5 Chinese navy ships spotted off the Aleutians
Pentagon officials say three of China’s surface-warfare ships, a resupply vessel and a landing craft were seen in international waters off the Aleutian Islands.
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Even with another icebreaker, US fleet pales against Arctic neighbors
The U.S. Coast Guard has two icebreakers in working condition. Russia has about 40. Canada, Finland and Sweden each have six or more. Obama proposed to speed up construction of a heavy icebreaker by two years. He wants the new ship to be polar-ready by the year 2020, rather than 2022.
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With potential buyer in Philippines, Borough floats ferry deal
The Matanuska Susitna Borough's ailing ferry MV Susitna is poised for sale to the Philippine Red Cross.
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Arctic leaders outline local priorities in letter to President Obama
A celebration took place in Kotzebue as final preparations are made for President Obama’s visit today. And with the spotlight on the Northwest Arctic hub — for the first visit by an American president above the Arctic Circle — local leaders have drafted a letter outlining their vision for the Arctic’s future.
Obama Does Seward
President Obama is flying to Dillingham and Kotzebue today. The White House says he’ll announce a new role for the Denali Commission in helping Alaska communities respond to climate-change impacts. Yesterday, Mother Nature indulged him with stunning fall weather in Seward.
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Medicaid expansion rolls out
The state began enrolling newly eligible residents in the Medicaid program today. That's after the Alaska Supreme Court refused, yesterday, to temporarily block the state from expanding Medicaid.
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Fed judge subpoenas ex-EPA official in Pebble case
A federal judge in Anchorage has ordered a former EPA official to appear in a case involving whether or not the Environmental Protection Agency acted improperly in the lead up the agency's proposed restrictions against the Pebble Mine. But, no one seems to know where Phillip North or nearly a decade of his official emails are at.
Governor declares disaster in Sitka, opening new lines of relief funds
On Friday, Governor Bill Walker issued a disaster declaration for Sitka, in response to seven landslides on August 18th. The slides killed three men and caused extensive damage to private and public property, including city roads and utilities.
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Judge grants Pebble request to subpoena former EPA official
A federal judge in Anchorage has ordered a former EPA official to appear in a case involving whether or not the Environmental Protection Agency acted improperly in the lead up the agency’s proposed restrictions against the Pebble Mine. Phillip North's emails were reportedly destroyed, and he has apparently left the country.
Kotzebue Prepares for President Obama’s Visit
As President Barack Obama plans to shift his focus to western Alaska by midweek, residents of Kotzebue — the northwest Arctic hub of about 4,000 people — are making final preparations for the president’s historic visit above the Arctic Circle.
Obama hears from a roundtable of Alaska Native leaders
President Barack Obama is in Alaska to learn and talk about climate change. Before giving a speech to dozens of foreign ministers and dignitaries from around the world attending a conference on climate change, the president met with Alaska Native leaders.
Obama Announces Icebreaker Program in Seward
White House announces plans to speed up acquisition, push for enlarged Arctic fleet in Congress.
Obama Lands in Alaska; Says Time is Now to Act on Climate
Air Force 1 landed in Anchorage yesterday, with President Obama and Gov. Walker on board. Obama's motorcade sped downtown, where the president struck a somber note in a speech about climate change.
Obama met by Alaska dignitaries upon arrival at JBER
President Obama is expected to take the stage at the GLACIER conference after landing at JBER in Anchorage about 1:30 this afternoon and greeted a few hundred Alaskans waiting for him on the JBER runway, including Mayor Ethan Berkowitz and Senator Dan Sullivan.
GLACIER conference brings together Arctic policy makers, stakeholders
Alaska is readying to host a rare high-profile meeting of international diplomats focusing on the challenges facing Arctic communities.
Obama to Talk Climate, Reveal New Alaska Policies
To a president calling for global action on climate change, Alaska is one big show-and-tell exhibit. Exit Glacier is on the presidential itinerary next week, and Obama is expected to announce new Alaska initiatives related to climate.
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News of Obama Initiative on Village Relocation Pops in Nome
Word is out already on one initiative President Obama is likely to announce while he's in state -- a plan to put the Denali Commission in charge of a project on village relocation.
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3 homes, community library lost in the Chiniak fire near Kodiak
The wind-whipped wildfire that threatened Chiniak on Kodiak Island may not turn out to be the community-wide disaster it appeared it might become when officials ordered the evacuation of all residents Thursday night.
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Belugas sightings persist in the middle Yukon
Residents of the middle Yukon River from Kaltag to Ruby have seen several groups of beluga whales over the past few weeks.
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Chiniak fire claims library, spares school; Residents evacuated
A growing, wind-whipped wildfire continues to burn out of control in Chiniak. The latest report is that while the Chiniak library has burnt down, the nearby Chiniak K-8 School survived. The blaze began sometime around 9 p.m. Thursday night, and may have been sparked by downed powerlines. All night flames of the rapidly growing fire were clearly visible from Kodiak City, 10 miles across Chiniak Bay.