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.
Some State Legislators Pushing For Stronger Federal Disclosure Laws
Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN – Juneau
Over the next year, millions of dollars are expected to enter Alaska in the form of campaign spending. The Alaska Senate race could end up being one of the more expensive races in the country, because Republicans need to unseat Democrat Mark Begich if they want to take control of Congress. Since much of the money is going to be spent on political ads, some state legislators would like to see stronger federal disclosure laws, so voters know who’s paying for the airtime.
Alaska Groups Give Passing Grade To Reworked Healthcare.Gov
Annie Feidt, APRN – Anchorage
Groups in Alaska working to sign people up for health insurance on the federal marketplace say the website is working much better. The Obama Administration re-launched an improved healthcare.gov marketplace yesterday. Now insurance agents and navigators have three weeks to help Alaskans enroll in insurance plans that start offering coverage January 1st.
Dead Birds Wash Up On St. Lawrence Island
Zachariah Hughes, KNOM – Nome
Hundreds of dead birds washed up on the shores of St. Lawrence Island towards the end of November. And though the cause of the die off isn’t yet known, the quick response demonstrates a mounting capacity for dealing with unexpected environmental events in the region.
Frog Abnormality Research Finds Location is a Key Factor
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
Increasing reports of deformed frogs and toads in the mid 90s, prompted Congress to mandate studies to look into the problem. Amphibians are sort of the canary in the coal mine for gauging the environmental health of land and surface water.
Plucky Delta Farmer Undaunted, Determined to Rebuild Poultry Barn Razed by Fire
Tim Ellis, KUAC – Fairbanks
A Delta Junction-area farmer is rebuilding after a barn fire that killed 500 chickens and other livestock last spring. Farmer Brandy McLain is determined to restore her poultry operation.
Crews Rescue Woman From Fairbanks High Rise Window
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
Fairbanks emergency responders rescued a woman from a window of a downtown Fairbanks high rise yesterday.
Late Start for Flu Shots Causes Concern
Annie Ropeik, KUCB – Unalaska
The Lower 48 has been on the offensive against the flu virus for weeks. But in Unalaska, most people didn’t have access to vaccines until late November.
How To Save An Endangered Language
Lisa Phu, KTOO – Juneau
Speaking an endangered language at home is the essence of language revitalization, according to author Leanne Hinton. She’s written the book Bringing Our Languages Home and was recently in Juneau for a Tlingit conference.
