Alaska House reaches agreement to avert government shutdown

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska House reached in dramatic fashion Monday an agreement that Gov. Mike Dunleavy said would avert a government shutdown.

House Speaker Louise Stutes indicated the outcome was not assured when she called the House to order, and House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, who had been negotiating with Stutes, said things were “absolutely, completely close” to unraveling.

Involved Monday was adoption of a statement of the House, calling for creation of a House-Senate working group to make recommendations on a “comprehensive fiscal plan” for the next special session. There al...