28th Alaska State Legislature Commences
The 28th session of the Alaska State Legislature is underway. Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell gaveled in the House of Representatives a few minutes after 1 p.m., and the Senate about 2 p.m.
Parnell Discusses Priorities For Session
I sat down with Governor Parnell today to talk about those priorities. He wasn’t ready to give away any specifics on the new oil tax reform proposal that will top his agenda. But he says after his defeat on his oil tax plan last session, his administration did a lot of homework.
Democrats Poised To Fight Governor’s Oil Tax Reform Proposal
Things have changed a lot for Democrats this legislative session. They are in the minority in both the House and the Senate. I spoke with House minority leader Beth Kerttula and Senate Minority leader Johnny Ellis this morning to ask about that change and their agenda for the session. Ellis says Democrats are energized to fight the Governor’s oil tax reform proposal.
Freshman Legislators Get Situated In Juneau
Over the past week, freshman legislators have been settling into their new digs in Juneau. But while the Capitol building is stately, that doesn’t mean the transition from private citizen to public official is necessarily glamorous, as Wasilla Republican Lynn Gattis is learning.
Alaska Fisheries Disaster Money Stripped From Relief Bill
The U.S. House has stripped a relief bill of money for the fishery disaster in Alaska. The outlook is not much better in the Senate.
Retired USCGC Storis Added To National Register Of Historic Places
The retired U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places, perhaps bolstering its chances of becoming a museum on Juneau’s downtown waterfront.
Pioneers of Television: Funny Ladies
Watch Funny Ladies - Preview on PBS. See more from pbs.
This episode features the first standup comediennes to appear on television — legends such as Phyllis Diller and Joan Rivers. It also looks at Lucille Ball’s breakthrough on “I Love Lucy” and the sitcom stars who followed, including Mary Tyler Moore, Betty White and Marla Gibbs. The episode covers television’s most enduring variety star, Carol Burnett, and features interviews with contemporary actresses including Tina Fey and Margaret Cho. TV: Tuesday, 1/15 at 7:00pm
The Document That Will Determine How Anchorage Grows: Title 21 Finally Before the Assembly
A long-anticipated rewrite of Anchorage land use law, also known as 'Title 21', is set to come before the Anchorage Assembly tomorrow (1/15, Tues). The revision has been in the works for nearly 10 years. Public hearings are expected to be lively. KSKA's Daysha Eaton has the story.
28th Alaska Legislature Convenes Tuesday
The 28th legislature gets underway Tuesday afternoon. With Republicans holding a majority in both chambers, significant changes are likely for how lawmakers will work together. Oil tax reform proposals will be a big focus. I sat down in the Speaker’s chamber with Majority leaders Kenai Representative Mike Chenault, the house speaker, and Wasilla Senator Charlie Huggins, Senate President, to ask how they see the debate over oil taxes playing out this session. I asked Huggins if there were any deal breakers for him.
Staffers Make Last Minute Preparations For Legislative Session
Even though the legislative session doesn’t start until tomorrow, lots of behind the scenes work is underway at the state capitol. APRN’s Annie Feidt wandered the halls today looking for activity and has this story.
ANC’s Holmes Surprises Democrats, Switches to GOP
For six years, legislator Lindsey Holmes has represented West Anchorage as a Democrat. But as of Saturday afternoon, she’s a Republican. The announcement that Holmes had switched parties came after a two-hour caucus meeting, where members of the House Majority hashed out what the change meant and occasionally tuned into the NFL playoffs. It was unexpected, and Holmes thinks she’ll get a wide range of responses from her district.
Integrity Of Preserved Evidence Questioned In 30-Year-Old Double Homicide Case
Ketchikan Superior Court Judge William Carey is considering whether to order DNA testing in a 30-year old double homicide in Juneau. It could be one of the first tests of a new Alaska law that allows state-funded examination of DNA evidence after a convicted felon has been sent to prison.
Officials Assess Drill Barge Hull
Divers and remotely operated underwater vehicles have completed a review of the hull of a Royal Dutch Shell drill barge that ran aground two weeks ago on a remote Alaska island.
Allen Moore Wins Copper Basin 300
Allen Moore is the 2013 Copper Basin 300 Champion. The Two Rivers musher crossed the finish line around 11:22 Monday morning. Moore’s victory is an unprecedented fourth in the race’s history.
Government Peak Trails Attract Nordic Skiers
A little rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of cross country skiers enjoying the Matanuska Susitna Borough’s second Winter Trails Day this season at the Government Peak Recreation Area near Palmer.
ANC, Mat-Su Schools and UAA Campuses Close Monday
All schools in the Anchorage School District are closed on Monday due to the icy road conditions. All schools in the Mat-Su school district are closed too, except for Glacier View. The UAA, Eagle River and JBER campuses are closed. The administrative offices of ASD are open and employees are encouraged to come to work when and if they can. Many streets throughout Anchorage and the Mat-Su remain extremely slippery.
Independent Lens: Soul Food Junkies
Soul food is a quintessential American cuisine, with a rich history and an abiding significance for black cultural identity. But with its celebration of all things fried and smothered, it has also had lasting effects on the health of African Americans.
TV: Monday, 1/14 at 9:00pm
American Experience: The Abolitionists – Part 2
Douglass escapes slavery, eventually joining Garrison in the anti-slavery movement. Threatened with capture by his former owner, Douglass flees to England, returning to the U.S. in 1847. He launches his own anti-slavery paper. John Brown meets with Douglass, revealing his radical plan to raise an army, attack plantations and free the slaves. Harriet Beecher Stowe publishes Uncle Tom’s Cabin in 1852. A best-seller, and then wildly successful stage play, this influential novel changes the hearts and minds of millions of Americans. The divide between North and South deepens, touching off a crisis that is about to careen out of control.
TV: Tuesday, 1/15 at 8:00pm
Driving Conditions Could Be Hazardous Sunday For ANC, Mat-Su
The National Weather service has canceled its freezing rain advisories for Anchorage and the Mat-Su, but warned driving conditions still could be hazardous for the area. Forecasters say the area will still get some rain on Sunday as temperatures rise to the low 40s during the day. High winds - with gusts up to 85 mph along Turnagain Arm and the Hillside areas - are expected through the evening and into Monday morning. A flood watch is still in effect for Anchorage and the Mat-Su.
Judge Vacates Polar Bear Habitat Designation
A federal judge in Alaska has set aside a plan designating more than 187,000 square miles as habitat for threatened polar bears. U.S. District Judge Ralph Beistline said in a written order that the purpose behind the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designation was admirable, because it is important to protect the polar bear. But he said such protection must be done correctly, and found the current designation went too far and was “too extensive.”