Sitka Hospital CEO Announces Retirement
Sitka Community Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Hugh Hallgren, will retire in June after more than four years of service in Sitka. The hospital’s Board of Directors announced Hallgren’s retirement on Monday.
Army Corps Of Engineers Discuss Deep Water Port Options
The Alaska Army Corp of Engineers met with Army corp leaders in Washington D.C. on Monday, to discuss where the Corp will construct a deep draft port in Western Alaska. Three sites on the Seward Peninsula are potential locations for a new deep water port.
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Russian Mission Man Dies In Snowmachine Crash
A Russian Mission man died on Christmas Day after his snowmachine crashed. Alaska State Troopers say 35-year-old Jeremy Wigley died in what is believed to be a single-vehicle crash.
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Grant Given to Improve Nursing in Alaska
A new program is scheduled to get started next year in Alaska to help prepare people to become nurses. The Alaska Nursing Action Coalition is slated to be part of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s $4.5 million initiative called the “Future of Nursing State Implementation Program."
Draft Changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Act Released
The Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee has released a draft of some proposed changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The Act was last reauthorized by Congress back in 2006 and its up for another review and re-authorization.
Interior Gas Utility Lays Out Fairbanks LNG Plan
The Interior Gas Utility is laying out a plan of action, following the state granting the Fairbanks North Star Borough entity’s request to supply natural gas to currently un-served areas of town. Getting natural gas to more neighborhoods is a step toward lowering energy bills and reducing emissions.
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Kenai Groups Oppose Commercial Setnetting Ban
Two government bodies on the Kenai Peninsula have voted unanimously to oppose efforts to ban commercial setnetting in Cook Inlet.
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Southeast Dungeness Crab Catch Surpasses Expectations
Southeast Alaska’s Dungeness crab fleet has exceeded expectations for the season, thanks to a strong catch during October and November.
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Jewell Rejects Road Through Izembek
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell won't allow a road through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. Residents of King Cove have been asking the Interior Department for permission to build a one lane gravel road through the refuge for decades. They want easier access to Cold Bay, which has an all weather airport.
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Rio Tinto Considers Pulling Out Of Pebble Mine
Another investor in the proposed Pebble Mine says it may back out. Rio Tinto announced today that it will perform a strategic review of its investment in the controversial gold and copper mine in the Bristol Bay region and that the review will consider divestment.
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1 Dead In Talkeetna Spur Road Crash
Just after 8:00 am on Monday, Alaska State Troopers and Talkeetna Emergency Services received a call of a vehicle collision near Mile 11 of the Talkeetna Spur Road.
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Former Haines Rep. Thomas Files To Run For State Office In 2014
Former Haines Representative Bill Thomas has filed a letter of intent to run for state office in 2014. Thomas filed late Friday. He did not indicate which office he will seek, but he is eligible to run for either House or Senate in districts representing Juneau. House District 33 includes downtown Juneau and Douglas Island, as well as Gustavus, Haines, and Skagway. It is part of Senate District Q.
With Months To Go, Oil Industry Spends $1 Million Against Referendum
Two years ago, oil companies spent over a million dollars to defeat an initiative that would have revived Alaska's coastal management program. They're on track to spend even more this election cycle to protect the new tax system they lobbied for.
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GCI Buys 3 Southeast TV Stations, With Big Ambitions
Earlier this year, the telecom giant GCI moved into a new line of business, buying three television stations in Sitka, Juneau and Anchorage. It turns out those purchases were just the beginning. This month, GCI announced plans to buy three more TV stations in Southeast Alaska. If approved, the deal could mark a new era in Alaska media.
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Savoonga Get Extra Bowhead Strike To Supplement Food Stores
The St. Lawrence Island community of Savoonga has received an additional bowhead strike from the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission. The allotment permits the community to go after one more whale this season. The community harvested two bowheads already this month. But with its current economic disaster and lack of walrus meat, Savoonga hopes another whale will bolster food stores this winter.
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Hooper Bay Woman Indicted On Felony Drug Charge
A Hooper Bay woman has been indicted by a grand jury on a felony drug charge. Twenty-two-year-old Louise L Bunyan was arrested following a trooper investigation. According to an affidavit, Bunyan was attempting to fly from Bethel to Hooper Bay last Friday in possession of marijuana.
Parnell Open To Funding Southeast Hydro
Governor Sean Parnell’s recent budget proposal does not include any Southeast Alaska hydroprojects. But he says he still believes hydro is the solution to the region’s high energy costs.
Wasilla Man Gets Frostbite Running from Troopers Near Cantwell
On Tuesday, Alaska State Troopers received a call just after 2:00 pm about a vehicle in the ditch at Mile 201 of the Parks Highway.
New Ambassador To China Could Trigger Senatorial Domino Effect
In Washington D.C., the buzz around the Capitol is that the White House is going to nominate Montana Senator Max Baucus to be ambassador to China. His departure with a year left on his term would trigger a domino effect in the Senate, advancing a few Democrats to key positions, and that could have big implications for Alaska.
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Government Requests Proposals For Emergency Food Systems
Earlier this month, the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Department of Military and Veterans Affairs put out a “request for proposals”—or RFP—for contracts to set up an emergency food system. The plan is to stockpile food for 40,000 people at two separate locations in the state.
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