A Dark View of Geopolitics in the Arctic
World leaders speak of the Arctic as a "zone of peace and co-operation." But continued tranquility is just one forecast for the region. A much darker scenario came today from a Canadian policy scholar with an insider's view of Russia.
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Shell’s Arctic drilling rig arrives to Dutch Harbor
The Transocean Polar Pioneer, a drill rig contracted by Royal Dutch Shell, has arrived in Dutch Harbor. The oil company plans to use the port as a hub this summer as part of their exploratory Arctic drilling effort. There’s very little opposition in the tiny Alaskan town in comparison to that in Seattle, where some environmental activists went so far as to chain themselves to one of Shell’s Arctic drilling support vessels last month.
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Gov. Walker Signs Fuels Tax Increase
Alaska Governor Bill Walker has officially signed off on the state's first tax increase in a decade.
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What the Supreme Court’s Redistricting Decision Means For Alaska
The U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed the right of citizens to make changes to the congressional redistricting process through initiatives. With one congressional district for the whole state, it’s impossible to gerrymander Alaska when it comes to national representation. But the decision could draw more attention to how political lines for the Legislature are drawn.
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Kachemak Residents Buck A Hatchery Proposal in Tutka Bay
The Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association is a salmon advocacy center fighting for an opportunity to temporarily move 80 million artificially bred pink salmon fry into Tutka Bay every year.
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Katmai bear cams draw international audience of millions
Last year 16 million viewers glued their eyes to screens to watch a reality show with no dialogue, no celebrities, and hardly any humans.
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Mt. View Neighborhood Plan pulls together community ideas for a better place to live
The Mountain View Community Council is putting the finishing touches on their neighborhood plan. It's a targeted vision for making the city's most diverse neighborhood a place people want to stay for the long-term.
Bristol Bay Salmon Camp: ‘Can We Eat The Fin?’
Every summer BBEDC holds salmon camps for middle school and high school kids from CDQ communities. It’s a mix of a little fun and little education on the region’s number one renewable resource, salmon. The junior camp kids paid a visit to the counting tower station on the Wood River.
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Muldoon Farmers Market highlights need for community space
Muldoon's first farmers market unites community in quest for more gathering spaces.
Summer king season to open July 1, but not without protest
Southeast Alaska salmon trollers will open their season on schedule this Wednesday (7-1-15) — but under protest. The state says this year’s quota for Alaska fishermen under the Pacific Salmon treaty is too low.
Spending Bill Includes Contract Support Costs
A spending bill advancing in the US Senate includes full funding for Alaska Native health care providers’ contract support costs. That’s an area of native health care that’s been underfunded even though the supreme court has repeatedly ruled in favor of tribes.
Communications lag rattles relatives after Alaska crash
The DeHavilland DHC-3 Otter turboprop went down Thursday in Misty Fjords National Monument near Ketchikan in southeast Alaska. The shore excursion was sold through Holland America.
Anchorage officials look to keep troublemakers out of parks
Anchorage officials are looking for ways to keep people who break the law out of city parks.
Sen. Murkowski Pushes For Tweaks To Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act has special provisions for American Indians and Alaska Natives. They’re exempt from the individual mandate requiring Americans to purchase health insurance, since they’re already entitled to health care through the Indian Health Service.
Musher signs up for Iditarod after losing home in wildfire
Apparently undeterred by the loss of her home in this month's Sockeye wildfire, veteran musher DeeDee Jonrowe has signed up for the 2016 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
Alaska News Nightly: Friday, June 26, 2015
ACLU-Alaska Applauds SCOTUS Marriage Decision; Efforts Underway to Recover 9 Plane Crash Victims; Budget Cuts Sideline 3 of Alaska's 11 Ferries; Senator Calls on Governor to Expand Medicaid; How David Holthouse Decided to Out the ‘Bogeyman’; Juneau Soccer Camp Grooms Players for the International Field; AK: The Journey to Bristol Bay's Fishing Grounds; 49 Voices: Will Ross from Anchorage
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ACLU-Alaska Applauds SCOTUS Marriage Decision
In a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court today declared same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states. That means the status quo will continue in Alaska, where same-sex marriage was legalized in October.
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Efforts Underway to Recover Victims of Fatal Plane Crash
Recovery efforts were under way early Friday afternoon for nine people killed on Thursday when a floatplane crashed into the side of a steep mountain in Misty Fiords National Monument outside of Ketchikan.
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Budget Cuts Sideline 3 of Alaska’s 11 Ferries
The Alaska Marine Highway System plans to lay up three of its 11 ferries for most of the next budget year. A draft schedule released Friday shows the Taku out for all of fiscal year 2016, which begins in July. The fast ferries Chenega and Fairweather will be tied up starting in the early fall.
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Senator Calls On Governor To Expand Medicaid
A prominent Democrat in the state Senate is calling on Governor Bill Walker to expand Medicaid in Alaska without approval from the legislature. Anchorage Senator Bill Wielechowski says now that the Supreme Court has upheld insurance subsidies in Alaska there is no reason not to expand Medicaid.
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