Historic Court Appointments & Olympic Hopes

Local First News (News of the North)

Alaska is on the brink of a historic shift with the possibility of having a majority female Supreme Court for the first time ever. The Alaska Judicial Council has announced seven female attorneys are in the running to replace Chief Justice Peter Maassen, who will retire in 2025. This change could see Governor Mike Dunleavy appointing a fourth justice, reshaping the court’s composition.

Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau has been forced to close its new adolescent crisis care program due to financial and staffing issues. The program, which had been providing essential mental health services, struggled with a projected $1.2 million deficit and will be repurposed for other uses, though the hospital's emergency department will continue to offer crisis care.

Vice President Kamala Harris is making waves with a strong fundraising performance in her presidential campaign, raising over $200 million in just one week. This surge comes despite recent criticisms from political opponents, showing her rising popularity.

Team USA’s women's rugby team has advanced to the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics after a decisive win against Great Britain. With hopes high for an Olympic medal, the team will face reigning champions New Zealand in their next match.

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, along with Representative Mary Peltola, are calling on the CDC to reconsider a new dog importation rule that they believe unfairly impacts Alaskans. They argue the rule doesn’t account for Alaska’s unique geography and sled dog culture.

A successful rescue of an entangled Steller sea lion in Kodiak highlights the ongoing efforts to protect wildlife. NOAA Fisheries and local partners freed the sea lion from a plastic band, demonstrating the community's commitment to marine mammal conservation.