JUNEAU (AP) – An Eagle River legislator banned from Alaska Airlines for refusing to follow federal law that requires a face mask has been excused from attending state Senate floor sessions until mid-January — at her request.

However, Republican Sen. Lora Reinbold decided to stick around for the final days of legislative action anyway, leaving her no apparent option but to take a ferry out of Juneau and then drive through Canada to get home.

Reinbold on Sept. 9 requested the excusal to Jan. 15. Her request was accepted by the Republican-led Senate without objection.

She cited the challen...