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Companies trumpet 1.2 billion-barrel oil discovery on North Slope
Elizabeth Harball, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Anchorage
The companies behind an already significant oil find on Alaska’s North Slope on Thursday said they’ve confirmed the biggest onshore discovery in the U.S. in three decades.
Short-lived proposition to cut funds for Alaska’s gasline corporation dies in committee
Rashah McChesney, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Juneau
Two House Republicans want to cut funding for the state’s gas line corporation. During a House Finance committee meeting, Rep. Tammie Wilson proposed cutting more than $10 million from the state’s operating budget, earmarked for the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation.
Now in minority, House Republicans fail to cut budget
Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau
The Republican House caucus is pushing to cut the state government budget. But they no longer hold the majority. Instead of shrinking, the House version of the budget has actually grown.
3 things to know about the GOP health care bill in Congress
Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media – Washington D.C.
A Republican bill to repeal and replace parts of the Affordable Care Act is advancing in the U.S. House. Its effects across the country are uneven. Here are three things an Alaskan should know about the proposed American Health Care Act.
Rep. Ortiz introduces state version of Mental Health land trade
Leila Khiery, KRBD – Ketchikan
While waiting for federal legislation to expedite a land exchange between the U.S. Forest Service and Alaska Mental Health, state officials are working on a companion bill in the Alaska Legislature.
Push or pause? Near Iditarod’s mid-point, mushers decide when to rest
Ben Matheson, KNOM – Nome
It’s break time on the Iditarod trail, as teams hunker down for 24 hours of uninterrupted rest along the Yukon River or consider pushing down the trail to a later checkpoint. As the race approaches the halfway point mushers try to plan how to get the most from their tactical breaks.
With sick dogs, Zirkle takes her 24-hour rest earlier than planned
Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
Iditarod veteran Aliy Zirkle has had to upend her race plans and declare a 24-hour rest in Galena because of sick dogs.
State concerned about tanker escort design for Prince William Sound
Rachel Waldholz, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Anchorage
State regulators are asking the operator of the trans-Alaska pipeline to offer more proof that new tugboats being built for Prince William Sound are up to the job of preventing major oil spills.
Stranded seal gets first-class rescue in Unalaska
Zoe Sobel, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Unalaska
Most of the time, a seal in Unalaska doesn’t attract too much attention, but a ringed seal is a different story. The marine mammals live near ice and typically are found further north. When a sick ringed seal appeared and then vanished last week, the community united to find it.
