Alaska's budget is stalled as deadline looms

Plus: Alaska Regional Hospital proposes $18M freestanding emergency department in South Anchorage ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( Today's sponsor: [Today's sponsor: Northrim Bank]( Support independent reporting on what Alaskans care about most. [Subscribe today.]( Good afternoon. It’s Monday, May 15. In today's newsletter: - A final budget deal appeared unlikely before the end of the legislative session as Alaska House and Senate leadership met behind closed doors in an attempt to break the logjam. - Alaska Regional Hospital has applied with the state for approval to build an $18 million freestanding emergency department in South Anchorage by the end of next year. - A year after a highly contagious strain of avian influenza was first detected in Alaska, the state veterinarian said the ongoing outbreak continues to pose a serious threat to wild birds and domestic poultry. Why is a moose's nose so big? Some have suggested moose might have such long noses to help them shed heat from their bodies after running to avoid predators, or to better sniff out predators or potential mates. In his latest column, Alaska science writer Ned Rozell [describes one scientist's effort to find an answer](. Anchorage weather It's mostly cloudy today with a high near 60 degrees, though sunshine will increase throughout the day as clouds dissipate. Rain is likely on Tuesday, followed by mostly sunny skies on Wednesday. Daytime high temperatures will hover in the mid- to high 50s. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com [Alaska budget stalled with special session all but inevitable]( The biggest impediment to passing an operating budget is, again, the size of the Permanent Fund dividend. Closed-door negotiations have been held between House and Senate leadership with the intention of crafting a budget deal the House can approve. [Read More]( ADVERTISEMENT adn.com/alaska-news/wildlife/2023/05/14/as-migrating-birds-return-to-alaska-state-veterinarian-warns-of-continued-avian-influenza-threat/ [As migrating birds return to Alaska, state veterinarian warns of continued avian influenza threat](adn.com/alaska-news/wildlife/2023/05/14/as-migrating-birds-return-to-alaska-state-veterinarian-warns-of-continued-avian-influenza-threat/) [The threat to many species of wild birds and backyard poultry flocks is the same or greater than it was last year, said Dr. Bob Gerlach.]( [Read More](adn.com/alaska-news/wildlife/2023/05/14/as-migrating-birds-return-to-alaska-state-veterinarian-warns-of-continued-avian-influenza-threat/) [Alaska Regional Hospital proposes $18M freestanding emergency department in South Anchorage]( The satellite emergency facility would be the first of its kind in Alaska. The hospital tried to build a similar project in 2015, but the state rejected the request. [Read More]( [As homeless camps take root near downtown Anchorage, neighbors say years of progress have been erased in days]( Homeless camps have sprouted around Anchorage after the city closed the mass emergency shelter at Sullivan Arena to all but the most vulnerable residents. Neighbors near downtown say problems have returned and progress has been undone. [Read More]( [3 NFL rookies with Alaska roots are living their dreams and proud of where they come from]( The 2023 NFL Draft weekend saw lifelong dreams of making it to the league come true for a trio of prospects who take pride in having Alaska roots. [Read More]( ADVERTISEMENT [➡ Pedestrian dies after being hit by pickup at Glenn Highway exit]( [➡ Alaska has the nation’s highest rate of deaths by traumatic brain injury]( [➡ More dogs could show up in outdoor dining spaces. Not everyone is happy about it]( [➡ Alaska Legislature votes to criminalize abusive 911 calls]( [➡ How much COVID is in my community? It’s getting harder to tell.]( [➡ South High boys soccer stays hot, avenging season’s sole loss by defeating Colony]( 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