Bill introduced to require labeling of genetically engineered salmon
Alaska’s congressional delegation has introduced bills that would require genetically engineered salmon to go by a market name that includes the terms “genetically engineered” or “G.E.”
Crime prevention through community outreach
Public safety and crime prevention will be more challenging for the state's department of law as budget cuts force closure of district attorney offices in some areas of Alaska. I'm Lori Townsend. How will prosecutors handle increased caseloads and long distance court proceedings?
APRN: Tuesday, March 8 at 10:00am
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Anchorage Police Department: Road Closures for Iditarod Event
In preparation for the 2016 lditarod Sled Dog Races, the Municipality of Anchorage will be closing off several downtown streets for event set-up. In order to provide ample notice, 'No Parking' signs will be placed within the closure areas at least 48 hours in advance of the road closures. Anchorage Police Department officers will be on traffic control detail for the duration of these events and will be able to assist drivers with directional instructions.
Effort in place to revive Nome National Forest
Nome is a community surrounded on all sides by either treeless tundra or ocean. This time of year, sled dogs and a wave of tourists flood the city’s streets for the annual Iditarod Trail Race. It is also the only time of year visitors will have the opportunity to wander through a truly unique kind of evergreen forest. Download Audio
Alaska News Nightly: Thursday Mar. 3, 2016
VA says it’s improving in Alaska; Murkowski calls it ‘chaos’; legislators moving funds from all over to cover budget issues; ban on Planned Parenthood teaching materials deemed ‘problematic’; Rep. Gruenberg’s widow seeks control of husband’s records, is blocked; Apache to pull out of Alaska, citing low oil prices; village awarded money to improve hydropower replacement for diesel; winter is here, it’s just lurking up high; Nuuk, Greenland prepares for Arctic Winter Games; effort in place to revive Nome National Forest Download Audio
Apache to pull out of Alaska, citing low oil prices
The company is one of the largest leaseholders in Cook Inlet, where it has been exploring since 2010. A spokesperson said the company expects job losses to be "minimal," since Apache has been scaling back operations in Alaska for the past year. Download Audio
Nuuk, Greenland prepares for Arctic Winter Games
A contingent of Alaskans is travelling to Greenland to participate in the Arctic Winter Games. Alaska’s is one of 9 regional teams descending on the northern nation’s capital of Nuuk for next week’s games. The remote arctic city is going all out to host them. Nuuk, Greenland’s has 17 thousand residents, and a lot of them are involved in putting on the 2016 Arctic Winter Games. Download Audio
Village awarded money to improve hydropower replacement for diesel
The village of Igiugig has been awarded $392,500 from the U.S. Department of Energy to make improvements on a hydropower system that could replace the use of diesel fuel for the town of 70 on Lake Iliamna. Download Audio
Legislators moving funds from all over to cover budget issues
As legislators make cuts to the state’s budget, they’re looking to draw money from various state funds to cover costs. But some of these changes are raising concerns. The House Finance Committee is considering a budget bill that would cut state government spending 418 million dollars more than the 100 million in cuts Governor Bill Walker proposed. Download Audio
Winter is here, it’s just lurking up high
It may seem like another crummy winter in Southcentral. Too much pavement. Not enough snow and ice. But if you’re willing to head up -- not north, but upward in elevation -- there’s a different winter story playing out. Download Audio
VA says it’s improving in Alaska; Murkowski calls it ‘chaos’
Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she’s still hearing disaster stories about the VA's Choice program. And, she says, some Alaska vets who used Choice to get medical appointments in the private sector now find collection agencies are after them because the VA hasn’t paid their claims. Download Audio
Rep. Gruenberg’s widow seeks control of husband’s records, is blocked
It’s been more than two weeks since Representative Max Gruenberg died, and his legacy lives on in the Capital: The House Judiciary Committee room was named after him. One area where his legacy is contested is what will happen to the legislative records he left behind. Kayla Epstein, his widow, wants control of his records, but she’s been blocked. She hopes the documents help the bills Gruenberg was working on become law.Download Audio
Ban on Planned Parenthood teaching materials deemed ‘problematic’
A bill that would impose penalties on affiliates of “abortion services providers” for providing teaching materials to Alaska public schools has been deemed "constitutionally problematic” by the Legislature’s Legal Services Division. Download Audio
Report: 50 percent of Alaska women report abuse by partner
A new study says that half of women in Alaska say they have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both.
State moves to ban non-citizens from getting senior benefits
State officials want to change eligibility requirements that now allow non-citizens to collect monthly senior benefits.
Legislator propose changing age for school attendance
A state legislator from Nome wants to change the ages for compulsory school attendance in Alaska public schools. Rep. Neal Foster has proposed legislation calling for attendance by children from age 6 and until they turn 18.
Kodiak resident appointed interim deputy commissioner of Alaska Department of Education
A long-time Kodiak resident and former school administrator recently stepped into the position of Interim Deputy Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. Betty Walters began her new set of responsibilities Wednesday.
Angoon mayor unsatisfied with state response to tainted subsistence seal
Hawk Inlet is healthy according to state officials. That’s the message Angoon received about three weeks after concerns were raised about high levels of mercury found in a subsistence seal. But Angoon’s mayor doesn’t feel comforted by the report. Download Audio
Reporter’s roundtable: Super Tuesday
Republican voters in 12 states went to the polls to indicate which of the Republican candidates they want for the 2016 presidential race. On this week's Alaska Edition, we review the results of the Republican poll, and what impact Alaska's support may or may not have on a national level.
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Engine overhaul stalls ferry sale
Mat Su's troublesome ferry, Susitna awaits a slot in drydock, while the Borough Assembly argues over whether or not to spend money to repair the ship's engines.