Graduation Marks 10th Anniversary Of Dental Health Aide Therapist Program
A group of six dental health aide therapists graduated from training Friday in Anchorage. The ceremony also marked the 10th anniversary of the innovative program that places mid-level dental practitioners in under-served rural communities across Alaska. 81 villages in the state now have therapists.
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Anchorage Museum Becomes Smithsonian Affiliate
This week the Anchorage Museum reached a new level of recognition when it became a Smithsonian Affiliate, making it the only institution in Alaska that’s part of the Smithsonian’s network of 160-museums.
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Unalaska’s Wildlife Troopers To Remain Short-Staffed
A recently vacated Wildlife Trooper post in Unalaska is staying empty for now. It means staffing levels will be unconventionally low in the town that's home to the patrol vessel Stimson.
Earthquakes Swarm the Brooks Range
An “earthquake swarm” is hitting the Brooks Range. Seismologists do not know why it is occurring or if it will continue. Friday night a 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck 20 miles northeast of Noatak. This is the third 5.5 quake that has struck the same area in the past two months.
Critics Question Sealaska Ballot
Four Sealaska board of directors candidates say the regional Native corporation’s balloting process violates a recent court ruling. Sealaska says it’s not a problem. The Alaska Supreme Court decision came in a case involving CIRI, the regional Native corporation for the Cook Inlet area.
Coast Guard Sector Juneau Gets New Leadership
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Juneau has a new commanding officer. Capt. Shannan Greene took over for Capt. Scott Bornemann in a ceremony Friday at Centennial Hall.
Local Researchers Find New Home As Japanese Agencies Leave
The University of Alaska Board of Regents gave their formal approval for a $4.4 million project to re-purpose the Syun-Ichi Akasofu Building on the campus of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks during a regular meeting last week. The project comes after two Japanese agencies vacated the buildings. Their absence means a loss of funding that would otherwise pay to maintain the building.
I am an Alaska Native Dancer
Haliehana Stepetin is a master Alaska Native dancer born in Akutan, AK. Stepetin has made it her life goal to promote and teach the styles dance found throughout the diverse Alaska Native cultures.
Federal Fisheries Money Heads to Senate
The U.S. Senate is poised to pass a spending bill that includes more than $150 million for federal programs important to Alaska’s fishing industry and marine navigation, including money for electronic monitoring on fishing boats.
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Kerttula Takes Ocean Policy Job In Obama Administration
Former Juneau Rep. Beth Kerttula has joined the Obama Administration as Director of the National Ocean Council Office.
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AEA Holds Public Meetings In Upper Valley, Anchorage
This week, the Alaska Energy Authority held public meetings in the Upper Valley and Anchorage to discuss the plans for the proposed Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project. In addition to AEA’s updates on the progress and plans for the megaproject, opponents to the dam expressed continuing concerns.
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Indignant JDHS Alum Rallies Stanford Campus Around Rape Case
Until this week, Leah Francis was probably best known as an Alaska distance running champ from her days at Juneau-Douglas High School. That all changed after she went public saying she was forcibly raped by a fellow Stanford University undergraduate while in Juneau.
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Volunteers Still Searching For Missing Juneau Hiker
Luke Holton doesn’t know 48-year-old Sharon Buis, but he’s helping to organize the volunteer search effort that started Wednesday, less than one week after Alaska State Troopers called off the official search.
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Alaska News Nightly: June 6, 2014
Federal Fisheries Money Heads to Senate; Kerttula Takes Ocean Policy Job In Obama Administration; AEA Holds Public Meetings In Upper Valley, Anchorage; Indignant JDHS Alum Rallies Stanford Campus Around Rape Case; Volunteers Still Searching For Missing Juneau Hiker; Chitina Dip Net Salmon Fishery Opens At Midnight; Video Collars Provide Polar Bears' Point Of View; AK: Police Dogs; 300 Villages: Togiak
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Chitina Dip Net Salmon Fishery Opens At Midnight
The Chitina Subdistrict Dip Net Salmon Fishery opens at midnight. Dip netters can expect to see plenty of fish during the first opening.
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Video Collars Provide Polar Bears’ Point Of View
Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey are using new video collars to get a glimpse into the daily life of polar bears. Researchers have been using radio and GPS collars since the 1980s to track polar bears' movements along the Arctic sea ice. But, that data lacks a lot of contextual and observational information that allows for a better understanding of the bears.
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AK: Police Dogs
Dog owners know the challenges of dog training – first to get them housebroken, then to stop jumping on people or perhaps to pull on their harness on command. But police dogs have to meet a remarkable level of obedience. KNBA’s Joaqlin Estus recently met up with Aerie, a police dog with the Anchorage Police Department, and his handler in an Anchorage parking lot, and has this story.
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300 Villages: Togiak
This week, we’re heading to Togiak, on Bristol Bay. Daryl Thompson is city administrator for the city of Togiak.
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Proposition 1
Alaska’s budget is based on oil taxes, and the Legislature changed the oil tax structure last year to allow the industry more income when prices are high. In August Alaska’s voters are being asked whether they want to repeal that change.
APRN: Tuesday, June 1, at 10:00 a.m.
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Court Says Alaska Must Translate Election Materials Into Alaska Native Languages
A federal judge says the constitutional right to vote requires the state of Alaska to translate all election materials into Native languages for voters lacking English proficiency.
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