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JBER-Richardson Bans Alcohol In Barracks
Daysha Eaton, KSKA – Anchorage
Army officials are admitting that they have an alcohol and drug problem at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson in Anchorage. And they’re doing something about it: banning alcohol in the barracks.
Congress Returns To Debt Limit Battle
Peter Granitz, APRN – Washington DC
Just one day after President Obama’s inauguration, Congress returned to the fight over whether to raise the nation’s borrowing limit.
Many Republicans are unwilling to extend the debt limit, and Congressman Don Young won’t commit either way.
Roe v. Wade Now 40 Years Old
Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN – Juneau
Today marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that created protection for abortion. In Juneau, a rally was held in front of the Capitol to protest the ruling, but inside the building, it’s not yet clear how much time the legislature will spend considering anti-abortion bills.
Susitna-Watana Dam Planning Back On Track
Lorien Nettleton, KTNA – Talkeetna
Planning for the proposed Susitna Watana Hydro dam is back on track. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission had delayed the project, after finding some of the studies inadequate. But the agency reversed that decision, after receiving appeals from Governor Sean Parnell, Alaska’s Congressional delegation, and state lawmakers.
Proposed Donlin Gold Mine Starts Permitting Process
Mark Arehart, KYUK – Bethel
The proposed Donlin Gold Mine on the Middle Kuskokwim River has started the long, multi-step permitting process. But, before any permits can be granted, the project is subject to an environmental impact statement. This includes a series of public meetings. Some have already taken place in rural Alaska and another one is scheduled for this evening in Anchorage.
Ocean Acidification Monitors Coming To Alaska
Steve Heimel, APRN – Anchorage
Alaska will soon have a monitoring system for rising levels of acidity in the ocean. The state Legislature provided $2.7 million to set up a network of buoy sensors along the coast. Scientists got an update on ocean acidification yesterday at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium in Anchorage.
Mandatory Vessel Safety Checks Postponed
Matt Lichtenstein, KFSK – Petersburg
A new dockside safety exam requirement for many commercial fishing boats has been postponed for a couple years.
Kids Get Hands-On Science Lessons At ‘Robot-Garage’
Ariel Van Cleave, KBBI – Homer
Two dozen kids in Homer were given a chance to test their team-working skills, imagination and patience on a recent Saturday as they designed and built their own exploration rovers. KBBI’s Ariel Van Cleave looked on as teams assembled robots at the Homer Public Library.
