Talkeetna River Dam Project could have preliminary license revoked
A required progress report on the proposed Talkeetna River Dam is overdue, according to the federal agency that licenses large energy projects.
Navy holds community forum in Kodiak
Navy representatives held a community forum in Kodiak yesterday to address concerns about its training in the Gulf of Alaska, which they say begins Monday. They say many people believe this month’s training will include bombs, sonar, and exercises that will disturb commercial fishing, but say much of that is misinformation.
Coastal Communities Rally to Protest Naval Activity in the Gulf of Alaska
Several coastal communities, including Kodiak, Cordova, and Homer, have held both land-based and fishing boat flotilla protests over the last few weeks to voice their concerns about planned Navy and joint military training exercises in the Gulf of Alaska.
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NOAA Survey Ships Depart For Arctic
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officially launched its Arctic survey season in Alaska yesterday. Two research ships, Ranierand Fairweather, will set out from Kodiak to chart the underwater and shoreline topography of the Arctic Ocean.
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Juneau SEARHC opens its doors to non-Natives seeking mental health services
About 15 new patients are scheduled for behavioral health services at a tribal health consortium in Southeast Alaska. SEARHC recently its practice in Juneau to offer services to non-Native people.
North Pacific Council cuts bycatch caps; critics say it’s not enough
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council voted Sunday evening to lower caps on halibut bycatch in the Bering Sea — by 21 percent overall. But Bering Sea halibut fishermen say the cut isn’t big enough to save their communities.
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PFD earning, taxes highlight governor’s fiscal discussion
Governor Bill Walker gathered Alaska leaders from around the state in Fairbanks over the weekend to talk about state services and how to pay for them. The event called: “Building a Sustainable Future: Conversations With Alaskans” resulted in some clear and predictable messages, but it’s uncertain when or if they will result in legislative action.
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Innovative Program Brings Dental Care to Underserved Alaskans
Ten years ago, the American Dental Association unsuccessfully sued to get the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium to halt its Alaska Dental Health Therapist (DHAT) program. Now the program has won a national award for its innovative approach to providing Alaska Natives with dental care. And the idea is expanding to other states.
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Emotions Run High In Sitka Over Halibut Bycatch Debate
As the North Pacific Fishery Management Council meets in Sitka this week, the most contentious issue on the agenda is a proposal to reduce halibut bycatch in the Bering Sea. Commercial halibut fishermen up and down the coast are pushing the council to reduce bycatch limits, while trawlers and others in the Bering Sea say they’ve already reduced bycatch voluntarily -- and lower limits would be ruinous. Emotions are running high on all sides of the issue.
Governor’s weekend retreat to look beyond the budget impasse
Weekend plans for about 175 diverse and influential Alaskans include right-sizing state government, working with interactive financial models and frank talk about the third rail of Alaska politics — revenue, taxes and tapping the Permanent Fund.
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Panel Advises Curbing Halibut Bycatch in the Bering Sea
The advisory panel to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council has come out in favor of reducing halibut bycatch in the Bering Sea.
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FEC Hits Sullivan Campaign With $3k Fine
The Federal Election Commission slapped Sen. Dan Sullivan’s campaign with a fine of nearly $3,000 for failing to disclose donations. The total amount of the donations in question comes to just over $25,000. Most -- if not all – of them appear to be from out of state.
Pebble FACA case against EPA to go forward
The Pebble Limited Partnership’s lawsuit against the EPA, alleging violations of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, will go forward. That’s according to a ruling Thursday by Anchorage federal court Judge H. Russel Holland.
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Senate Spokesperson Arrested For DUI After LIO Hit-And-Run
A spokesperson for the Senate Majority caucus has been arrested for a hit-and-run accident in the parking lot of the Anchorage Legislative Information Office. Press secretary Carolyn Kuckertz, 38, has been charged with three felonies and misdemeanor for allegedly striking two people while drunk. The arrest occurred on Tuesday around 5:30pm.
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Criminal Justice Commission Gets an Earful in Nome
Alaska’s criminal justice system is expensive, ineffective, and unsustainable—that’s the hard truth shared by a group of legal experts on the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission. Commission members are visiting Nome seeking input from on ways to reform the system.
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The Gray Eagle Has Landed… In Fairbanks
The U.S. Army has decided to base nine Gray Eagle drones at Fort Wainwright. The delegation says 128 military personnel, plus family members, will begin moving to the area next month.
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Crews Battle 14,000-Acre Fire Near Kalskag
More than 100 firefighters are battling a wildfire south of Kalskag that started Sunday from lightening. It has grown to 14,200 acres.
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Magnuson-Stevens: Concerns Abound Over Exempting Fisheries Decisions From NEPA
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council will likely recommend some significant changes to the current version of the Magnuson-Stevens Act -- but not during its meeting in Sitka. Council members have concerns over amendments that would exempt fisheries decisions from the National Environmental Policy Act, and open the door to potentially biased science.
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Court Allows Pebble v. EPA To Proceed
The Pebble Limited Partnership's lawsuit against the EPA, alleging violations of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, will go forward . That's according to a ruling Thursday by federal court Judge H. Russel Holland. Holland denied the EPA's motion to dismiss the case, which was argued last week in Anchorage court.
Lawmakers Grapple With Budget Impasse
Between the regular session, the extended session, and now two special sessions, the Legislature has been meeting for 135 days. But even with all the extra time, lawmakers appear no closer to a budget deal than they were a month ago.
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