Borough waits for mayor’s race outcome
Borough voters will have to wait until Monday on a decision on the mayor's race.
Fish council looks at Gulf of Alaska trawl plan
Salmon bycatch in the Gulf of Alaska trawl fishery has been under scrutiny since 2012, when the North Pacific Fishery Management Council proposed a revision in the Gulf trawl fishery's management structure. The Council is slowly making headway on the issue.
The Russians are coming! Or…. are they? Sitka waits
A huge performance ensemble from Moscow is traveling to Sitka this week for the Alaska Day Festival — or not. The offer to send 68 artists, support personnel, and camera crew to Sitka came about only three weeks ago, along with diplomatic communication to the local historical society.
Dutch Harbor rats (unwittingly) help save Pribilof seabirds from their kind
Biologists and tribal officials in the Bering Sea off the west coast of Alaska are working to protect one of the world's greatest gatherings of seabirds. With a little unwilling help from wharf rats in Alaska's Dutch Harbor, the nation's busiest fishing port, they aim to keep rats as far away as Seattle from devouring the birds of the rat-free Pribilof Islands.
Sun sets on Shell Oil’s Arctic quest
Shell Oil's Polar Pioneer rig left Alaska's Dutch Harbor for Port Angeles, Washington, on Wednesday. The energy giant's other Arctic rig, the Noble Discoverer, left Dutch Harbor for Everett, Washington, on Monday.
Village council rejects election results replacing members
An Alaska village city council has thrown out unofficial election results that would have replaced all five members.
Oil company deal postpones North Slope drilling
Two oil companies say they are shifting their ownership split on an oil field development project in Alaska and will delay work planned for this winter.
Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015
State, feds won't pursue $92M more in '89 Exxon Valdez spill; With $3B budget deficit, lawmakers eye oil tax credits; Murkowski raises cash, expects a fight in 2016; APD chief Mew turns the baton to incomer Tolley; Walker convenes tribal advisory council; Forensic psychologist doubtful of witness testimony at FBX 4 hearing; New drug reduces heroin cravings, may reduce recidivism; Aleknagik celebrates new bridge over the Wood River; Planned totem poles in Douglas mark ‘A Time for Healing’
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Aleknagik celebrates new 440-ft bridge over the Wood River
The Aleknagik Wood River Bridge is complete and was officially opened at a ceremony Tuesday. The long-awaited bridge connects the North Shore residents of Aleknagik with the South Shore, and the 20-mile road to Dillingham.
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State, feds won’t pursue $92M more in ’89 Exxon Valdez spill
The state and federal governments have decided not to pursue $92 million in additional damages from Exxon Mobil Corp., citing the recovery of ducks and sea otters in Alaska's Prince William Sound following a devastating oil spill more than two decades ago.
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With $3B budget deficit, lawmakers eye oil tax credits
With the state facing a deficit next year of more than $3 billion, lawmakers face the always vexing question of what can be cut. One option on the table is reducing tax credits for oil and gas companies.
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Murkowski raises big cash, expects a fight
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski is raising serious money for her re-election bid next year, despite having no serious challenger yet.
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APD chief Mew turns the baton to incomer Tolley
This week, former Drug Enforcement Administration agent Chris Tolley took over from Chief Mark Mew, who had been with the city in various positions for since 1983,
Forensic psychologist doubtful of witness testimony at FBX 4 hearing
A perception and memory expert took the stand at the Fairbanks Four hearing on Tuesday. University of Washington psychology professor Jeffrey Loftus’s work focuses on our ability to recognize others at distance and under various conditions, including darkness.
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New drug reduces heroin cravings, may reduce recidivism
The vast majority of people who are incarcerated have substance abuse issues, and that abuse is often a cause for recidivism. One solution? Get them treatment quickly. A new program in Anchorage is trying to do just that using a new, little-used drug called Vivitrol. But not all providers are convinced it's the best option.
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Walker convenes tribal advisory council
Gov. Bill Waker announced Wednesday the creation of an 11-member tribal advisory council.
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Planned totem poles in Douglas mark ‘A Time for Healing’
Savikko Park and Gastineau Elementary School will be the future sites of two totem poles. Plans include interpretive signs in Tlingit and English, explaining the history of the original people of Juneau and Douglas: the Aakʼw Ḵwáan and Tʼaaḵu Ḵwáan. Technology also plays a part in telling the story.
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Congressional panel to hear criticism of EPA’s Pebble process
A U.S. House Committee chairman has announced a hearing to examine whether the EPA unfairly blocked the Pebble Mine in Southwest Alaska with a so-called “pre-emptive veto,” before the mine has even applied for permits.
Alaska Safe Children’s Act task force begins work
The task force created to help implement the Alaska Safe Children’s Act met for the first time in Anchorage on Tuesday.
Biologist interprets crab catch numbers
Last week the Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced catch limits for the state’s crab fisheries. On Monday, a Fish and Game biologist explained how the agency determined those catch limits to a group of crabbers in Seattle. Nine local crabbers gathered at Unalaska’s City Hall to tune into the conference call and ask questions.