Sen. Sullivan Weighs In On State of the Union Topics
President Obama’s State of the Union address to Congress is Tuesday night, but the White House has been offering previews of his main proposals for weeks. Alaska’s new Republican Senator, Dan Sullivan, said before the speech he was expecting to hear an overly rosy depiction of unemployment.
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Four Rescued As F/V Eyak Sinks Near Sitka
Four people were rescued from the F/V Eyak early Monday morning after the boat went aground near Calligan Island, just north of the Goddard hot springs.
Zaukar Sentenced to 61 years for 2012 Rape, Kidnapping
On Friday, a judge sentenced 24-year-old Colten Zaukar, of Sleetmute to spend what could be rest of his life behind bars for a violent 2012 rape. Bethel Superior Court Judge Charles Ray sentenced Zaukar to 61 years, with another 10 years suspended.
Gov. Walker Outlines Priorities For Legislative Session
The Alaska Legislature gavels in tomorrow afternoon for the 29th session. Lawmakers - along with all Alaskans will get a better sense of Governor Bill Walker's agenda for the next 90 days in two speeches this week - the State of the State and the State of the budget. Walker took some time today to talk about his priorities. He says he has a few guiding principles as he crafts a budget this year.
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Keystone XL: Bad for Alaska Crude?
The fight over the Keystone XL Pipeline is likely to heat up in Congress this week. Senate Bill 1 would permit the pipeline to cross the Canadian border into Montana, moving Alberta tar sands oil. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, as the new chairman of the Energy Committee, is leading the Republican charge. But, some Alaskans say she’s pulling for the wrong project.
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Environmental Groups Support EPA’s Proposal on Chemical Dispersant Use
The Environmental Protection Agency released a proposal last week to review the use of chemical dispersants in oil spill response. An environmental group based in Homer was part of the first push to change the existing dispersant rules.
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Board Reverses Suspensions Of Former-Sen. Stevens Prosecutors
A review board has reversed the suspensions of two federal attorneys accused of withholding evidence in the prosecution of the late Sen. Ted Stevens. The Merit Systems Protection Board ruled this month that the Justice Department bungled the disciplinary process against the two prosecutors.
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Plunging Oil Prices Cast Doubt on Arctic Drilling
As oil prices continue to plummet, some corporations are scaling back on expensive exploration projects -- like drilling in Arctic waters. But, one company with a major stake in the region has yet to tip its hand.
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Grand Jury Hands Down 3 Murder Charges in White Mountain New Year’s Day Killing
The man accused of killing his girlfriend on New Year’s Day in White Mountain now faces a total of three murder charges in her death.
UAF Anticipates Cutting Over 200 Jobs
The University of Alaska Fairbanks anticipates cutting between 200 and 250 jobs this year. That from UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers, who in an address to the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce yesterday focused on the affect of slumping oil prices on state funding for the university.
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About 16,000 Alaskans Sign Up On Healthcare.gov
The federal government says about 16,000 Alaskans have signed up for health insurance on healthcare.gov. That's about 3,000 more than signed up during the initial open enrollment period.
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More Than 40,000 Earthquakes Detected In 2014
The Earthquake Information Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks logged more earthquakes in 2014 than in past years, a lot more. 40,000. An increase of about 10,000 from the average of the years before it. Michael West is the state seismologist at the center. He says part of the reason they counted more last year was because of better technology.
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‘Hire More Heroes Act’ Passes U.S. House Unanimously
Despite the fierce fights waged in Congress over the Affordable Care Act, a bill to loosen the employer mandate sailed through the U.S. House last week.
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State’s New Attorney General Outlines Department’s Challenges
Alaska's new attorney general is a 39-year-old who has spent the last 10 years practicing law with Governor Bill Walker. Craig Richards grew up in Fairbanks. He's enthusiastic about his new position. Richards says the department of law is dealing with two big challenges right now- the first is the National Guard issue.
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State Transportation Commissioner Steps Down
State transportation commissioner Patrick Kemp has been ousted following his defense of the department's pursuit of the Juneau access road.
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Halcro Files Letter Of Intent In Anchorage Mayor’s Race
Former Alaska legislator Andrew Halcro has filed a letter of intent to run for mayor of Anchorage. Halcro filed the letter, signaling his interest in seeking the post, with the Alaska Public Offices Commission on Friday.
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Juneau Resident In Paris During Attack On Charlie Hebdo Magazine
Juneau resident Henry DeCherney arrived in Paris on Monday as part of an extended holiday traveling in Europe. He was there for Wednesday’s attack on Charlie Hebdo magazine that left 12 dead and today’s dual hostage situation, which killed four. The two main suspects in Wednesday’s attack and an associate were killed as well.
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Is SB21 Working?
Since the Frank Murkowski administration, every Alaska governor has offered his or her own version of oil tax reform. Now, Governor Bill Walker is expressing concern with aspects of the current tax regime.
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Chugiak Lawmaker Proposes Legislature Move
Sen.-elect Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak, plans to introduce a bill to move the Alaska Legislature to Anchorage. Stoltze isn’t proposing a full-on capital move. Instead, KTUU reports that the bulk of state government would remain in Juneau and legislative sessions would be held at the Anchorage Legislative Information Office.
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Murkowski Foresees Accord, But Sparks Fly at First Hearing
today . The committee promptly passed the first priority of the Republican leadership: a bill approving the Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta, Canada through Nebraska. Murkowski also outlined what she wants the committee to accomplish, which she distilled it down to a bumper sticker: "Energy is good."
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