The state of Alaska on Friday released nearly 600 pages of emails and other documents related to problems within the Alaska National Guard.
The records, part of a request by Alaska Dispatch News and Alaska Public Media, were released after a judge on Thursday ordered the state to produce them or provide a log showing why they aren't disclosable under Alaska law. The media organizations sued after the governor's office failed to release them following public-records requests in May and June.
The documents released Friday include emails involving officials in the governor's office, the National Guard, the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and U.S. Sen. Mark Begich's office. They also include emails from chaplains and others within the guard complaining about serious problems.
Many of the documents were heavily redacted. The state also released a "privilege log" in which the governor's office and Department of Law outline why information isn't being released. Among the reasons: privacy and "executive privilege" -- the right to make internal decisions out of public view.
The documents released are only a portion of the records being requested under public-records law.
We are reviewing the documents and are working on a story. You can read them yourself below. Contact reporters Richard Mauer and Jill Burke at rmauer@alaskadispatch.com and jill@alaskadispatch.com if you see something in them that needs attention.
Check back for updates on this developing story.