Panel Completes Review of Standard Used to Set Refinery-Pollution Cleanup Level
A panel of experts wrapped up two days of meetings Thursday in Fairbanks that will help the state Department of Environmental Conservation determine the appropriate cleanup level for contamination of North Pole’s groundwater caused by chemicals leaking from the refinery now owned by Flint Hills Resources.
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Student Greenhouses Prompt Thorne Bay Restaurant Purchase
There are no restaurants in the 500-person town of Thorne Bay on Prince of Wales Island. But that looks like it’s going to change. The Southeast Island School District, which serves Thorne Bay and several other rural schools, is buying a vacant restaurant from the city. They’re going to use food from school greenhouses and a bakery to provide fresh meals for residents and business experience for students.
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Closing Date Looms For The Senior Center In Bethel As ONC Looks For New Venue
ONC, Bethel’s Tribe, recently announced they are closing the Senior Center at the end of the month and moving to a temporary location.
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300 Villages: Chignik
This week, we’re heading to Chignik, on the Alaska Peninsula. Adam Anderson is the Mayor of Chignik, Alaska.
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Removal of Federal Building trees elicits fierce opposition
The proposal to remove two trees from the front of the historic Federal Building in downtown Anchorage elicited fiery comments from a handful of community members during a public meeting on Thursday.
Alaska News Nightly: September 19, 2014
Mott to Lead Alaska Guard Response Team; Alaska Delegation Review 113th Congress; Tribes Request King Bycatch Reduction as Pollock Season Wraps Up; Panel Completes Review of Standard Used to Set Refinery-Pollution Cleanup Level; Student Greenhouses Prompt Thorne Bay Restaurant Purchase; Closing Date Looms For The Senior Center In Bethel As ONC Looks For New Venue; AK: Mushrooms; 300 Villages: Chignik
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What Should Alaska’s Fiscal Plan Be?
The level of spending by Alaska’s state government cannot be sustained. In the coming years as reserves are spent down, what are the choices that will have to be made? And when will they have to be made? Early next month, there will be a public forum to try to get some clarity about the state’s fiscal future.
APRN: Tuesday, 9/23 at 10:00am
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USDA Rural Development Seeks Loan Applicants
USDA's Rural Development arm is offering millions of dollars in loans for community projects in rural areas.
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Alaska Delegation Divided on Arming Syrian Rebels to fight ISIL
Congress today approved President Obama's request to arm and train Syrian rebels to fight the terrorist group known as ISIL, but no one in the Alaska delegation was happy about it.
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One-Man PAC To Target Four House Races
Consultant Brad Keithley is launching a $200,000 independent expenditure campaign with the goal of installing a more "fiscally responsible Legislature."
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State Takes Step Toward Recognizing Tribal Sovereignty
Until recently, Governor Sean Parnell, like his two Republican predecessors, and Governor Wally Hickel before them, used lawsuits, legislative initiatives and policies to dispute or diminish tribal authorities on several fronts. The Parnell administration now is taking a step toward acknowledging tribal sovereignty.
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Researchers, Academics Convene On Arctic Development Issues
Researchers and academics from multiple nations are gathering at the University of Alaska Anchorage this week to aggregate research on Arctic development. There are two efforts underway. The first is the initial meeting of Arctic Frost or Arctic Frontiers of Sustainability, looking at resources and development in a changing north. The idea is to bring together existing international research, clarify the new knowledge and get the information out to the public and schools. Dr Diane Hirshberg is the Professor of Education Policy and director of UAA’s Center for Alaska Education Policy Research. She says in addition to Arctic Frost, the second Arctic Human Development report will be released. The base line study was conducted 10 years ago.
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Board of Education to Consider Regulations
The state board of education will consider regulations surrounding how students can test-out of courses they have mastered.
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DOT Puts Out New Juneau Access Project Document
DOT puts out new Juneau Access Project document
Thursday, the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities put out a draft document that addresses environmental issues stemming from the battle to extend Juneau’s only highway north toward Haines and Skagway.
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Commercial Fish Boat Explodes in Valdez; 1 Injured
A Coast Guard spokesman says a 30-foot commercial fishing boat exploded and burned Wednesday evening in the small boat harbor in Valdez. The lone person on board was able to walk off and was taken to a hospital.
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Groups Hope MSA Update Won’t Move Fish Conservation ‘Backwards’
A number of regional fishing associations are joining forces to strengthen the Magnuson-Stevens Act.The Sitka-based Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association announced last week (9-9-14) that it’s reached an agreement with the Alaska Marine Conservation Council and several east-coast industry groups to form the Fishing Community Coalition. The new organization wants to ensure that Congress makes protecting fish stocks a priority as it prepares to reauthorize the nation’s most important law governing the harvest of seafood in federal waters.
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Alaska News Nightly: September 18, 2014
Alaska Delegation Divided on Arming Syrian Rebels to Fight ISIL; One-Man PAC to Target Four House Races; State Takes Step Toward Recognizing Tribal Sovereignty; Researchers, Academics Convene On Arctic Development Issues; DOT Puts Out New Juneau Access Project Document; Groups Hope MSA Update Won’t Move Fish Conservation ‘Backwards’
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Valley Opponents Gather To Fight Prop Two
Many prominent Republican politicians turned out Wednesday night for a Matanuska Valley campaign kickoff event in support of Big Marijuana, Big Mistake.
Walker-Mallott “Unity Ticket” Faces Legal Challenge
An officer of the Alaska Republican Party is suing Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell and the Division of Elections for the decision to allow independent candidate Bill Walker and Democrat Byron Mallott to merge their campaigns.
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2014 Permanent Fund Dividend Will Be $1,884
In an announcement Wednesday, Governor Sean Parnell told Alaskans something they have been waiting to hear for months...the amount of this year's Permanent Fund Dividend.
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