Bills Would Help Communities Deal With Marine Debris
Two bills aimed at helping coastal communities deal with marine debris advanced in Congress on Wednesday. Alaska Congressman Don Young, a co-sponsor, says they would make it easier for local, state and tribal governments to get money to remove rubbish that floats to their shores.
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Scientist Reprimanded Over Emails Settles Case
An Alaska scientist whose observations of drowned polar bears helped galvanize the global warming movement has retired as part of a settlement with a federal agency.
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Air Plan Deadline Extension Draws Critics
There’s push back on the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed extension of time for states to develop plans to reduce fine particulate pollution. Clean air advocates are opposed to potential delay in improving air quality in communities suffering with air pollution, like Fairbanks.
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Mayor Serves Assembly New Tennis Proposal
After two months of back and forth about whether a rec center with public tennis courts should be built in Anchorage with grant money from the state legislature, the city assembly voted the idea down at their regular meeting Tuesday night, but Mayor Dan Sullivan has already introduced a new proposal.
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Federal Extended Unemployment Benefits Coming To An End
The federal program extending unemployment benefits past the 26-week limit offered by the state will end on Dec. 28 unless Congress opts to extend it.
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Alaska Columnist Preps For Springtime Gardens
In less than three weeks, the Winter Solstice will mark a gradual lengthening in the daylight hours in Alaska. And, with more light, come thoughts of next spring’s garden. Anchorage Daily News gardening columnist Jeff Lowenfels is the author of two books on the soil and food web: Teeming With Microbes and Teeming With Nutrients. Lowenfels says even though it’s frigid outside, it’s a good time to be thinking about gardening.
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Skagway Residents Concerned About Short-Staffed Postal Service
Rural Alaska communities rely on mail service more than most. For many, it is a source of not just communication, but a supply line for things like medication and other necessities. That’s why Skagway residents are concerned with their postal service, after two employees were let go, leaving the post office short staffed and overwhelmed.
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Assembly Says No On Tennis
After two months of back and forth about whether a rec center with public tennis courts should be built with grant money from the state legislature, the Anchorage assembly voted the idea down at their regular meeting Tuesday night.
Strong Sockeye Run Predicted
Alaska state fishery managers are predicting a strong sockeye salmon run in Upper Cook Inlet next year.
Musk Oxen Make Bethel Appearance
Alaska State Troopers say musk oxen have been seen in and around the Bethel area, and people should keep their distance. Troopers say the musk oxen have been seen near homes, on winter trails and near the local waterfront.
Sitka Sea Salt Makers Win National Taste-Test Award
What do the Space Needle, Sitka Sound Science Center, and Cafe Juanita in Kirkland, Washington have in common? They all carry artisanal salt made by Alaska Pure. The Sitka company’s sea salts are designed around flavors reminiscent of Southeast Alaska. In 2013 their wild blueberry sea salt captured a national taste-test award.
Juneau Issues First Winter Air Alert
The City and Borough of Juneau has called the first air emergency of the winter. For residents of the Mendenhall Valley, that means wood stove burning is banned until the alert is lifted.
Grant Funding to Promote Success Toward Higher Education
The Youth Action Committee (YAC), of the Juneau Community Foundation, requests proposals from Juneau non-profit organizations and schools to promote success in high school by increasing awareness of the range of Post Secondary opportunities available for high school graduates.
With the help of the Juneau Community Foundation and local organizations, YAC members strive to improve the lives of their peers.
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Democratic Legislators Push For Stricter Campaign Disclosure Rules
Over the next year, millions of dollars are expected to enter Alaska in the form of campaign spending. The Alaska Senate race could end up being one of the more expensive races in the country, because Republicans need to unseat Democrat Mark Begich if they want to take control of Congress. Since much of the money is going to be spent on political ads, some state legislators would like to see stronger federal disclosure laws, so voters know who's paying for the airtime.
Alaska Groups Give Passing Grade To Reworked HealthCare.gov
Groups in Alaska working to sign people up for health insurance on the federal marketplace say the website is working much better. The Obama Administration re-launched an improved healthcare.gov marketplace yesterday. Now insurance agents and navigators have three weeks to help Alaskans enroll in insurance plans that start offering coverage January 1st.
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Dead Birds Wash Up On St. Lawrence Island
Hundreds of dead birds washed up on the shores of St. Lawrence Island towards the end of November. And though the cause of the die off isn’t yet known, the quick response demonstrates a mounting capacity for dealing with unexpected environmental events in the region.
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Frog Abnormality Research Finds Location is a Key Factor
Increasing reports of deformed frogs and toads in the mid 90s, prompted Congress to mandate studies to look into the problem. Amphibians are sort of the canary in the coal mine for gauging the environmental health of land and surface water. The study was released in November, and looks at amphibian abnormalities on 152 wildlife refuges across the country, including five in Alaska.
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Plucky Delta Farmer Undaunted, Determined to Rebuild Poultry Barn Razed by Fire
A Delta Junction-area farmer is rebuilding a barn fire that killed 500 chickens and other livestock last spring. Despite that and other adversity, Brandy McLain is determined to restore her poultry operation.
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Crews Rescue Woman From Fairbanks High Rise Window
Fairbanks emergency responders rescued a woman from a window of a downtown Fairbanks high rise yesterday.
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Late Start for Flu Shots Causes Concern
The Lower 48 has been on the offensive against the flu virus for weeks. But in Unalaska, most people didn’t have access to vaccines until late November. An attempt to tailor flu prevention around Unalaska’s unique population didn’t go over well with locals.
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