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House passes resolution to focus on budget
Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO/APRN – Juneau
Legislators have talked about focusing on the state budget since their session began three weeks ago. But today, they took action to make it official. The House passed a resolution that limits committees to working on bills that raise or spend state revenue.
Anchorage Muni buys part of natural gas field
Zachariah Hughes, KSKA – Anchorage
The city of Anchorage is buying up part of a natural gas field in Cook Inlet for 152 million dollars. With approval from the Assembly, the Mayor’s administration and two utility companies bought a parcel from a major oil company, which they say will benefit energy customers across the city.
Agreement allows Moda to keep selling health insurance in Alaska
Annie Feidt, APRN – Anchorage
The Division of Insurance announced an agreement with insurer Moda Health Monday, that will allow the company to stay on the individual and group markets in Alaska.
Angoon calls for help after discovering high mercury levels in subsistence seal
Elizabeth Jenkins, KTOO – Juneau
The City of Angoon believes high levels of mercury have been discovered in subsistence food caught near Hawk Inlet. And they say Hecla’s Greens Creek Mine could be responsible.
AMHS report: Ferries boost Anchorage, Mat-Su economies too
Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska – Juneau
Many people think the Alaska Marine Highway System only serves port communities in the Southeast and Southwest parts of the state, plus Prince William Sound. It turns out that it as economic impacts in the Railbelt too.\
Dillingham Police get a body cam upgrade
Hannah Colton, KDLG –Â Dillingham
A string of recent incidents involving police force have led many Americans to demand measures like equipping officers with body cameras. Some departments, including Dillingham’s, have already begun to do so voluntarily.
Sass takes Yukon Quest lead
Molly Rettig, KUAC – Fairbanks
Brent Sass is leading the Yukon Quest. He is followed by Hugh Neff, Ed Hopkins, Allen More and Matt Hall. The next section of trail takes teams along the Yukon River to the community of Eagle. Yesterday (Sunday) Quest mushers made the daunting traverse of Eagle Summit.
Youngsters learning the trapping tradition
Molly Dischner, KDLG – Dillingham
There’s a long tradition of trapping fur-bearing animals in Bristol Bay, and one group of Dillingham youngsters has been learning the ropes this winter. KDLG’s Molly Dischner met them at the trapline and brought back this story.
