Tracking State Layoff Notices From the Mailroom to the Mailbox
A lot of unhappy letters are arriving this week at state workers’ homes, following the announcement of mass layoffs if the legislature can’t pass a budget by July 1.
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Regents Nominate Ex-Exec. For UA System President
Former University of Alaska executive Jim Johnsen of Fairbanks has been put forward by the UA Board of Regents as their choice to be the university system’s next president.
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The Gray Eagle Has Landed… In Fairbanks
The U.S. Army has decided to base nine Gray Eagle drones at Fort Wainwright. The delegation says 128 military personnel, plus family members, will begin moving to the area next month.
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Crews Battle 14,000-Acre Fire Near Kalskag
More than 100 firefighters are battling a wildfire south of Kalskag that started Sunday from lightening. It has grown to 14,200 acres.
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Magnuson-Stevens: Concerns Abound Over Exempting Fisheries Decisions From NEPA
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council will likely recommend some significant changes to the current version of the Magnuson-Stevens Act -- but not during its meeting in Sitka. Council members have concerns over amendments that would exempt fisheries decisions from the National Environmental Policy Act, and open the door to potentially biased science.
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Ketchikan Welcomes A Canine to Search And Rescue Squad
Ketchikan’s volunteer rescue service recently added a new four-legged team member. Pace has a great nose, tons of energy and the drive needed for what to her is a fun game. For the people she finds, though, it’s as serious as life or death.
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Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, June 4, 2015
Senate Spokesperson Arrested For DUI After LIO Hit-And-Run; Criminal Justice Commission Gets an Earful in Nome; Tracking State Layoff Notices From the Mailroom to the Mailbox; Regents Nominate Ex-Exec. For UA System President; The Gray Eagle Has Landed... In Fairbanks; Crews Battle 14,000-Acre Fire Near Kalskag; Magnuson-Stevens: Concerns Abound Over Exempting Fisheries Decisions From NEPA; Mat-Su Borough Board Upholds Shooting Range; Ketchikan Welcomes A Canine to Search And Rescue Squad
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Borough Board Upholds Sutton Shooting Range
A dispute between two Sutton landowners highlights the challenges of zoning in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
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Court Allows Pebble v. EPA To Proceed
The Pebble Limited Partnership's lawsuit against the EPA, alleging violations of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, will go forward . That's according to a ruling Thursday by federal court Judge H. Russel Holland. Holland denied the EPA's motion to dismiss the case, which was argued last week in Anchorage court.
Stowers chosen as next chief justice of Alaska Supreme Court
The Alaska Supreme Court has chosen Justice Craig Stowers to be the next chief justice. The announcement was made Wednesday in a release from the court system.
Togiak boy drowns, huffing believed to be involved
A 14-year-old Togiak boy drowned in a creek early Tuesday morning. Troopers believe he and other boys were inhaling gas, known as huffing, before the drowning occurred.
YKHC Offers $20K for Information on PATC Fire
The Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation is upping a reward to $20,000 for information that leads to the arrest or conviction of those responsible for the fire that destroyed the PATC alcohol treatment center. They previously offered a $5,000 reward.
Repsol announces significant oil find on North Slope — nearly 6,700 barrels per day
The Spanish oil company Repsol has confirmed that two of their North Slope test wells could produce up to 2.4 million barrels of oil per year. The prospect is near the Colville Delta, north of Nuiqsut.
Lawmakers Grapple With Budget Impasse
Between the regular session, the extended session, and now two special sessions, the Legislature has been meeting for 135 days. But even with all the extra time, lawmakers appear no closer to a budget deal than they were a month ago.
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State Shutdown Could Mean ‘Conservative’ Fishing Season
With a partial government shutdown looming, state agencies are making plans for what services might be reduced without a budget deal by July 1. But salmon don’t care about budgets and money. The fish are coming to Alaska waters whether or not the Alaska Department of Fish & Game has its usual resources to manage them.
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Ketchikan Candidate Faces Up to $6,000 in Fines for Campaign Violations
The Alaska Public Offices Commission says Dan Ortiz failed to properly report some campaign contributions and spending. It also says he accepted an illegal donation and did not state who paid for several campaign fliers.
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On A Mission: Educating Alaskans About Advance Directives
Talking about death is never easy. But it's especially difficult in a hospital when a loved one is incapacitated and family members are trying to guess their wishes. Two healthcare workers in Anchorage want to convince Alaskans to have that conversation before a crisis and record their choices in an advance directive.
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Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Lawmakers Grapple With Budget Impasse; State Shutdown Could Mean ‘Conservative’ Fishing Season; Ketchikan Candidate Faces Up to $6,000 in Fines for Campaign Violations; On A Mission: Educating Alaskans About Advance Directives; Dalton To Re-Open, But Repairs Still Needed; Urban Gatherers Find Free Salads Outside Their Doors; Alaska Eagles Help Supply Lower 48 Tribes
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Dalton To Re-Open, But Repairs Still Needed
The Alaska Department of Transportation plans to re-open the flood damaged northern stretch of the Dalton Highway to traffic Friday morning. The opening will follow a nearly three-week closure caused by melt out of unusually heavy overflow ice from the Sag River.
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Urban gatherers find free salads outside their doors
Looking for salad ingredients? Want a new type of tea? No need to head to the store, just look outside your door--even if you live in the middle of the city. Some Anchorage residents are urban gatherers.
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