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Ethics Infractions Cost Former State Legislator $18,000
Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN – Juneau
A former legislator from Nenana is being fined $18,000 for breaking state ethics rules. An investigation found that Alan Dick, a Republican who served one term in the House, charged the state and his campaign account for the same travel expenses and that he let family members live in his legislative office.
Obama Asks Congress To Delay Vote On Syria
Peter Granitz, APRN – Washington DC
The debate over whether to attack Syria is extremely fluid right now. President Barack Obama, in a national address Tuesday night, called on Congress to delay a vote authorizing the use of force. Alaska’s delegation has all weighed in against that action.
New Agreement Bolsters Alaska’s LNG Commercialization Efforts
Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN – Juneau
The State has committed to a formal working relationship with a major Japanese financial institution that wants to develop natural gas projects.
State To Review Old Statutes Delaying Renewable Energy Projects
Anne Hillman, APRN – Anchorage
It may become easier for independent energy producers to provide power to the grid. The Regulatory Commission of Alaska has agreed to review out-of-date statutes that some say are holding up renewable energy projects.
Weidner Program For Property Management And Real Estate Launches At UAA
Josh Edge, APRN – Anchorage
The demand for rental housing is on the rise, but because of a lack of university-level programs, there aren’t many people prepared to manage properties. To help remedy that problem, the University of Alaska Anchorage is putting the final touches on the new undergraduate Weidner Program for Property Management and Real Estate.
UAA Names Keith Hackett New Athletic Director
Josh Edge, APRN – Anchorage
The University of Alaska Anchorage has a new athletic director, naming Keith Hackett to lead the department.
Denali Loses A Few Feet, Remains North America’s Tallest Peak
Annie Feidt, APRN – Anchorage
The tallest peak in North America is not as tall as previously thought. That’s according to new data from a federal and state effort to provide more detailed topographical maps of Alaska. Denali was measured at 20,237 feet – 83 feet shorter than maps indicate today.
Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell made the announcement at a meeting of map collectors gathered in Fairbanks this week. In a media release, Treadwell says “The good news is: Denali is still the tallest peak in North America.”
Denali’s updated height was recorded with radar technology which also revealed that an entire ridgeline of Mt. Dickey in Denali National Park was missing from previous maps.
Epic Horse Pack Trip Ends In Denali
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
Denali National Park is the end point of an epic horse pack trip. Gunter Wamser of Germany and Sonja Endlweber of Austria recently spent a week riding through Denali, the last leg of a horse packing journey Wamser began two decades ago in Argentina.
Proposed Initiative Target Union Dues
Daysha Eaton, KSKA – Anchorage
Members of the Anchorage Tea Party and Libertarian groups have filed an application to put a ballot measure before voters that would prevent the municipality from deducting union dues directly from employee paychecks.
Southeast Leaders Consider Region’s Maritime Industry
Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska – Juneau
About 250 Panhandle business, government and nonprofit leaders will gather in Sitka next week. It’s the annual meeting of the Southeast Conference, one of the region’s larger organizations.
Reward Offered For Stolen Artwork
Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
A 14-foot-long dinosaur sculpture affectionately called Bertie is missing from the Matanuska Valley museum The artwork was stolen from the museum during a break-in this summer and it’s owners want it back. No questions asked.
