Governor orders reorganization of commercial fisheries commission
Gov. Bill Walker issued an administrative order Tuesday that transfers many functions of the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) into the Department of Fish and Game. The reorganization will save the state more than $1.3 million a year, according to the governor’s office.
Million dollar pot operation raided
Police took a Homer resident into custody for growing a large crop of marijuana with the intent to sell it. The arrest comes just one week before the state is slated to introduce its brand new commercial cannabis regulations. Download Audio
Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016
Myers announces retirement, third Walker cabinet change in three weeks; hovercraft case among those Scalia’s death leaves in limbo; Murkowski field hearing highlights rural Alaska’s unique energy issues, solutions; no easy solution for Anchorage detox bed shortage; damaged cable leaves Sitka and Angoon with shoddy service; Unalaska residents flock to Museum of the Aleutians open house; cyclist surprises as Yukon Quest winds down and racers reach the finish Download Audio
Myers announces retirement, third Walker cabinet change in three weeks
Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Myers announced Tuesday that he’s retiring. Myers wrote in an email to department staff members that he’s retiring for personal reasons. His resignation is effective March 1. Download Audio
No easy solution for Anchorage detox bed shortage
More than 400 people gathered in Anchorage Monday night to discuss the area's lack of detox facilities. At least 60 people per day try to access the area's 14 detox beds. The municipal government and the state's Board of Nursing are considering some solutions, but the problem is complicated. Download Audio
Hovercraft case among those Scalia’s death leaves in limbo
The death of Justice Scalia has unclear implications for one Alaska-specific case: Sturgeon v. Frost. Oral arguments in the case last month were the last formal arguments Scalia heard. Download Audio
Damaged cable leaves Sitka and Angoon with shoddy service
Missed connections were hard to avoid this Valentine’s Day in Sitka and Angoon. The fiber optic cable serving both island communities is damaged, leaving customers with spotty to no service. Installed in 2008, the cable runs 1,400 feet below the ocean’s surface. Picture a bundle of glass strands, thinner than a human hair, encased in plastic. And surrounding that is an armor of steel, made of 12-gauge strands. Download Audio
Unalaska residents flock to Museum of the Aleutians open house
Unalaska residents once again filled the galleries of the Museum of the Aleutians Thursday during an open house hosted by the museum's seven board of directors. The museum remains closed to the public, but behind the scenes, a seasoned interim director has been taking stock and setting a new course for the 17-year-old institution. Download Audio
Cyclist surprises as Yukon Quest winds down and racers reach the finish
Yukon Quest teams continue to make their way to the race’s finish in Whitehorse, but mushers and their dogs aren’t the only athletes on the trail. An ultra-cyclist from Fairbanks peddled the thousand mile trail. Download Audio
State Dems seeking successor to late-Rep. Max Gruenberg
Democrats are accepting applications for a successor to state Rep. Max Gruenberg, who died Sunday. In a release, the state Democratic party and House District 16 Democrats say the deadline to submit applications is 5 p.m. Monday.
Alaska Natural Resources commissioner announces retirement
State Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Myers has announced his retirement. He cited personal reasons for his decision in an email to department staff Tuesday. His retirement will be effective March 1.
Winter crab commercial fishery opens for Norton Sound
Norton Sound’s winter crab fishery finally opened Monday after poor sea ice delayed commercial crabbers for about a month.
Fish & Game plans to cut 30 positions in upcoming budget
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is looking at trimming 30 positions next year in budget cuts.
Local internet costs still unclear for fiber optic cable project
This summer, Quintillion will lay undersea fiber optic cable from Prudhoe Bay to Nome. The project is scheduled to bring high-speed internet to western Alaska by March of 2017, but local providers won’t say how much it will cost for residents in the Bering Strait Region.
Managers seek to open Nush caribou to non-locals, same-day airborne
The Federal Subsistence Board is considering two more changes to increase take of the Nushagak Peninsula caribou herd, which managers say is large, overpopulated, and possibly heading for a sharp downfall.
Senator Olson’s move to majority leaves Democrats in vulnerable position
The Senate Majority got a little bit bigger last week when Democrat Donny Olson announced his move from the minority. Born in Nome, Senator Olson represents all of Northwest Alaska.
Murkowski field hearing highlights rural Alaska’s unique energy issues, solutions
When Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski chose Bethel for a field hearing of the Senate Energy Committee – which she chairs – she had a very specific point to make. Download Audio
Former Sen. Mark Begich says he isn’t running for office this year
Former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich says he will not run for any elected office this year. In an interview with The Associated Press, Begich says he has felt pressure from Alaskans to run but for now wants to focus on building his consulting business and spend time with his family.
Legislative veteran Max Gruenberg dies in Juneau
Longtime Representative Max Gruenberg died Sunday in Juneau. The Anchorage Democrat was 72. Download Audio
Hugh Neff wins Yukon Quest
Hugh Neff won the Yukon Quest on Monday. After flying under radar behind first half leaders Brent Sass and Allen Moore, the 2012 champ had built a commanding lead heading toward the Whitehorse finish. The top 10 finishers will split a $115,000 prize, and Neff will take home about $35,000. Download Audio