Buser Takes Iditarod Lead
Martin Buser has regained the lead in the 2013 Iditarod. After just under five hours of rest at the checkpoint, Buser left Iditarod at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday to begin a 55-mile jaunt to Shageluk.
ASD Superintendent Jim Browder Interviews For Des Moines Public Schools Job
Anchorage School District Superintendent Jim Browder is currently in the interview process for the superintendent job with Des Moines Public School District. He is one of three finalists for the position.
Video from Des Moines Public Schools
Lance Mackey First Into Iditarod
Lance Mackey was the first musher to reach the race's namesake checkpoint of Iditarod. He checked in at 8:36 p.m. Wednesday. Sonny Lindner arrived at the checkpoint shortly after 10:00 p.m. Wednesday.
Bill Would Allow For Lifetime Hunting, Fishing Licenses
Alaska residents could get lifetime hunting and fishing licenses under a bill proposed in the state House. Rep. Les Gara says his bill, HB157, should save on paperwork and make the process more convenient.
Lead Dogs Begin To Prove Themselves
As Iditarod teams spread out on the trail, lead dogs will start to prove themselves. It’s up to mushers to make sure their leaders remain healthy at the front of the team. As KUAC’s Emily Schwing reports, that’s no small feat.
Statehood!
This sweeping documentary about Alaska’s history returns to public television. The story unfolds as many prominent Alaskans and historians share their statehood movement.
TV: Thursday, March 7, 7:00 p.m.
TV: Tuesday, March 12, 9:00 p.m.
TV: Friday, March 15, 7:30 p.m.
Mental Health Cuts Prompt Public Concern
For the past two days, the House Finance Committee has heard testimony on what it should cut from the operating budget and, especially, what it shouldn’t. Opposition has been especially vocal when it comes to an $8.4 million reduction in behavioral health funding.
Begich Bill Would Define Mental Incompetence For Guns
U.S. Senator Mark Begich introduced a bill Wednesday aimed at clarifying who should be unable to own a gun because of mental illness.
Mushers Debate Where To Take 24-Hour Layover
Three days into the Iditarod, the race is still anyone’s game. And the mushers are keeping it interesting this year. Martin Buser completed his 24 hour layover early in the race. Lance Mackey and Sonny Linder appear to be embracing the opposite strategy... making their way down the trail to the Iditarod Checkpoint, which is also the official half way marker in the race. But many of the veteran mushers decided to stick to a plan they know, resting in the popular 24 layover village of Takotna.
Iditarod Airplane Flips; 2 On Board Unhurt
A small airplane servicing the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race flipped while taking off but both people on board walked away unharmed. Alaska State Troopers say the Iditarod Air Force plane was piloted by 57-year-old Diana Moroney of Chugiak, a community on the north side of Anchorage.
International Delegates To Decide On Polar Bear Protections
Delegates in Thailand are scheduled to decide Thursday whether to increase protections for polar bears under an international treaty that regulates trade of endangered species. The United States is proposing to upgrade the polar bear listing to the highest level of protections under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Speices, or CITES. If it passes, it will ban international commercial trade of polar bear fur and other parts. Bruce Woods is a spokesperson for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska.
Public Urges Officials To Maintain White Mountain Recreation Area Mining Ban
More than 60 people showed up for a second public hearing in Fairbanks last night on a proposal that could permit mining in the White Mountain National Recreation Area. And like last month’s meeting, most strongly encouraged the Bureau of Land Management to maintain a current ban on mining.
Service Allows Fairbanks Residents To Share More Info With Emergency Responders
A new service allows Fairbanks North Star Borough residents to share information that emergency responders can access. Fairbanks is the first community in Alaska to subscribe to Smart 911, a national service that enables dispatchers to access caller submitted profiles.
Alaska’s Capital City Changes With The Times
As the State of Alaska has grown, the Capital City of Juneau has adapted and grown along with it. Two former legislators on Tuesday discussed those changes and the challenges Juneau has faced over the years. The talk was part of the Alaska Legislature Centennial Commission program, which took place in the Capital City this week to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Alaska Legislature.
Lance Mackey Leading The Way
Lance Mackey is in the lead, leaving Ophir at 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, nearly two and a half hours ahead of the next musher, Sonny Lindner. Jeff King is currently in third place, departing from Ophir at 8:50 a.m. Wednesday.
Mat-Su Teacher Indicted For Defrauding Hockey Booster Club
A Matanuska Susitna Borough School District teacher has been indicted on five felony counts related to defrauding a hockey booster club out of $48,000. The school district is reviewing its records since allegations were filed against James "Jamie" Donald Smith, Jr, a teacher at Mat-Su Career and Technical High School and the Colony High School hockey coach. Smith has been charged with defrauding the Alaska Avalanche Junior A booster Club, and faces additional charges of forgery of legal documents, first degree theft and fraudulent use of an access device.
Mushers Debate Where To Take 24-Hour Layover
As dog teams get further down the trail, mushers are trying to decide where to take their 24-hour mandatory layover. Out of McGrath there are still roughly 700 miles to go before Nome. Some mushers make decisions based on timing and weather, while others have various ideas about how to use down time to their advantage.
St. George Harbor Project Progresses
After decades of lobbying and planning, a project to overhaul the boat harbor on St. George Island is finally moving forward. The state is accepting bids for the project design, and hopes to have fully developed construction plans by 2015.
Long-Running Lawsuit Over Fast Ferries’ Engines Is Settled
The lawsuit over allegedly defective engines for the state’s fast ferries has come to an end. A settlement was announced Friday afternoon in Juneau Superior Court after nearly three years of litigation and just before the start of trial.
Juneau Celebrates Territorial Legislature’s Centennial
One hundred years ago this week, the first territorial legislature gathered in Juneau. For the past few days, legislators past and present have been celebrating that event, and reflecting on Alaska’s history since the inaugural meeting.