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Plane Crashes Near Dillingham
Dave Bendinger, KDLG – Dillingham
A plane crashed this morning in the Muklung Hills, 20 miles northeast of Dillingham. Authorities understand that a pilot and co-pilot were on-board at the time of the crash, but no names have been released. Poor weather has made rescue and recovery efforts nearly impossible on Friday.
Lawmakers Dash To DC, Dine With Lobbyists
Peter Granitz, APRN – Washington DC
One third of the state legislature is in Washington, D.C. right now– meeting with oil and gas lobbyists.
They’re attending the annual meeting of The Energy Council – a group consisting of Alaska, ten other states, four Canadian provinces, and the Venezuelan government.
Otter-Bounty Bill Faces Opposition
Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska – Juneau
Legislation proposing sea-otter bounties will get its first hearing next week. It’s already drawing opposition from environmental groups and the federal marine mammal protection agency.
Most Iditarod Teams Remaining Large So Far
Emily Schwing, KUAC – Fairbanks
Martin Buser has the lead in this year’s Iditarod. He left the village of Grayling early this afternoon for the 62-mile run to the Eagle Island checkpoint. Aliy Zirkle, Aaron Burmeister, Jake Berkowitz and Sonny Linder round out the top five.
Iditarod mushers start the race with up to 16 dogs. They can drop dogs along the trail, but they have to finish with six. Many mushers will drop dogs in the Iditarod checkpoint after completing the longest single run along the trail, but most teams remain large more than halfway through the race.
Fairbanks School District Proposes $262 Million Operating Budget
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
A citizen review committee has weighed in on the proposed Fairbanks North Star Borough school district budget for next year. The over $262 million operating budget represents a 1 percent increase over the current year. The district anticipates a funding short fall and has proposed teacher cuts the citizen committee disagrees with.
Sheffield Stumps For Instate Gasline
Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO – Juneau
Former Alaska Governor Bill Sheffield says it’s time for Alaska to build its own gas pipeline.
AK: A Fashion Show
Ed Ronco, KCAW – Sitka
Right now, as you’re listening to this, a group of Sitka residents are preparing to walk the runway. But they’ve traded in the usual fabrics for more eccentric media. Maybe it’s a dress that’s all zippers. Or a suit made out of nautical charts. Or a purse composed of bicycle valve stems. In the fashion world, this might be called madness. In Sitka, it’s called wearable art.
300 Villages: Unalakleet
This week, we’re heading to Unalakleet, an Iditarod checkpoint on the Bering Sea Coast. Â Jay Thomas is principal at the school in Unalakleet.
