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Schools push back on proposed mid-year budget cut
Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau
Alaska school leaders are concerned about an unexpected, midyear funding cut proposed by Governor Mike Dunleavy’s administration.
Study finds poor air quality aboard cruise ships
Jacob Resneck, CoastAlaska – Juneau
A covert study undertaken by a public health researcher found air quality on cruise ships to be on par with the world’s dirtiest cities.
‘Uber for icebreakers’ idea gains traction
Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media – Washington D.C.
Money for a new polar icebreaker is caught up in the fight over whether to build a wall at the southern border. But there’s more than one way to break ice.
Federal team investigating cause of Anchorage fire that caused $20M in damage
Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
A team of federal investigators is now looking into the cause of a fire in midtown Anchorage last weekend that destroyed a hotel under construction.
Fairbanks burn bans leading to better air quality, research says
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
Air quality data shows Fairbanks, North Pole area burn bans are effective.
Juneau residents are noticing an extra charge on their Amazon receipts. Here’s why
Adelyn Baxter, KTOO – Juneau
As of this month, the majority of Amazon purchases made by Juneau customers will now collect local sales tax. A plan is in the works to standardize sales tax collection across the state.
Togiak National Wildlife Refuge scrambles to make up for lost time after federal shutdown
Isabelle Ross, KDLG – Dillingham
It’s the first week back for staff at the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge after the partial federal government shutdown ended Friday night. The three-week stopgap funding measure expires on Feb. 15, and staff have to do some juggling.
Alaska extends deadline for earthquake recovery funds
Associated Press
The state is extending the deadline by 30 days for residents to apply for recovery funds following the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that shook Southcentral Alaska.
Infrastructure updates may mean more boil-water notices in Emmonak
Emily Hofstaedter, KNOM – Nome
The City of Emmonak recently spent more than a month on a boil-water notice, ending 2018 on their third boil-water notice for the calendar year. That just may be the price of having more water, fewer pipe freeze-ups, and more sustainable infrastructure as the City continues major upgrades into 2019.
King Cove basketball team flies out last minute to play Unalaska after previous opponents cancelled
Zoe Sobel, KUCB – Unalaska
Unalaska’s girls’ basketball team (1-6) expected to host Sand Point over the weekend. But when the Eagles canceled their trip Friday morning – just hours before the game – the home contests were thrown into doubt.
