Alaska News Nightly: February 4, 2014
North Pole Crude Refinery Shutting Down; Court Temporarily Suspends Restrictions On Medicaid-Funded Abortions; Governor Parnell Calls For Education Reform; Division of Elections Verifies Signatures On Marijuana Initiative; Richardson Highway To Reopen Wednesday; Board Of Fish Meetings Continue; Keith Hackett Settles In As UAA’s Athletic Director; APU Coach Finds His Own Recipe For International Success; Top Three Mushers Strategize As They Come And Go From Eagle
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Marijuana Initiative Meets Signature Requirement
A measure that would regulate marijuana like alcohol has enough signatures to appear on the ballot. On Tuesday, the Alaska Division of Elections verified that over 31,000 of the signatures submitted come from registered voters.
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APU Coach Finds His Own Recipe For International Success
Most Alaskans know who Olympic skier Kikkan Randall is. But can you name her Alaskan Pacific University coach? His name is Erik Flora. He's a workaholic who is enthusiastic, passionate and motivated. And he deserves more than a little credit for the dramatic turn around the U.S. cross country ski team has managed in the last decade.
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Richardson Highway To Reopen Wednesday
After nearly two weeks, the Alaska Department of Transportation says the Richardson Highway in the Keystone Canyon area could reopen as soon as Wednesday.
Dept. of Corrections Confirms Inadvertent Recording of Attorney-Client Calls
At a hearing last week in Dillingham, a public defense attorney mentioned to the judge that he had been cautioned by his agency about discussing confidential matters with clients in custody at state correctional facilities. The agency had learned that the state's Department of Corrections was either monitoring or recording phone calls between inmates and their attorneys, a practice that defies the attorney-client privilege.
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Helo 1 Crash Still Under Investigation
The State Department of Public Safety is reviewing its safety procedures following a helicopter crash that took the lives of three men in March of last year. The crash is still under investigation.
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Board of Fish Discussing Cook Inlet Salmon Issues
This week the board of fish is dealing with the contentious battles over Cook Inlet salmon. In both the Kenai and the Mat-Su Boroughs many are fighting over fish that are disappearing.
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Army Seeks ‘Data Gaps’ Over Cleanups At Old Chem/Bio-warfare Site Near Greely
Environmental officials are reviewing cleanup work conducted at a former military test site south of Delta Junction. The Gerstle River site was used by the Army to test chemical and biological agents during the height of the Cold War.
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Tongass Democrats Nominate Kiehl, Kito, And Reardon For Kerttula’s Vacant Seat
Tongass Democrats have nominated Jesse Kiehl, Sam Kito III, and Catherine Reardon to fill the House District 32 seat vacated last month by Juneau Representative Beth Kerttula.
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Stebbins Planning To Fix Long-Standing Problems Using Recovery Funds
Two-and-a-half months after severe flooding ruined homes and vital infrastructure, Stebbins is organizing to put recovery funds towards fixing long-standing problems exacerbated by the storm damage. President Obama declared November’s storms in Western Alaska a natural disaster last month, unlocking federal funds to help the community.
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Alaska News Nightly: February 3, 2014
Department of Corrections Says Some Calls Between Inmates, Attorneys; Planned Parenthood Tries To Block Abortion Regulation; Trooper’s Helo 1 Crash Still Under Investigation; Board of Fish Discussing Cook Inlet Salmon Issues; Army Seeks ‘Data Gaps’ Over Cleanups At Old Chem/Bio-warfare Site Near Greely; Tongass Democrats Nominate Kiehl, Kito, And Reardon For Kerttula’s Vacant Seat; Commission Rolls Out Arctic Strategy Plan; Stebbins Planning To Fix Long-Standing Problems Using Recovery Funds; Front Of The Pack Shapes Up On Yukon Quest Trail
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Commission Wants Alaska To Have More Influence Over Arctic’s Future
After a year of meetings, the Legislature’s Arctic Policy Commission is rolling out its strategy for the region.
The draft report is over 100 pages, and it offers recommendations on how to manage maritime commerce and resource development in the Arctic, how to improve emergency response, and how to include the state’s indigenous population in policy decisions.
Planned Parenthood Tries To Block Abortion Regulation
Attorneys for Planned Parenthood and the State of Alaska argued before Judge John Suddock in a hearing Monday in Anchorage Superior Court. Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against the state last week, objecting to new limitations being placed on abortions paid for by Medicaid.
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Keith Hackett Settles In As UAA’s Athletic Director
The University of Alaska Anchorage's new athletic director, Keith Hackett, wrapped up his first 100 days on the job last month. He's finished his first Great Alaska Shootout and watched the cross country running and volleyball seasons cap off successful seasons, but he says there is still work to be done.
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Dems Submit List Of Candidates For Kerttula Seat
Democrats in Southeast Alaska have named their list of finalists to fill the Alaska House seat vacated by Beth Kerttula last month.
Front Of The Pack Shapes Up On Yukon Quest Trail
A decided “front-of-the–pack” is beginning to shake out on the Yukon Quest Trail. A fast trail means mushers are looking for ways to hold back dog teams.
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The Saturday Market on the Tundra
Reyne Athanas runs the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center, which is home to a successful Saturday Market modeled after those found in major cities around the country.
She is also a working artist.
Bill To Reject Pay Raises For Governor, Commissioners Moves Forward
A bill that would reject pay raises for the governor and his commissioners is on track to get a vote in the Senate. The Senate Finance Committee advanced the bill on Friday.
Students, Parents Organize to Fight Education Budget Cuts
Students and Parents are mobilizing in Anchorage to fight possible education cuts and legislation that proposes a constitutional amendment allowing public funds to go to private schools.
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Alaska Paratrooper Collapses, Dies After Jump
An Alaska-based paratrooper has died after collapsing following a jump.
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