Foster Care Relief, 'Dark Money' Law Heads to Supreme Court, and Serial Killer Found Dead

Local First News (News of the North)

We report on the recent death of Joshua Wade, an Alaska serial killer, in an Indiana prison. Wade, serving life sentences for multiple murders, was found unresponsive in his cell on June 14 and pronounced dead. We'll review his criminal history and the legal proceedings that followed his crimes.

We examine the legal challenge against Alaska's "dark money" law. A group of plaintiffs has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the law, which mandates political donors to disclose their identities. We'll explain the arguments on both sides and the potential implications for political transparency.

We'll also share updates on foster care funding in Alaska. State officials have announced that they will continue to cover child care costs for foster families, even after federal pandemic-era funding ends. We'll hear from foster parents and advocates about the impact of this support.

In the second half, we discuss the federal allocation of nearly $12 million to address salmon fishery disasters in Alaska. This funding aims to support restoration efforts and mitigate future risks related to chum and sockeye salmon failures.

Additionally, we'll provide an update on improvements in Alaska's food aid program. State officials report that the backlog of SNAP applications has been cleared, with a significant increase in on-time processing. We'll look at the measures taken to achieve this improvement and future plans for the program.

Lastly, we highlight an upcoming event for animal lovers. Juneau Animal Rescue is hosting a Meet & Greet at Treadwell Arena on June 29, featuring adoptable cats and dogs, agility course demonstrations, and educational sessions on responsible pet ownership. It's an opportunity to find a new pet and support animal welfare in the community.