Shut Out From Finance, Stedman Accepts Health Chair
State Sen. Bert Stedman will chair the Senate Health and Social Services committee when the Legislature convenes in January. The Sitka Republican, who sailed to an easy re-election on Tuesday night, had been co-chairman of the powerful Senate Finance committee since 2007. But he lost that position when the new Senate Majority formed on Wednesday.
Kulluk Drill Rig Will Winter in Unalaska
Shell’s Noble Discoverer drill rig is docked in Unalaska and the Kulluk is on its way after a series of delays. Popular Mechanics reports that detaching the Kulluk from its mooring system and getting it under tow was delayed. The drilling season ended last week, but because of deteriorating weather conditions in the Beaufort Sea, the company hadn’t been able to refuel the Aiviq - an icebreaking tug that will tow the Kulluk - and below-zero conditions were keeping helicopters grounded.
Election Prompts Big Changes In The Alaska Legislature
Democrats lose seats in the Alaska legislature. What’s likely to happen in the unfinished race between Hollis French and Bob Bell? Republicans Click Bishop, Pete Kelly and John Coghill win key Interior Alaska Senate seats. Don Young handily wins reelection. All Southcentral Alaska judges are retained. What happened with the Constitutional Convention ballot question?
KSKA: Friday, 11/9 at 2:00pm & Saturday, 11/10 at 6:00pm
TV: Friday, 11/9 at 7:30pm & Saturday, 11/10 at 5:00pm
With You All The Way: Symposium For Military Family Support
Two wars, multiple deployments, devastating injuries and psychological trauma. This is just a partial list of what the American military and their families have suffered for the last decade. And while the Veterans Administration is doing all they can, there’s a gap in what they can do—children. Children of the deployed men and women suffer a unique brand of difficulty. They don’t know how to deal with a missing parent, how to help the remaining parent through their stress, and how to cope with all this as their going through their own growing process.
Agencies Looking Into Reports Of Oiled Wildlife
Separate reports of birds and a seal that had oil on them have prompted local, state and federal officials to begin an investigation on St. Lawrence Island. Coast Guard spokesman David Mosley says the culmination of reports raised red flags, prompting a closer look. A Coast Guard plane was conducting an aerial survey Thursday, and investigators from the guard and state were expected on scene Friday.
Freezing Rain, Snow Quells Dillingham-Area Blaze
A mix of freezing rain and several inches of snow is rarely good news. But for residents in the Dillingham area who've watched a large tundra fire continue to burn since last Friday, last night's wintry mix came not a moment too soon.
Former Whaling Commission Director Sentencing Continues
The sentencing of the former director of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission continued today in federal court in Anchorage. Ahmaogak was director of the commission for 17 years until she was fired in 2007 from the commission, which receives federal funds. She pleaded guilty in May to two counts of theft and misapplication of funds.
Acoustic Sensors Give Scientists A New Perspective In The Arctic
Much of what we know about marine life in Alaska is the result of direct visual observation. Relatively recently, though, scientists began focusing more of their efforts on what goes on beneath the waves and the ice, when marine life is out of sight.
Republican Majority Ousts Stedman From Leadership
Senator Bert Stedman of Sitka is the only Republican coalition member who hasn’t joined the new majority. Sitka officials say Stedman losing his chairmanship on the powerful Senate Finance Committee is bad news Southeast Alaska. But they’re not quite sure what the exact impact will be.
Democratic Groups Urge Congress To Protect Entitlement Programs
Just two days after the election, traditional Democratic groups are pushing Republicans in Congress to protect entitlement programs as they attempt to reduce the deficit. Labor leaders in Alaska want Congress to tax the wealthy instead.
Scientists Study Earthquake Intricacies
Ten years ago this week, the Denali Fault earthquake shook Interior Alaska. On November 3, 2002 the 7.9 magnitude quake caused extensive damage to infrastructure along the fault line, including bridges, roads and even an airport. Scientists and engineers have spent the last decade studying the intricacies of the earthquake, hoping to learn how to prevent damages from future earthquakes.
Moose Research Targets Calf Survival
Moose calf mortality is a big concern among state wildlife managers. AK Fish and Game has data indicating that 83 percent of collared moose calves died in one Kenai game unit alone. But moose researcher Vic Van Ballenberghe, who has spent more than three decades studying moose in the Denali Park area, has his theory of how a strong calf can be the result of choices a cow moose makes long before that calf is conceived. KSKA's Ellen Lockyer has more.
Juneau Assembly Praises Response To Gastineau Apartments Fire
The Juneau Assembly had nothing but glowing reviews for the city’s emergency responders at its first meeting since Monday’s fire at the Gastineau Apartments downtown.
The meeting was originally scheduled for Monday night, but canceled due to the blaze just blocks from City Hall. It was held today yesterday at noon instead.
Despite the praise for firefighters, the incident raised other issues for city officials to deal with.
US Mint To Unveil Quarter Honoring Denali Park
Officials from the U.S. Mint will be in Alaska next week to unveil a new quarter honoring Denali National Park. A ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 15 at the Tri-Valley Community Center in Healy north of the park.
Copper Basin Is On After Organizers Overturn Cancellation
The future for a dog sled race between Paxson and Glenallen was in question after most of race board resigned last year. A series of trail, weather and personal difficulties forced the last remaining board member to post a cancelation notice on Facebook last month. But outcry from the mushing community gave organizers a reason to regroup.
Commission Gathers Information To Make Indian Country More Safe
Two members of the all-volunteer Indian Law and Order Commission came to Alaska last week to gather information for recommendations to the President and Congress on ways to make Indian Country safer and more just. They say all Alaskans would benefit if the state worked more cooperatively with tribes.
FTC Investigation Into Hilcorp, Marathon Deal Closed
The energy company Hilcorp has announced another step toward finalizing its acquisition of Cook Inlet assets from Marathon. The transaction had been under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission, but that investigation has closed and the deal will move forward as South Central Alaska braces for a possible natural gas shortage in the coming years.
Stevens Joins New Senate Majority
The new Senate majority now has 12 members. Sen. Gary Stevens of Kodiak has joined the majority, and will be chairman of the Senate's Education Committee. Stevens had been Senate president for the last four years when the bipartisan coalition held power.
Andrew Guy Reinstated As Calista President
Andrew Guy has been reinstated as Calista’s President and CEO. The corporation announced the move this afternoon after a special meeting of the new board of directors today.
Grab
Grab is an intimate portrait of the little-documented Grab Day in the villages of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, who annually throw water and food items from the rooftop of a home to people standing below. A community-wide prayer of abundance, thanks, and renewal, Grab Day exists at the intersection of traditional Native and contemporary Western cultures. Luther's film follows three families as they prepare for the annual event, chronicling their lives leading up to this day.
TV: Thursday, 11/8 at 8:00pm