Rau Offers Lessons In Life, Trolling In ‘As the Gurdy Turns’
A writer and salmon troller has published a new collection of articles written over the course of thirty-five years fishing in Southeast. As the Gurdy Turns is the first book for Ron Rau, who was a frequent contributor to The Alaska Fisherman’s Journal.
Pro-Gun Democrats Branch Out, Begich Stays Put
Members of Congress are renewing calls for gun control after Friday's mass shooting in Newtown, CT. Regardless of what a gun-control bill would do, or how effective it may be, voting on such a contentious political measure will not be easy for U.S. Senator Mark Begich.
Alaska Gun Law, Among Most Liberal in Country
The Sandy Hook shooting has sparked a national debate about guns and gun laws. Alaska has one of the most liberal gun laws in the country. It's one of four states that do not require a permit for carrying a concealed weapon.
ASD Talks About School Safety
Anchorage leaders held a press conference at City Hall today (Friday) to discuss school safety after news of the school shooting in Connecticut. Anchorage School District Superintendent Jim Browder says he's had a lot of inquires from parents about school safety since this morning's tragedy in Connecticut. And he says he wants people to know that every school in the district has an emergency plan that's required by state law.
Governor Parnell Announces 2014 Budget Plan
Today Governor Sean Parnell announced a $12.8 billion-dollar budget for 2014, saying it's more than a billion dollars leaner than this year's budget and leaves a half-billion-dollar surplus.
Legislative Aide Resigns After Ethics Violation
A legislative aide resigned today because of ethics violations involving an anti-Islam organization.
Kikkan Randall Scores World Cup Career Best at Canmore
Anchorage’s Kikkan Randall finished 6th in a 10 kilometer World Cup ski race in Canmore, Alberta yesterday (Thursday). It was her career best World Cup finish in a classic distance race. The reigning World Cup sprint champion was 30 seconds back of winner Justyna Kowalzak of Poland, one of the top skiers on the tour.
Two Rescued After Troller Sinking West of Wrangell
A troller with two people on board almost sank about 30 miles west of Wrangell Wednesday night. Coast Guard spokesman David Mosley says the Carrie Arlene’s crew donned survival suits after rough weather threatened the 36-foot troller. He says they expected they might have to abandon ship.
Necropsy
When dead marine mammals wash up in Unalaska, a team of local scientists springs into action to reconstruct what went wrong. These forensic investigators come from the fish and wildlife office, from a university program and, as was the case this month, Unalaska’s high school.
Low Forecasts For Two Southeast King Salmon Runs
Low forecasts for next year’s Stikine and Taku river king salmon returns will mean no opportunity for commercial fishing fleets to target those king runs early next May. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game this month released its forecasts for Chinook expected to return to the two rivers in Southeast Alaska next spring and summer.
Seniors, Advocates Organize at Anchorage Housing Summit
The Alaska Commission on Aging, along with several state agencies, held a summit on senior housing Wednesday in Anchorage (12/12). Seniors from around the state and those who work with them came together to look for solutions to Alaska's looming senior housing crisis at the Wilda Marston Theatre in the Loussac Library.
Tragedy In Connecticut: Deadly Shooting At Elementary School
The nation is watching in horror today as the scope of a tragedy in Newtown, Conn., becomes clear. There's been a shooting at Newtown's Sandy Hook elementary school and it's being reported that many children were killed. It may have been the worst such attack at an elementary or high school in the nation's history, horribly surpassing the 13 people killed by two students at Colorado's Columbine High School in 1999.
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Senate Considers Disaster Bill That Includes Alaska Aid
The Senate is green lighting a disaster relief bill to the floor. It could come up for a vote as early as Monday. It has two key provisions for Alaska – federal aid for the fishery disaster and money for marine debris research and clean up. As APRN’s Peter Granitz reports, the bill has ballooned in size, and it’s unclear whether it will pass as is.
Alaska Remains #1 Chlamydia State
Alaska still ranks number one in the country for Chlamydia according to a report released today (12/13) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Bethel Approves Tobacco Tax
Soon it will be more expensive to be a tobacco user in Bethel. At the last regular meeting the Bethel City Council passed an ordinance that will increase taxes on all tobacco products sold in the city. The ordinance will raise the price of cigarettes by $2.21 per pack and raise prices for other tobacco products by 45%.
Anchorage Prepares for USS Anchorage Commissioning
For the second time, the U.S. Navy is honoring the city of Anchorage by naming a new amphibious ship after Alaska's largest city. The U.S.S Anchorage will be commissioned at the Port of Anchorage in May and kicks off the city's Centennial Celebration.
Legislature Loses Alaska Native Representation
Southeast lost both its Tlingit lawmakers during this year’s legislative elections. It’s the first time in at least two decades that the region has been without Native representation.
Juneau Man Arrested for Failing to Pay Child Support
Ten thousand dollars cash bail has been set for the manager of a Southeast newspaper arrested as a fugitive from justice.
Sitka Herring Harvest To Be Lower in 2013
The Alaska Department of Fish & Game announced the guideline harvest level for the 2013 Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery Wednesday. It is 11,055 tons. The harvest level, also known as the GHL, determines how much the commercial fleet is allowed to catch.
Trucks Hauling Massive Girders for Bridge Project Likely to Cause Traffic Delays
A Fairbanks-based trucking company is hauling dozens of massive support structures up the Richardson Highway over the next few months. The 165-foot steel girders will be used to build the Alaska Railroad bridge over the Tanana River at Salcha. Motorists who encounter the slow-moving convoys of trucks hauling the girders should drive carefully – and expect delays.