Legislators Prefile 23 More Bills
Lawmakers submitted 23 early bills today, after having prefiled more than 60 pieces of legislation last week.
Download Audio
A Year in the Life of the Bowhead Whale
A new film produced by the University's Museum of the North in Fairbanks, seeks to reveal the secrets of the undersea migration life of bowhead whales. The animated film is called A Year in the Life of the Bowhead Whale. The film features English, Inupiaq and St Lawrence Island Yupik narration.
Roger Topp heads up digital media at the museum. He wrote and directed the film. He told APRN's Lori Tow nsend the project started four years ago and was inspired by the linear passage of time.
Download Audio
Kuskokwim 300 Mushers Ready to Race on Ice
Twenty-five mushers are set to race from Bethel to Aniak and back in the 36th running of the Kuskokwim 300. After a couple winter warmups, and little snow, this year’s trail follows the truck road on the river almost exclusively to Aniak and back, cutting out the loop near Whitefish Lake.
Download Audio
AK: Starring
Last week’s Russian Christmas in Unalaska looked a little different than elsewhere in the state. Over the years, the town has evolved from a Native village into an industrial hub. Now, it has miles of roads and thousands of residents from countless different faiths.
So the little congregation of the oldest Russian Orthodox Church on the continent has had to evolve, too. KUCB’s Annie Ropeik has more on how their Slaaviq has become a community celebration.
Download Audio
300 Villages: Sleetmute
This week, we're heading to Sleetmute, a small community east of Bethel on the Kuskokwim River. Gladys Fredericks is the Tribal Council President in Sleetmute.
Download Audio
Alaska News Nightly: January 16, 2015
Supreme Court Agrees To Hear Same-Sex Marriage Cases; Alaska's Appeal On Hold; Legislators Prefile 23 More Bills; As Work Continues On Spending Plan, Walker To Revive State Of The Budget Address; Mat-Su Borough Ponders Legal Pot; A Year in the Life of the Bowhead Whale; Kuskokwim 300 Mushers Ready to Race on Ice; AK: Starring; 300 Villages: Sleetmute
Download Audio
Winter Sports and Climate Change
If winter defines us as Alaskans, as skiers and outdoor enthusiasts, what happens when we start to lose winter? Strange weather is becoming the new normal and we’re forced to adapt to climate change, because we don’t have a choice. On the next Outdoor Explorer, we'll look at what that means from scientific and a practical perspective.
KSKA: Thursday, Jan. 22, at 2:00 and 9:00 p.m.
Listen Now:
Implementing Marijuana Regulation in Alaska
With a simple vote of the people, Alaska became a leader among states legalizing marijuana, but now it has to figure out how to do it. Is Alaska up to that leadership challenge? Some people would say it has been in the leadership on this particular issue for years.
APRN: Tuesday, 1/20 at 10:00am
Download Audio
Lawmakers Prepare For 29th Legislative Session
As the 29th legislative session looms closer, legislators are busy prefiling legislation they hope will become law over the course of the session. From the legalization of pot, to the proposed LNG pipeline, to the state’s uncertain budgetary future, legislators have a lot to address this session.
KSKA: Friday, 1/16 at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, 1/17 at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Friday, 1/16 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, 1/17 at 4:30 p.m.
Download Audio
As Work Continues On Spending Plan, Walker To Revive State Of The Budget Address
It’s been almost a decade since a governor has delivered a State of the Budget address. With Alaska now in deficit-spending mode, Gov. Bill Walker plans to bring the speech back.
Download Audio
Board Reverses Suspensions Of Former-Sen. Stevens Prosecutors
A review board has reversed the suspensions of two federal attorneys accused of withholding evidence in the prosecution of the late Sen. Ted Stevens. The Merit Systems Protection Board ruled this month that the Justice Department bungled the disciplinary process against the two prosecutors.
Download Audio
Anchorage Democrats Push Bills Combating Sexual Assault, Retaliation in National Guard
Anchorage Democrats Chris Tuck and Bill Wielechowski introduced a packet of legislative measures revising reporting procedures, revamping the Guard's internal protocols, and creating a mechanism for private companies to give veterans hiring preference.
Download Audio
Plunging Oil Prices Cast Doubt on Arctic Drilling
As oil prices continue to plummet, some corporations are scaling back on expensive exploration projects -- like drilling in Arctic waters. But, one company with a major stake in the region has yet to tip its hand.
Download Audio
Anchorage tourism numbers up, expected to continue
2014 was a record year for tourism in Southcentral Alaska according to Visit Anchorage. The organization predicts 2015 might be just as good.
Download Audio
Small Businesses Struggle To Comply With Health Insurance Requirement
Starting this month, businesses in Alaska with more than 100 full time workers have to provide health insurance. And under the Affordable Care Act "full time" is any employee who works more than 30 hours a week. Senator Lisa Murkowski is sponsoring legislation that would change that threshold to 40 hours. Many restaurants owners in Anchorage are watching the legislation closely.
Download Audio
Landbank Lawsuit Aimed at USACE Regs
An obscure lawsuit filed by a Matanuska Susitna wetlands mitigation bank could have national implications. The suit, now in Federal Claims Court, alleges breach of contract by the US Army Corps of Engineers, and land developers are closely watching the outcome.
Download Audio
Governor Names New Deputy Labor Commissioners
Gov. Bill Walker has named two new deputy commissioners at the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Download Audio
UAS Closes Bookstore, Prepares For Tight Budget Times
The University of Alaska Southeast closed its bookstore in Juneau at the end of last year, because it hadn’t been profitable for years. As the school looks ahead, UAS will need to make more tough decisions about its budget.
Download Audio
Klawock Couple Plans Halftime Wedding
A couple in Klawock has been engaged since 2001, but they couldn’t quite come to agreement about what kind of wedding ceremony to have. They finally settled on a unique venue: Center court at halftime during Friday’s home basketball game.
Download Audio
Alaska News Nightly: January 15, 2015
Board Reverses Suspensions Of Former-Sen. Stevens Prosecutors; Anchorage Democrats Push Bills Combating Sexual Assault, Retaliation in National Guard; Plunging Oil Prices Cast Doubt on Arctic Drilling; Anchorage Tourism Numbers Up, Expected To Continue; Small Businesses Struggle To Comply With Health Insurance Requirement; Landbank Lawsuit Aimed at USACE Regs; Governor Names New Deputy Labor Commissioners; UAS Closes Bookstore, Prepares For Tight Budget Times; Klawock Couple Plans Halftime Wedding
Download Audio