NOAA to Review Humpback’s Status
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will review whether the North Pacific humpback still needs protection under the Endangered Species Act. A group of Hawaiian fishermen submitted a petition to delist the whale in April and NOAA has released its first finding.
Plane Crashes Near Rohn; One Killed
A single engine plane crashed southeast of McGrath, near Rohn in the foothills of the Alaska Range on Friday. The pilot, Scott Mueller, age 58, of Big Lake, was killed. A passenger, Traeger Anderson, age 30, of Wasilla, was injured.
Four Indicted for Drug Conspiracy in Anchorage
The U.S Attorney's office announced indictments against four Anchorage men for drug conspiracy, kidnapping involving sexual torture and using firearms during the crimes. The indictment alleges the men conspired to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine as well as heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine. The men are also charged with organizing home invasions of other drug traffickers to obtain drugs.
Alaska To Form Space Partnership With Virginia
Alaska and Virginia are the only states in the country to operate their own commercial spaceports. Now, the two states have decided to team up and form a sort of space alliance.
King Salmon Fail to Reach Spawning Grounds
Kuskokwim Chinook salmon—or Kings as they are known locally--did not make it to the spawning grounds this year as managers had expected. Counting projects are showing the lowest escapements in history for nearly all of the river’s tributaries. Managers and residents are trying to make a plan for next year.
Palmer Men Killed in Sutton Plane Crash
A plane crash north of Sutton Thursday night claimed the lives of both men on board. Alaska State Troopers sid the Rescue Coordination Center received a report of an overdue aircraft Thursday night. No formal flight plan had been filed and the plane was reported overdue by family members. The 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons were deployed and located the aircraft, a Citabria Champion, early Friday morning. Rescue personnel were unable to land, but were hoisted to the ground. The team discovered Adam Norton and Derrik Swanson, both of Palmer.
DOJ Won’t Interfere With Marijuana Legalization
The Obama Administration announced Thursday that it won't sue states like Alaska that allow medical marijuana. Not only that, it won't sue Colorado or Washington for legalizing recreational use of the drug, something that Alaska might do next year.
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Heft, fluff and salmon: Katmai’s Fat Bear Week finals are upon us
Voters worldwide will decide the winner of Katmai National Park’s Fat Bear Week, after a summer of bears packing on pounds for hibernation.
Syria Strikes Could Catapult Oil Prices Even Higher
Syria does not produce much oil. It's allies do, though, said Ed Hirs, an energy economist at the University of Houston.
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Alaska Fire Crews Heading South
More Alaska crews are heading south to help battle wildfires in the western lower 48, including the Rim Fire near Yosemite, California. Alaska Fire Service spokesman Mel Slater is tracking the state and federal fire fighter deployments.
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With New Standards Test, Schools In For Rude Awakening
This year, Alaska got the OK to start judging schools using its own measurements instead of the standards required by the federal No Child Left Behind law. But with new metrics come new -- and more difficult -- tests, and state officials are expecting to see student performance fall as a result.
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Begich Skeptical of Syrian Strikes Without Congressional Assent
The United States Sixth Fleet is sailing in the Mediterranean Sea, and the Fifth Fleet is in nearby Bahrain. The Pentagon is mobilizing forces for long-range bombings or cruise missile strikes.
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UAF Career Services Office Will Close
Students are returning to the University of Alaska, Fairbanks campus for classes beginning this week. But this will be the last year they will have the opportunity to seek career advice from staff. The office of Career Services will close in December 2014 as part of what the University calls a “budgetary pullback.”
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Dillingham Residents Talk Pebble Mine With EPA Administrator
Political, business and tribal leaders from the Bristol Bay region welcomed the new EPA Administrator to Dillingham Tuesday. They called on the EPA to step in and stop development of the proposed Pebble Mine. KDLG’s Mike Mason has the story.
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Two Months Later, Tender Is Still Grounded
The 78-foot sunken fishing tender Lone Star is still stuck in the mud in the Igushik River as responders try and figure out a new way to recover the vessel. The vessel grounded on June 30th while taking fish from the local fishermen for processing by Trident Seafoods.
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Nature Conservancy Will Review Susitna Dam Studies
A worldwide environmental conservation group is becoming more involved in the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project. This summer, contractors working under the Alaska Energy Authority have been conducting 58 studies to assess the environmental impact of the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric project.
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Juneau Clinic Will Close
The Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium plans to close Front Street Clinic on October 1, according to SEARHC COO Dan Neumeister. The decision by the board of directors comes after two days of meetings last week.
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EPA Administrator Visits Portage Glacier
The new head of the Environmental Protection Agency is making a field trip to Alaska this week. Gina McCarthy says this trip is not about regulation, but about learning and tribal consultation. She'll be going to Fairbanks and Bristol Bay, but she started her trip at the site of a receding glacier.
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Poll Shows Wide Fears of Pebble Mine
Hays Research Group asked 388 likely primary voters their opinions of a possible 2014 ballot initiative that would prohibit the Pebble Mine. More than 60% said they favor the measure. Some two-thirds of that group strongly support it.
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Arctic Councils Test the Waters in Unalaska
Legislators, scientists, and industry stakeholders are flocking to Unalaska this week to work out a plan for exploring the Arctic and they want input from locals. The United States Arctic Research Commission convened at Unalaska’s Grand Aleutian Hotel today. The independent agency is made up of eight commissioners with diverse backgrounds in fisheries, science, and education.
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