An Anchorage man facing murder charges was back in court Thursday for day two of his criminal trial.

With the Alaska House set to debate a key tax exemption bill Friday, labor unions and the developer behind the proposed Alaska liquefied natural gas pipeline signed a non-binding pledge Thursday to prioritize Alaska workers — a show of momentum that not all lawmakers say changes their concerns about the bill.

The U.S. Coast Guard announced it will homeport its first two Arctic Security Cutters in Kodiak, with a third to come in Seward Thursday.