ADF&G Opens Herring Fishing In Starrigavan, Katlian Bays
The Department of Fish & Game has announced that the first opening of the Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery will be at approximately 1:45 PM today (Thu 3-20-14) in the area of Starrigavan and Katlian bays.
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Alaska House Passes Izembek Road Resolution
The Alaska House of Representatives passed a resolution Tuesday calling for the U.S. Department of the Interior to reverse course and allow a road to be built between the Alaska Peninsula communities of King Cove and Cold Bay for safety reasons.
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The Koch Effect: Two Rich Guys Democrats Love to Hate
In Alaska’s U.S. Senate race, there’s been so much talk about the billionaire Koch Brothers you might think they were running for office. They’re not, though a Koch-affiliated group has already spent close to $1 million on ads against Mark Begich. The Cook Political Report today declared the race a toss-up and Begich one of the Senate’s most endangered Democrats. But the well funded anti-Begich ad campaign may not be having the desired effect.
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Sitka Herring Fishery Could Open As Soon As Thursday
The multi-million dollar Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery could open as early as the end of this week. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game announced Monday evening (3-17-14) that as of 8 a.m. Thursday (3-20-14), the fishery will be placed on two-hour notice. That means seiners could have their nets in the water as soon as Thursday morning, if the department’s test samples find a high enough percentage of mature roe, or eggs, in the fish by then.
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With Deadline Approaching, More Alaskans Signing Up For Health Insurance
Alaskans working to sign people up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act say they're seeing a big increase in enrollments this month. The boost comes as the March 31st open enrollment deadline approaches.
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Lawmakers Urge Gov. Parnell To Keep Flint Hills Refinery In Operation
A resolution in the legislature urges quick action by Governor Sean Parnell to ensure Alaska doesn’t lose in state refining capacity. HCR 22 by Representative Tammie Wilson of North Pole, is aimed at keeping Flint Hills North Pole Refinery in operation under a new owner. Flint Hills plans to cease refining this summer in favor of selling cheaper imported fuels.
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Heliskiing Guide Caught In Haines Avalanche Dies
A heliski guide caught in an avalanche over the weekend near Haines died late Monday according to a statement posted online by his family.
Unalaska Coast Guard Petty Officer Passes Away
A member of the Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment in Unalaska has passed away in Anchorage.
IRS Gives a Little on Air Taxi Tax
The IRS has given a sliver of ground in how it has applied tax rules to air taxi flights. Sen. Mark Begich is calling it a win for small air carriers, but Joy Journeay, executive director of the Alaska Air Carriers Association, says the concession is less than it appears.
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Guide Critically Injured In Avalanche Near Haines
A heliskiing guide was critically injured in an avalanche near Haines over the weekend, the third avalanche in as many years to injure or kill extreme mountain skiers in the area.
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GCI Nears 3G Data Service In Bethel
Bethel was expected to have 3G service in December of the last year. The date was then moved to February, and now scheduled for mid to late April.
State Sues Feds Over Arctic Refuge Exploration
The state of Alaska filed a lawsuit last week against the federal government for rejecting Gov. Sean Parnell’s application to explore the geology of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The U.S. Interior Department says the window for such oil and gas exploration in the refuge closed in 1987.
Ahtna Goes to Congress For Role in Game Management
Alaska tribes and rural hunters have long complained that the dual federal-state game management system is hard to live by and doesn’t give subsistence users their due. Today, Ahtna Inc., the smallest of Alaska’s Regional Native Corporations, presented a proposal for co-management of game to a Congressional panel.
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VPSOs Prepare For Possibility Of Being Armed
The effort to allow VPSOs to carry guns cleared a major hurdle this week when the Alaska House unanimously passed the bill that does just that. The decision is in the hands of legislators in Juneau now, and while the bill passed the 38-0, the issue on the ground is more nuanced.
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Geoduck Dive Fishery Opens; Market Found
Southeast Alaska divers were out fishing for geoducks Thursday, for the first time in about two months.
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While FDA Mulls Genetically Modified Salmon, Supermarkets Back Away
The head of the Federal Drug Administration told a U.S. Senate committee today her agency is still working on its review of an application to produce a genetically modified salmon.
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Feds Seeking Local Advice On Environmental Protocols
Members of the federal agency that oversees marine mammals held a teleconference in Nome on Wednesday to solicit region-specific advice on emergency response. It’s part of a process to draft environmental protocols for the Arctic that incorporate local expertise.
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Coast Guard Calls Off Search For Missing Bering Sea Fisherman
The Coast Guard has called off its search for a fisherman who fell overboard from his vessel in the Bering Sea on Wednesday.
Search For Missing Boat Owner Suspended
The search for John Anderson, who went missing sometime late Tuesday night and is believed to have fallen off his houseboat, was suspended Wednesday evening, pending further information.
State House Finance Committee Passes $9.1 Billion Operating Budget
The $9.1 billion state operating budget has passed the House Finance committee. It's down about $1.6 million from the original bill, much of that due to a cut in school construction and debt service money.