Lori Townsend, Alaska Public Media
With Cold Weather Coming, Anchorage Homeless Numbers Up
A townhall style meeting took place at Anchorage's Bean's Cafe on Tuesday to highlight the dangers of living outside through the upcoming winter. Bean's serves daily meals to those who are homeless and the working poor. Yesterday's meeting featured speakers from the Anchorage Police department, Catholic Social Services and clients of Bean's and the Brother Francis shelter located across the parking lot. A paper listing the warning signs of hypothermia was handed out.
AK: Letters – The Old Fashioned Kind
It’s probably safe to say that most people, especially those under 50, rarely, if ever sit down, put pen to paper, lick envelope glue and put a letter in the mailbox. But an Anchorage club of self proclaimed letter nerds, all under 40, are doing exactly that.
Mora-Lopez Sentenced to Three Months in Prison, $10,000 Fine
A man in an unusual case of identity theft was sentenced in federal court in Anchorage Thursday. Rafael Mora-Lopez had lived in Anchorage for more than two decades as Rafael Alberto Espinoza.
Officials Look to Dirigibles as Possible Transportation Solution
Officials from the State and NASA are leading a workshop in Anchorage to talk about the potential for airship transportation in Alaska.
Katie John Subsistence Litigation Back in Front of the 9th Circuit
The subsistence litigation of Mentasta elder Katie John was back in court recently when a three-judge panel of the 9th circuit held hearings in Anchorage. John’s first case went to the U.S. Supreme court and established that congress intended through title 8 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act or ANILCA to protect fish and game, including navigable waters of Alaska. After the rule making in that decision, the state of Alaska asked an en banc panel of the 9th circuit to review the case. The decision in favor of John was reaffirmed.
Denali Commission Official Anxious for Clarity on Returned Funds Request
As Congress debates how to cut federal spending, federal managers are left without answers about how their agency will be impacted.
Trapper Creek Mid-Air Crash is Second in Three Weeks
The fatal mid-air collision over the weekend near Trapper Creek is the second in Alaska in less than a month.
Anchorage School District Receives Extra $19 Million
Anchorage School District Superintendent Carol Comeau was pleasantly surprised to get nearly $19 million in extra money for the upcoming school year.
Native Elder and Leader Caleb Pungowiyi Passes Away
A former leader of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference and a prominent Alaska Native traditional science advocate has died.
AK: Peek Inside Military Training
Recently an anti terrorism battalion of Marine Reservists were in Alaska for a two week training.
Officials Issue Warning on Fraudulent Food Inspectors
Officials with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s food safety program are warning restaurant and processor owner/operators about fraudulent food inspectors.
Indian Affairs Committee Investigating Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault Rates
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing Thursday looking at the issue of the staggering rates of domestic violence and sexual assault perpetrated against Native women.
CSIS Holds Conference on Arctic Oil and Gas Development
In Washington D.C. on Tuesday, the Center for Strategic and International Studies or CSIS held a one day conference on Arctic oil and gas development.
‘Tribes for Tribes’ Gather in Anchorage
Tribal representatives from across the state are gathered in Anchorage today, intently working on language for an accord, or treaty, between Alaska tribes to compel Congress to enact an Alaska Native Restoration Act.
Legislation Would Allow Medicare-Eligible Elders to Negotiate Private Contracts with Doctors
Medicare eligible-elders would be able to negotiate private contracts with doctors under new legislation proposed by Senator Lisa Murkowski.
Murkowski says Senate Bill 1042 called the Medicare Patient Empowerment Act would allow patients to see any physician they choose, even if that doctor has opted out of taking Medicare patients.
Links Between Cancer, Chemicals Focus in Series of Talks
Links between cancer and chemicals in our environment will be the focus of a series of talks in Alaska beginning Wednesday in Anchorage. Jeanne Rizzo is an RN and is the president of the Breast Cancer Fund. The organization works to raise awareness of pervasive toxins in every day products and what people can do to make better choices for themselves and their families.
Veterans Receive Special Honor from Korean Government
Veterans and their families were joined on the park strip in Anchorage today by Senator Mark Begich and Veterans Administration Secretary Eric Shinseki. The two officials left immediately following the gathering for events at Joint base Elmendorf/Richardson.
Lawmakers Preparing to Head Back to Juneau
There’s no word yet on whether a special session will be held next week to deal with the single issue of keeping the Coastal Management program alive. However Senate officials are meeting on Sunday to make a final decision.
Kenai Peninsula Fire Conditions Elevated
Elevated fire risk on the Kenai Peninsula has division of forestry officials concerned about warming or campfires this weekend.
As Alaskans and visitors make their way to the popular recreation area for a long weekend of camping, division of forestry fire prevention officer Paul Pellegrini says one of the things campers need to be mindful of is the wind.
New Film Festival Looking for Entries from Alaskan Filmmakers
A new film festival is looking for entries from filmmakers who live or were born in Alaska. The Never Sets Film Festival is planning two days of screen in Anchorage in August. And instead of judges selecting the entries, community members will vote for their favorite films that qualify from three different regions of the state.