A deeper look at Dunleavy's state budget proposal

Plus: Anchorage’s white raven achieves celebrity status, inspiring art, lore and adulation ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 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, December 18. In today's newsletter: - Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy's budget draft contains hundreds of new policy proposals for lawmakers to consider. [Here are just some]( of the proposed changes. - Seafood industry officials have called for expanding U.S. sanctions to cover any Russian seafood processed in China. In recent weeks, Alaska’s [congressional delegation has stepped up efforts]( to try to make that happen. - Since flying into Anchorage this fall, a unique [white raven has attracted thousands of online fans]( and followers — some traveling great distances for a chance to see it — and inspired local art from photo prints and paintings to earrings and ornaments. Alaska has no shortage of great writers, and our state is a perennial topic of interest inspiring poetry and other prose. This past year was no exception. Our book reviewers' [top selections of 2023]( include novels, memoirs, mysteries and histories as well as tales about boats, sled dogs and polar explorations. Anchorage weather It's mostly cloudy today with a high near 28 degrees, and snow showers are likely. Some isolated snow showers will continue into the evening before it becomes mostly cloudy overnight. A chance of precipitation will hang around for the better part of this week, and daytime temperatures will hover in the low 20s. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com [Gov. Dunleavy’s budget draft has hundreds of new funding proposals. Here are a few. →]( While the budget bill is just a starting point that will be amended by the Alaska Legislature before it’s finalized in mid-2024, it does contain hundreds of new policy proposals for lawmakers to consider. ADVERTISEMENT [Anchorage’s white raven achieves celebrity status, inspiring art, lore and adulation →]( If you want to find the white raven, follow the paparazzi. Since the corvid soared into the city this fall, it has quickly entered the ranks of legendary Anchorage animals — joining, among others, Buzzwinkle the moose, Star the reindeer, and Binky the polar bear. A Facebook group dedicated to the bird has amassed close to 13,000 followers, and the raven has inspired a plethora of art and merchandise in its likeness. [Alaska congressional delegation steps up efforts to shut down U.S. imports of Russian seafood processed in China →]( The campaign to clamp down on Russian-caught imports has gained momentum after reporting earlier this year found evidence that several seafood companies used the forced labor of largely Muslim minorities in northwest China. • See also: [Trident Seafoods finds doing business in China requires watchdogging processors]( [Anchorage Assembly members aim to cut red tape for tri- and fourplex housing →]( Anchorage rules for years have stifled construction of small multifamily housing. Now, three Assembly members have proposed ordinances to remove several of the barriers and prohibitive costs in triplex and fourplex development. [Republican US House Speaker Johnson backs Dahlstrom to challenge Peltola and flip Alaska’s seat →]( Grow the Majority, a fundraising committee affiliated with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, filed documents allowing it to raise funds jointly for Alaska Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom in her challenge to incumbent Democrat Mary Peltola. (via Alaska Public Media) [Dominant performances, heartwarming storylines highlight 2023 Alaska state wrestling tournament →]( The state high school wrestling finals featured several exciting matches over the weekend across the girls division and both boys divisions. ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [Anchorage coffee shop owner accused of feeding moose faces fine →]( [Sea temperatures’ impact on salmon species explored in 2023 Arctic Report Card →]( [FTC will take more time to review grocery megadeal between Kroger and Albertsons →]( [Israel faces new calls for truce after killing of hostages raises alarm about its conduct in Gaza →]( [The rise of AI fake news is creating a ‘misinformation superspreader’ →]( [Team USA skier Michael Earnhart of Anchorage takes freestyle 10K win at Besh Cup →]( 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