Alaska New Nightly: June 11, 2014
Former Haines Police Officer Hired As Security Officer For The Alaska Marine Highway; Missile Defense Budget Shows Continued Alaska Role; Air Force Confirms Delay In HAARP Demolition; State Defends Decision To Certify Citizens Initiative Slowing Pebble Mine; Alaska Judicial Council Recommends All But 1 Judge For Retention; Report Says 12,000 Alaskans Without Reliable Access To Health Care; Source of Shishmaref Sheen Remains Unknown, Locals Work to Absorb Substance; Before The Pipeline: John Davies; All Nations Children’s Dance Group Fosters Cultural Identity
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Alaska Fire Service Holding Meeting On 100 Mile Creek Fire
The Alaska Fire Service will host a meeting tonight in Delta Junction to answer questions about the 100 Mile Creek Fire burning 20 miles southwest of that town.
State Ferry Columbia’s Return To Service Is Delayed
The state ferry Columbia will not be returning to service in Southeast Alaska this week as expected. A problem with one of the newly-installed engines on the 418-foot ship means the Columbia will remain in Bellingham awaiting a replacement part.
Groups Seek Decision On Status Of Southeast Wolves
Conservation groups filed a lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. seeking a decision on the status of wolf populations in Southeast Alaska.
Low Value Placed on Togiak Sac Roe Herring Fishery
The estimated value of this year's Togiak Herring catch is about half last years, largely because of the price. Last year the fleet was offered $100 a ton and was later awarded an adjustment beyond that.
Ketchikan Man Threatens To Shoot Pedestrians Forcing Road Closure
After receiving a phone call from a man threatening to shoot a pedestrian, Ketchikan police closed off a section of Schoenbar Road and evacuated the Recreation Center early Tuesday morning while trying to negotiate the man’s surrender.
Trial Set for Man Charged in Deadly Fight
A grand jury has indicted Anthony Pouesi on a manslaughter charge in the death of another person at the Harbor View Bar last month.
As Pollock Season Begins, Bycatch Debate Looms
As the Bering Sea's largest fishery opened on Tuesday, pollock fishermen were looking forward to a strong B season. They were also wading through a tide of criticism from rural users, who believe the industry's catching too much salmon.
UAF Gets $4 Million For Veterinary Medicine Facility
The University of Alaska Board of Regents agreed last week to fund a $4 million design project to re-purpose an already existing building on the UAF campus by September, 2015 when the first students begin studies in a new veterinary medicine program. But, the new program is on a list of recommended budget cuts.
Bethel Man Charged with Driving Boat Under the Influence
A Bethel man is facing charges for driving a boat under the influence of alcohol. Wildlife Troopers on Sunday night heard a report of a boat that was being driven erratically in Aniak Slough.
UA Board Approves $5 Million To Extend Work On Engineering Building
The cost of a new engineering building on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus continues to rise as officials struggle to find ways to pay for its construction. The Board of Regents agreed last week to add $5 million to the project.
Digital Voice Replaces Forecasters’ at Nome’s Weather Service
The National Weather Service in Nome is switching to an automated digital voice for its weather forecasts, one of the final forecasting stations in the country to cease having local forecasters read and record the weather.
Seward & 36th improvement plans still under consideration
The state's Department of Transportation is weighing it's options for the redesign of the intersection of Seward and 36th.
Sullivan Calls On Begich To Sign Pledge Discouraging Outside Influence
U.S. Senate candidate Dan Sullivan is calling on incumbent Mark Begich to sign a pledge to discourage outside groups from running political ads in the race. The pledge would impose a financial penalty on a campaign that benefits from Outside spending. Begich campaign isn’t buying it.
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HAARP Demolition Reportedly ‘Put On Hold’
The Gakona High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program may have been saved in the nick of time.
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Gubernatorial Challengers Criticize Parnell For Missing Debates
Since April, gubernatorial challengers Byron Mallott and Bill Walker have gone after incumbent Sean Parnell for skipping debates. They hit that point again on Monday, at a candidate forum hosted by the National Congress of American Indians.
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BP uses drones for first time on land for commercial purposes
For the first time in Alaska, and the United States, a company is flying drones over land for commercial purposes. BP is using Unmanned Aerial Systems to inspect roads, gravel pads, and pipelines on the North Slope. It's the first time the Federal Aviation Administration has approved drones for this type of use, and it could open doors for other companies.
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Land Trust For Alaska Tribes Is A Popular Concept
At a wide ranging press conference during day three of the NCAI gathering in Anchorage today, BIA Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn said the concept of taking land into trust for Alaska tribes is a popular one.
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National Archives departure impacts broad community
The National Archives in Anchorage is closing its doors to researchers in less than two weeks, despite impassioned pleas by historians and researchers. But they aren't the only ones who use the stacks of historical records. Playwrights, federal and state agencies, and native organizations do as well. And the archives leaving could impact them all, to a degree.
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AIDEA Briefs Federal Commission On Ambler Road
The state says it will cost as much as $400 million to build a controversial proposed mining road to Ambler. But some opponents of the road think that figure is too low.
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