UAF Anticipates Cutting Over 200 Jobs
The University of Alaska Fairbanks anticipates cutting between 200 and 250 jobs this year. That from UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers, who in an address to the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce yesterday focused on the affect of slumping oil prices on state funding for the university.
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About 16,000 Alaskans Sign Up On Healthcare.gov
The federal government says about 16,000 Alaskans have signed up for health insurance on healthcare.gov. That's about 3,000 more than signed up during the initial open enrollment period.
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More Than 40,000 Earthquakes Detected In 2014
The Earthquake Information Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks logged more earthquakes in 2014 than in past years, a lot more. 40,000. An increase of about 10,000 from the average of the years before it. Michael West is the state seismologist at the center. He says part of the reason they counted more last year was because of better technology.
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New Regulations Unlikely To Change Coal Ash Disposal In Alaska
The Environmental Protection Agency recently issued the first ever federal standards for the disposal of coal ash by electric utilities. The toxin containing ash has gotten national attention in recent years due to spills in the Lower 48, but the situation is different in Alaska.
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Tustumena 200 Sled Dog Race Postponed
Wind, heavy rain, and temperatures at times nearing 50 degrees on the Kenai Peninsula mean the Tustumena 200 sled dog race won’t be running February 7th as planned. And race coordinators aren’t even confident it will run at all this year.
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Alaska News Nightly: January 14, 2015
In Underground Rooms, Sullivan's Senate Office Takes Shape; UAF Anticipates Cutting Over 200 Jobs; About 16,000 Alaskans Sign Up On Healthcare.gov; Over 40,000 Earthquakes Detected In 2014; How Safe Are Alaska’s Pedestrians?; Anchorage Measure Will Tax Alcohol to Pay For Treatment and Services; New Regulations Unlikely To Change Coal Ash Disposal In Alaska; Tustumena 200 Sled Dog Race Postponed
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Northern Dynasty Seeking New Business Partner
Northern Dynasty, the company that owns the proposed Pebble Mine, is bolstering its financing as it looks for a new partner.
Anchorage Measure Will Tax Alcohol to Pay For Treatment and Services
In a surprising addition to the agenda, Assembly Chair Dick Traini introduces a plan short on specifics but with broad ambitions.
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Halcro Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Anchorage
Anchorage Chamber of Commerce president announces he will leave his position in order to run for mayor of Alaska's largest city.
Meyer Decides Against Pierre Contract For Press Work
The incoming Alaska Senate president has decided against hiring a former state military affairs official to help the Senate majority press office this session.
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‘Hire More Heroes Act’ Passes U.S. House Unanimously
Despite the fierce fights waged in Congress over the Affordable Care Act, a bill to loosen the employer mandate sailed through the U.S. House last week.
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State’s New Attorney General Outlines Department’s Challenges
Alaska's new attorney general is a 39-year-old who has spent the last 10 years practicing law with Governor Bill Walker. Craig Richards grew up in Fairbanks. He's enthusiastic about his new position. Richards says the department of law is dealing with two big challenges right now- the first is the National Guard issue.
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Placer Mining Big Business in Alaska, Report Finds
Most placer mining operations in Alaska are small, but combined they bring in more than $100 million a year. That’s according to a new study from the Alaska Miners Association looking at the economic impact of placer mine operations across the state.
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Forest Service Proposes Mendenhall Glacier Fee Increase
The U.S. Forest Service is holding a public meeting tonight to discuss a proposed fee increase at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center starting with the 2016 tourist season.
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Path Cleared Through Kuskokwim Ice Jam For K300
After a strange freeze up and a couple winter thaws, the Kuskokwim 300 will follow the Kuskokwim River exclusively from Bethel to Aniak and back on the same trail.
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Elim Celebrates Elder’s 100th Birthday
Elim’s Eliza Katongan celebrated a big milestone last week: she’s officially been alive for a century, and she says it feels good. On Thursday, Jan. 8, friends and family travelled from all over, including Shaktoolik, Unalakleet, Koyuk, and Montana, to celebrate Eliza’s 100th birthday.
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Alaska News Nightly: January 13, 2015
Habitat Director Out, As Walker Administration Shifts Approach To Permitting; Meyer Decides Against Pierre Contract For Press Work; 'Hire More Heroes Act' Passes U.S. House Unanimously; State's New Attorney General Outlines Department's Challenges; Placer Mining Big Business in Alaska, Report Finds; Forest Service Proposes Mendenhall Glacier Fee Increase; Path Cleared Through Kuskokwim Ice Jam For K300; Elim Celebrates Elder’s 100th Birthday
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Habitat Director Out, As Walker Administration Shifts Approach To Permitting
Habitat Division head Randy Bates is the second Fish and Game director to be removed since Walker took office. His resignation is one of a number of personnel changes that signal a shift from the Parnell administration’s approach to land management.
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APD Investigating Two Attacks on Dogs as Class C Felonies
A Search and Rescue dog in Anchorage was poisoned with anti-freeze days before a pitbull puppy was found in Mid-town with multiple gunshot wounds.
Juneau Assembly Considers Moratorium On Legal Pot Shops
One of the reasons Giono Barrett moved to Alaska almost seven years ago was because the state already has pretty lax marijuana laws. The 1975 Ravin v. Alaska ruling by the state Supreme Court allows residents to possess a small amount of pot for personal use. Barrett, a 33-year-old Minnesota native, says he’s already growing marijuana with his brother in a house they share in Juneau.
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