Young & Impressionable: The Effect Of Domestic Violence On Children
Children’s brains are like sponges. They soak up languages and absorb impressions of the world. But this also means their minds retain bad experiences, like domestic violence. Prevention programs in Sitka are working with young kids to give them the tools they need to process feelings and become more resilient. In part one of a two-part series, KCAW’s Anne Brice explores programs that aim to create personal connections through group activities.
State Awards Emergency Food Supply Contract
The state has awarded a contract for an emergency food supply. Anchorage based Select Medical Products Incorporated is the recipient of a $4 million, five-year contract from the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Southcentral Utility Costs May Rise As Much As 19 Percent
Representatives of Southcentral Alaska’s three major electric utility companies told an Anchorage Chamber of Commerce audience that rates could go up as much as 19 percent next year, although the Regulatory Commission of Alaska will have to approve any rate increase.
Sitka Looks To Tighten Laws On Smelly Trash
Sitka police could get tougher on trash under a measure advanced Tuesday night by the Assembly. City law right now says residents must wait until their designated trash pick-up day before they put smelly garbage outside. The days of a friendly warning for violators might soon be over.
ASD Superintendent Announces First Cuts Through Attrition
The Anchorage School Board discussed the district's finances over lunch at King Career Center Tuesday. Anchorage School District Superintendent Jim Browder made his first big announcement – cuts. He says ASD is eliminating 100 positions to save more than $4 million. But the district is keeping all of its teaching positions.
Assembly Amends Redistricting Plan
The Anchorage Assembly amended the boundaries of the municipality's redistricting plan at their regular meeting Tuesday night. The change moves voters into the downtown precinct and decrease the variation between districts.
President Obama Issues Disaster Declaration For Parts Of Alaska
President Barack Obama has issued a disaster declaration for large parts of Alaska affected by storms, winds, flooding and landslides during September. The White House in a release today announced the declaration, which allows federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts.
Parnell Proposes Chinook Salmon Research Initiative
Governor Sean Parnell visited Kenai Wednesday to meet with local officials, mingle with residents and make a $30 million announcement. That’s the amount the Governor is proposing to spend on a five-year Chinook Salmon Research Initiative.
Over Half Of Women In Y-K Delta Experience Partner, Sexual Violence
More than half of women in the Y-K Delta have experienced partner violence or sexual violence within their lifetime. That’s according to a new study led by the state.
Report Warns Of Potential Thawing Permafrost Hazards
A report out yesterday from the United Nations Environment Program urges policy makers and the general public to account for potential hazards of thawing permafrost. One UAF scientist co-authored the report. He believes at least half of the world’s permafrost will be thawing within the next century.
Students Dissect Octopus At Sitka’s WhaleFest
What’s it look like inside an octopus? You probably don’t want to know, at least first-hand. That’s unless you’re a student dissecting one during this month’s Sitka WhaleFest. CoastAlaska’s Ed Schoenfeld paid a visit to a very hands-on science lesson and filed this report.
Journey To Attu
Alaska’s westernmost point is actually in the Eastern Hemisphere. Attu Island is the last in the Aleutian Chain, and closer to Russia than Alaska’s mainland. The fog enshrouded island doesn’t get many visitors, but earlier this month, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sherman and some of her crew called, each with their own unique tie to Attu.
Nature: Animal Odd Couples
Despite the odds, there are countless stories of the most unlikely cross-species relationships imaginable: a goat guiding a blind horse; a doe who regularly visits her Great Dane surrogate mother; a juvenile gibbon choosing to live with a family of capuchins, and so on. Instincts gone awry? The subject has mystified scientists for years. Now, NATURE investigates why animals form these special bonds. Informed by the observations of caregivers and noted scientists Temple Grandin and Marc Bekoff, the film explores what these relationships suggest about the nature of animal emotions.
TV: Friday, 11/28 at 7:00 p.m.
Ketchikan Proposes 1-Mill Property Tax Increase
With the City of Ketchikan facing increased bond debt for its new library and fire station, managers have recommended increasing the city’s property tax by a full mill. One mill equals one dollar for every $1,000 of assessed value. If the Ketchikan City Council accepts the proposed property tax increase, a resident with a $200,000 home would pay $200 more annually.
Thomas Will Ask for Recount in Loss to Kreiss-Tomkins
Rep. Bill Thomas said today (Nov. 27) that he’s 99.9 percent sure he will request a recount in the House District 34 race. Republican Thomas, of Haines, lost re-election by 34 votes to Sitka Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins.The district includes Haines, Sitka and many small Southeast communities.
BRH to Repay Nearly $1 Million in Medicare and Medicaid Billing Errors
Bartlett Regional Hospital must repay the state and federal governments close to a million dollars for six years of Medicare and Medicaid billing errors. The hospital also may have to pay penalties for the errors, which violated federal law.
EPA Fines Seafood Processors $300,000
The Environmental Protection Agency has fined four Alaska seafood processing vessels for alleged Clean Water Act violations. The processors agreed to pay a combined total of more than $300,000 to settle the allegations, which revolve around seafood waste discharge. All four vessels process groundfish in the federal waters off Alaska’s coast, and dump unusable fish waste back into the ocean.
Health Care Providers Push Governor Parnell to Expand Medicaid
A coalition of health care providers and advocates in the state is urging Governor Sean Parnell to expand Alaska’s Medicaid rolls under the Affordable Care Act.
Tens of thousands of Alaskans could qualify for Medicaid if Governor Parnell chooses to open the rolls, and many medical providers could stand to make millions of dollars.
Shell Drill Rigs Swap Out in Unalaska
Shell’s Kulluk drill rig is back in Unalaska after spending the fall in the Beaufort Sea, but it may not be around for long. Shell previously said the Kulluk would overwinter in Unalaska at its custom dock in Captain’s Bay, but spokesperson Kelly op de Weegh now says that it may go south for maintenance.
State Warns About Bad PSP Info
State officials say a magazine article about shellfish incorrectly states when they can be gathered safely.