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Senate lifts ban on predator killing in Alaska refuges
Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media – Washington D.C.
The U.S. Senate today voted to overturn an Obama Administration rule that banned certain methods of killing predators on national wildlife refuges in Alaska. The repeal resolution now goes to the White House for signature.
Differences over future divide Alaska Legislature
Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau
Philosophical differences between members of the House and Senate are raising the risk that the Legislature ends the session without resolving the state’s ongoing budget crisis.
Murkowski at odds with Trump’s call to end NEA funding
Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media – Washington D.C.
President Trump’s budget calls for ending funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. The NEA has been a frequent target of Republicans, but U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski supports the endowment, and Tuesday she won an award for it.
Bill signed allowing for opioid overdose drug distribution
Associated Press
Gov. Bill Walker has signed into law legislation allowing state health officials to extend a program for broader distribution of a drug used to prevent opioid overdose.
Consultant recommends Sitka’s hospitals merge
Emily Kwong, KCAW – Sitka
An outside consultant has concluded that Sitka’s two hospitals should merge. Those are the findings of ECG Management Consultants, a firm hired by Sitka Community Hospital and SEARHC last year. Leadership at the city-owned hospital opposes the idea.
Final fuel spill cleanup near Paxson may be delayed
Time Ellis, KUAC – Fairbanks
Cleanup has resumed along a stretch of the Richardson Highway near Paxson, where more than 4,000 gallons of diesel was spilled when a Fairbanks-based tanker wrecked in January. But it may take years to clean up all the contamination.
To the displeasure of some locals, Tailgate Alaska grabs land use permit from DNR
Tony Gorman, KCHU – Valdez
One of the biggest winter sports events kicked off over the weekend in Thompson Pass. Tailgate Alaska is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. But, not everyone is in a joyful mood. Some Thompson Pass enthusiasts are not happy after the Alaska Department of Natural Resources granted a land use permit to event organizers and are hoping to appeal the decision.
After 30 years, Raven Shark pole back in Sitka
Emily Russell, KCAW – Sitka
The totem pole is an icon of the Pacific Northwest. The carved art form showcases clan stories and family crests in museums around the world. After more than 30 years in the Anchorage Museum, a century-old pole from Southeast has made it back to Sitka, where curators are prepping a permanent home.
