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.
Lawmakers Scrap Bill Addressing Pot Legalization
Zachariah Hughes, KSKA – Anchorage
Law-makers in Juneau have scrapped a bill that attempted to address the first phase of full marijuana legalization in Alaska. Anchorage Republican Gabrielle LeDoux co-chairs the joint Judiciary committee and at a hearing today said they won’t move the senate or house versions of the bill.
Anchorage Assembly Bans Marijuana From Public Use
Zachariah Hughes, KSKA – Anchorage
The Anchorage Assembly voted unanimously Tuesday night to ban public consumption of marijuana.
State To Appeal Education Funding Lawsuit Ruling
Leila Kheiry, KRBD – Ketchikan
The State of Alaska announced today that it will appeal a final ruling by Superior Court Judge William Carey in favor of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough’s long-held argument that the state’s required local contribution for public education violates Alaska’s Constitution.
The state also will ask for a stay on Judge Carey’s ruling while the appeal is considered by the Alaska Supreme Court.
Murkowski Swings at Obama’s Arctic Wilderness Plan But Misses
Liz Ruskin, APRN – Washington DC
Sen. Lisa Murkowski on Wednesday failed to land her first counterpunch at the Obama administration’s new Arctic conservation policies.
With Greater Numbers, Democrats Hope For More Leverage Over Medicaid Expansion
Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN – Juneau
House Democrats plan to use their increase in numbers as leverage when pushing for Medicaid expansion.
Donlin Gold Closes Camp During Permitting
Ben Matheson, KYUK – Bethel
Donlin Gold is shuttering its camp at the site of its gold deposit near Crooked Creek.
Sugar Creates Genetic Trouble For Coastal Alaska Natives
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
The idea that traditional diets are best for coastal Alaska Native people is being further confirmed by the discovery of a gene deficiency that doesn’t allow their systems to process sugar.
Project Homeless Connect Brings Services, Information To Anchorage’s Homeless
Anne Hillman, KSKA – Anchorage
More than 1,000 Anchorage residents experience homelessness every year. Though Anchorage has dozens of agencies to help people, reaching them all is difficult. In comes Project Homeless Connect. The yearly, volunteer-run, donation-funded event brings services providers together to connect people with information and some immediate help.
Scattered Services Make Homelessness In Haines Hard To Grasp
Emily Files, KHNS – Haines
It’s hard to get a true sense of how big of a problem homelessness is in Haines. There is no shelter or centralized service tasked with responding to homelessness. Right now, a patchwork of local organizations helps out people in need. But even they aren’t sure how large the problem is and what the solution should be.
