Sikuliaq Research Vessel Nears Completion
The National Science Foundation’s new Arctic research vessel Sikuliaq is nearing completion. The $200 million project has experienced delays, but final work is taking place at a Wisconsin shipyard.
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13,000 Alaskans Enrolled With Healthcare.gov
About 13,000 Alaskans signed up for health insurance on healthcare.gov during the open enrollment period that closed March 31st. The two insurers offering plans on the exchange in Alaska shared their enrollment figures today with APRN.
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Skagway Ferry Dock Is Floating Again
The Skagway ferry dock is floating again after a contractor hired by the state brought the sunken dock to the surface. But it’s still not ready to host Alaska Marine Highway ferries.
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Sexual Abuse Prevention Bill Falls Through The Cracks
A bill requiring school districts to implement sexual abuse education seemed poised to become law during the recent Alaska legislative session. Governor Sean Parnell supported Erin’s Law, the Senate passed it, and the House version had 21 co-sponsors. But, House Bill 233 got stuck in Finance.
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Gubernatorial Candidates Answer Student Questions
Middle schoolers from across Anchorage had a chance to hear from Gubernatorial candidates on Wednesday about a variety of issues the state is facing.
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Crews Set Up Denali Base Camp
Thursday marks the unofficial beginning of climbing season on Denali, when base camp gets set up for the thousand-plus climbers that will make an attempt to summit North America’s highest peak.
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‘Arctic Sun: Fulfilling The Dream’ Chronicles Family’s Wilderness Adventures
A documentary showing statewide on 360 North this evening, chronicles the wilderness adventures of Jean Aspen and Tom Irons. "Arctic Son: Fulfilling the Dream" is the story of Jean, her husband Tom and their son Luke as they spend a year in the Brooks Range, out of contact and building their own cabin. When she was in her 20s, Jean went into the arctic with her first husband, living off the land for four years.
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UAA Students Cope With Finals Week
It’s finals week at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and that means many students are crunching a very large amount of work into a very short amount of time. An Anchorage woman has found a creative way to help students beat the stress of the week.
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Alaska News Nightly: April 30, 2014
Proposed Rule Change Could Allow Alaska Tribal Land Trusts; Sikuliaq Research Vessel Nears Completion; 13,000 Alaskans Enrolled With Healthcare.gov; Skagway Ferry Dock Is Floating Again; Sexual Abuse Prevention Bill Falls Through The Cracks; Gubernatorial Candidates Answer Student Questions; Crews Set Up Denali Base Camp; ‘Arctic Sun: Fulfilling The Dream’ Chronicles Family’s Wilderness Adventures; UAA Students Cope With Finals Week
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Gov. Parnell Says He Took Immediate Action On Sexual Assault Allegations
Governor Sean Parnell is defending his decision to wait four years to request a federal investigation into reports of a sexual assault problem in the Alaska National Guard. Anchorage Daily News columnist Shannyn Moore wrote Sunday that Parnell first learned about misconduct in the Guard in 2010, when he was approached by three guard chaplains. Parnell says he took those charges seriously, but lacked the details to prompt an investigation until February.
He says after the initial concerns were raised, he went to Major General Thomas Katkus to make sure the systems were in place to protect guard members. Then in February, Parnell says he was able to talk with a guard member who provided specifics.
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Chamber comes out anti-Begich. That’s the U.S. Chamber
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the latest Outside group to launch campaign ads in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race. The national business lobby has a 30-second video spot running this week that hits Begich and supports one of his Republican challengers, former Attorney General Dan Sullivan.
Prudhoe Bay Flowline Springs Leak, Sprays Oil
A flowline to a well operated by BP at Prudhoe Bay leaked on Monday. Before the spill was under control high winds resulted in a spray of natural gas, crude oil and water that covers an area of tundra larger than 20 football fields.
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Breakup Creating Havoc For Ice Dredgers
The early break-up of sea ice has left winter gold-dredging operations scrambling to haul equipment back to shore – and not everyone has fared well so far.
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How Can We Improve Our Food Security?
The reliability of the food supply is not something most communities devote much thought to. Agriculture, transportation, and grocery stores all work pretty well – even in relatively isolated parts of Alaska like Sitka. And depending on where you live, there can be abundant wild foods. But a recent report called “The Sitka Community Food Assessment” reveals that our food system is vulnerable – especially to the unpredictable costs of fuel. Lisa Sadleir-Hart coordinated the assessment about what Sitka – and communities like it – can do to become more food-secure.
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First Mega Cruise Ship Docks In Ketchikan
About 850,000 cruise ship passengers are expected to visit Ketchikan this season. And the first mega ship of the year – Holland Cruise Line’s Volendam – docked in the city yesterday. The cruise started in Japan and Ketchikan was the final stop before the cruise ends in Vancouver.
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Alaska News Nightly: April 29, 2014
Gov. Parnell Says He Took Immediate Action On Sexual Assault Allegation; Chamber Comes Out Anti-Begich – That’s The U.S. Chamber; Prudhoe Bay Flowline Springs Leak, Sprays Oil; Breakup Creating Havoc For Ice Dredgers; How Can We Improve Our Food Security?; First Mega Cruise Ship Docks In Ketchikan
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Report Outlines Emerging Arctic Research Issues
A report is out today from the National Academy of Sciences outlining emerging Arctic research issues. The report says among other things that a refuge of Arctic sea ice is likely to remain in the summers into the foreseeable future, raising questions about shrinking rather than vanishing wildlife habitat.
Crews Work To Refloat Sunken Skagway Ferry Dock
The community of Skagway in northern Southeast remains cut off from ferry service as the state works to figure out why the dock sank late last week.
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Wildfire Threat Increases As Snow Melts
As snow melts, wildfire is becoming a threat. Red Flag warnings are in effect for areas of South Central and Interior Alaska, including Fairbanks, Delta Junction and Tok.
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River Watch Teams Prepare For Breakup
Teams are heading out to keep an eye on breakup conditions along Alaska's largest river systems. The National Weather Service is predicting below average flooding this year, but the state wants villages to be ready just in case.
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