Longtime former Alaska lawmaker Jay Kerttula dies

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Jalmar “Jay” Kerttula, who was Alaska House speaker and Senate president during his long legislative career, has died. He was 92. A family statement says Kerttula died Friday in Juneau. Beth Kerttula, a former state legislator and one of his daughters, says she was influenced by his example and that of her mother, who died in 2015. Jay Kerttula, a Palmer Democrat, served more than 30 years between the state House and Senate. No immediate plans for a memorial were announced.