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Even with repeal bill dead, Murkowski still not a firm ‘yes’ or ‘no’
Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media – Washington D.C.
The latest Senate effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act is dead after too many Republicans declared they would not support the Graham-Cassidy bill. But, as of Tuesday evening, Sen. Lisa Murkowski still was not clearly saying how she would have voted on Graham-Cassidy.
Fairbanks Council OKs Stipend, anticipates further legal, financial fallout over contaminated water
Tim Ellis, KUAC – Fairbanks
The Fairbanks City Council approved an ordinance Monday that’s intended to help provide drinking water for property owners in an area on the city’s south side who’ve lost the use of their wells due to groundwater contamination.
Groups seek investigation of Canadian mining impacts
Associated Press
Alaska Native and conservation groups are asking the federal government to investigate the impacts that existing or planned mines in British Columbia could have on waters flowing into southeast Alaska.
Yup’ik and Gwich’in political activist Desa Jacobsson dies at age 69
Anna Rose MacArthur, KYUK – Bethel
Desa Jacobsson is remembered for her weeks long fasts and multiple arrests to call attention to violence against Alaska Native women, Native rights, subsistence, and environmental issues.
Keynote speakers announced for Elders and Youth
Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
A long-time subsistence rights activist from the Kenai Peninsula and teenage hunter from Gambell named as keynote speakers.
Pre-K in Igiugig is all in Yup’ik
Avery Lill, KDLG – Dilllingham
School has been underway in Igiugig for a couple of weeks now. This year even the youngest set are included. The village has opened Unglu, a Yup’ik immersion program for infants to 5-year-olds.
With an Anchorage audience, look into whale’s death begins
Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
The extraordinary sight of a 30-foot long dead humpback whale that washed up on a beach area in Anchorage has drawn dozens of onlookers to gawk at its carcass. Among them Tuesday were veterinarians working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Researchers want to know why beluga whales haven’t recovered
Associated Press
Alaska wildlife officials have launched new research into a highly endangered population of beluga whales.
2018 Alaska Teacher of the Year nominee: Kent Fielding
Lori Townsend, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
Skagway high school English and History teacher Kent Fielding taught at Mt. Edgecumbe before Skagway, where he has taught for the past 12 years. He said technology, especially phones can be a challenge in school but he says in Skagway, it’s crucial.
Sailing To North Pole, explorers find more ice than expected
Gabe Colombo, KNOM – Nome
A team of explorers and scientists returned to Nome last week after attempting to be the first to sail to the North Pole.
