thread welcomes Meghan Johnson as Quality Rating and Improvement Director
thread, Alaska‘s statewide Child Care Resource and Referral agency, has announced that Meghan Johnson has been named the first ever Quality Rating and Improvement System Director.
Johnson will be collaborating with a statewide team to oversee the development of a new quality system to advance the quality of early care and education in Alaska.
Read more. Senate Passes $1.1 Trillion Spending Bill
The U.S. Senate this evening passed a $1.1 trillion spending bill that includes substantial funds for programs important to Alaska, including fisheries disaster relief and military spending.
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Fewer Kids Going to Preschool in Alaska, Waiting Lists Long
The number of children attending preschool in Alaska is on the decline, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Researchers say Alaska now ranks nearly last in the nation for preschool enrollment.
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Tribal Councils Express Opposition To Permitting Bill
More than 30 tribal organizations have come out in opposition to a permitting bill championed by Gov. Sean Parnell.
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Despite Pipeline Progress, State Proceeds with Two Lines
Wednesday the State released details about the new deal that will replace the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act. It makes the state a partner in the development of a natural gas export line from the North Slope. But the government is also still moving ahead with their back-up plan, the Alaska Stand Alone Pipeline.
16 Two Pipes
Railbelt Electric Companies May Undergo Changes
Alaska’s Railbelt electric companies are the sole users of the state’s main transmission lines that carry energy from the Bradley Lake hydropower project in Homer north to Fairbanks. But changes are coming. Managers of the state-owned portion of the line – called the Alaska Intertie – want to give independent power producers access to the system and some power company officials want to bring the entire grid under a single owner – operator model.
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60-Foot Tug Sinks Near Wrangell
State conservation officials say a 60-foot tug sank in about 120 feet of water near Wrangell.
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Stedman Says Hydro Funds Tight, Otter Bill Will Change
Sitka Senator Bert Stedman says he’ll continue pursuing legislation to aid sea otter hunters. But this year, it will be different.
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With Loss Of Dock, Gustavus Residents Worry About Tourist Season
Tuesday’s storm in Southeast caused a state-owned breakwater in Gustavus to dislodge from its pilings and wash ashore on the beach. The 200-foot steel structure also serves as a popular floating dock facility for local residents running charter fishing and whale watching boats. Gustavus residents are wondering what this means for their tourist season.
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Alaska News Nightly: January 16, 2014
Senate Passes $1.1 Trillion Spending Bill; Fewer Kids Going to Preschool in Alaska, Waiting Lists Long; Tribal Councils Express Opposition To Permitting Bill; Despite Pipeline Progress, State Proceeds with Two Lines; Railbelt Electric Companies May Undergo Changes; 60-Foot Tug Sinks Near Wrangell; Stedman Says Hydro Funds Tight, Otter Bill Will Change; With Loss Of Dock, Gustavus Residents Worry About Tourist Season; Cameras Capture Northern Migration
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Cameras Capture Northern Migration
Scientists using time lapse photography have documented the migration of caribou and ptarmigan in northern Alaska. The project employed automated cameras to capture thousands of images of spring in the northern foothills of the Brooks Range.
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Silver Salmon For Lovers
The pleasant tanginess of homemade crème fraîche, lemon and leeks harmonize with the buttery richness of wild caught Alaskan Coho salmon presented on a bed of homemade egg noodles.
Light candles, play soft music, pop a cork and serve.
See the recipe. 
Assembly Passes Election Law Rewrite, Weighs Ethics of Election Date Change
The Anchorage Assembly passed a rewritten version of Anchorage's election law last night (1/14 Tues). But some other election issues went went to the Ethics Board for review.
Alaska News Nightly: January 15, 2014
EPA Releases Watershed Assessment For Bristol Bay. Mixed Reaction To EPA Assessment. Begich Introduces Izembek Road Bill. State Releases Terms Of Pipeline Deal. State Selects North Slope Gas Partner. “Irregularities” Found In State Crime Lab Drug Samples. $500 Tickets To Be Issued For Spice, Bath Salts. New Study Shows Alaska Natives Are More Vulnerable To Flu.
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EPA Releases Watershed Assessment For Bristol Bay
A government report indicates a large-scale copper and gold mine in Alaska's Bristol Bay region could have devastating effects on the world's largest sockeye salmon fishery.
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Mixed Reaction to EPA Assessment
There was mixed reaction to the EPA’s release of its Bristol Bay watershed study. For the tribes, fishermen, and environmental groups who’ve lobbied the EPA to involve itself in the Pebble Mine debate, Wednesday’s announcement came as an reaffirmation of long-held beliefs:
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Begich Introduces Izembek Road Bill
U.S. Senator Mark Begich today introduced a bill to allow a road from King Cove to Cold Bay, just weeks after Interior Secretary Sally Jewell rejected the idea because it would run through a wildlife refuge. Begich says he picked one of the options scrutinized in a recent environmental assessment.
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Superior Court Confirms Anchorage Mayor’s Veto Power
The Superior court of Alaska has ruled that Mayor Dan Sullivan's Veto of the Anchorage Assembly's ordinance putting a referendum repealing a controversial labor law, also known as The Responsible Labor Act or AO-37 on the April ballot shall stand.
State Releases Terms Of Pipeline Deal
Last week, Gov. Sean Parnell announced he was cutting a deal to make the state a partner in a large-diameter gasline. Now, the terms of the agreement with the North Slope producers and TransCanada have been released.
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State Selects North Slope Gas Partner
The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority has selected a business partner for development of a natural gas processing plant on the North Slope. At a meeting yesterday (Tuesday) the AIDEA board chose a group lead by MWH Americas to construct the plant that will liquefy gas for trucking to Fairbanks. KUAC’s Dan Bross reports.
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