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New Residency Program Designed to Recruit More Pediatricians to Alaska
Annie Feidt, APRN – Anchorage
Four pediatric residents got their first taste of Alaskan style medicine this spring. It’s part of a new partnership based at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital to create an unusual type of medical residency. The doctors will spend one third of their three year training in Alaska. The program is designed to help recruit more pediatricians to stay in the state after the graduate.
Igushik Fishermen Told to Pull in Nets After Tender Goes Down
Dave Bendiner, KDLG – Dillingham
After the 78’ tender Lonestar went down Sunday morning, fishermen at the mouth of the Igushik River were told to pull in their nets. Igushik fishermen are predominantly from the village of Manokotak. The three-week season provides the sole income for many of them and the closure came just as the fishing was getting good.
Firefighters Still Battling Stuart Creek Wildfire
The Associated Press
Infrared flights have shown that a fire south of Two Rivers is about half the size previously believed because the fire is burning in “fingers” instead of one solid block. The Stuart Creek fire on military land east of Eielson Air Force Base is burning on about 30,000 acres, or about 46 square miles. Firefighters were unable to get a flight above the fire until late Wednesday.
Rookie From Palmer Wins Mount Marathon
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
The annual Mount Marathon race in Seward was muddy this year but that didn’t stop a rookie from taking the women’s title. The Anchorage Daily News reported Palmer resident Christy Marvin clocked in at 53 minutes, 20 seconds, winning by nearly two minutes. Allison Barnwell a 21-year old Seward resident took second at 55 minutes 11 seconds and 18-year old Ann Spencer of Anchorage came in third at 56 minutes 15 seconds.
Stedman Adds Name to Petition to Repeal New Oil Tax Structure
Ed Ronco, KCAW – Sitka
State Sen. Bert Stedman has added his name to the list of Alaskans hoping to repeal the state’s new oil tax structure. The Sitka Republican signed a petition on Tuesday against Senate Bill 21. Supporters of the measure, which was signed into law by Governor Sean Parnell, say it will spur more development in Alaska. But opponents, like Stedman, call it an oil giveaway.
NEA Alaska President Says Teachers Should Not Be Armed
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
National Education Association Alaska President Ron Fuhrer says representatives from all 50 states believe they have as much if not more information about how to reform public education than lawmakers do. Fuhrer says in light of recent school shooting tragedies there is a heightened concern over school safety, but he says that doesn’t mean teachers should be armed. “The last thing that an educator should be concerned about is trying to shoot someone, ” Fuhrer said.
Walruses Changing Their Lifestyles
Margaret DeMaioribus, KNOM – Nome
The United States Geological Survey has been conducting research on the amounts of sea ice present in the Chukchi Sea. And they’ve identified that the lifestyles of walruses are changing.
