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Interior Dept. gives Ahtna region more say in moose, caribou hunt
Rachel Waldholz, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Anchorage
In its final days, the Obama administration is forging ahead with a promise to include Alaska Native tribes in the management of fish and wildlife on federal land.
Deadline nears for Murkowski energy bill
Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media – Washington D.C.
Time is running out on one of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s top priorities: a far-reaching energy bill. Murkowski had hoped the legislation would serve as her crowning achievement after two years as chairman of the Senate Energy Committee.
Former Attorney General Richards joins Bering Straits Native Corp
Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau
Alaska’s former attorney general has a new job. Craig Richards will be the general counsel for the Bering Straits Native Corporation.
Armstrong Oil and Gas has high hopes for another North Slope find this winter
Elizabeth Harball, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Anchorage
Small oil developers are making a name for themselves on Alaska’s North Slope. And over the past year, some newcomers have announced finds that are anything but small. One is the Denver, Colorado-based Armstrong Oil and Gas.
Sockeye fire trial postponed again
Ellen Lockyer, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
The Sockeye fire trial, which was scheduled to begin today [tuesday], has been re-scheduled. At a pre-trial hearing on Monday, Kevin Fitzgerald, the attorney for defendant Greg Imig, asked the court to delay the trial until mid-January, due to an Imig family emergency.
North Slope caribou hunters face new restrictions
Tyler Stup, KNOM – Nome
With herd numbers down, hunting seasons and bag limits for caribou on the North Slope may face tighter restrictions.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center welcomes two new wolves
Ellen Lockyer, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Portage is welcoming a two new wolves. Robin Randich is the Center’s marketing manager. She says the Center’s two resident wolves, Brie and Deshka, are both females, so to build a pack, males were needed.
Earthquake swarm in Port Heiden continues
Avery Lill, KDLG – Dillingham
Earthquakes have rattled through Port Heiden more often than usual this year. Michael West is the State Seismologist with the Alaska Earthquake Center. He took a look to compare this year’s quake numbers with other years’.
Invasive strep outbreak claims lives of 4 Alaskans
Associated Press
Four Alaskans have died this year in an outbreak of invasive strep bacteria that has mostly affected the homeless and Alaska Natives in the state’s two largest cities.
Southcentral’s only meat packing plant up for grabs
Ellen Lockyer, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
Southcentral Alaska’s only federally-approved meat packing plant, Mt. McKinley Meat and Sausage in Palmer, is up for sale or lease.
Anchorage NAACP elects new president
Anne Hillman, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
The Anchorage Branch of the NAACP elected a new president last week – Kevin McGee.
Grand jury indicts man in Anchorage auto shop shooting death
Associated Press
An Anchorage grand jury has indicted a 25-year-old man on murder and theft charges. Trevon Allridge is charged with first- and second-degree murder in the death of auto mechanic William Schmaus at TreJohn Auto Sales in south Anchorage.
What’s school like in Tenakee Springs without a school?
Quinton Chandler, KTOO – Juneau
Tenakee Springs is a small Southeast Alaska town on Chichagof Island about 46 miles southwest of Juneau. In 2015, the state reported it had about 140 residents. It also has a small student body that fluctuates from year to year. Frances Ziel said some families were already choosing to home-school before the closure. After the school shut down, she said the district wanted to support them.
