News (News of the North)

Faculty at the University of Alaska have reported missing paychecks, with some employees seeing $0 scheduled for their upcoming payments. The issue, possibly linked to HR understaffing, surfaced as union contract negotiations continue. The university is working to resolve the problem before the next payday.

A recently enacted Alaska law will expand eligibility for food stamps and improve access to Medicaid services for school-age children. The law, effective in 2025, raises the income threshold for food stamps and allows participants to save more while receiving benefits.

A new Alaska law makes vandalism of religious sites a class C felony, punishable by up to five years in jail and a $50,000 fine. Signed into law after antisemitic incidents, the bill aims to curb attacks on religious communities, including Jewish and Muslim institutions.

An Alaska judge has struck down a state law limiting abortion providers to licensed doctors, allowing advanced practice clinicians to perform medication abortions. The ruling helps fill a gap in rural areas where access to doctors is limited.

The Alaska Democratic Party is suing the state’s Division of Elections to disqualify U.S. House candidate Eric Hafner, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence and has never lived in Alaska. The lawsuit argues Hafner does not meet residency requirements and seeks to remove him from the ballot ahead of the election.