Bush Caucus Takes Stand On Rural Issues
Bryce Edgmon with the Bush caucus of the Alaska legislature spoke to AFN delegates this morning. Edgmon, a Democrat from Dillingham, said the caucus took a forceful stance against the photo ID mandates for voter registration and against the proposal to amend the state constitution for using state dollars for non public schools.
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Report Acknowledges Importance Of Traditional Knowledge In Mitigating Climate Change
The traditional knowledge from Native groups in the circumpolar North may be a key part of mitigating rapid climate change. That’s according to a report released Wednesday by the Arctic Council.
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Massive Landslide Covers Stretch Of Denali Park Road
A massive landslide has blocked the Denali Park Road near mile 37. Crews are already working to clear the road, but they aren't likely to finish the job until next spring.
Julie Kitka On Tribal-Federal Relations
The Alaska Federation of Natives Convention got underway this morning in Fairbanks. The keynote speaker today was Nelson Angapak, retired as Senior Vice President of AFN. He urged young people to work hard to achieve success, to listen to their elders and for Native people to come together to confront big challenges like threats to subsistence and federal cuts to programs.
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Interest In Health Care Enrollment Expected To Pick Up In Juneau
Enrolling in the new federal marketplace is off to slow start in the capital city. Ongoing technical issues with the insurance website have made it difficult, but those charged with helping Juneau residents enroll expect interest will pick up.
Unalaska Drug Investigation Nets Nine More Arrests
Nine people were arrested in Unalaska Wednesday during a day-long drug bust. Deputy Police Chief Michael Holman says the operation started around 12:45 p.m. and concluded around midnight. Officers executed ten search warrants, following up on new leads from an undercover investigation into drug sales over the last few months.
Shishmaref Retains Alcohol Ban
Shishmaref's alcohol ban stands. Voters on Tuesday defeated a move to end the community's three decade alcohol ban.
Protesters Show Support For Hammond, Fischer in Pebble Mine Case
Protesters gathered in Anchorage on Wednesday in support of Vic Fischer and Bella Hammond. The crowd was demanding the state call off its efforts to recover $1 million in legal fees from Fischer, Hammond, and their co-plaintiffs in case over the Pebble Mine.
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Anti-Pebble Groups Combine To Form ‘Bristol Bay United’
Three organizations that have come out in opposition to the proposed Pebble Mine – have formed a new group to lobby for permanent protections for the natural resources of the Bristol Bay region.
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Tanana Kids Take On Tough Issues
The Elders and Youth Conference, a precursor to the Alaska Federation of Natives convention wrapped up Wednesday at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks.
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UAS and Yukon College Partnership Advances Native Language Efforts
University of Alaska Southeast and Yukon College signed an agreement this weekend that renews a more than 25-year relationship. The two institutions will continue to work together in various academic fields, including resource development and Native languages.
Northrim Buys Alaska Pacific Bank
Northrim BanCorp is purchasing Alaska Pacific Bank, with the Juneau-based bank becoming a Northrim subsidiary. The two have signed an agreement for Northrim to acquire Alaska Pacific in a stock and cash transaction valued at about $14.31 million, or approximately $17.28 per share of Alaska Pacific common stock.
Elders and Youth Conference Kicks Off In Fairbanks
The First Alaskans Institute Elders and Youth Conference got underway Monday in Fairbanks. The annual precursor to the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention is in its 30th year, bringing together Alaska Natives from across the state of all ages to hear speakers and participate in issue and culture focused workshops.
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Bills don’t move, but Alaskans in Congress file away
With the bitter Congressional standoff over for now, lawmakers could turn to a practice rarely seen in Washington these days. They might pass a few bills. Each member of Alaska’s congressional delegation has sponsored dozens of bills this year. But, other than the budget, don’t bet on anything controversial becoming law.
Definition of ‘Alaska Native’ Needs Fixing In Health Care Law
Thousands of Alaska Natives will miss out on benefits they qualify for under the Affordable Care Act if the definition of Alaska Native under the law isn't changed. American Indians and Alaska Natives are exempt from the law's individual mandate to buy health insurance or face a tax penalty.
Western Venture Likely Sunk After Blaze
The U.S. Coast Guard says a 59-foot longliner that burned Sunday in the Bering Sea has sunk.
Bethel Will Remain A Subsistence Use Area
The Joint Board of Fisheries and Board of Game opposed establishing a non-subsistence use area for Bethel in a meeting in Anchorage last week. The proposal was submitted by Fairbanks trapper Allen Barrette which stated that Bethel would appear to qualify as a non-subsistence area.
Tuntutuliak Man Dies of Huffing Propane
A Tuntutuliak man had died from huffing propane. Alaska State Troopers responded Sunday morning to reports of a death in the community.
Army Claims Responsibility For Stuart Creek 2 Wildfire
The U.S. Army Alaska today claimed released the results of two investigations into the cause of the Stuart Creek 2 Wildfire that burned more than 87,000 acres and threatened a small mushing community just outside Fairbanks this summer.
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Fast Ferries Getting New Engines
The fast ferry Fairweather is now in a Seattle shipyard. When it returns to Alaska next spring, it will feature a completely new power plant. The deteriorating engines that were the subject of the state’s long-running lawsuit with the engine manufacturer will be swapped out. Then, its sister ship Chenega will go through an identical refit.
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