Lakeidra Chavis, KTOO - Juneau
3 suicides in a week leave Hooper Bay distraught
Three suicide deaths in the past week have rocked the community of Hooper Bay. Troopers believe all three victims were connected.
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GCI to Expand Network in Western Alaska
GCI recently announced plans to complete its TERRA network in rural Alaska by 2017. The expansion would offer a better and more reliable Internet connection throughout the YK Delta and much of Western Alaska.
EIS forthcoming for proposed Donlin gold mine
Permitting for the proposed Donlin gold mine, which will affect communities along the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta is underway. An official draft of the statement examining the mine’s affects on the environment will be available at the end of November.
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Dog team nearly killed by river erosion
Just as it was getting dark Saturday evening, Akiak resident and dog musher Mike Williams Sr. stepped outside to see his dog lot falling into the Kuskokwim River and seven of his sled dogs being pulled into the water. “They were beginning to choke,” Williams said, “but they’re alive, they’re okay now. They got them just in time,” Williams said.
Bethel attorneys add Outside muscle to class-action suit against GCI
A San Francisco-based law firm is now working with two Bethel attorneys who filed a class action lawsuit against GCI for their marketing practices in the YK Delta.
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ANTHC receives nearly half a million dollar energy grant
The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium has received a nearly half a million-dollar grant to help reduce energy costs in some areas of Western Alaska, according to a press release earlier this morning
ABC Board upholds Bethel City Council’s protest of liquor license
The Alaska Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, voted unanimously late Tuesday morning to uphold Bethel City Council’s protest of Dimitri’s, a local pizzeria in Bethel, liquor license application.
Eek man arrested on 6 counts of abuse of a minor
After a grand jury indictment, Alaska State Troopers arrested 30-year-old Leonard Kashatok of Eek, on an outstanding arrest warrant, last Friday.
16-year-old arrested for sexual abuse of minor
Alaska State Troopers arrested a 16-year-old on suspected sexual abuse of a minor, on Saturday. The victim was a two-year-old child.
One person dies in Crooked Creek cabin fire
Alaska State Troopers say one person has died after a cabin fire near Crooked Creek on Saturday.
A short history of Alaska LGBT rights
Alaskans voted in 1998 to define marriage in the state constitution as only between a man and a woman. Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has invalidated that definition, Alaska and the entire country has marriage equality. To some it may seem like things are changing fast, but Alaska’s fight for gay rights began half a lifetime ago.
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LGBT discrimination claims still not valid in Alaska despite federal ruling
The U.S. Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission ruled in late July that sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace is illegal because it is a form of sex discrimination, which is already prohibited. Some of the most common types of discrimination LGBT people face are in the workplace and in housing. Despite this, Alaska’s statewide and Anchorage anti-discrimination commissions don’t offer protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people.
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Juneau first stop on gay cruise’s trip around Alaska
On Monday afternoon, nearly 2,000 people arrived in Juneau for their first stop on the 30th anniversary RSVP Vacations cruise. The cruise line caters exclusively to gay and lesbian people.
Report: Alaska Falls Short on Curbing LBGT Discrimination In The Workplace
Last Wednesday, the University of California, Los Angeles, published a report on employment discrimination in Alaska based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Alaska is home to more than 19,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adults, according to a Gallup poll.
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Mississippi flag to be removed from Juneau street display
After a month long dispute, the Mississippi flag on Egan Drive is coming down. Former Assemblyman Marc Wheeler received a permit earlier this morning to remove the flag this weekend.
Confederate flag controversy prompts deeper look at racism in Juneau
Nearly 200 people have signed a letter asking for the removal of the Mississippi flag downtown because it features an image of the Confederate flag. After dust settles from the controversy, the people spearheading the removal of the flag are unsure what’s next in combating racism in the state’s capital.
Juneau Considers Amending Land Use Code to Address Child Care Shortage
The Juneau Assembly is working on amending child care permit regulations in an effort to increase child care availability in Juneau.
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Despite marriage equality ruling, LGBTQ Alaskans can still be discriminated against
The State of Alaska has a commission whose sole purpose is to eliminate and prevent discrimination, but it can’t do anything when it comes to gender identity or sexual orientation. Alaska is one of 28 states that allows workplace discrimination against these classes.
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Juneau’s state flags display receives attention as nation debates Confederate flag
Some locals are calling for the removal of the Mississippi state flag flying on the main street into downtown Juneau because it prominently features the Confederate stars and bars.
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