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Some GOP defied Trump on Russia sanctions, but Alaskans did not
Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media – Washington D.C.
Congress almost passed a measure to keep sanctions on companies affiliated with Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska. Alaska’s Congressional delegation voted to let the Trump administration lift them.
Advocates wonder how policy changes will affect those looking to reenter society after prison
Anne Hillman, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
The Dunleavy administration is making changes to the Department of Corrections. They removed a position focused specifically on re-entry and are changing policies that some advocates say helped people succeed when they were released from prison. Many are reserving judgement about the new direction, but the changes are concerning others.
Dillingham well tests positive for PFAS contamination
Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
The Department of Transportation says it was recently alerted to potentially harmful chemicals contaminating a drinking water source near the Dillingham airport.
Native corporations maintaining Alaska forests find a carbon credit buyer: oil company BP
Elizabeth Harball, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
One of Alaska’s biggest oil companies is getting into the business of trees to help address climate change.
Despite the shutdown, it’s been a dizzying week for a Southeast Alaska timber sale
Elizabeth Jenkins, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Juneau
On Tuesday, the U.S. Forest Service notified objectors of a proposed timber sale about a public meeting in Klawock. By Thursday, the meeting was canceled. But some groups are wondering why this work is happening now at all.
Volunteer veterinarians at the Kuskokwim 300
Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
Many of the veterinarians who check sled dogs before the annual Kuskokwim 300 volunteer for the race each year. Some come from distant places in the Lower 48; for others, it’s a family affair.
AK: Hundreds of Douglas kids band together in music class
Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska – Juneau
When you think about an elementary school music class, a choir might come to mind. The students sing choral standards with their teacher standing in front, or backing them up on piano. But these days, some of those classes are different. In Juneau, one music teacher has hundreds of kids playing guitars, mandolins, ukuleles and banjos – together, as a band.
49 Voices: Lawrence Bahovec of Wrangell
Aaron Bolton, KSTK – Wrangell
This week we’re hearing from Lawrence Bahovec in Wrangell. Bahovec has lived all over Southeast Alaska since he was a baby and recently celebrated his 100th birthday on January 4.
