ASD Budget Cutting Process Begins as Legislature Mulls Increasing Education Funding
Anchorage School District officials presented the 2014-15 budget to the Anchorage School Board Thursday evening. The district faces cutting 23 million dollars this year unless the legislature increases the per student funding. Public testimony was passionate and officials discussed calculations for how much legislators would have to increase funding to stop cuts.
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Warm Temperatures Causing Issues Around State
The Northern Lights 300 Sled Dog Race from Big Lake to Finger Lake has been cancelled, and the north part of Denali National Park has been put off limits for snowmachines due to wet conditions and lack of snow. Skiing has been off and on at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood.
Legislative Session Gavels In; And Rep. Kerttula Resigns
The Legislature opens the 2014 session and Gov. Parnell gives his State of the State address. Layoffs are coming to the Anchorage School District. Sen. Mark Begich opposes the proposed Pebble Mine. Analysts lay out the impact of budget shortfalls to the Legislature. Buccaneer his rough spots in preparing to drill in Cook Inlet. Shell's earnings off 48 percent. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals says the federal government failed to evaluate the potential consequences of the 2008 off-shore lease sale. The Anchorage labor law referendum seems head to the November ballot. Rep, Beth Kerttula steps down as House Minority Leader.
KSKA: Friday, 1/24 at 2PM & Saturday, 1/25 at 6PM.
KAKM: Friday 1/24 at 7:30PM & Saturday. 1/25 at 4:30PM
Court Says Chukchi Lease Sale Environmental Assessment Faulty
A federal appeals court has ruled that the environmental assessment behind a massive oil lease sale in the Chukchi Sea in 2008 was faulty.
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Document Highlights Rural Housing Shortage
Affordable housing is getting harder to find in Nome and surrounding villages. The regional non-profit corporation – Kawerak – is drafting a document to present to the state legislature identifying housing as one of the major issues facing the communities in the area.
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Final Fine Particulate Public Hearing Draws Large Crowd
A final public hearing on proposed Department of Environmental Conservation fine particulate pollution regulations drew a large turn out earlier this week in Fairbanks. The regulations aimed at bringing wintertime air in Fairbanks in line with federal standards, continue to be controversial.
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New Science Released On How Human-Made Sounds Impact Marine Mammals
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is asking for public comment on guidelines updating the effects of human-made sounds on marine mammals.
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Residents Anxious as City Mulls Condemning Motel
About two-dozen residents of a motel that was seized by the Municipality of Anchorage recently, may soon be looking for a new place to live. They have not been evicted yet, but the city says that will likely happen because of unsanitary conditions.
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Alaska News Nightly: January 23, 2014
Parnell Offers ‘Choice’-Friendly School Reform Package; Legislators Not Sold On Governor’s Education Package; Court Says Chukchi Lease Sale Environmental Assessment Faulty; Residents Anxious as City Mulls Condemning Motel; Document Highlights Rural Housing Shortage; Final Fine Particulate Public Hearing Draws Large Crowd; New Science Released On How Human-Made Sounds Impact Marine Mammals
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President Declares Federal Disaster For November Storm Victims In Alaska
President Barack Obama declared a federal Disaster for Alaska Thursday, making federal dollars available for victims of storms that occurred back in November.
Parnell Offers “Choice”-Friendly School Reform Package
During the State of the State address on Wednesday night, Parnell laid out an agenda that was friendly to the school choice movement, and he made a commitment to increase school funding if it passes.
Palmer Hearing Pinpoints Divisive Legislation
Alaska Natives are spearheading a move to block a divisive piece of legislation. On Tuesday, the Chickaloon Tribe invited the public and state officials out to Palmer to discuss their differences.
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YKHC President Retires Amid Controversy With The Board
The Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation employs more than 1,600 people. It’s the largest employer in Bethel and has been led by Gene Peltola Sr. for 24 years. However, the CEO spent this past weekend clearing out his office amid controversy with the board of directors.
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GovTrack Completes 2013 Report Card On Congress
GovTrack, a nonpartisan website that collects data on proposed federal legislation, has completed its 2013 report card on members of Congress. It found Alaska’s Mark Begich co-sponsored more bills than any other senator, while Congressman Don Young introduced more bills than any other House Republican. But the report card was especially interesting for what it said about U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski.
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Admiral Ostebo Outlines USCG’s Plans For Western Alaska
Coast Guard Admiral Thomas Ostebo visited Nome last week to outline summer plans for Western Alaska. The plans are part of the Coast Guard’s Alaska operation for the year, officially titled Arctic Shield 2014.
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Court Says Inadequate Studies Conducted Before 2008 Lease Sale
A federal appeals court has ruled that federal regulators conducted inadequate environmental studies before selling $2.7 billion in petroleum leases off Alaska’s northwest coast.
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What Is The Center For Ocean Solutions?
Representative Beth Kerttula’s new position will be the first for an elected official at the Stanford University Center for Ocean Solutions. The center is a collaboration of marine research organizations connected with Stanford.
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‘Excluder’ Could Limit Salmon Bycatch
The Pollock trawl fleet now has a device that could help them avoid catching too many salmon. It’s what’s called an “excluder,” and has been in development for more than ten years. The design was presented at the Marine Science Symposium meeting in Anchorage.
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Proposed Setnet Initiative Heading To Court
The Alaska Fisheries Conservation Alliance did not agree with the Lt. Governor’s decision this month to not allow its proposed ban on commercial set netting on the 2014 ballot. They’re taking their case to court.
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Young And Old Turn Out To ‘Bonfire for Bristol Bay’ Rally In Dillingham
The atmosphere was festive Tuesday night at the Dillingham boat harbor as dozens came to celebrate some recent successes in the fight against the Pebble Mine.
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