Steve Heimel, APRN Contributor
sheimel (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.550.8454 | About Steve
Young, Cissna To Face Off In General Election
The turnout was considered low in Tuesday’s primary election. But voters turned out in enough numbers to defeat both ballot propositions.
Davis Leads Crawford With 800 Absentee Ballots Left To Count
Other Senate races saw Fairbanks Republican Ralph Seekins fail in his bid to return to the Legislature. Former state labor commissioner Click Bishop won that race. Lesil McGuire held off Jeff Lanfield, Bob Bell defeated Liz Vazquez, and, on the Democratic side, by a margin of less than a hundred votes, Anchorage Senator Betty Davis looks to have withstood a challenge from Harry Crawford.
Barrow’s Ben Nageak Wins House District 40 Race
In rural House races, Democrat Ben Nageak of Barrow will be going to the state House. He defeated three opponents and will be unopposed in the general election. And Neal Foster beat Woodie Salmon.
Sea Ice Melts Back To New Record
The sea ice in the Arctic has melted back to a new record. The National Snow and Ice Data Center says Sunday their satellite could see even less ice than it saw in September of 2007.
Do We Need to Fix the Alaska Constitution?
The Alaska Constitution is one of the most modern in the country, but it’s almost 60-years old. In November, Alaskans have to decide whether to re-write it. It’s an opportunity that comes every 10 years. Could this be a way to end legislative gridlock and put an end to corporate campaign funding?
KSKA: Tuesday, 8/28 at 10:00am
Sea Ice Withdrawal Expected To Reach Record Levels
It is more likely than not that the sea ice withdrawal in the Arctic Ocean will break all records this summer. More than half of some 23 computer models surveyed are now predicting the sea ice will pull back as far as it did in 2007 or farther.
Ballot Measure 2
Alaska voters are being asked to enact a law restoring the Coastal Zone Management program with Ballot Measure Two. Critics say the law is poorly drafted and would halt development. Advocates say it simply restores a local voice. Decision time is approaching for Ballot Measure Two, and that’s why it’s the topic on the next Talk of Alaska.
KSKA: Tuesday, 8/21 at 10:00am
Gov. Parnell Requests Federal Disaster Declaration For Kenai Kings
Thursday, Governor Parnell requested a federal fisheries disaster declaration for the Kenai River King Salmon. This is in addition to the disaster request for the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, any fisheries disaster money is subject to congressional appropriation.
Woman Drowns In Prince William Sound Boating Accident
A boat with five people aboard sank after hitting a rock in Prince William Sound Sounday. A man and three children were rescued by the Coast Guard but a woman drowned. She is identified as Cathleen Powell. The 32-foot craft hit the rock off Crafton Island outside Eshamy Lagoon.
Salazar Announces Obama Administration Plan For NPR-A
It looks like there will be not be a decision this week after all on Shell’s Arctic Ocean drilling plans. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar spent the weekend in the Arctic. He did not return with a decision on Shell, but he did announce another decision involving oil and gas – the Obama Administration’s leasing plans for the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.
UAA Women’s Basketball Coach Resigns
The University of Alaska-Anchorage's women's basketball team is once again without a coach. Unspecified professional misconduct allegations were cited as the reason for Nathan Altenhofen's departure. He had been on the job less than three months, replacing Tim Moser. Athletic Director Steve Cobb says he'll go back to his list of finalists for the job.
Airman Found Dead on JBER
An airman was found dead at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Saturday. Security found Senior Airman Brandon Cox, 22, near Six Mile Lake. Cox was an explosive ordinance disposal technician.
Man Dies In Prince of Wales Island Logging Accident
A man died last week in a logging accident on Prince of Wales Island. Billy Worley, 36, of Klawock, died when a log fell on him at a camp near Nutkwa Lagoon. State Troopers were notified Saturday morning.
The Arctic
They used to talk about explorers reaching the “ends of the earth.” But now even the arctic is losing its remoteness. Every Arctic nation is now maneuvering to control sea routes and mineral deposits in the Arctic Ocean, and Alaska is the only Arctic state. Is the message getting through to Washington?
KSKA: Tuesday, 8/14 at 10:00am
Rescued Walrus Calf Dies At Alaska SeaLife Center
One of three walrus calves rescued from the Barrow shoreline and taken to the Alaska SeaLife Center didn't make it. The calf was pretty emaciated and died within a day of being brought in July 30. A second calf remains in critical condition, while a third is now stabilized in the Center's critical care unit, which has a windowpane for the public to be able to look inside.
APD Officers Cleared In Deadly July Shooting
An investigation of July shooting incident has cleared the two Anchorage police officers. The state Law Department Office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals says officers Michael Jones and Bryan Heinz were justified for shooting Harry Smith on July 1 when he pointed a BB gun that looked like a regular pistol at them.
Peter Maassen Named Supreme Court Justice
Peter Maassen will be the new state Supreme Court Justice, replacing Morgan Christen, who moved up to the federal Ninth Circuit Appeals court. Maasen is an Anchorage attorney in private practice.
Two Die After Canoe Capsizes On Eagle River
Two women perished when their canoe hit a logjam in Eagle River and capsized Wednesday. Their names have not yet been released. There were two survivors - one a man who was in the canoe, and the other a man who was kayaking with them.
Pilot In Fatal Helicopter Crash Identified
The pilot of that helicopter that crashed near the Pogo gold mine Tuesday has been identified as James Hopper, 63, from Missouri. Hopper was alone in the aircraft and was killed when it crashed. He had been on his way to transport workers from the mine.
Motorcycle Rider Dies After Colliding With Moose
Tuesday a motorcyclist hit a moose in Wasilla and was killed in the crash. He's identified as Michael Carlyle of Wasilla. There have been several such fatal motorcycle collisions with moose in the area this year, according to State Troopers.