Individual news stories are posted on the APRN news page. You can subscribe to APRN’s newsfeeds via email, podcast and RSS. Follow us on Facebook at alaskapublic.org and on Twitter @aprn.
Temporary Deal To End Federal Shutdown Expected To Pass
Liz Ruskin, APRN – Washington DC
The16-day federal government shutdown appears to be nearing an end, and Alaska’s Republican Senator, Lisa Murkowski, is getting a good deal of the credit. She was one of the first to join a group of senators who began crafting an agreement that led to the measure the Senate passed tonight and the House is expected to approve.
French To Run For Lieutenant Governor
Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN – Juneau
State Senator Hollis French has announced his plans to run for lieutenant governor. The Anchorage Democrat had been considering jumping into the gubernatorial race, but set aside those plans after former Juneau mayor and Permanent Fund Corporation Director Byron Mallott announced he would seek the Democratic nomination. French says he wanted to avoid expending resources on a competitive primary race.
Short-Staffed APD Goes High Tech To Combat Spiking Crime Rates
Daysha Eaton, KSKA – Anchorage
The Anchorage Police Department will soon be using new mapping software to track crime around the city in nearly real-time. The announcement comes in the wake of an annual FBI report that says serious crime was up last year in Anchorage in nearly every category.
GCI, KTUU Work Out Temporary Agreement
Angela Denning-Barnes, KYUK – Bethel
GCI and KTUU Channel 2 came to a temporary agreement on Tuesday to keep the NBC-affiliate carriage in nine areas outside of Anchorage… at least for the next few weeks.
Verizon Plans On Expanded Role Next Year
Tim Ellis, KUAC – Fairbanks
It’s been four months since the nation’s biggest wireless carrier began doing business in Alaska. And despite predictions that Verizon would shake up the state’s wireless market, its role has so far been limited to providing high-speed data service in urban areas. The company plans to enter the Alaska market in a bigger way next year.
Discussion Touches On Unconventional Oil, Gas Development
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
Unconventional oil and gas development will be part of the discussion on Friday when energy advisory consultant David Goldwyn speaks at an Alaska World Affairs Council event. Goldwyn is co-author and editor of Energy and Security: Strategies for a World in Transition. The revised 2nd edition addresses new energy frontiers, rising safety concerns for energy complexes and energy poverty. Goldwyn says the revolution in shale development in the Lower 48 has changed the future of domestic energy development.
Fairbanksan To Carry Olympic Torch At Pole
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
University of Alaska Fairbanks vice chancellor Pat Pitney is participating in the Olympic torch relay to the February 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. She’s running in an exotic leg of the relay, being staged at the geographic North Pole.
Kenai Peninsula Students Learn About Salmon Life Cycle
Ariel Van Cleave, KBBI – Homer
Students from central and southern Kenai Peninsula schools gathered at the Anchor River Friday to learn about the salmon life cycle. It was the kick-off to the Salmon in the Classroom program. The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is patterning with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to teach kids about one of the state’s most valuable resources.
