Joaqlin Estus, KNBA - Anchorage
Joaqlin Estus is a reporter at KNBA in Anchorage.
Panel Discusses Alaska Tribal Courts
A panel of experts met last night at the University of Alaska Justice Center to discuss Tribal Courts in Alaska.
Sequester Expected To Impact 8a Contracts
Across-the-board federal budget cuts are coming, half from the Department of Defense budget; the other half to other federal agency budgets.
Rising Number Of Alaskans Predicted To Be Affected By Future Flooding
Studies by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Government Accounting Office show increasing numbers of Alaskans will be affected by floods and erosion in coming years due to rising waters and extreme weather events. And the studies predict some communities are likely to be destroyed by 2017.
Program Researching Chukchi Sea’s Biological Productivity
An environmental research program with a long history of working in Alaska is breaking new ground by partnering with state universities to find out why an area in the Chukchi Sea is so biologically productive.
Eastern Bering Sea Fish Survey Yields Surprising Results
About a thousand people gathered for the Alaska Marine Science Symposium last week. Dozens of scientists spoke on topics ranging from ocean acidification, and changes in the productivity of plants and animals in the marine environment to jobs in science. A survey of fish in the eastern Bering Sea had surprising results.
Scientists Unable To Determine Cause Of Seal, Walrus Illness
An international team of scientists hasn’t been able to determine the cause of an illness afflicting seals and walruses in Canada, Russia, and Alaska. And now, the mysterious outbreak may be over.
100 Turn Out For ‘Idle No More’ Rally In Anchorage
About a hundred people turned out for a rally in support of tribal sovereignty and environmental conservation held in downtown Anchorage today. The rally was organized to coincide with others being held in Canada, other states, and other countries in support of the “Idle No More” movement in Canada, in which First Nations have been protesting legislation that removes environmental protections on tribal lands.
Tribal, Environmental Groups Hold Rally Supporting ‘Idle No More’ Movement
Tribal and environmental organizations are holding a noon rally on Friday in Anchorage to show support for Canadian tribes fighting legislation they call a direct attack on First Nations. The legislation reduces environmental assessment requirements, and cuts the number of waterways protected by the Navigable Waters Protection Act.
Consultant Says Gulf of Alaska Weather Is Typical For Winter
Former University of Alaska professor and current oil spill response consultant Rick Steiner says the weather the Kulluk encountered is typical for the Gulf in winter, and he says the problem is that Shell didn’t prepare.
Federal Unemployment Benefits Will End If No Stop-Gap Measure Reached
If Congress doesn’t pass a stop gap measure that includes it, federal emergency unemployment compensation will end for thousands of jobless Alaskans on Monday. President Obama would like to see federal unemployment benefits as part of a stop-gap measure to avert the so called fiscal cliff.
School District Connects Learning with Fun!
A rural school district has figured out a way to help students connect for learning... and for fun.
Alaska VA Office Moves Off JBER
For veterans without military ID cards, several pieces of documentation were required to visit the Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs located on the Joint Elmendorf-Richardson military base in Anchorage, including a driver's license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. That's no more, now that the office has moved off the base.
Residential Detox Center Reopens
Alaska’s chronic shortage of substance abuse detoxification services recently improved when one of four residential detox centers in the state reopened.
Commission Says Alaskans Would Benefit From More Cooperation Between State, Tribes
The Tribal Law and Order Act signed into law last July created an all-volunteer Indian Law and Order Commission charged with creating recommendations on how to make life for Native Americans safer and more just. Two members of the Indian Law and Order Commission recently visited Alaska to gather information. They say all Alaskans would benefit if the state worked more cooperatively with tribes. Governor Sean Parnell says the criticism is unwarranted.
Commission Gathers Information To Make Indian Country More Safe
Two members of the all-volunteer Indian Law and Order Commission came to Alaska last week to gather information for recommendations to the President and Congress on ways to make Indian Country safer and more just. They say all Alaskans would benefit if the state worked more cooperatively with tribes.
AISES Convention Draws 2,000 To Anchorage
The three-day American Indian Science and Engineering Society – or AISES – convention drew about 2,000 people to Anchorage this week.
Childhood Trauma Subject Of Anchorage Conference
The lifelong effects of childhood trauma have been the subject of talks among the 350-some participants in the Alaska Child Maltreatment Conference held in Anchorage this week, and hosted by the Alaska Children’s Alliance.
Alaska Native Brotherhood Celebrates 100th Anniversary
A couple of hundred people joined in a celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the Alaska Native Brotherhood in Sitka last week.
Anchorage Detox Center Closes
Alaska’s chronic shortage of alcohol and drug detox services recently got worse when one of only four residential detox centers in the state temporarily closed. A state Board of Nursing clarification about staffing requirements forced the Ernie Turner Center in Anchorage to close its program in late July.
Salvation Army Hosting Events Raising Awareness About Sex Trafficking
Statistics from national organizations that gather and share information on sex trafficking show it isn’t a problem in Alaska. But local experts don’t believe that’s accurate. The Salvation Army is hosting events in Anchorage this weekend to raise awareness of the problem.