Pentagon Calls Back Most Civilian Workers
Sunday, the Pentagon made a surprise announcement that most civilian employees are being called back to the nation's military bases, despite the federal government shutdown.
Treadwell Calls For More Aggressive Tack On State Sovereignty
The government shutdown means the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Federal Areas isn't getting time with federal workers. But at this week's meetings, they did hear from someone who wants to work in Washington: Lt. Gov. and Senate candidate Mead Treadwell.
Federal Shutdown Could Delay Crab Fisheries
Fishermen are gearing up for the start of the Bering Sea’s lucrative crab season. But they may be off to a late start this year, because of the federal government shutdown.
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Alaska’s High Court First Supreme Court In The Nation To Hear Climate Change Case
Alaska’s high court became the first state supreme court in the country yesterday to hear an appeal in one of more than a dozen climate change lawsuits. The lawsuits pit young people against their states. The plaintiffs claim the state has an obligation to protect the atmosphere from excessive carbon emissions.
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State Orders Review Of Fairbanks 4 Case
The State of Alaska has ordered a review of the Fairbanks Four case. The Department of Law announced the move on Thursday, saying new information in the 1997 murder of John Hartman led to the decision.
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One Dead After Fatal Nikolaevsk Fire
A home burned to the ground in the Old Believer community of Nikolaevsk and the remains of one person was found inside. The fire happened early Thursday morning, and Troopers say while next of kin have been notified, no identification will be released until the medical examiner confirms it.
State’s Decision On Medicaid Expansion Expected By December
A Parnell administration official says a decision will be forthcoming by mid-December on allowing an expansion of Medicaid eligibility in Alaska. The cost of the expansion would be funded by the federal government, but a number of governors have been balking anyway, saying they are concerned about future years.
Salvagers Make Progress On Sunken Tender Lone Star
Salvagers have made progress recovering the sunken fishing tender Lone Star from the bottom of the Igushik River. The 78-foot vessel sank in a channel of the river on June 30.
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Signature Gathering: A Budding Business
If you want to get a proposition on the ballot, you're given a pretty gargantuan task. So instead of relying on volunteers, most initiative sponsors bring in professionals. Paid petitioners working for the marijuana have recently hit Southeast Alaska to help guarantee their question will get a vote.
Alaska Loses 600 Teachers, Staff Over Past 3 Years
Alaska's largest school districts lost over 600 teachers and staff over the past three years. That's the conclusion of a report produced by the Legislature's research department.
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Tourism Industry Leaders To Meet In Sitka
Leaders of Alaska’s visitors’ industry will gather in Sitka next week. More than 400 excursion operators, tourism managers and cruise officials are expected to attend the Alaska Travel Industry Association’s conference.
Court OKs AML-Northland Services Shipping Merger
An Anchorage superior court judge has approved a deal allowing Lynden Inc. to buy out its shipping competitor, Northland Services.
Salvage Crews Move Sunken Tender Lone Star
The salmon tender Lone Star is still submerged in at the mouth of the Igushik river near Dillingham, but salvage crews have successfully moved it. The Coast Guard says that Resolve-Magone crews on Monday pulled the vessel 200 feet to the east shore of the river.
F-16s Will Remain At Eielson Air Force Base
The Air Force’s proposal to relocate a squadron of F-16s from Eielson Air Force Base south to Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson has been scrapped. Members of Alaska’s congressional delegation received the news midday Wednesday.
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New F-35 Fighter Jets May Be Based At Eielson
The Air Force’s decision to retain an F-16 squadron at Eielson F-16 could bode well for it basing a squadron of the new F-35 fighter jet. Eielson is one of two bases in the Pacific region under consideration for getting the new stealth aircraft.
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State’s National Parks Close Due To Shutdown
The shutdown of much of the federal government has closed National Parks. In Interior and Northern Alaska, that means just a few staff remaining on to carry out essential work.
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High Web Traffic Cripples Federal Health Insurance Marketplaces
A day after the launch of Alaska’s health insurance marketplace, it’s still impossible to sign up for plans on the website. The federal government says higher than expected web traffic has hampered all of the federally run marketplace sites, like the one in Alaska. They are working to add more server capacity to address the problem.
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Despite Shutdown, Alaska WIC Recipients Should Still Get Food Aid
Even though the federal government is shut down, poor women and children can still get food vouchers through the State of Alaska. The Women, Infants, and Children Supplement Nutrition -- or "WIC" -- program should be able to operate until the end of the month, according to the Alaska Department of Health.
Fairbanks Voters Approve 2 School Bond Propositions
Proposition 1 asked voters to OK the sale of about $37.2 million in bonds to replace Ryan Middle School. According to unofficial results, 60 percent of voters said yes, passing the measure by nearly 2,000 votes. Prop 2 passed by an even wider margin, with 65 percent of votes cast in favor, unofficially. That measure will raise $19.4 million to repair and renovate five other district schools.
Wrangell Voters Decide Against Sales Tax Decrease
About 600 voters took to the polls in Tuesday’s elections. Incumbent mayor David Jack will keep his position for another year after receiving three-quarters of the vote.