With State In The Red, Lawmakers Considering Savings Withdrawal
The state was already looking at deficit spending even before Wednesday's revenue forecast came out, but now Alaska is facing a $2 billion budget shortfall. The governor also wants to put $3 billion toward the state's unfunded pension liabilities. Lawmakers plan to cover that gap with a mix of budget cuts and savings withdrawals.
Arctic Fibre Reveals Alaska Broadband Plans
In another sign of how climate change is transforming the Arctic, a Toronto-based company is planning to lay a fiber-optic cable through Canada’s Northwest Passage.
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BOEM Reviews Lease Sale Comments
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management received comments this week on the proposed 2016 lease sale for the Chukchi Sea. Unlike lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico, new Arctic lease sales are targeted – certain areas may not be up for auction.
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Court Backs Park Service In Water Rights Case
A court decision has re-affirmed National Park Service authority to regulate state owned rivers flowing through federal lands. The ruling is in a case that spurred public outcry about park service law enforcement.
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Indian Law and Order Commission Report Criticizes Alaska
Wednesday, three members of the Indian Law and Order Commission spoke at the Bureau of Indian Affairs Providers’ Conference to describe the findings of their report to Congress and the President, a report that singles out Alaska for criticism.
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Savoonga Lands 55-Foot Bowhead Whale
Half the community of Savoonga flocked to the beach Tuesday to help haul a 55-foot bowhead whale ashore. The meat is especially welcome in the village because of an economic crisis after a record low walrus harvest this fall.
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Former Legislator, Teacher, Homesteader Niilo Koponen Dies
Fairbanks educator and former state legislator Niilo Koponen passed away Tuesday of natural causes, according to the family’s website.
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Alaska Man Loses Appeal Over Park Dispute
A federal judge has dismissed the appeal of an Alaska man convicted of charges stemming from a 2010 run-in with park rangers in the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. Jim Wilde was arrested after failing to stop his boat for a safety inspection on the Yukon River.
Bristol Bay Driftnet Permits Increase in Value
The value of Bristol Bay driftnet permits continues to increase. The value placed on those permits by the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission jumped up over $14,000 to about $117,000. That's compared to the $102,000 dollars value recorded back in October. The November figure of about $117,000 is the largest value for Bristol Bay driftnet permits in over a year.
Bethel Man Facing Felony Assault Charge
A Bethel man is facing a felony assault charge for allegedly hurting his two-year-old son. Last week, Bethel Police were called to a home early in the morning and arrested 30-year-old Maurice Andrews, Sr.
Climate Change Could Affect Southeast Salmon Habitat
Researchers expect that salmon productivity could shift in Southeast Alaska streams over the next 70 years as temperatures rise and rainfall increases because of climate change.
Sitka Teen Speaks Out About Rebuilding Her Culture
Mt. Edgecumbe High School student Shanelle Afcan delivered a powerful commentary last week on Sitka's KCAW Raven Radio about the disappearance of her Alaska Native culture.
The club hosts a youth-led, hour-long monthly radio show on the local public radio station. The show connects the Sitka community to the student community by breaking down youth stereotypes.
Read more. Oil Tax Revenue Expected To Decline By $2 Billion
The State of Alaska is expecting to take in $2 billion less in oil taxes over the next fiscal year, according to the Department of Revenue's fall forecast. That means a 30 percent drop in the state's unrestricted general fund, the pool of money that the state's elected leaders control.
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Participants Voice Hopes And Realities At Domestic Violence Prevention Summit
The Second Annual Prevention Summit kicked off Tuesday in Juneau. Sponsored by the stateCouncil on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, the three-day summit at Centennial Hall brings together teams from 19 communities with the goal of exchanging ideas about prevention.
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Federal Budget Deal Might Include Higher Air Travel Taxes
Brace yourselves for higher airline ticket fees, maybe. In Congress, budget negotiators are trying to craft a deal that would keep the government running and avoid automatic spending cuts without raising taxes. But lawmakers say the deal may include higher user fees, among them, a doubling of the security fee air passengers pay - from $2.50 per flight segment to $5.
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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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