Earthquake Rattles Southeast Alaska, Likely Damaging Communications Network
Mother Nature rattled Northern Southeast this morning with and magnitude 5.9 earthquake and several dozen aftershocks. The quake appeared to have damaged internet and cell service to thousands of Southeast residents.
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Effort to Ban Commercial Set Netting Moves Forward
The push to ban commercial set netting moved another step forward this week. A Superior Court Judge in Anchorage ruled yesterday that the Alaska Fisheries Conservation Alliance can begin collecting signatures for a ballot initiative, so voters can decide about the value of commercial set net fishing in Cook Inlet.
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Investigation Continues Into Tourist Train Derailment
An investigation continues into what caused a tourist train to derail along a mountain pass north of Skagway yesterday, injuring 19 passengers.
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Tribal Leaders Discuss Ambler Road
Tribal leaders are gathering interested parties, including state and federal officials, in the village of Allakaket to discuss the state’s proposed road into the Ambler Mining District. Upper Koyukuk River people are concerned about impacts to subsistence resources by the road, and mining development it would bring.
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Over 11,000 Alaskans Receiving Health Insurance Refunds
More than 11,000 Alaskans are getting refunds from their health insurance companies. As part of the Affordable Care Act, companies have to spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on medical care and wellness. If they don't hit that target, they are required to send refunds to customers.
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North Slope Moves to Create Port Authority
With Arctic activity escalating, the North Slope Arctic Borough is taking steps to protect its resources while developing its economy.
State Releases New Guidelines for Mercury and Fish
The state epidemiology office has released a new mercury contamination risk determination for Alaska fish. The new guidelines basically increase the number of Alaskan fish that can be eaten safely and without restriction.
Same-Sex Marriage Arguments Scheduled
Arguments are scheduled for October in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Alaska's ban on same-sex marriage. Five same-sex couples, four married outside of Alaska and one unmarried couple, sued to overturn the ban in May. Alaska voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1998 defining marriage as between one man and one woman.
Former Bethel Foster Parent Sentenced 66 Years for Child Sex Abuse
Former Bethel foster parent Peter Tony will spend the rest of his life in prison. Tony was sentenced Tuesday to 66 years in jail with no parole for three consolidated child sex abuse counts in which he pleaded guilty.
Critics Say Canadian Mining Projects Could Damage Regional Fisheries
Canadian investors are putting millions of new dollars into mining projects near the Southeast Alaska border. They include the KSM and Tulsequah Chief prospects, which critics say could damage regional fisheries.
Oil Spill Drill Conducted Near Teller
Even as marine traffic increases past the Bering Strait, no one knows how well an oil spill could be cleaned up in the case of an accident. Stakeholders traveled to the region last week to conduct the region’s first spill response exercise, and learn more about the challenges posed.
EPA Rolls Out Proposed Restrictions on the Pebble Mine
The EPA has released the details of how they plan to use the Clean Water Act to put in place protections in Bristol Bay from the possible negative impacts of the proposed Pebble Mine.
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Alaska Supreme Court Affirms Tribal Court Jurisdiction
The Alaska Supreme Court issued a decision today in a long running tribal court jurisdiction case. The case stems from a Minto tribal court decision that terminated parental rights.
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Diomede Helicopter Service Resumes
The helicopter to Diomede is flying today. The first flight to the island took off around 11 o’clock Friday morning after a new contract was formally signed by Erickson Aviation, Kawerak and Federal Department of Transportation officials Thursday.
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NASA Testing Arctic Sea Ice Monitoring Technology With High-Flying Ex-Spy Plane
NASA is piloting a mission out of Fairbanks with a specialized plane that can fly high enough to test technology destined for satellite applications.
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Musk Ox Killed After Attacking Sled Dog
Living with wildlife isn’t always easy, as a recent incident with a musk ox attack in Kotzebue makes clear.
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In Transition: When a Family of Five Calls One Room Home
Juneau charity organization St. Vincent de Paul has a record high number of people staying in its transitional housing shelter. Usually, around 55 people live in the 26 units. At the moment, there are 66 occupants, almost half are children.
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Skiing on Eagle Glacier Connects Alaska to the World
In most places, summer isn’t the best time to ski. But atop a mile-high glacier in Girdwood, elite skiers have converged from across the country—and the world—to train.
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Murkowski Joins Democrats on Vote for Birth Control Coverage
A U.S. Senate bill requiring companies to cover birth control in employee healthcare plans failed a procedural vote today . Both Alaska senators voted for the bill, aimed at undoing the Supreme Court’s decision in the Hobby Lobby case. Sen. Lisa Murkowski was one of only three Republicans to vote for the measure, dubbed the “Not My Boss’s Business Act.”
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Questions Remain About Alaska’s Prison Deaths
A number of inmate deaths in Alaska prisons over the past few months have prompted state legislators to seek answers. But at a hearing hosted by Senator Hollis French (D – Anchorage) on Tuesday in Anchorage, few questions were resolved.
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