Senators from Alaska, Maine form ‘Arctic Caucus’
Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she’s forming an Arctic caucus -- a group of senators that will meet to advance discussion among senators and staff about issues important to the Arctic and its people.
Jewell: No Plan Afoot to Declare ANWR Monument
President Obama infuriated Alaska’s political leaders when he announced in January he would ask Congress to protect more land within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness, forever off-limits to oil drilling. Some, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski, predict Obama will act on his own to bar development, by using the Antiquities Act to declare ANWR a national monument. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said today that’s not in the works.
Thursday, March 5 is Steve Heimel Day at Alaska Public Media
Drop by the Alaska Public Media studios at 3877 University Drive, Thursday, 5 to say thanks to APRN's Steve Heimel. We are hosting a special community get-together from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm. The long-time Talk of Alaska host, and morning news producer and reporter is leaving Alaska Public Media after many years of dedicated service. Enjoy the fellowship and the many Steve Heimel stories that will be floating around. You won't want to miss it.
Calista Announces Record Dividend
The Calista Corporation announced a record dividend Tuesday, totaling just over $5 million. The dividend amount is $3.80 per share, which works out to about $380 for the average shareholder with 100 shares.
Daylight Saving Bill Triggers Time Zone Déjà Vu
A bill that would eliminate daylight saving time in Alaska is now one step away from the Senate floor. But as the legislation has advanced, it’s also changed in a way that could divide the state -- literally.
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Developing State Regulations on Marijuana Mirror Alcohol, Cap Personal-Use Plants at 12
The majority of House Bill 75 spells out regulations for marijuana that mirror measures in place already for alcohol, granting local communities leeway with registering protests and setting civil fines.
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Cuts To Early Education Now Could Cost The State Later
Proposed cuts by Alaska lawmakers to early education programs could cost the state a lot more in the future. Program proponents say supporting parents and children from birth to age 5 is crucial to a child’s and the state’s development.
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Secretary of Defense Affirms Need For Arctic Emphasis
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter affirmed on Tuesday the need for a U.S. military strategy for the Arctic as Russia builds its military in the north.
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Crews Work To Clean Up Milne Point Oil Spill
Clean-up crews are still working on an oil spill at Milne Point, about 25 miles northwest of Deadhorse. Milne Point is operated by Hilcorp.
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Iditarod Restart Route Moves Off Chena River
The Iditarod has changed its plan for the Fairbanks re-start. This winter’s warm weather that forced the re-start north from Anchorage is also causing problems in Fairbanks.
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Iditarod Trail Invitational Racers Set Record Times Into McGrath
Another record has been broken in the Iditarod Trail Invitational, the race from Knik to Nome. Anchorage fatbiker John Lackey pulled in to McGrath at 8:30 this morning after just 1 day, 18 hours, and 32 minutes, shattering the previous 350-mile record by more than 10 hours.
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National Geographic Photographer Reflects On Three Decades Of Work
National Geographic photographer Annie Griffiths will be speaking tonight in Anchorage about her more than three decades of work capturing the lives and cultures of people across the planet. Griffiths has worked in more than 150 countries. She raised her children on the road and says they loved the Middle East where they rode camels, milked goats and were warmly welcomed by people who prioritized family.
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Alaska News Nightly: March 3, 2015
Legislation Eliminating Daylight Savings In Alaska Advances; Developing State Regulations on Marijuana Mirror Alcohol, Cap Personal-Use Plants at 12; Cuts To Early Education Now Could Cost The State Later; Secretary of Defense Affirms Need For Arctic Emphasis; BOEM collecting comments on proposed OCS lease sale in Arctic, Cook Inlet; Crews Work To Clean Up Milne Point Oil Spill; Iditarod Restart Route Moves Off Chena River; Iditarod Trail Invitational Racers Set Record Times Into McGrath; National Geographic Photographer Reflects On Three Decades Of Work
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Dena’ina fish camps and culture adapted to founding of Anchorage
The foundation of Anchorage 100 years ago changed many things for the local Dena'ina people, including their fish camps, but not their connection to the area.
BOEM collecting comments on proposed OCS lease sale in Arctic, Cook Inlet
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management held an open house in Anchorage Monday seeking comments on the draft proposed off-shore lease sales for 2017 to 2022, which includes sales in the northern Cook Inlet, the Beaufort and the Chukchi Seas. But the proposal is far from final.
03 BOEM OPEN HOUSE
3,000 Pounds of Auctioned Antlers Highlight State’s Role Managing Trafficked Wildlife
The unprecedented tonnage of caribou antlers were the result of a trafficking case stretching from Juneau to the Northwest Arctic community of Selawik.
Gov. Walker, Republican Leadership Tangle Over Proposed LNG Line
Since Gov. Bill Walker was inaugurated, he and the Legislature’s Republican leadership have traded reams of angry letters and testy press releases. Now, their paper battle has transformed into outright hostility in dueling press conferences. APRN’s Alexandra Gutierrez is on the line to talk about the disagreements over a proposed natural gas line.
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Groups to sue Port of Seattle over Shell drilling fleet
A coalition of environmental groups says it's planning to sue to stop Royal Dutch Shell PLC from use Seattle's waterfront as a homeport for its Arctic oil drilling fleet.
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Nearly $1 Billion Needed To Modernize Rural Sanitation Systems
Members of the Legislative Bush Caucus were told last week in a “Lunch and Learn” session on rural sanitation almost a billion dollars is needed to build, replace, and maintain rural sanitation systems. But, the gap between the level of need and funding is widening.
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Drones Don’t Fly At Alaska’s Board Of Fish
The Alaska Board of Fisheries closed some waters near Angoon to purse seining in order to improve subsistence harvests, in action over the weekend. They also shot down the use of unmanned aircraft to aid in salmon fishing.
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