Lawmakers make bipartisan effort to update Alaska's election laws

Plus: Anchorage’s Bethlehem Shalom on what inspired her latest, ‘Owe Me Money’ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( Today's sponsor: [Today's Sponsor: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities]( Support independent reporting on what Alaskans care about most. [Subscribe today.]( Good afternoon. It’s Thursday, May 4. In today's newsletter: - Alaska lawmakers advanced a bill to update the state's election laws this week that would establish a ballot curing process, signature verification and ballot tracking, among other things. - Hear from Anchorage musician Bethlehem Shalom on what inspired her new single, and about how she mixes fun into her songwriting process. - Plenty of federal funds are coming to Alaska to help bring adequate water and sewer access to rural areas, but officials say the challenge now is making sure those projects are sustainable once they're built. Spring is late in Anchorage, a fact driven home by the [late snow]( that fell over the city on Wednesday. While you’re waiting to start planting outdoors, gardening columnist Jeff Lowenfels has [a list of things you can do]( in the meantime to prep your lawn or garden space. Anchorage weather It's cloudy today with a high near 48 degrees. Cloudy skies will persist on Friday, but we should see at least partly sunny skies over the weekend. Daytime temperatures will climb up into the low 50s this weekend as well. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com [Alaska lawmakers advance bipartisan election bill to implement ballot curing, signature verification]( The last-minute bipartisan effort does not include new campaign contribution limits, nor does it make changes to the state’s open primaries and ranked choice voting system. The bill is a compromise that largely avoids more controversial changes to how the state’s elections are run. [Read More]( ADVERTISEMENT [With money pouring in for Alaska water and sewer projects, focus shifts to ensuring sustainability]( There are 31 communities in Alaska classified as “unserved,” which means under 55% of residents have access to running water. The rural villages in line for new water and sewer projects will also need operations and maintenance support, officials say. (via Alaska Beacon) [Read More]( [It’s time for Anchorage’s annual spring cleanup. Here’s how to participate.]( After a long winter, Anchorage residents have many opportunities over the next few weeks to help clean up the once snow-buried trash that litters the city’s streets and trails this time of year. [Read More]( [The story of a song: Anchorage’s Bethlehem Shalom on what inspired her latest, ‘Owe Me Money’]( Personal turmoil has long inspired Bethlehem Shalom to write music. Her new song song builds on the idea of feeling emotionally unresolved, while its lyrics embrace a spirit of acceptance and renewal. [Read More]( [SPONSORED: After two years, results show boost for Alaska mental health emergency care thanks to new partnerships]( Presented by Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority: New tools for Alaskans facing mental health emergencies — including the nationwide 988 suicide prevention hotline and mobile crisis teams — are part of a larger effort in Alaska to promote better care. [Read More]( ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [➡ Interior Alaska couple accused of defrauding investors in fake marijuana business, charges say]( [➡ Alaska Senate advances bill to make Juneteenth a state holiday]( [➡ Woman struck 3 people in Southeast Alaska with SUV, killing 2 including young son, charges say]( [➡ Ex-Proud Boys leader Tarrio found guilty of seditious conspiracy in Jan. 6 riot preparations]( [➡ Google takes step toward getting rid of passwords, rolls out passkeys for account sign-in]( [➡ Is the travel industry taking self-service too far?]( The ADN relies on readers like you. [Get digital access to the ADN for as low as $1.99 for the first month]( and help us cover the news that matters most here in Alaska. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Click here to unsubscribe and manage your email subscriptions.]( Anchorage Daily News, 300 W 31st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503, United States