Interior Tourism Officials Expect Average Summer Numbers
The Interior is coming off what’s likely to be a flat tourism season. Official numbers are not in yet, but Fairbanks Convention and visitors Bureau president and CEO Deb Hickock doesn’t expect anything surprising.
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Man Arrested For Heroin Possession In Bethel
Bethel police arrested a man for possessing what they believe to be heroin. On August 29, police arrested 30-year-old Travis Longbotham of Nikiski. He was staying at the Long House Inn Hotel when employees noticed the smell of drugs coming from his room and called police.
Alakanuk Gets $2.2 Million For Road Development
The Village of Alakanuk is getting a $2.2 million grant to pave almost three miles of dirt roads. The money is coming from the U.S. Department of Transportation and will pay for part of the road project. The total amount is estimated to cost around $5.2 million.
Sea Ice Changes Begin Affecting Vegetation On Land
The Arctic sea ice has been surprising scientists for the last six years. It set a new record for melting back during the International Polar Year in 2007. Last year it beat that record, but at the same time the seasonal ice in the Bering Sea has been increasing – also to a record last winter. Whatever is driving these changes is also beginning to affect the vegetation on land.
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Magone Sells Renowned Marine Salvage Business
After 40 years in western Alaska, salvager Dan Magone is selling his namesake diving and marine rescue business. But, Magone will still be there to help when disaster strikes.
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Pilot, Researchers Stranded Near Mt. Mageik
A helicopter, its pilot, and two researchers are still stuck near the top of 7,100-foot Mount Mageik in Katmai National Park and Preserve. They’ve been there since Wednesday evening.
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Shell Agrees to $1M Fine for Arctic Air Permit Violations
Shell will pay the Environmental Protection Agency $1.1 million in fines for allegedly violating air permits during their 2012 drilling season in Alaska.
Environmental Enforcement Doesn’t Sit Well With Miners, Politicians
A recent sweep by government agents looking for environmental violations at gold mines in the 40 Mile region, has angered locals and Alaska politicians. The governor’s office has ordered an investigation, and area placer miners are organizing to protest the Environmental Protection Agency lead action.
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Hundreds Of Aftershocks Rock Aleutian Chain
Hundreds of aftershocks are rattling the Aleutian Chain following a 7.0 earthquake near Adak on Friday. Residents are ready for life to go back to normal – but it could be months before the quakes subside.
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Oil Tax Referendum To Appear On Ballot
It's official: A controversial tax cut on oil companies will be put to a vote. Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai certified the referendum on the new tax law this Tuesday.
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Union Files For Arbitration Over State Office Space
The state’s largest public employee union and the Parnell administration will enter into arbitration over the issue of office space. An arbitrator has been selected, but the time frame for the negotiations are still unknown.
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Oil Tax Battle Wages On Through Regulatory Process
After a bill gets signed into law, coming up with the regulations to implement it is supposed to be the boring part. But when it comes to oil taxes, the way regulations are written could mean millions of dollars for either the state, or for oil companies. Now, both supporters and opponents of the recently passed tax overhaul aren't totally pleased with how the regulatory process is going.
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Veniaminof Volcano Producing Weak Ash Plume
The ongoing eruption of the Veniaminof Volcano on the Alaska Peninsula has increased in intensity in recent days and a weak ash plume is being produced.
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As Stream Levels Drop, Salmon Die Before Spawning
Some rainfall over the weekend may have eased a looming crisis for pink salmon stocks in Southeast Alaska. The summer’s fine weather and record salmon runs have both made headlines – but they’re a recipe for trouble without enough water in rivers and streams for fish to spawn.
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FEMA Takes Closer Look at Homer Flood Maps
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, is in the process of creating more specific flood zone maps for populated areas around coastal Alaska. Contractors have been working on maps for the Kenai Peninsula since 2011.
Jewell Considers Human Safety, Wildlife Trade-Off For Izembek Road
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell has a difficult decision ahead of her. She was in King Cove Friday to visit with residents about a road they want to build through the heart of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. Residents say the road is necessary to access emergency medical treatment, but a road has never been built through a wilderness area and environmental groups say it would set a bad precedent.
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Low St. Lawrence Island Walrus Harvest Spurs Disaster Declaration
Governor Sean Parnell declared an economic disaster for residents on St. Lawrence Island Thursday. An unusually low walrus harvest is currently impacting the more than 1,300 residents that make the island home.
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Byron Mallott Jumps Into Governor’s Race
The field for governor just got a more crowded. Byron Mallott says he plans to take on Sean Parnell as a Democrat.
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Alaska Backs NRA In Lawsuit Against Feds
Alaska, and 21 other states, are supporting the Nation Rifle Association in a lawsuit against the federal government. The case, which is before the Supreme Court, will decide whether a federal ban on selling handguns to anyone under the age of 21 is constitutional.
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Strong Winds Expected for Anchorage
One year after high winds caused extensive damage in Anchorage and across Southcentral Alaska, September is again starting off with concern about overnight gusts. Christian Cassell, forecaster for the National Weather Service in Anchorage, said winds of 45 to 60 mph will pick up along higher elevations and Turnagain Arm Monday night.