House Votes to Block Federal Gun Control Regulations
The Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill today that would make it a felony for federal agents to enforce new gun control measures within the state.
5,000 Alaska Department of Defense Workers Could Be Furloughed In Sequester
The numbers are dire. Five thousand civilians who work for the Department of Defense in Alaska would be furloughed once a week. Food for the elderly would be cut, because the federal government would slash more than $180,000 from programs like Meals on Wheels.
New Crude Oil Agreement Signed Between State, Flint Hills
The state would continue to supply the Flint Hills North Pole Refinery with crude oil under a proposed new contract. The state of Alaska has sold royalty oil to Flint Hills for the last three decades, an arrangement state and company officials say is mutually beneficial.
Kikkan Randall and Jessie Diggins Make History at World Championships
It’s been an incredible 24 hours for nordic skiers Kikkan Randall, from Anchorage and her Minnesota teammate Jessie Diggins. The pair made history in Italy Sunday, Feb. 24, winning the first World Championship gold medal in cross country skiing for the U.S. They dominated the skate sprint event from the beginning, but had to recover from a mishap late in the race.
First 6 Cyclists Check Into Winterlake Lodge Checkpoint On Iditarod Trail Invitational
The first six cyclists in this year’s Iditarod Trail Invitational have checked in at the Winterlake Lodge along the Iditarod trail. It’s the third checkpoint in an ultra-distance human powered race that started north of Anchorage yesterday.
Alaska Cultural Connection: Family
It was late in the afternoon and I was exhausted from two solid days of interviews about learning and teaching Inupiat language and culture. I thought I understood the importance of maintaining the culture and traditions, but I had already scheduled an appointment to meet with a young man from a whaling family and I felt I shouldn’t break it.
Chinese, NOAA Dismantle Pirate Fishing Vessels
A pirate fishing vessel intercepted by the Coast Guard in August has been cut up. Captain Phillip Thorne is the head of enforcement for Alaska. He says the Chinese government has disposed of the 177-foot Da Cheng.
Update: Kookesh Upgraded To Fair Condition
Former state Senator Albert Kookesh's condition has been upgraded from serious to fair. He's recovering from a Feb. 18 heart attack at Providence Alaska Medical Center.
Alaska’s Lone Bona Fide Art Critic
Today we’re going on an art walk. Jean Bundy has been doing these walks annually for about four years in the Anchorage area. For her, it’s about discovering new and interesting artists.
Bundy belongs to a very distinguished group called the International Association of Art Critics. Only about 400 people in the entire country can boast the title, and getting it isn’t easy.
McKenna, Van Meter Repeat As Iron Dog Champions
Marc McKenna and Dusty Van Meter were winners in the Iron Dog snowmachine race Saturday for the second year in a row. The pair also took the halfway prize in Nome. Van Meter has won five times, and McKenna four times.
Noah Pereira Claims Junior Iditarod Crown
Noah Pereira from New York state won the Junior Iditarod yesterday. The 16-year-old is a dog handler for Iditarod champ Dallas Seavey. Coming in second four minutes behind was Conway Seavey.
Senate Committee Offers Changes to Governor’s Oil Tax Bill
The first changes have been made to Gov. Sean Parnell’s oil tax proposal. The Senate resources committee offered their substitute on Friday, and it would bring the current base tax rate up from 25 to 35 percent. It also includes $5 per barrel production tax credit and exempts 30 percent of new oil production from taxes. Like the governor’s bill, the committee substitute gets rid of progressivity, a mechanism that raises taxes when oil prices are high.
Kwethluk Residents Say Barge May Be Tainting Waterhole
A barge that sank in a Kuskokwim River slough last fall near the village of Kwethluk is still there. Residents are concerned fuel and oil from the barge may be contaminating a traditional watering hole. State officials say the tests haven’t shown any contamination but they have other concerns about the stranded barge.
Interior Department Finalizes NPR-A Plan, Creates Pipeline Corridor
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar finalized the development plan for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Senator Mark Begich said he welcomes the decision to allow a pipeline corridor in the reserve.
Kookesh’s Family Says He’s Doing Better
Sealaska officials say board Chairman Albert Kookesh is making slow but steady progress as he recovers from a Monday heart attack. The Juneau-based regional Native corporation posted an online update this afternoon after speaking to his family. It says Kookesh has become more awake and alert during the past 48 hours and has been able to communicate with his family.
Constitutional Delegate Wary of Education Funding Amendment
One of the drafters of the state constitution has weighed in on a proposed amendment to that document. Vic Fischer appeared before the House education committee on Friday to oppose a resolution that could allow for public funding of religious schools through vouchers. He cautioned legislators against taking a casual attitude when considering constitutional changes.
Selle-Rea Responds To Settlement; WMC Board On Privacy
A settlement has been reached in a Wrangell Borough lawsuit. The Borough of Wrangell will receive information and financial compensation. Noel Selle-Rea will keep his severance package from the Medical Center.
Children’s Author Jean Rogers Dies
Long-time Juneau resident Jean Rogers is being remembered as a loving mother, beloved children’s book author, and patron of the arts. Rogers died Wednesday of heart failure. She was 93.
AK: Judge Jamming
What do Alaska’s judges do when they are not sitting on the bench? Do they ponder weighty tomes, or engage in deep discussion about the legal issues of the day? Maybe some of them do that, but KSKA’s Ellen Lockyer found that quite a number of Anchorage judges get together and play ukulele’s for after hours fun.
300 Villages: Port Alexander
This week we’re heading to the tiny Southeast community of Port Alexander. The village of just 62 people is on the south end of Baranof Island. Robin Griggs teaches school there.