ASD asks legislature not to cut funds
The Anchorage School Board is asking the state legislature to restore one-time school grant funds to the state’s budget. The house passed a budget that removed $32 million late last week.
State Asks Court for More Time on Adoption Case
The state on Monday asked the Alaska Supreme Court for more time in a case involving the adoption of a Yup’ik child, a case that tribes say will determine how the Indian Child Welfare Act, or ICWA, will be implemented in Alaska, and show whether Governor Bill Walker is serious about campaign pledges he made to work cooperatively with tribes.
After Breaking Caucus Rule, Reinbold Stripped Of Committee Assignments
Last week, Rep. Lora Reinbold voted against the operating budget, breaking one of the House.e Majority caucus’ rules for membership. Now, the Eagle River Republican has lost her committee chairmanship, and her seat on all but one committee.
Proposed Arctic Drilling Regs Take Holistic Look At Safety
The heads of the two federal agencies in charge of off-shore oil and gas drilling visited Alaska last week to discuss proposed safety regulations for drilling in the Arctic. They spoke with stakeholders in Anchorage and around the North Slope, including hosting a town hall meeting in Barrow.
Seavey, Burmeister First to Koyuk; Zirkle, Royer Behind Leaders
Dallas Seavey and Aaron Burmeister were the first two into Koyuk Monday afternoon. Seavy led by only three minutes, though his 50-mile run from Shaktoolik was the fastest by far -- only seven and a half hours. Aliy Zirkle and Jessie Royer arrived later in the afternoon.
Lease Sale 193 Decision Expected Late March
Secretary of Interior will issue a Record of Decision on Chukchi Lease Sale 193 by the end of March. It will determine if Shell can proceed with its drilling plans for the region this summer.
Anchorage Homicides, Shootings A Spike, Not Trend Say Officials
Since the start of the year, Anchorage has seen eight homicides and a spate of shootings. Today, officials say the incidents in Alaska's largest city is a spike, (but) not an overall rise in violent crime. The press conference at City Hall was, just hours after a stabbing victim was pronounced dead following an early morning dispute.
Walker Names Two Fishermen to Management Council
Governor Bill Walker has named two Alaska fishermen as his top picks to serve on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. The 11-voting member council manages most fisheries in federal waters. The terms of two Alaska members were due to expire this summer.
Alaska News Nightly: March 16, 2015
State Asks for More Time on Adoption Case; Reinbold Loses Chairmanship; Feds Seek Feedback on Drilling; Interior Secretary to Decide Soon on Shell Leases; Seavey, Burmeister First to Koyuk; Anchorage Officials See Spike, Not Trend, in Crime; Two Named to Fisheries Council; Scrubbers to Cut Cruise Ship Pollution; Juneau Library to Launch Alaska Native Stories Project
“Scrubbers” to Cut Cruise Ship Pollution
Cruise lines that sail Alaska waters are installing new pollution-control equipment. It’s aimed at clearing the air — and meeting new regulations. But it’s also dodging some stronger, more expensive measures. The stuff that comes out of cruise ship smokestacks can cloud the air, leaving a haze over port cities, and plumes along their routes.
Juneau Library to Launch Alaska Native Stories Project
The Juneau Public Library system embarks on an oral history project this spring collecting Alaska Native stories on educational experiences. The capital city’s library is one of ten picked from more than 300 national applicants to bring StoryCorps to the community.
Anchorage Police Investigate Homicide In Spenard
Anchorage police are investigating a homicide in the city's Spenard neighborhood. A suspect has been taken into custody. Police are not releasing the nature of the assault at this time.
High Winds, Blowing Snow Expected Along Bering Sea Coast
Iditarod teams that reach the coast at Unalakleet will run into a fierce windstorm and blowing snow.
Burmeister Takes Iditarod Lead Out Of Shaktoolik
eigning Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey was the first into Shaktoolik early Monday morning, but Aaron Burmeister was the first out of the checkpoint. Both are running with 12 dogs as they enter the last 170 miles of the race. leading the charge to Koyuk.
Iditarod Mushers Consider All Their Options As They Head Up The Coast
Iditarod teams began the final push up the Bering Sea Coast Sunday night. Everything from the condition of the dogs, to the weather can change dramatically and quickly on the sea ice, and that has mushers scrutinizing their own decisions and those made by their fellow competitors.
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Dallas Seavey Leading The Way To Shaktoolik
After a quick 5 minute stop in Unalakleet, reigning Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey took the lead and is on the way to Shaktoolik.
As They Leave Kaltag, Mushers Say The Real Racing Is Yet To Come
Iditarod teams are making their way for the Bering Sea Coast, after days of travel along the frozen Yukon River and through the Interior’s boreal forest.
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Iditarod Mushers Continue to Gamble with Rest, Long Runs and Extreme Cold
According to the Iditarod race rules, teams have to rest for 24 hours somewhere along the trail. They also have to take an eight-hour mandatory rest before they leave the Yukon River and again near the end of the race.
Medicaid Reform Bill Introduced In Alaska Senate
A Medicaid reform bill has been filed in the Alaska Senate. Many Republican legislators have said reform of the state’s low-income health care program must happen before they accept federal dollars to expand it.
House Passes Leaner Operating Budget
Every state agency saw its non-formula funding reduced compared to the previous budget. The Departments of Commerce, Education, and Military and Veterans Affairs took the greatest hits, with funding cut by roughly a third each.