Kikkan Randall Wins Tour de Ski
Kikkan Randall once again dominated an event in the Tour de Ski yesterday, winning all heats of the freestyle sprint event. Her rival, Justina Kowalchik of Poland, did not make the final heat. Randall ended up 8.7 seconds ahead of her closest competitor.
Shell Drill Rig Runs Aground
The Kulluk grounded on the southeast shoreline of Sitkalidak Island (between the north edge of Ocean Bay and Partition Cove) at approximately 9 p.m. on December 31, 2012. The shoreline of Partition Cove is primarily comprised of mixed sand and gravel beaches. Severe weather conditions continue to impact operations.
Congress Remains In Deadlock On Fiscal Cliff Deal
As New Year’s Eve approaches, Congress is at an impasse on the so called fiscal cliff, signs point to an agreement on taxes but it’s unclear what will be done about spending cuts.
Senate Passes Disaster Relief Bill
The Senate passed a disaster relief bill today. Included is money for fishery disasters across the country. Subsistence and commercial fishermen won’t get any money soon, because the House is unlikely to take up the bill.
Alaskans Can Pick. Click. Give. to 471 Organizations in 2013.
It's almost time for Alaskans to file for their permanent fund dividends. And that means they also have the option to give a portion of their pfd to charitable and non-profit organizations through the state's charitable giving program, Pick. Click. Give. In 2013 there are more organizations than ever to give to.
EPA Administrator To Step Down
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson announced she’ll step down early next year. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski isn’t sure who should replace her.
Tug Towing Drilling Rig Having Engine Problems
Problems continue for Shell Oil’s mobile drilling rigs in Alaska waters. The tug towing the Kulluk, which left Dutch Harbor last Friday, is having engine trouble in 20-foot seas about 50 miles south of Kodiak Island.
Coast Guard Finds Safety Violations On Shell Rig
Shell’s Noble Discoverer drill rig has had several high-profile mishaps in 2012. Now, the Coast Guard says it found problems with the rig's on-board systems during an emergency inspection in Seward.
Federal Unemployment Benefits Will End If No Stop-Gap Measure Reached
If Congress doesn’t pass a stop gap measure that includes it, federal emergency unemployment compensation will end for thousands of jobless Alaskans on Monday. President Obama would like to see federal unemployment benefits as part of a stop-gap measure to avert the so called fiscal cliff.
Top of the World 350 Kicks Off in Tok
Some well known names in the Alaska mushing world are heading toward Eagle today as the inaugural running of the Top of the World 350 kicked off in Tok. Lance Mackey, Gerry Willomitzer and Dan Kaduce are among the 22 mushers racing toward the Yukon river community near the Canadian border. The race is in honor of Eagle elder Issac Juneby who passed away last summer. Shyanne Beatty is Juneby’s niece. She’s helping with the organization of the race and spoke to me today from the Tok Dog Musher’s association headquarters. She says mushers came from across the state.
No Deal In Sight To Avert Federal Spending Cuts
The nation is just five days away from the New Year. And as we’ve all heard more than a year now, the New Year will bring tax increases and federal spending cuts. There is no deal in sight, though leaders may try and push a pared back plan to avert the fiscal cliff.
Sitka Man Dies After Car Crash
A young Sitka man crashed his car into an other vehicle and was killed in the crash Sunday night. Police say Lane Marlin Robinson, 22, took off on Halibut Point Road after failing to stop for an officer's lights and siren. He crossed the center-line at high speed and hit a sports utility vehicle driven by an 18-year-old woman. Robinson was declared dead at the scene.
Cargo Vessel Crew Member Falls Overboard In Gulf of Alaska
A crew member fell overboard from a cargo vessel in the Gulf of Alaska Tuesday night and was not found. The "Aqua Splendor" was on its way to Asia from Washington state and was about 300 miles south of Kodiak when the crew member fell. They threw flotation gear to him and put out a distress call. The Coast Guard sent out a C-130 but it was forced by the weather to turn back. A second vessel also searched, but found no sign of the man.
Army Identifies JBER Soldier Found Dead In Barracks
The Army has identified the man found dead of a gunshot wound at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Tuesday morning as Private Grant Wise, age 25, of Fairport, New York. Wise was assigned to Alaska duty with the 4-25th in September, after serving at Fort Bragg. The Army says he was found dead in another soldier's barracks room and investigation continues.
Avalanche Danger High in Southcentral
After little snow, Southcentral Alaska finally saw accumulation with the Christmas Eve storm. But with the new snowfall comes avalanche danger.
Body of Missing USCG Hiker Recovered on Christmas Day
On Kodiak Island, the body of a Coast Guardsmen missing since Saturday was recovered Monday on Barometer Mountain.
Silver Bay Seafood’s Coming To Bristol Bay In 2014
Another seafood processor is planning to operate in Bristol Bay.
JBER Soldier Found Dead In Barracks Tuesday Morning
Not much information available yet from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, where the Army says a soldier was found dead in the barracks Tuesday morning of an apparent gunshot wound. The name has not yet been released. The Army says an investigation is being done.
Alaska Airlines Diverts Jet With Engine Failure
An Alaska Airlines jet flying from Seattle to Anchorage was diverted to Juneau International Airport late Sunday night. According to a release from the airport, Flight 731 experienced engine failure and diverted to Juneau at approximately 11:10 p.m. with 167 passengers and crew on board. The plane landed without incident. Passengers were re-booked on morning flights to Anchorage.
Congress May Let Some Laws Lapse
Congress is recessing for the Christmas holiday, but both chambers are likely to return Thursday. There many, pressing issues to complete before the year is out.
Regardless of how far along the legislative process a bill gets, if it is not passed and signed into law by the end of one Congress, legislators must start over when a new Congress convenes.
There is concern that Congress will let many laws lapse.