Subsistence Fishermen On Kuskokwim Should Get More Kings This Summer
Last year, an unprecedented 12-day King salmon fishing closure on the Kuskokwim River devastated the subsistence harvest of the fish. Instead of taking about 75,000 Kings as usual, residents only caught 20,000. However, this year should be different.
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F-16s at Eielson are Grounded
The Air Force has grounded the 18th Aggressor Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base due to federal budget restrictions. The Squadron of F-16s is the same one the Air Force has considered relocating to Joint Base Elemendorf Richardson near Anchorage.
State Vehicles Block Abortion Protesters in Front of the Capitol Building
Protesters with the anti-abortion Center for Bioethical Reform held up large signs across from the state capitol building in Juneau this week, depicting graphic images of aborted fetuses.
Audit Deems KABATA Project “Unreasonably Optimistic”
An audit of the Knik Arm bridge finds that the agency handling the project has "overstated" its traffic forecasts. Government auditors expect substantially less toll revenue as a result, leaving the state at risk of having to make up the shortfall.
Marvin Sentenced To 198 Years
John Marvin, Junior has been sentenced to 198 years in prison for the murder of two Hoonah police officers. The 47-year old Hoonah resident will essentially spend the rest of his life in prison for gunning down two officers in front of their families, and then holding other officers at bay in a stand-off for more than a day.
Northern Edge Cancelled
Another major military exercise has been cancelled. The Alaskan command announced this (Friday) morning that it will not hold Northern Edge 2013. The event, held every other year was scheduled for the last 2 weeks of June.
Parnell Administration, Unions Reach Tentative Agreement
The Parnell administration and two public employee unions have reached tentative agreement for a new three-year contract to begin in July. The Alaska Public Employees Association settled earlier this week; the Alaska State Employees Association finished late Thursday afternoon.
Task Force Report Reveals Ways to Help Victims of Sex Trafficking
The scope of Alaska’s sex trafficking problem remains unclear, but there’s plenty that can still be done to help victims -- that’s the conclusion of a report issued by astate task force charged with studying the issue.
Lawmaker Pushes Photo ID for Voters
A measure that would require voters to show photo identification at the polls got its first hearing today (on Thursday). Rep. Bob Lynn, a Republican from Anchorage, sponsored the bill, and he views it as a simple way of preventing voter fraud.
Massive Disabled Cargo Ship in Route to Dutch Harbor
When it finally arrives in Unalaska next week, the Shin Onoe will be one of the biggest vessels to ever stay in port here. It’s 150 feet wide, with a 60 foot draft when it’s full of coal, soybeans, or iron. Right now, it’s empty. It was traveling along the Great Circle shipping route to Prince William Sound early this week to pick up cargo when its turbocharger failed, just west of Attu island.
Shell Tallies Cost of Kulluk Grounding
Shell’s chief executives responded to questions about the January grounding of the Kulluk drill rig during the company’s annual results conference in London Thursday. In a prepared presentation, Shell’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Voser, played down the company’s many mishaps in Alaska last year.
Republicans Oust Millette as Chair
The Alaska Republican Party's Executive Committee has blocked incoming party chair. Russ Millette from taking his position. In a meeting last night, the committee voted to oust Millette, who was elected to the chairman's position at the party's annual state convention in April of last year. Millette says he's weighing his options to fight the decision.
Kikkan Randall Dominates Sprint in Sochi
Kikkan Randall won the world cup skate sprint near Sochi, Russia today, on the same course that will serve as the Olympic venue next year. The Alaska Pacific University skier won all three heats.
ASD Talks About School Safety
Anchorage leaders held a press conference at City Hall today (Friday) to discuss school safety after news of the school shooting in Connecticut. Anchorage School District Superintendent Jim Browder says he's had a lot of inquires from parents about school safety since this morning's tragedy in Connecticut. And he says he wants people to know that every school in the district has an emergency plan that's required by state law.
Governor Parnell Announces 2014 Budget Plan
Today Governor Sean Parnell announced a $12.8 billion-dollar budget for 2014, saying it's more than a billion dollars leaner than this year's budget and leaves a half-billion-dollar surplus.
Legislative Aide Resigns After Ethics Violation
A legislative aide resigned today because of ethics violations involving an anti-Islam organization.
Senate Considers Disaster Bill That Includes Alaska Aid
The Senate is green lighting a disaster relief bill to the floor. It could come up for a vote as early as Monday. It has two key provisions for Alaska – federal aid for the fishery disaster and money for marine debris research and clean up. As APRN’s Peter Granitz reports, the bill has ballooned in size, and it’s unclear whether it will pass as is.
Bethel Approves Tobacco Tax
Soon it will be more expensive to be a tobacco user in Bethel. At the last regular meeting the Bethel City Council passed an ordinance that will increase taxes on all tobacco products sold in the city. The ordinance will raise the price of cigarettes by $2.21 per pack and raise prices for other tobacco products by 45%.
Legislature Loses Alaska Native Representation
Southeast lost both its Tlingit lawmakers during this year’s legislative elections. It’s the first time in at least two decades that the region has been without Native representation.