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State government shutdown could have far-reaching effects
Andrew Kitchenman/AKPM – Juneau
here’s a long list of state government services that would grind to a halt on July 1st if lawmakers can’t agree to a budget. Each state department put out a separate laundry list of services that would stop if there’s a state government shutdown. Governor Bill Walker says he wants the departments to prepare.
State Ferry system shutdown could strand people in coastal Alaska
Ed Schoenfeld/Coast Alaska – Juneau
State ferry service would also be severely reduced if the Legislature fails to pass a budget in time to avoid a July 1st government shutdown — potentially cutting off the only affordable means for transportation for coastal communities.
Alaskan among new NASA recruits
Henry Leisia/AKPM – Anchorage
An Alaskan is among the 12 people selected by NASA for the newest class of astronaut candidates. Robb Kulin (COO-leen) will report to Johnson, Texas in August, where he will begin 2 years of training.
Anchorage faith group hosts meeting on bicycle-vehicle safety
Henry Leisia/AKPM – Anchorage
St Mary’s Episcopal Church hosted a meeting on bicycle and pedestrian safety last night [Wednesday] to address concrete ways to make our streets safer.
Aleut evacuees tell their stories of Japanese bombing and internment
Zoe Sobel, Laura Kraegel/KUCB – Unalaska/Anne Hillman/AKPM – Anchorage
This month marks the 75th anniversary of the Aleut evacuation. More than 800 Unangan people were removed from the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands and relocated to Southeast Alaska during World War II. Harriet Hope was among them. She was in Dutch Harbor during the bombing on June 3, 1942 then taken to Burnett Inlet. Heratina Krukoff [Hair-uh-Tina Crew-koff] was 16 when she and her family were evacuated from St. Paul Island in the Pribilofs and taken to an old cannery in Funter Bay.
Seafood processors having hard time finding workers
Allison Mollenkamp/KDLG – Dillingham
The hiring of thousands of seasonal workers by Bristol Bay’s seafood processors is always challenging.
This year some companies are looking more to the lower 48 to staff up, and the clock is ticking.
Hydaburg gets new processor
Emma Atkinson/KRBD – Ketchikan
While some processors are having trouble finding workers, in Hydaburg, a new processor is preparing to open and locals hope it will bring more fishermen to the southeast community, and more profits for the ones that are already there.
No Alaskans in Race2Alaska
Ed Schoenfeld/Coast Alaska/KTOO – Juneau
There are no Alaskans in this year’s Race to Alaska. The Washington state-to-Ketchikan competition will have close to 40 motorless watercraft. But the only team from the contest’s namesake destination has withdrawn.
