Feds Investigate University of Alaska For How It Deals With Sexual Assault
The U.S. Department of Education’s Civil Rights Office will be visiting four campuses of the University of Alaska next month to check if the school is handling sexual violence complaints according to federal law.
The University of Alaska system is on a list of 79 post-secondary institutions around the nation being investigated for possible violations, but university officials aren’t sure why.
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State OKs Linc Energy’s Tyonek Coal Exploration Plan
The state has given the OK to a plan by Linc Energy to explore for coal in the Tyonek area. Last month, Linc submitted an application to drill at least five exploratory wells in an area about seven miles from Tyonek, on the West side of Cook Inlet.
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Energy Development Proponents Meet In Anchorage
Proponents of energy development are in Anchorage for the 10th annual Alaska Oil and Gas Congress. Canada’s Northwest Territories Premiere Bob McCloud says Alaska and the Territories have a lot in common – great resources that are stranded in remote locations.
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Uber ride-sharing enters Anchorage market
Uber, a ride-sharing service, is coming to Anchorage, and some taxi companies aren't happy about the not-yet-legal competition.
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‘Polaris’ Sculpture Is New Fairbanks Centerpiece
The city of Fairbanks has a new centerpiece sculpture. The assemblage of silver steel spires stands between the Cushman and Barnett Street bridges, along the Chena River downtown. The sculpture called “Polaris” was created by a pair of Vancouver based artists to mirror the local environment.
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Alaska’s Glaciers Shrinking Faster Than Expected
Alaska’s glaciers are shrinking faster than scientists had thought, but glaciers that terminate in the ocean may be relatively resilient to climate change in comparison to their land-locked counterparts. The data comes from a multi-year airborne survey conducted by NASA.
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Youth Climate Lawsuit Dismissed
The Alaska Supreme Court last week dismissed a case brought by six young Alaskans, demanding the state take action on climate change. The suit was one of several filed nationwide, and the first to take its argument to a state supreme court. In dismissing the case, the Court said that climate policy isn’t an issue the judiciary can decide – it must go through the political process.
But, for the young plaintiffs and the nonprofit supporting them, the ruling included some silver linings.
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Alaska News Nightly: September 17, 2014
2014 Permanent Fund Dividend Will Be $1,884; Walker-Mallott ‘Unity Ticket’ Faces Legal Challenge; Feds Investigate University of Alaska For How It Deals With Sexual Assault; State OKs Linc Energy’s Tyonek Coal Exploration Plan; Energy Development Proponents Meet In Anchorage; Ride-Sharing Service Uber Coming To Anchorage; ‘Polaris’ Sculpture Is New Fairbanks Centerpiece; Alaska’s Glaciers Shrinking Faster Than Expected; Youth Climate Lawsuit Dismissed
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Mat Su Health Services Gains ACA Grant
The Mat Su Health Services, a clinic in Wasilla, is one of more than two dozen health clinics in Alaska that will benefit from 5 point 3 million dollars in federal health funds.
Sullivan Supports State Minimum Wage Boost He Once Opposed
In a reversal, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dan Sullivan says he supports a ballot measure that would increase the state minimum wage.
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Towing Drill Tests Emergency Mooring Buoy
After seven years, Unalaska’s emergency system for towing stranded vessels away from shore is finally complete. A new dedicated buoy for disabled ships got its first full-scale test during an annual drill last week.
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Friday Is Deadline To Comment On EPA’s 404-C Determination
The EPA’s proposed restrictions on development of the Pebble Mine in the Bristol Bay region are currently open for public comment. But the deadline to comment is this Friday.
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Wasilla Officer-Involved Shooting Leaves 1 Dead
Two Wasilla police officers are on paid administrative leave after a Monday shooting that left one man dead. The names of the officers have not been released, in line with police policy.
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Pinks Come In Better Than Expected In Southeast
The summer purse seine season for pink salmon has wrapped up and the harvest is better than expected.
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Mexican Tall Ship Cuauhtemoc in Seward
The three masted tall ship Cuauhtemoc docked in Seward during a Monday morning downpour. The Mexican training ship was greeted by Seward city officials and by the Mexican consul in Alaska. It'll will be open to the public for viewing through Thursday.
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Upper Valley Agriculture: Yaks at Sunny Hill Ranch
There is growing emphasis in Alaska on locally produced food, including meat. Some cattle are being raised in the Upper Susitna Valley but many species of cow are not adapted to the severe cold of an Alaska winter. There is another animal that is suited for the conditions, though- yaks.
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Alaska News Nightly: September 16, 2014
Sullivan Supports State Minimum Wage Boost He Once Opposed; BP Plans Alaska Layoffs; Towing Drill Tests Emergency Mooring Buoy; Friday Is Deadline To Comment On EPA’s 404-C Determination; Wasilla Officer-Involved Shooting Leaves 1 Dead; Cheaper Turboprops Lower Some AK Jet Fares; Pinks Come In Better Than Expected In Southeast; Cuauhtemoc Docks In Seward; Upper Valley Agriculture: Yaks at Sunny Hill Ranch
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BP Plans Alaska Layoffs
The oil company announced on Monday that it will reduce its staff by 275 employees and full-time contractors to match a “reduced operational footprint” in the state.
State Files To Participate In Big Thorne Lawsuits
The State of Alaska filed motions in federal court Monday to participate in lawsuits that seek to halt or delay the U.S. Forest Service's planned Big Thorne timber sale on Prince of Wales Island.
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The Tongass Tightrope: Balancing Diverse Interests By Committee
For three days last week, a few dozen people holed up in a Travelodge conference room in Juneau. There was coffee and donuts, PowerPoint presentations and an easel with big sheets of scratch paper. It was the second in a series of meeting that the Tongass Advisory Committee has leading up to its May deadline to produce its recommendations.
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