Top VA Official Visits Rural Alaska
The top official from the Department of Veterans Affairs spent Memorial Day afternoon in Rural Alaska. Secretary Eric Shinseki traveled to the Bering Sea Village of Kwigillingok to get a better understanding of what it will take to care for veterans in the remote reaches of Alaska.
Petersburg Coast Guard Commander Temporarily Relieved of Duty
There’s been a shake-up in command at Petersburg’s Coast Guard detachment. The Coast Guard announced on Monday that it has temporarily relieved Anacapa commanding officer Lt. Matthias Wholley from his duties in charge of the 110-foot cutter.
Court Issues Final Judgement on Reinstating Roadless Protections
A federal court has issued its final judgment for reinstating roadless protections for the Tongass National Forest. It overturns an exemption put in place by the Forest Service under the administration of George W. Bush.
TSA Official Meeting With Alaska Social Service Providers
Wednesday, an official from the Transportation Security Administration will meet with Alaska social service providers in an effort to find ways to make airport security procedures less intrusive and traumatic. The TSA is responding to prodding from Senator Mark Begich, who has called TSA officials on the carpet a few times in Washington.
Links Between Cancer, Chemicals Focus in Series of Talks
Links between cancer and chemicals in our environment will be the focus of a series of talks in Alaska beginning Wednesday in Anchorage. Jeanne Rizzo is an RN and is the president of the Breast Cancer Fund. The organization works to raise awareness of pervasive toxins in every day products and what people can do to make better choices for themselves and their families.
Athletes Compete in First Valdez Summit to Sound Challenge
If you were looking for a race besides the Indy 500 over Memorial Day weekend, then Prince William Sound was the place to go. Various athletes spent their weekend competing in the first-ever Valdez Summit to Sound Challenge.
Alaska News Nightly: May 31, 2011
Fire North of Fairbanks Draws Big Response, Top VA Official Visits Rural Alaska, Petersburg Coast Guard Commander Temporarily Relieved of Duty, Court Issues Final Judgement on Reinstating Roadless Protections, and more...
Sealaska Heritage Institute Cultural Center Named After Soboleff
The Sealaska Heritage Institute Cultural Center planned for downtown Juneau will be named for the Reverend Doctor Walter Soboleff.
Institute president Rosita Worl made the announcement Saturday during memorial services for Soboleff. Fundraising is underway for the Southeast Alaska Native cultural and visitors’ facility, to be built adjacent to Sealaska Regional Native Corporation headquarters.
Environmental Groups Appeal Railroad Herbicide Spraying
In 2006, after the Alaska Railroad applied for a permit to spray herbicides along the railroad and public outcry ensued, the Department of Environmental Conservation denied the permit. In 2008, the Railroad authorized a study on small sections of track and then reapplied to DEC for a permit. Since that time, environmental groups have been following the appeals process on the permit approval.
Groups Organize Global Contest to Design ‘Living Building’
Between the high prices of heating fuel and construction materials in the Aleutians, the cost of building a house along the Chain – and living in it – is higher than most places in the United States. But now, two groups are teaming up to find an affordable and environmentally friendly design that works for the Aleutian Islands.
Veterans Receive Special Honor from Korean Government
Veterans and their families were joined on the park strip in Anchorage today by Senator Mark Begich and Veterans Administration Secretary Eric Shinseki. The two officials left immediately following the gathering for events at Joint base Elmendorf/Richardson.
Sitka Coast Guard Air Stations First Commanding Officer Comes Back for Visit
A man named David Irons was among the hundreds of cruise ship passengers in Sitka last week. But instead of heading for the National Park, downtown stores, or other popular attractions, Irons went straight to the Coast Guard air station.
34 years ago, he was in charge of the place, as its first-ever commanding officer.
Special Session Plans on Hold
The president of the Alaska Senate says tentative plans for a second special legislative session are on hold.
Republican Gary Stevens, of Kodiak, says the House and Senate still can’t agree on extending the state’s coastal zone management program, which expires July 1, and they won’t meet in special session until a deal is reached.
Alaska News Nightly: May 30, 2011
Veterans Receive Special Honor from Korean Government, Sitka Coast Guard Air Station's First Commanding Officer Comes Back for Visit, Special Session Plans on Hold, Sealaska Heritage Institute Cultural Center Named After Soboleff, and more...
Plane Crash Kills Five Near Birchwood
At about 10:15 this morning Anchorage police responded to a plane crash near the Birchwood Airport in the Chugiak area. All five people aboard were killed.
Lawmakers Preparing to Head Back to Juneau
There’s no word yet on whether a special session will be held next week to deal with the single issue of keeping the Coastal Management program alive. However Senate officials are meeting on Sunday to make a final decision.
Top Veterans Affairs Official Visiting Alaska
The top U.S. official who oversees veterans’ issues will be in Alaska on Memorial Day. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki will be with Senator Mark Begich in Anchorage on Monday at Memorial Day events. They’ll also travel out to rural Alaska that afternoon, which Begich says will give Shinseki insight into what Alaskan veterans face when trying to get services.
360 North Carrying Soboleff Memorial Service
Memorial services for the Reverend Doctor Walter Soboleff will be carried live on statewide television Saturday.
Beginning at 2 p.m., Doctor Soboleff will be remembered at a Grand Camp Alaska Native Brotherhood and Alaska Native Sisterhood service followed by a community memorial.
Dozens of New Fires Ignite
A dozen new wildfires were reported in Alaska Thursday, a mix of lightning and human caused blazes. Several are being fought, including an over 1,000 acre lightning start in the Delta Junction area, where more than 50 firefighters and air resources are working.
Forestry Officials Warn About Interior Fire Conditions
State Forestry officials are cautioning interior residents to be careful with anything that could spark a wildfire. Memorial Day weekend will see Alaskans out recreating during stretch of very hot dry weather, and Forestry spokeswoman Maggie Rogers says the chance of accidentally starting a wildfire is high.