Wrangell Sentinel -

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has decided not to appeal after a judge ruled against his interpretation of state law that would have stopped assistance payments toward utility bills in almost 200 small communities across Alaska.

A state court judge on Aug. 11 sided with a coalition including the Alaska Federation of Natives and electric cooperatives that had sued Dunleavy to force release of the money.

The governor announced the next day he would not appeal the court decision.

This year’s estimated $32 million in payments will help reduce electricity bills for more than 82,000 Alaskans in about 29,00...