Early Study Shows Surprising Optimism Among Homeless Alaska Natives
A University of Washington professor has found high levels of optimism among homeless Alaska Native elders living in Seattle, and he’s connected the finding to a strong desire to pass on knowledge and experiences to future generations.
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Alaska News Nightly: January 8, 2015
Is SB21 Working?; Chugiak Lawmaker Proposes Legislature Move; On Murkowski's First Day Chairing Energy Committee, Panel Passes Keystone Bill; UAF To Field Wildfire Crew; Petersburg’s New Superintendent Resigns; An LGBTQ Renaissance In Juneau; Early Study Shows Surprising Optimism Among Homeless Alaska Natives
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Is SB21 Working?
Since the Frank Murkowski administration, every Alaska governor has offered his or her own version of oil tax reform. Now, Governor Bill Walker is expressing concern with aspects of the current tax regime.
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Chugiak Lawmaker Proposes Legislature Move
Sen.-elect Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak, plans to introduce a bill to move the Alaska Legislature to Anchorage. Stoltze isn’t proposing a full-on capital move. Instead, KTUU reports that the bulk of state government would remain in Juneau and legislative sessions would be held at the Anchorage Legislative Information Office.
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Murkowski Foresees Accord, But Sparks Fly at First Hearing
today . The committee promptly passed the first priority of the Republican leadership: a bill approving the Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta, Canada through Nebraska. Murkowski also outlined what she wants the committee to accomplish, which she distilled it down to a bumper sticker: "Energy is good."
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UAF To Field Wildfire Crew
The University of Alaska Fairbanks will field a wildfire fighting crew. The tram will be staffed by students in a wild land fire science program.
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An LGBTQ Renaissance In Juneau
Juneau’s alliance group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people has been going through a renaissance with new board members and energy. Now, with recent grant funding, SEAGLA hopes to increase visibility and awareness in the capital city and beyond.
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Tongass Supervisor, Deputy, Leaving The Forest
The Tongass National Forest will soon be without its two top officials. Forest Supervisor Forrest Cole plans to retire in April after about a dozen years in the job. He’s overseen timber sales, stewardship efforts and other agency programs in Southeast Alaska. Cole’s deputy, Tricia O’Connor, is moving to a new Forest Service job in Wyoming.
Human Remains Found In ‘Talkeetna Area’ Cabin Fire
The Alaska State Troopers report that a cabin fire in the Talkeetna area killed one person.
Petersburg’s New Superintendent Resigns
Petersburg’s school board will be searching for a new superintendent again this year. The superintendent of the school district has resigned after six months on the job.
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As Walker Forges Own Way On Gasline, Republicans Wary
It was a not-quite-midnight purge. At 9pm on Tuesday, Gov. Bill Walker announced via press release that half the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation board of directors was being dismissed. And in the process, he put the oil and gas industry on notice that he would be doing things differently from his predecessor.
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Mat Su Ferry Draws Interest
The Matanuska Susitna Borough has received $20, 000 from an interested buyer outside the US to pay for sea trials for the ferry MV Susitna
Gov. Walker Meets With DC Officials
Gov. Bill Walker scheduled meetings with two of President Obama’s cabinet secretaries while he was in Washington Tuesday for the swearing in of Alaska’s new U.S. senator.
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Murkowski: Keystone XL Pipeline Worth Fighting For
The new Congressional session is barely underway, but Senate Democrats managed to derail Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s plan for Wednesday morning. She’d hoped to hold a hearing on the Keystone XL Pipeline in the Senate Energy Committee.
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Canadian Archipelago Likely To Become Important Polar Bear Conservation Region
A new study released Tuesday by the U.S. Geological Survey suggests polar bears are in the midst of a generations-long migration to areas that still have year-round sea ice.
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Poor Air Quality Raising Health Concerns In Fairbanks
Areas of Fairbanks and North Pole suffered poor air quality this a week as cold stagnant air allowed smoke from wood burning and other combustion to accumulate. The situation is nothing new and the focus of state and local plan to clean up the air. Fine particulate pollution is a known health hazard, and that’s confirmed in a locally produced report.
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Despite Spending Freeze, Juneau Access Road Effort Continues
Work continues on the Juneau Access Project, despite Gov. Bill Walker’s spending freeze. But it doesn’t involve moving dirt or pouring concrete.
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EPA, Alaska DEC Crews Cleaning Up Richardson Highway Diesel Spill
The Environmental Protection Agency and Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation are working to clean up a diesel spill northeast of Valdez.
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Pajinag Takes The Reins Of Front Street Community Health Center
Kelly Pajinag is the new interim executive director of Front Street Community Health Center as of Jan. 1. He’s also the program manager of Catholic Community Services’ Hospice & Home Care of Juneau. As he juggles two jobs, Pajinag hopes to help the homeless clinic get through some growing pains.
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Touring A Historic Anchorage Building
Anchorage turns 100 this year. And one of the city's first permanent homes was the Oscar Anderson House downtown.
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