Mine Critics Target Investors, Government Officials
Transboundary mine opponents are trying a new tactic in their opposition to a project northeastof Ketchikan. They’re telling investors, and anyone else who will listen, that the KSM mine is a bad place to put their money.
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Kuskokwim 300 to Run as 12-Dog Race
The Kuskowkim 300 Sled Dog race is now a 12-dog event. The race committee decided this fall to lower the dog limit from 14 to 12.
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Anchorage Museum Trying New Ways To Recruit New Museum Buffs
As cultural institutions across the country struggle to stay relevant in a changing financial landscape, many are testing new ways to raise funds and expand membership. The Anchorage museum is trying to recruit the next wave of museum buffs in some unconventional ways.
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Alaska News Nightly: November 17, 2014
Begich Concedes; Walker Transition Formally Begins; Marijuana Businesses Face Special Burdens; Lights Return to Tuluksak; Deep Decline in Polar Bears Reported; Virus Could Be Killing Pacific Starfish; Military Training In Alaska; Feds Uphold Wishbone Hill Permits
Begich Concedes Senate Race to Sullivan
Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Begich has conceded the Alaska Senate race to Republican Dan Sullivan. Begich called Sullivan to congratulate him Monday. He said he urged Sullivan "to adopt a bipartisan resolve in the Senate."
After Parnell Concession, Walker Transition Formally Begins
The logistical aspects of the transition are being handled by small circle of advisors, which includes newly hired chief of staff Jim Whitaker.
Marijuana Entrepreneurs Face Special Business Burdens
Alaskans who hope to operate marijuana businesses will have to defy U.S. drug law, of course. But they’ll also face other federal rules they’re likely to find severely inconvenient and perhaps crippling to their enterprise.
Lights Back on in Tuluksak
After a week without power, the lights in Tuluksak came back on Friday evening. Some families lost hundreds of pounds of meat and fish due to the extended outage during unseasonably warm weather. The community of more than 400 located upriver from Bethel lost power earlier this month.
Scientists Report Steep Decline in Number of Polar Bears
Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey are reporting a steep decline in the number of polar bears in the southern Beaufort Sea. In a study published on Monday, they show the population dropped 40 percent in the first 10 years of this century.
Virus Suspected in Sea Star Wasting Disease Epidemic
A mysterious illness causing mass die-offs of Pacific starfish has baffled scientists since the epidemic first started in the summer of 2013. But scientists think they may now have an answer. A new study points to a virus as the likely cause of dwindling sea star numbers from Mexico to Alaska.
Military Training Becoming More Difficult in Alaska
The Army’s highest-ranking soldier in Alaska says the military trains here so it can operate in the Arctic, which he calls one of the world’s most difficult environments.
State OKs Wishbone Hill Coal Permits
The federal Office of Surface Mining has contacted the state regarding the status of coal mining permits for the Wishbone Hill site near Palmer. Last month, the state gave Usibelli Coal the go-ahead to begin mining, after years of delays and legal hurdles. But OSM has criticized the state Department of Natural Resources for it's handling of the many extensions and renewals of the permit since 1991.
East Anchorage Drug Bust Part of State-Wide Rise in Heroin, Cocaine, Meth
Police Department spokesperson Jennifer Castro said a tip allowed officers to obtain search warrants, which led them the cache of drugs--estimated to be worth $111,000 at the street level.
Bethel Tribe Drops Funding for City Transit
Bethel’s tribe, ONC announced Monday that they will no longer provide funding for the city’s transit system. The announcement came at a joint meeting of the tribe and the city council at ONC’s offices. Gloria Simeon, President of the ONC Council, says uncertainty of federal funding is a big reason they’re pulling the money.
Healthcare.gov Has Smooth Launch in Alaska
Healthcare.gov was working smoothly in Alaska this weekend for the start of open enrollment. Enroll Alaska reported Friday that the site was miscalculating the subsidy amounts for Alaskans looking for health insurance in "window shopping" mode. But the company said it had signed up 40 people on Saturday- the first day the site was live- with no apparent problems.
Parnell concedes gubernatorial race to Walker
Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell has conceded in the state’s gubernatorial race, issuing a statement a day after independent candidate Bill Walker was declared the winner.
Associated Press: Walker Unseats Parnell
Unaffiliated candidate Bill Walker has increased his lead in the governor's race. Meanwhile, the gap in the Senate race shrunk slightly.
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Murkowski Questions Differing National Guard Investigation Results
Two different Pentagon agencies investigated the Alaska National Guard for allegedly mishandling sexual assault complaints. They came to opposite conclusions, and U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski wants to know why.
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With No Power, Tuluksak Residents Scramble to Save Meat
After a week without power, a backup generator is scheduled to arrive in Tuluksak Friday. But families have already lost hundreds of pounds of moose, fish, birds, and berries.
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Alaska News Nightly: November 14, 2014
Walker Increases Lead, Begich Closes Gap Slightly; Murkowski Questions Differing National Guard Investigation Results; Healthcare.gov Miscalculates Subsidies in Alaska; With No Power, Tuluksak Residents Scramble to Save Meat; Students Call For Action, Public Comment On U-Med Access Road; Candlelight Vigil Raises Awareness About Homeless Students; State Celebrates First Dr. Walter Soboleff Day; AK: Tlingit Dance; 300 Villages: The Stampede
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