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Good afternoon. It’s Thursday, June 26.

In today's newsletter:

Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed two bipartisan bills this week, including one that would would have capped interest rates for payday loans in an effort to prevent predatory lending.
Statistics show most of Anchorage’s pedestrian fatalities occur on busy state-maintained roadways with multiple lanes and higher speed limits. Despite pressure to reduce pedestrian casualties, the pace of real change has been slow.
The public agency charged with processing food and health benefit applications has temporarily closed its only Anchorage office to “improve accessibility,” the state Department of Health said.

Scientists have identified what could be the oldest rocks on Earth — about 4.16 billion years old — from a rock formation in Canada. Studying rocks from Earth’s earliest history could give a glimpse into how the planet may have looked and even how life got started.

Anchorage weather

It's partly cloudy today with a high near 64 degrees and a slight chance of rain. We'll see a mix of mostly cloudy skies and precipitation heading into the weekend, and the forecast calls for rain early next week. Daytime temperatures will hover in the mid-60s for the next few days.

Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today.

— Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com

Gov. Dunleavy vetoes bipartisan bills related to school maintenance and payday loans →

Some state lawmakers say that governors in the past have typically worked with legislators to find a compromise that would help avert a veto, but Dunleavy has not done so.

‘Dying on state-managed roads’: Safety improvements lag as pedestrian deaths rise in Anchorage →

State transportation officials say they’re limited by construction funding mechanisms that don’t allow them to post a lower speed limit or add a few light poles without a larger project attached. Some on the Anchorage Assembly say pedestrians are suffering due to the lengthy data collection and planning that have to happen before fixes can occur.

Division of Public Assistance closes Anchorage office for upgrades →

A construction project began after benefit applicants reported long wait times, limited seating and lacking accommodations for those with disabilities.

Alaska’s longest-serving state legislator, Lyman Hoffman, will not run for reelection in 2026 →

The Bethel Democrat, who has served in the state Capitol representing Southwest Alaska since 1987, confirmed that he will not seek reelection. (via Alaska Beacon)

Federal government will allow more harm to polar bears near oil facilities →

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will allow oil and gas workers to more intensely harass polar bears away from people and equipment near the Beaufort Sea. (via Alaska Beacon)

More from the ADN

U.S. Senate approves bill with funding for some rural Alaska schools and towns →

House Republican holdouts threaten revolt over Trump and Senate’s tax bill →

Kroger plans to close 60 U.S. stores over 18 months to improve profits →

Kennedy’s advisers reject flu vaccines with ingredient falsely tied to autism →

States can cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood, divided Supreme Court rules →

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