Anchorage Police Seek Public’s Help In Fatal Weekend Shooting
The Anchorage Police Department is seeking more help from the public to find witnesses to Sunday morning's fatal shooting that took place outside of the downtown club Platinum Jaxx.
First 3 Subsistence Fishermen Found Guilty
Trials began yesterday for two dozen Kuskokwim subsistence fishermen who allegedly fished with salmon nets when they were restricted this past summer. The first three fishermen were found guilty at the Bethel District Court House today. The politics of subsistence rights versus state restrictions weighs far heavier on the trials than the violations themselves, worth $250 each
Ancient Marine Reptiles are Topic of Recent Norwegian Journal and Fairbanks Scientist’s Research
It’s hard to imagine that oceans in the far north once teemed with ancient marine reptiles. But 145 million years ago, that’s exactly what was happening a couple hundred miles north of mainland Europe. A region east of Greenland and north of Norway used to be home to a whole slew of giant sea-faring reptiles. “It is literally one of the richest places in the world for marine reptiles like Plesiosuars and Ichthyosuars,” says Pat Druckenmiller.
Task Force to Gather Testimony on Sex Trafficking in Alaska
Gathering information about the scale of the problem of sex trafficking in Alaska will be the focus of a state hearing on the issue next week. The lengthily titled State of Alaska Task Force on the Crimes of Human Trafficking, Promoting Prostitution and Sex Trafficking will hold hearings in Anchorage and Bethel. Cori Badgley is an assistant Attorney General with the state. She says domestic violence and sexual assault of children are usually in the backgrounds of victims of sex trafficking. She says it's important for Alaskans to weigh in on this crime.
Homer Residents Express Growing Frustration with Endeavor Oil Rig
A public meeting between representatives of Buccaneer Energy and concerned Homer citizens turned contentious Tuesday night, with many people wondering why the company’s ‘Endeavor’ jack-up rig is still parked at the Homer harbor nearly two months after its arrival. Company officials say the rig will soon be moving to drill in the Cosmopolitan Unit near Anchor Point but as KBBI’s Aaron Selbig reports, the State of Alaska says that’s not likely to happen.
Oil Taxes Key Issue In Fairbanks-Area Elections
Candidates for three State Senate seats representing portions of the Fairbanks area are on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. The candidates took questions during a Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce sponsored forum last week, and Alaska’s oil tax was a key issue.
Whales & World Problems – Combining Culture & Academics
It’s hard to get excited about school when you’re reading a typical textbook written in the Midwest, and you live in a place with no trees, no sidewalks, and no elevators. That’s why educators on the North Slope are making a change
Interview: New Book Highlights Life Of Statesman Vic Fischer
In 1924, Vic Fischer was born in Berlin, Germany, as a citizen of both the U.S. and Russia. That complicated- worldly start in life is a small glimpse into the extraordinary childhood of one of Alaska’s most loved statesmen.
Municipality Has Port Study, Holding Until After Bond Vote
Bundled into the bond proposition included on the Nov. 6 election ballot, voters will find $50 million for the “Port of Anchorage Intermodal Expansion Project.” It's the largest request on the list. But voters won't have much information on the project before they make their decision. That's because a report detailing problems with the bungled upgrade to the 50-plus-year-old port won't come out until after the election. Fishermen Trials Begin In Bethel
Trials began today for fishermen who allegedly fished with salmon nets when they were restricted this past summer. Seats were full at Courtroom 4 at the Bethel Court House. Representatives with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were present along with several staff from the Association of Village Council Presidents, other tribal leaders, and seniors from the Bethel Senior Center.
Endeavor Departure Date In Question
A public meeting between representatives of Buccaneer Energy and concerned Homer citizens turned contentious Wednesday night, with many people wondering why the company’s ‘Endeavor’ jack-up rig is still parked at the Homer harbor nearly two months after its arrival. Company officials say the rig will soon be moving to drill in the Cosmopolitan Unit near Anchor Point but the State of Alaska says that’s not likely to happen.
Drug, Alcohol Abuse Costs Alaska’s Economy $1.2 Billion
A new report finds that alcohol and drug abuse cost Alaska’s economy $1.2 billion in 2010. That number includes direct, immediate costs, such as the $217.7 million spent on criminal justice and protective services and $237.3 million on health care costs. But the report, which was commissioned by the Alaska Mental Health Board and the Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, says the largest impact comes from lost productivity. What that means is the number of hours in which a person could have been working and producing goods and services that contribute to the economy, but didn’t.
Anglo America CEO Resigns
The CEO of Anglo American, the company that makes up half of the Pebble Partnership, has resigned. Cynthia Carroll was the first woman to head the international mining conglomerate. Shareholders asked her to resign after a 55 percent drop in profits for the first half of 2012. She's credited with improving safety agendas in the company.
Man Shot, Killed In Downtown Anchorage
Anchorage police say a man died after a shooting outside a downtown nightclub in Anchorage. Shortly before police responded to Platinum Jaxx nightclub early Sunday morning, an officer found another man a few blocks away who was critically injured with penetrating wounds. Police say the man was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
Weather Service Eliminates Tsunami Threat to Alaska
The National Weather Service has eliminated its tsunami advisory for Alaska. It had issued a warning and then an advisory Saturday night after a 7.7 earthquake was detected about 25 miles south of Sandpit, British Columbia.
Skwentna Coal Project Subject of Public Hearing
Skwentna residents asked to weigh in on coal exploration.
Point Thomson Project Gets The Green Light
The Point Thompson project moved a step forward today, when the US Army Corps of Engineers issued Exxon Mobil Corporation and PTE Pipeline LLC a wetlands permit allowing construction of three drill pads in the Arctic Coastal Plain off the Beaufort Sea. The move could spell good news for the state's long-awaited gasline plan. KSKA's Ellen Lockyer has more. [:20]
Testimony Continues In Hoonah Murder Trial
Prosecution witnesses continued testimony today in Juneau in the trial of Hoonah resident John Marvin junior. Marvin is accused of shooting police officers Matthew Tokuoka and Sergeant Anthony Wallace on Aug. 28, 2010.
AK: Ghosts
Haunted buildings and ghost stories are popular around Halloween, but a newer tradition that combines the two has made its way to Anchorage. For the past two years one man has undertaken the chilly task of leading ghost tours of Anchorage.
300 Villages: Alakanuk
This week we’re heading to Alakanuk, a community of about 800 people on the lower Yukon delta. Hilda Stern is City Administrator in Alakanuk.