Daysha Eaton, KMXT - Kodiak
Anchorage School Board Hears Public Testimony On Budget Cuts
The Anchorage School District has to cut millions of dollars from its budget. The last chance for the public to testify on the issue is Thursday. Second grader Yoon was one of the youngest to testify before the Anchorage School Board last week at the first of two public hearings. He was one of dozens who told the board why they shouldn't cut programs at their schools. The Board is tasked with cutting around $19 million this year. Programs from libraries to special education to maintenance are on the chopping block.
Legislators Discuss DNR Mission Statement Change
This week legislators will meet to discuss mission statements. One topic will be changes to the Department of Natural Resources' mission statement in January.
Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction Against Sheraton Hotel Operator
Anchorage hotel workers are celebrating after a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against Remington Hospitality, the Texas-based operator of the city's Sheraton Hotel.
Anchorage Receives $13.2 Million To Help Start Small Businesses
The city of Anchorage has received a $13.2 million allocation from the Department of Treasury. Officials are calling it, 'The 49th State Angel Fund'. The money is meant to help people start small businesses.
Emissions Testing Ending March 1 In Anchorage
No more emissions tests in Anchorage. That was the decision of the Anchorage Assembly at its meeting Tuesday evening. The once federally mandated emissions, or IM, program required drivers to pay for a $60 to $70 dollar vehicle emissions test every two years. The Environmental Protection Agency approved ending the program in January, saying it was no longer needed to protect air quality.
Jim Browder Selected as Next ASD Superintendent
The Anchorage School Board has selected the new superintendent for the Anchorage School District. The Board reviewed more than 150 applications for the position.
Legislature Researching DNR’s Mission Change
Legislators are looking into the Alaska Department of Natural Resources move to change their mission statement. Representative Berta Gardner is the democratic whip in the House representing midtown Anchorage. She says legislators have asked for a research report on the matter.
DNR Proposes Changes to Mission, Legislature to Review
Although it’s not official yet, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources has announced its intention to change its mission statement. Recently, administrators quietly removed the words ‘conserve’ and ‘enhance ‘from the statement, leaving only the word ‘develop’ to describe how resources should be managed. They also removed a reference to ‘future Alaskans’. Legislators will soon begin weighing in on the issue.
Obama Appoints Alaskan to National Tourism Advisory Board
President Obama has appointed an Alaskan to an advisory board for U.S. Travel and Tourism. He chose the CEO of Alaska Wildland Adventures. The appointment is part of a push to boost the tourism economy.
Anchorage Protesters Hold ‘Move to Amend Rally’
A group of about two-dozen protestors were chanting, “the corporation ... the corporation ... is not a person ... is not a person ... that word belongs to you and me ... that word belongs to you and me,” in front of the Federal courthouse in Downtown Anchorage Friday.
Bear Collar Cameras Yield Interesting Findings
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation has posted some interesting video clips online from research cameras mounted on the collars of bears.
New Online Tool Throws ‘Career Ladder’ Idea Out The Window
The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development recently added a new online tool to help those who have lost a job or just want to make a career change.
‘Alaskan Wet Dog Race’ Set For 2013
It’s mushing season again, but one Alaskan is asking coastal communities to consider embracing a new kind of dog race. It involves teams riding personal watercraft more than 2,000 miles along the state’s Coastline.
State Gets Money For Efforts To Enroll Children In Public Health Care
Alaska is one of 23 states to share $296.5 million in federal payments for encouraging low-income families to enroll their children in public health programs.
‘Community Asset Building Initiative’ Gets $2 Million For Expansion
The Rasmuson Foundation is contributing $2 million to expand their ‘Community Asset Building Initiative’ over the next three years. It’s an opportunity for communities to develop their own philanthropic organizations.
Year In Review: Juneau, Dillingham and Fairbanks
This week we’re taking a look back at some of the important, and favorite stories from 2011 from APRN and our member station reporters from across the state. Tonight we’ll start in Juneau.
State Gives $1.5 Million To Support Suicide, Substance Abuse Prevention In Southwest Alaska
The State has awarded The Center for Alaska Native Health Research at the University of Alaska Fairbanks nearly $1.5 million to support rural Southwestern Alaska Yup’ik communities in their suicide and substance abuse prevention efforts.
APOC Issues Decision On RBG Bush Planes Investigation
The Alaska Public Offices Commission has issued a decision regarding their investigation into RBG Bush Planes for alleged illegal campaign contributions.
BBNA Preparing Transit System Plan
The Bristol Bay Native Association is getting ready to plan a transit system for Bristol Bay. BBNA officials say the service could link people who live in Southwest Alaska’s outlying villages to regional hubs like Dillingham for work, medical care and other services.
BBNA Set to Plan Regional Transit
Earlier this month, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced $15 million dollars to help American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments invest in public transit.