Flying Karamazovs and friends bring Chautauqua spirit to Juneau
When the New Old Time Chautauqua marched into a TEDx talk in Seattle in 2012, there were jugglers, marching band musicians with mismatched uniforms, a saxophonist with a fez and a mustachioed ringmaster in a kilt. Now, the motley troupe of almost 60 performers and educators is in Juneau for three days of workshops, shows and activities that start Thursday.
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Opening of Houston fireworks stands ‘highly unlikely’
The Sockeye Fire is nearly contained, and fires continue to burn throughout the state. Now, many are questioning whether or not fireworks will be available and legal for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The state has lifted its fireworks ban, with the exception of Western Alaska. Many municipal and borough restrictions are still in place, however.
State assistance programs approved for Kenai Peninsula fire victims
Governor Bill Walker has approved a number of state assistance programs to help victims of Kenai Peninsula wildfires.
Busy fire season prompts influx of firefighting applicants
After an outbreak of wildfires across the state the Alaska Division of Forestry and the Bureau of Land Management’s Alaska Fire Service have seen a marked increase in the number of people looking for work in the firefighting effort. But, Division of Forestry spokesman Tim Mowry says both agencies already have a list of candidates to draw from.
Man sentenced to 55 years in prison for fatal 2010 beating
A man charged in the beating death of another man in 2010 has been sentenced to 55 years in prison.
Investigator: Removal of Alaska plane wreckage weeks away
It could be weeks before the wreckage of a sightseeing plane that crashed in steep, rugged terrain in southeast Alaska, killing nine people, is recovered.
Tough budget decisions remain in Alaska
It took two special sessions for Alaska legislators to agree to a budget after a crash in oil prices contributed to a severe reduction in the state's available revenue.
On The Way Out, Mayor Sullivan Gathers Souvenirs
Packing up his office after six years on the job, Mayor Dan Sullivan reflects on what he'll take with him, and what gets left behind.
Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Shell Gets Federal Approval to Head North, With Some Stipulations; Study: Climate Change Is A Chief Threat to Polar Bears; On His Way Out, Mayor Sullivan Collects A Couple Souvenirs; State Lifts Burn Ban, OKs Fireworks Before the 4th; In Petersburg, Childcare Shortage Leaves Parents Hanging; Study: Kings Are Smaller Than They Used To Be; Kenai Borough Re-Evaluates Controversial Fish Habitat Protections
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Shell Gets Federal Approval to Head North, With Some Stipulations
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a Letter of Authorization on Tuesday to Shell. The authorization allows the oil company to “take small numbers of Polar bears and Pacific walrus incidental to activities occurring during its ‘Outer Continental Shelf 2015’ exploration drilling program in the Chukchi Sea” this summer.
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Study: Climate Change Is A Chief Threat to Polar Bears
A new federal study shows Alaska's two polar bear populations could be greatly decreased in a decade. The research also shows global warming is by far the biggest threat to polar bear populations across the arctic compared to other stressors like hunting and pollutants.
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State Lifts Burn Ban, OKs Fireworks Before the 4th
State officials lifted bans today on open burning and use of fireworks for most of Alaska. They cited a decrease in fire danger due to recent cool and rainy weather and requests by members of the public to allow cookouts, campfires and pyrotechnics for this weekend’s July 4th celebrations.
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In Petersburg, Childcare Shortage Leaves Parents Hanging
There is not enough child care in Petersburg. One of the preschools, the Petersburg Children’s Center, has a waiting list of 45 kids. A planned expansion could help drop that number.
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Study: Kings Are Smaller Than They Used To Be
After fishermen pointed out what they thought was a change in the size of king salmon returning to the Copper River, researchers from Fish and Game looked at data from 10 Alaska rivers.
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Kenai Borough Re-Evaluates Controversial Fish Habitat Protections
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly is considering an ordinance that would scale back habitat protections for anadromous waters throughout the Kenai Peninsula. Opponents of the ordinance claim these freshwaters salmon migrate to must be safeguarded. Supporters believe the protections impose on the rights of property owners.
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UAS Juneau goes smoke-free Wednesday
The University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau goes completely smoke-free on Wednesday.
Processors hit impasse over sustainability label
The two groups of processors at odds over who can put the Marine Stewardship Council’s blue sustainability label on their fish appear to be at an impasse, says Chris Hladick, the state’s commissioner of commerce, community and economic development.
Alaska stops Medicaid providers inflation-linked increases
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services will not increase rates for Medicaid providers, citing an underfunded budget.
Weekend rains bring relief for Alaska wildfire crews
Weekend rains brought relief to crews battling Alaska wildfires, but conditions are expected to heat up later this week, capping a record fire month.
Second Shell Oil drilling rig on its way to Alaska
Royal Dutch Shell's second Arctic drilling ship, the Noble Discoverer, is on the move from Washington state to Alaska.