Lance Mackey on 2015 Iditarod “This Is It For Me”
Race Update 6:00 pm: Five mushers were closing in on Ruby. The group of leaders included Mitch Seavey, Dallas Seavey, Aaron Burmeister, Martin Buser and Aliy Zirkle. The Mackey brothers were taking a layover in Tanana.
The Mackey family has long been known as a mushing dynasty within the Iditarod community. Patriarch Dick Mackey won the race in 1978. Years later, Lance Mackey claimed four championships in a row. Little brother Jason just might take on the most meaningful race of his life. When Jason Mackey arrived in Tanana, he was not feeling good about his dog team.
Fish and Game Transporting Wood Bison to Interior
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is planning to transport Wood Bison to the village of Shageluk later this month. Wood Bison have been extinct in Alaska for over a century, but animals transplanted here from Canada’s Yukon could re-populate interior Alaska with the species, and offer an alternative subsistence food source.
Re-entry Program Gives Inmates Hope to Succeed Inside and Out
On Saturday, 43 people rotated through tutorials in a basketball gym on topics like finding employment, how to open a bank account and reconnecting with family. All the participants were wearing yellow jumpsuits. It’s Lemon Creek Correctional Center’s eighth annual Success Inside and Out event, which offers resources to soon-to-be-released inmates.
Legislators Hear Hours of Disapproval Over Sweeping Changes to Marijuana Bill
Dozens of Alaskans criticize overhaul of Senate Bill 30 that leaves marijuana on the list of controlled substances, bringing felony offenses and severe restrictions on transport.
Supreme Court Grants Stay in Education Funding Case
The Alaska Supreme Court has granted the state’s motion for a stay pending appeal in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough’s lawsuit regarding education funding. In a brief one-page ruling, the order simply stated: “The motion is granted. The superior court’s judgment is stayed pending appeal.”
Dallas Seavey, Aaron Burmeister Battle For Iditarod Lead
Dallas Seavey and Aaron Burmeister are running neck-and-neck down the Yukon River, leading the Iditarod field between Tanana and Ruby.
Many Iditarod Mushers Stock Up On Music, Movies And Audio Books For The Trail
Travelling a thousand miles by dog team can be exciting, but many of those miles can also be repetitive, so many mushers carry iPods stocked with music, audio books, and even movies.
Aliy Zirkle Leads Iditarod Mushers Out Of Tanana
Aliy Zirkle's team was the first out of Tanana Tuesday night, leading the field down the Yukon River toward Ruby on the race's longest leg. Mushers are required to take a mandatory eight-hour rest at a checkpoint along the river. Sub-zero temperatures helped some mushers decide to take the rest early.
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Alaska Teens Lobby Governor On Climate Change
A group of teenagers are calling on Gov. Bill Walker to create a climate change task force.
At National Guard Confirmation Hearing, The Political Becomes Personal
At a pair of confirmation hearings on Tuesday, Adjutant General Designee Laurie Hummel was asked about her plans for reforming the Guard, and went through a personal line of questioning along the way.
Yukon Quest Champ Brent Sass Disqualified From Iditarod
Brent Sass has been disqualified from the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The musher was informed by race Marshall Mark Nordman after he arrived in Tanana that he will not be able to continue the race because the Eureka-based musher violated a rule about using a wireless communication device on the trail.
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Sen. Sullivan: Letter To Tehran to ‘Enlighten Iranian Leadership’
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan is among 47 Republican senators who signed a letter to Iran’s leadership Monday. The letter concerns President Obama’s negotiations for a deal to halt Iran’s nuclear program. It warns Iran that the next president could reverse any deal that’s not approved by Congress.
AFN Asks Walker to Change Position on Adoptions
The Alaska Federation of Natives, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and a dozen regional Native non-profits are asking Governor Bill Walker to change his position in a case involving the adoption of Alaska Native children. They say the state’s position in the case Tununuk v. the state of Alaska erects barriers between tribal children and tribal homes.
Buser Retakes Iditarod Lead, First to Tanana; Neff, Zirkle Not Far Behind
Martin Buser regained the early lead in this year’s Iditarod. He was the first to Tanana Tuesday afternoon. He was followed by Hugh Neff and Aliy Zirkle, both had made it to Tanana by early evening.
House Finance Reduces Cuts to Pub Broadcasting, University System
The House Finance Committee has approved restoring much of a proposed $1.7 million cut to public broadcasting and reducing by about $10 million a cut to the University of Alaska system. The committee is considering amendments to the operating budget, with a goal of getting a bill to the House floor this week. Whatever passes the House would go to the Senate.
Allen Permanently Takes Lead at Sitka Hospital
After six weeks on the job, Rob Allen - the interim CEO of Sitka Community Hospital - has agreed to take on the position permanently. He announced his decision during the hospital board’s last meeting in February and expects to negotiate for a contract soon.
Fast Ferry Engine Damage Could Affect Service
One of the Alaska Marine Highway’s new ferry engines is down. That could affect service in Southeast and Prince William Sound. Department of Transportation spokesman Jeremy Woodrow says a gear tooth broke Saturday on one of four engines powering the fast ferry Fairweather. Sunday’s sailing was cancelled. The ship, which is temporarily based in Cordova, sails to Whittier and Valdez, though not always on the same day.
YK Health Corp Launches New Health Campaign
Calricaraq is an ancient Yup’ik holistic way to live a long, healthy, and balanced life. The Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation’s Preventative Services Department in Bethel is bringing the system back, that’s meant to guide the “real people” from conception to adulthood. They hope it will help curb alarming suicide rates and tough social issues facing Yup’ik people today.
Transgender Support Group Forms in Juneau
The transgender community is finding a foothold in the capital city. A support and social group for transgender and gender questioning people had its first meeting in February with about 12 participants. It follows a trend happening elsewhere in the state.
Alaska News Nightly: March 10, 2015
Sullivan Signs Letter to Tehran; AFN Wants Walks to Change on Adoptions; House Reduces Cuts to Pub Broadcasting, Universities; Fairbanks Seeks Cheaper Fuel; Buser Regains Iditarod Lead; Allen Takes Sitka Hospital Reins; Fast Ferry Fairweather down; YK Health Corp Announces New Campaign; Transgender Support Group Forms in Juneau