AKPM Staff
Anchorage Schools proposing $35 million budget boost for 2008-2009
The Anchorage School Board spent all day yesterday examining the administration's proposed 2008/2009 budget. Balancing expected state funding increases against perceived student needs, the general operations portion totals over $580 million, an approximately $35...
Nome's Richard Foster in Seattle hospital
Nome representative Richard Foster is undergoing treatment in Seattle following a stroke last Friday. Foster, a Democrat, is serving his 20th year as a member of the House, much of that time acting as...
Some whales skipping seasonal migration, wintering off Kodiak Island
Scientists have long heard reports of whales over-wintering on the west side of Kodiak Island, and this year they decided to do an in-depth survey. And for the first time, University of Alaska marine...
Crashed St. George economy hoping for revival
The city of St. George is starting to look like a ghost town. Houses are boarded up and the large school building is nearly empty. Like neighboring St. Paul, the island's economy was hit...
Summer ferry schedule expected Jan 31, following cost-cutting rewrite
Alaska Marine Highway managers say they delayed the summer ferry schedule while they worked on cutting costs. Ferry chief Dennis Hardy told the House Transportation Committee yesterday that recent years' schedules called for more...
Feds reviewing proposed rail/port project in Mat-Su
Another step has been taken toward building a railroad extension from Alaska Railroad's main line to the Matanuska Valley's Port MacKenzie. A preliminary report is now in the hands of the federal Surface Transportation...
Alaska News Nightly: January 23, 2008
Today in Alaska news... Kodiak's Gabrielle LeDoux stops fundraising for her Congressional campaign under threat of Republican excommunication while Nome's House representative Richard Foster reports in from a Seattle hospital. Meanwhile, Exxon Valdez plaintiffs...
Dorgan and Murkowski bring Indian health issues to Senate floor
A bill to modernize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act was debated on the U.S. Senate floor today. The law has not been updated in nearly 16 years -- despite several attempts. Prior revisions...
State House proposes new campaign fundraising rules for legislators
A state House Committee today approved new limits on campaign fundraising during the legislative session. The State Affairs Committee approved a bill by Anchorage Republican Kevin Meyer that would forbid legislators or legislative staff...
Eyak language dies with its last speaker
Chief Marie Smith Jones in 2004
The last traditional speaker of the Eyak language died yesterday, making the language extinct. Eyak Chief Marie Smith Jones was 89 years old. She was the last person to...
Hayes theft, fraud, conspiracy, money laundering trial starts up in Fairbanks
The prosecution and defense delivered their opening statements today in the federal trial of former Fairbanks mayor Jim Hayes. Hayes is accused of illegally using federal funds to build and furnish a church, and...
Revenue department projecting $3 billion windfall in 2008
In its latest state revenue forecast, the state Revenue Department predicted the state would collect $3 billion more than expected this year because of record-setting high oil prices. And next year’s forecast is expected...
King's birthday marked with two-wheeled community service challenge
In addition to the formal observances of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, it has become a day of community service. In Anchorage, some 200 volunteers gathered at a neighborhood recreation center to honor Dr....
Kodiak setnet fishermen now allowed to fish two permits simultaneously
The Alaska Board of Fisheries met in Kodiak last week. During their meetings the board passed a contentious proposal that will allow permit stacking by the island’s setnet fishermen.
Casey Kelly, KMXT - Kodiak
Yukon Quest roster set for February 9 launch
The field is set for the 25th running of the Yukon Quest. Race spokeswoman Amanda Leslie says 27 mushers will be departing Fairbanks next month on the race’s silver anniversary run.Leslie says 2 mushers...
Alaska News Nightly: January 22, 2008
Today in Alaska news... Senator Murkowski brings Indian health care problems to the U.S. Senate floor and the Alaska legislature confronts a formal call for new campaign fundraising rules. Plus, the last speaker of...
Talk of Alaska: ConocoPhillips' gas line proposal
Alaska lawmakers have announced they want to take a look at ConocoPhillips' alternative plan for a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope. The company is actively campaigning for it, in competition with...
Legislature moves at a brisk new pace
The legislature has been in session seven days now and seems to be running a faster race against the clock than in previous years.
Dave Dondaldson, APRN - Juneau
Amicus brief filed in Exxon Valdez case
Last week, the Alaska Legislative Council filed an amicus brief on behalf of the legislature and former Alaska governors in the Exxon Valdez litigation. The 26-page document claims the Trans Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act...
Pribilofs struggle with economic hardship
The Bering Sea communities of St. Paul and St. George are sitting in the middle of one of the world's richest oceans. But both are struggling economically. The crash of the opilio crab stock...