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Charges: Alaska State Trooper tried to meet 16-year-old girl for sex
Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
An Alaska State Trooper, 57-year-old Vance Peronto, is charged with attempted sexual abuse of a minor after allegedly trying to meet a 16-year-old girl at an Anchorage hotel Sunday, according to a written statement from the Department of Public Safety.
Sixteen young Alaskans hope courts can force the state to act on climate change
Rachel Waldholz, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Anchorage
An Anchorage judge heard arguments today in a lawsuit brought by 16 young Alaskans who are suing the state over climate change.
Legislature passes bill lowering bond amounts in order to pay pensions
Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau
Alaska owes public workers $6.6 billion more in pensions than it has in assets. The Legislature has passed a bill to lower the amount of bonds the state could sell to reduce this unfunded pension liability.
Before the flames: Alaska firefighters prep for wildfire season
Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
It’s the start of wildland fire season in Alaska, and to make sure they’re ready for it, firefighters have been testing their proficiency at operating equipment, as well as their mental and physical fortitude.
Reception mixed on ASD proposal to switch school start times around
Victoria Petersen, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
The Anchorage School District is considering a huge change. The district is looking at implementing new school start times, with elementary schools starting earlier and high schools later.
How tourists could see the Mendenhall Glacier after it retreats
Elizabeth Jenkins, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Juneau
The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is preparing for a future that includes more tourists and a melting attraction.
Wolf kills dog along Brotherhood Bridge Trail in Juneau
Jeremy Hsieh, KTOO – Juneau
Wildlife biologist Ryan Scott thinks the wolf just happened to kill a deer near the trail and was protecting its kill. He doesn’t think there’s any public safety or pet safety issue out of the ordinary.
Assembly takes up high cost of Anchorage childcare
Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
High costs and limited accessibility spark search by elected officials for potential municipal fixes.
Octopus eggs hatch at Alaska SeaLife Center
Renee Gross, KBBI – Homer
Alaska SeaLife Center’s family of octopuses is growing. A giant Pacific octopus, named Gilligan, laid thousands of eggs about a year ago. Less than a hundred hatched this month. Aquarium curator Richard Hocking expects the remaining eggs to hatch by the end of May.
Friendly competition and sibling rivalry abound at Native Youth Olympics
Johanna Eurich, KYUK – Anchorage
The Native Youth Olympics is much more than an athletic competition. It is an expression of arctic culture, with games based on the skills required to survive on land and ice.
