Oil Tax Heavyweights Spar At Packed Debate
It was standing-room only at an Anchorage debate on whether to keep the new capped oil tax rate or to switch back to a system where the rate goes up along with the profits.
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Effort to Ban Commercial Set Netting Moves Forward
The push to ban commercial set netting moved another step forward this week. A Superior Court Judge in Anchorage ruled yesterday that the Alaska Fisheries Conservation Alliance can begin collecting signatures for a ballot initiative, so voters can decide about the value of commercial set net fishing in Cook Inlet.
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Investigation Continues Into Tourist Train Derailment
An investigation continues into what caused a tourist train to derail along a mountain pass north of Skagway yesterday, injuring 19 passengers.
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Tribal Leaders Discuss Ambler Road
Tribal leaders are gathering interested parties, including state and federal officials, in the village of Allakaket to discuss the state’s proposed road into the Ambler Mining District. Upper Koyukuk River people are concerned about impacts to subsistence resources by the road, and mining development it would bring.
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Over 11,000 Alaskans Receiving Health Insurance Refunds
More than 11,000 Alaskans are getting refunds from their health insurance companies. As part of the Affordable Care Act, companies have to spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on medical care and wellness. If they don't hit that target, they are required to send refunds to customers.
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Business leaders and Politicians Meet in Whistler BC for Economic Summit
The Pacific Northwest Economic Region, or PNWER, summit is happening right now in Whistler British Columbia.
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Commercial Chum Bustling, But Causing Anger on the Yukon
With chum salmon surging through much of Western Alaska, commercial openings are having dramatically different effects from a price spike in Kotzebue, to frustration towards managers in the upper Yukon.
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Japanese Fishermen Visit Alaska for Ideas on Sustainability
A group of Japanese fishermen is touring the Northwest United States to get an education in fisheries. The group’s first stop was Juneau where they toured the hatchery at DIPAC Monday morning.
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Alaska News Nightly: July 24, 2014
Oil Tax Heavyweights Spar At Packed Debate; Effort to Ban Commercial Set Netting Moves Forward; Investigation Continues Into Tourist Train Derailment; Tribal Leaders Discuss Ambler Road; Over 11,000 Alaskans Receiving Health Insurance Refunds; Business leaders and Politicians Meet in Whistler BC for Economic Summit; Commercial Chum Bustling, But Causing Anger on the Yukon; Japanese Fishermen Visit Alaska for Ideas on Sustainability
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North Slope Moves to Create Port Authority
With Arctic activity escalating, the North Slope Arctic Borough is taking steps to protect its resources while developing its economy.
Alaska News Nightly: July 23, 2014
Fishers in Tell State to Stop Commercial Openings; State Releases New Mercury Guidelines; Enstar Hearing Packed; Judge Rules in Set Netting Case; Canadian Environmental Officials Give OK to Mine Near Ketchikan; Arctic Birds Show More Signs of Mercury; Cup'ik Language Gets App; Daniels Leads Jazz Workshop
Kuskokwim Fishers: Stop Commercial Openings, Call in Feds
The Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group wants the state to end to all commercial openings for the remainder of the summer. The say despite unmet subsistence needs the state has allowed commercial salmon openings. Some upriver fishermen are fed up with the state, and want the Federal Subsistence Board to manage the river from here on out.
Community protests Enstar rate volatility
Community members packed the hearing room of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska Wednesday morning in Anchorage. They pushed for consistent gas pricing from Enstar in response to a recent big jump in rates.
Judge Allows Set-Net Ban Initiative To Move Forward
The measure would shut down the commercial set netters who operate on Cook Inlet, the only region in the state that would be practically affected by the ban.
State Releases New Guidelines for Mercury and Fish
The state epidemiology office has released a new mercury contamination risk determination for Alaska fish. The new guidelines basically increase the number of Alaskan fish that can be eaten safely and without restriction.
More Mercury Found in Arctic Birds
A new study from the journal “Waterbirds” shows there’s an increasing amount of mercury occurring in birds in Alaska’s arctic coast.
Tourist Train Derails in Skagway; Injuries Minor
A tourist train derailed Wednesday afternoon north of Skagway and initial reports stated some passengers received minor injuries. The White Pass Yukon Railroad runs scenic train tours between Skagway and Carcross, Yukon. Railroad president John Finlayson confirmed the derailment and said the company was still investigating the cause. He said did not want to comment on any injuries while passengers were being treated and evaluated.
Canadian Environmental Officials Give OK to Mine NE of Ketchikan
Canadian environmental officials just gave provisional approval to a controversial mine planned for an area northeast of Ketchikan. Their counterparts in British Columbia have done the same.
New App Out for Cup’ik Language
The Cup'ik language is about to get its biggest audience yet. A new app has been developed to help Cup'ik students learn their language and show it off to the world.
DOL Leader: Alaska Model for Job Training
Alaska has model job training and employment programs, according to the head of the U.S. Department of Labor. Earlier this week Secretary Tom Perez visited facilities in Fairbanks and Southcentral Alaska. He said the Alaska Job Corps Center in Palmer stands out. There, young people learn job skills in areas such as accounting, construction, and nursing.