EPA Moves to Protect Bristol Bay from Pebble Mine
The Environmental Protection Agency today announced that they are using section 404 C of the Clean Water Act to halt development of the Pebble Mine in Southwest Alaska.
Abortion Bill Advances On Tight Vote
A bill that puts restrictions on Medicaid payments for abortions narrowly passed its final committee of review in the State Legislature. It advanced without any money for family planning services.
3 OK After Vessel Sinks Near Valdez
Three men are okay after their vessel sank near Valdez while participating in an oil spill response drill. The Coast Guard Sector Anchorage Command Center received a report Wednesday night that the landing craft Belltech 5 was taking on water and sinking near Valdez Arm.
Download Audio
4 Snowmachiners Rescued By Alaska Air National Guard
On Tuesday afternoon, four snowmachiners were rescued by the Alaska Air National Guard in the Talkeetna Mountains.
Download Audio
Turning The Tide Against Marine Debris
It’s been about three years since the tsunami in Japan washed away entire towns, sending thousands of tons of debris out to sea. Less than eight months after the tsunami, items started showing up in Alaska and have continued to do so in the months and years since. It will still be a few months before clean up crews take to Kodiak’s beaches, but the planning process for those clean ups is already well under way.
Download Audio
Fairbanks Polaris Building’s Owner Optimistic About Renovation
The owner of the Polaris building is optimistic about financing renovation of the long vacant downtown Fairbanks high rise. Anchorage developer Marc Marlow reported to the Fairbanks city council Monday that he planned to file a federal loan guarantee application with the Bureau of Indian affairs this week.
Download Audio
Bristol Bay Forever Initiative Survives Challenge in Court
The Bristol Bay Forever Initiative, which seeks to add a layer of legislative approval to any future hard rock mining within the Bristol Bay Fisheries Reserve, has survived a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality. Backers expect the initiative to still be on the primary ballot this August.
Download Audio
Alaska News Nightly: February 27, 2014
Bill Restricting Medicaid Payments For Abortions Passes Committee Review; Magnuson-Stevens Act Up For Reauthorization; 3 OK After Vessel Sinks Near Valdez; 4 Snowmachiners Rescued By Alaska Air National Guard; Turning The Tide Against Marine Debris; Fairbanks Polaris Building’s Owner Optimistic About Renovation; Bristol Bay Forever Initiative Survives Challenge in Court
Download Audio
Industry Says U.S. Fish Law Works Well in Alaska
The Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 1976 law that governs fishing in the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska and other federal waters, is up for reauthorization in Congress. In past revisions, sectors of the Alaska industry squared off against each other. This time, the industry is mostly united in praising the law. But some of Alaska’s non-commercial fishermen say their needs aren’t getting enough attention.
Download Audio
Cost Overruns Add Up To A Bigger Bill For Blue Lake Dam
Sitka’s Blue Lake dam expansion project will cost about $3.6-million more than expected. The total project — not including new backup diesel generators — was originally estimated to cost about $142-million. It is now up to about $145-million, Utility Director Chris Brewton told the Sitka assembly Tuesday night (2-25-14).
Bethel Man Up For National Environmental Health Award
A YKHC employee is up for the national Indian Health Service Environmental Health Specialist of the Year. Brian Berbube is representing the Alaska region.
Legislation Introduced to Compensate Victims of Wrongful Imprisonment
A State Representative from Fairbanks has filed legislation intended to protect Alaskans who are wrongfully convicted of a crime and serve time in prison. House Bill 352 was put forward by Representative Scott Kawasaki.
Buccaneer, CIRI Heading Back To Court
Buccaneer Energy is going back to the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to try and settle issues at the Kenai Loop well site in Kenai.
The Sand Lake Boys
It was 1978 and the summer between my 10th and 11th grades. We were living in the Sand Lake area of Anchorage, just off of Raspberry Road.
A bunch of us guys who went to Dimond High School had taken to calling ourselves the “Sand Lake Boys.”
Read more. Alaska Gets $21 Million In Federal Disaster Funds
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration today announced it is sending Alaska $21 million in federal disaster funds for poor king salmon returns in three regions.
Download Audio
Smooth Trails Help Iditarod Trail Invitational Competitors
Cyclists have set new speed records in the Iditarod Trail Invitational. Smooth trail is credited with helping athletes in the 350 race human powered race between Knik and McGrath.
Download Audio
Alaska Bases Make Short List For F-35
Anchorage and Fairbanks are on a shortened list of bases being considered by the Air Force for the stationing of its new F-35 fighter jets. Eielson Air Force Base near North Pole and Joint Base Elemendorf Richardson in Anchorage are among 5 Pacific region bases announced by the Air Force today to Alaska’s Congressional delegation Tuesday.
Download Audio
Medical Marijuana Resolution Passed In Fairbanks
The Fairbanks city council passed a resolution Monday pleading with the state to provide better access to medical marijuana. Resolution sponsor member Lloyd Hiling emphasized that it’s aimed strictly at supply side of the issue.
Download Audio
Pollock Fleet Holds Out For Fish Roe
Walleye pollock is the Bering Sea’s biggest and most valuable fishery. But that doesn’t mean that the trawl fleet was ready and raring to go when the harvest opened in late January.
Download Audio
Northwest Tribes Oppose Marijuana Legalization
An organization representing 57 Northwest Indian tribes has announced its opposition to marijuana legalization, specifically in Alaska and Oregon.