Former Arkansas state senator Bob Ballinger will join state representative Sarah Vance in Juneau for the upcoming legislative session. Alaska's fisheries play a crucial role in the national seafood industry, attracting both commercial and sport fishermen. However, the industry faces a high occupational fatality rate, approximately 20 times higher than the national average. Alaskans can now apply for their 2024 Permanent Fund Dividends, after the filing period opened Monday.