StoryCorps with Alaska’s military: Nancy Lee Baker & Susan Grace
At StoryCorps, 92-year-old Nancy Baker tells her friend, Susan Grace, what it was like to fly. Nancy flew in a female auxiliary pilot group called the WASP. They flew military aircraft during World War II to free up male pilots for combat. Nancy and other WASP pilots were recently awarded a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon civilians by Congress.
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Alaska Edition: May 23, 2014
Forest fires fill Southcentral Alaska with smoke. Providence Hospital is opposing MLP's proposed rate increase. The Anchorage School Board has passed a budget that would restore some teaching positions. More and more farmers markets are accepting food stamps. The Native village of Eklutna has received regulatory help from the Anchorage Assembly. Senate candidate Joe Miller raises global warming as a primary issue. Promoters of the legalization of marijuana hold a seminar on how to get into the business if legalized. People bike to work in Anchorage - but just how many. There's a lot of negative advertising on TV this political season. How do voters find out what is accurate?
KSKA: Friday, May 23 at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 24 at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Friday, May 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 24 at 4:30 p.m.
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Frost protection in the garden
Spring has arrived early this year, and although most of us have experienced snowfall in May, we all seem to be having a difficult time refraining from planting the entire garden now!
Now is a great time to start your garden, with a few simple precautions.
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With Senate Change, State House Feels Ripple Effects
When the Bipartisan Coalition lost control of the State Senate in 2012, it was a given that its Democratic members would see a big drop in the number of bills they got through. But that loss of clout also affected Democrats in the House.
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Senate Panel Approves Labeling for GM Salmon
Sen. Lisa Murkowski told the Senate Appropriations Committee she hopes the FDA never allows genetically modified salmon to reach supermarket shelves.
"But we haven’t been able to get the FDA able to slow down off their track of approval," she said.
So, Murkowski says, they should at least require "that they put on the package of fish: This is a genetically modified salmon."
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Funny River Fire Consumes Nearly 50k Acres
The Funny River fire that has been burning on the Kenai Peninsula since Monday has grown to nearly 50,000 acres.
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Tyonek Fire Grows To 1,800 Acres
Two Southcentral Alaska fires have grown in size since Wednesday afternoon, covering the Anchorage area in smoke Thursday morning.
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Wildfire Smoke Cloaks Anchorage
A thick haze of smoke covered Anchorage and much of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Thursday morning.
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Rep. Young Pushing Land Bill for Port Clarence Site
Congressman Don Young is introducing a bill in Washington, D.C. to speed up development in an area of the Seward Peninsula that many are eyeing as one piece of a future Arctic Port.
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Congress Passes Water Bill with Alaska Amendments
Congress has passed a $12 billion water resources bill that may help Alaska gain a deepwater Arctic port, although it doesn't actually fund one.
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Alaska News Nightly: May 22, 2014
Shifting Power In Alaska’s Legislature; Senate Panel Approves Labeling for GM Salmon; Funny River Fire Consumes Nearly 50k Acres; Tyonek Fire Grows To 1,800 Acres; Wildfire Smoke Cloaks Anchorage; Rep. Young Pushing Land Bill for Port Clarence Site; Congress Passes Water Bill with Alaska Amendments; Money, Drugs Missing From Barrow Police Station Evidence Locker; UAF Expecting Over $12 Million Budget Deficit; New President At Premera Alaska Will Be Based In Seattle; Bethel Elders Home Certified
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Money, Drugs Missing From Barrow Police Station Evidence Locker
Money and drugs went missing from the evidence room at the police station in Barrow last year—and now the North Slope Borough is launching an investigation into what happened.
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UAF Expecting Over $12 Million Budget Deficit
A University of Alaska Fairbanks committee is recommending cuts to close an expected 12 to 14 million dollar FY 15 budget deficit. The Planning and Budget Committee was charged with developing options to address rising costs and decreased state funding.
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Bethel Elders Home Certified
The Y-K Delta’s first skilled nursing facility is open and just received the federal certification necessary for payment from for Medicare and Medicaid. The certification comes just as Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation, which runs the Elders Home, faces an $11.7 million budget shortfall.
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Anchorage Air Quality Impacted By Regional Wildfires
Smoke from regional wildfires is causing concerns for air quality conditions in Anchorage. The municipality's Department of Health and Human Services said the air is unhealthy for all people and advises everyone to stay indoors.
New President At Premera Alaska Will Be Based In Seattle
Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska has a new president. Jim Grazko is replacing Jeff Davis, who held the job for 17 years and is retiring at the end of June. Premera Alaska is the largest health insurer in the state, serving more than 100,000 customers.
Investigators Find No Cover-up at Alaska National Guard
An Army Inspector General found no fault with how the Alaska National Guard handled reports of sexual assault and harassment. At least, that’s how the Inspector General’s office for the Defense Department explained it in a letter to Sen. Lisa Murkowski. She says she won't comment until she gets a chance to see the IG report for herself.
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Funny River Fire Takes 20,000 Acres, More Firefighters On The Way
Now in its third day, the wildfire burning on the Kenai Peninsula has consumed 20,000 acres.
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Tyonek Fire Grows To 1,500 Acres
A fire near the village of Tyonek has grown to approximately 1,500 acres.
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Anchorage Scientist Studies Ancient Cancer For Clues To Modern Disease
Cancer is often described as a modern disease. But the skeletal remains of our ancient ancestors are marked by the ravages of cancer. And an Anchorage scientist- who's a cancer survivor, thinks those prehistoric bones could hold clues to understanding how the disease works today.
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