Today’s new, relevant links for our readers, courtesy of Alaska State Senate Majority:

Governor fends off criticism over Alaska LNG, says oil companies back a bigger state role
Gov. Bill Walker on Tuesday shot back at what he called “misstatements” about his pursuit of an Alaska-led gas project, decrying assertions by critics that he would force the leading North Slope oil producers to market gas by threatening to put them in default on their leases.

Jahna Lindemuth is Alaska’s new attorney general
Gov. Bill Walker on Tuesday announced that Jahna Lindemuth, a civil practice attorney at the Anchorage law firm Dorsey & Whitney, will be Alaska’s next attorney general.

Wasilla city council member with bipartisan support steps down
WASILLA — Wasilla City Council member Brandon Wall announced his resignation Mondaynight.

US Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor is heading to Fairbanks
This August, Alaskans will have a chance to see an associate justice of the nation’s highest court speak in Fairbanks.

Mat-Su ferry passes sea trial, readies for Philippine journey
PALMER — The Matanuska-Susitna Borough ferry, a craft that never plied the waters of Cook Inlet as intended, is in the final stages of a long-awaited trip to the Philippines.

Thinking the unthinkable: A former Republican Treasury secretary on a Trump presidency
Republicans stand at a crossroads. With Donald Trump as the presumptive presidential nominee, we are witnessing a populist hijacking of one of the United States’ great political parties.

For the GOP, a time for resistance
In his resignation speech following Great Britain’s vote to divorce from the European Union, Prime Minister David Cameron claimed several achievements by his government: reforming welfare and education; increasing development assistance to “the poorest people in the world”;

Murkowski bill aimed at solving rental problem in Anchorage’s Davis Park
An amendment introduced by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski into a recent federal defense spending bill would allow the city of Anchorage to keep leasing a park in Mountain View from the military for free, an arrangement that appeared to be in jeopardy earlier this year.

What would the Founding Fathers think about guns in the grocery store?
America’s birthday is rapidly approaching and, as it does, we should all spend at least a brief moment between hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill to contemplate that fact.


How Brexit may affect Alaska’s economy
FAIRBANKS — The United Kingdom plays a role in Alaska’s economy and “Brexit” will make an impact, but the future is murky.

Fairbanks Four attorney named to Alaska’s top legal post
FAIRBANKS—One of the lead attorneys who fought to prove the innocence of the Fairbanks Four is now head of the legal department she once battled.

Anti-marijuana industry effort running at full steam
FAIRBANKS — More than two dozen volunteers are fanned out in the Fairbanks North Star Borough in an effort to gather signatures to stop the commercialization of pot beyond city borders, according to volunteers with the campaign.


My Turn: On the PFD restructuring
When Gov. Bill Walker announced his plan to cut the Permanent Fund Dividend and restructure the permanent fund for government spending, I sought advice from Vernon Smith, PhD, and Nobel Laureate.

Alaska Editorial: PFD divide a part of politics
The state House — where all of the seats will be on the ballot — won’t touch the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend no matter what; right or wrong, it won’t touch it.

Assembly shoots down grocery sales-tax exemption question
The Juneau Assembly handily shot down a proposal that could have removed the 5 percent sales tax on groceries during a work session Monday night.

Mining for grants and striking gold
During its roughly 40-year lifespan, the Alaska Treadwell Gold Mining Company pulled almost $70 million worth of gold out of the earth beneath Douglas Island.


Jahna Lindemuth to serve as next Alaska Attorney General
Governor Walker announced Tuesday afternoon that Jahna Lindemuth would succeed Craig Richards as the state’s next Attorney General.

EIA predicts lean oil decades for Alaska
The Energy Information Administration released its Annual Energy Outlook today. It shows oil production from Alaska dwindling to less than half its current level after 2030.

Environmental group clashes with BlueCrest on fracking
The Center for Biological Diversity is calling for the National Marine Fisheries Service to stop BlueCrest Energy’s plans to conduct hydraulic fracturing of oil wells in Cook Inlet, citing concern for beluga whales.

In Northwest Arctic, controversy continues on eve of new caribou restrictions
For the first time ever, hunters who live outside the Northwest Arctic will not be allowed to hunt caribou on federal lands

Anchorage receives $1.3 million grant to revise homeless services
The city of Anchorage is getting a new pool of money to address homelessness. The mayor’s office announced today a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Departments of Justice and Housing and Urban Development.

Potholes to hashtags, Anchorage hires its first tech czar
Brendan Babb previously worked in the private tech sector, and volunteered on tech-oriented civic projects. Photo via LinkedIn.


Q&A: Governor explains shifting plans for Alaska LNG Project
ANCHORAGE (KTUU) – State government is considering the possibility of taking a bigger stake in a gasline mega-project that would connect North Slope reserves to market.

Governor names new attorney general, introduces new commissioners
The announcement, made by the governor during a news conference in his Anchorage offices, comes just a week after Craig Richards resigned the post saying he wanted to focus on his family.  Walker also seized the moment to introduce three other recently appointed commissioners, who were named as the governor nears the midway point of his four-year term.

U.S. Supreme Court justice to give talk at University of Alaska Fairbanks
Sotomayor will speak in Fairbanks on Aug. 14 at 4 p.m. at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Charles Davis Concert Hall. It’s free and open to the public.

State of Alaska, consumers to receive payout in Volkswagen settlement
Both the State of Alaska and consumers will receive money from Volkswagen after the company’s cars were revealed to have software designed to beat emissions tests.

Susitna Ferry cleared to set sail for the Philippines
ANCHORAGE (KTUU) After undergoing engine repairs and passing inspection, the Susitna Ferry is now ready to set sail for the Philippines.


Wall resigns from Wasilla City Council
WASILLA — City officials will spend part of July looking for a replacement city council member following the resignation of Brandon Wall Monday evening.


Alaska attorney general known for work with Fairbanks 4
ANCHORAGE — Jahna Lindemuth didn’t get a seat on the Alaska Supreme Court last month, but she got the attention of Alaska Gov. Bill Walker when she was a finalist.

BlueCrest opens Anchor Point oil wellpad with ceremony
BlueCrest Energy ceremonially opened their Hansen Production Facility, an oil wellpad on the shore of Cook Inlet near Anchor Point.