Parnell Administration, Unions Reach Tentative Agreement
The Parnell administration and two public employee unions have reached tentative agreement for a new three-year contract to begin in July. The Alaska Public Employees Association settled earlier this week; the Alaska State Employees Association finished late Thursday afternoon.
Latest Version of Oil Tax Bill Moves Forward
After hearing that their oil tax bill could mean at least $6 billion in revenue lost over the next five years, the Senate Finance committee made some adjustments on Thursday.
House Passes Leaner Operating Budget After Debate On Education, Behavioral Health
The House passed its version of the state operating budget today, trimming the governor’s proposal by $100 million. Debate over the bill didn’t result in any changes, but Democrats used it as a way to put their funding priorities on record.
Interior Report Faults Shell for Mismanagement of Contractors
The Department of Interior has concluded its expedited review of Shell’s failed 2012 Arctic drilling campaign. Before resuming activity in the Arctic Ocean, the company must undergo a third party review of its entire operation.
Latest Oil Tax Bill Expected To Cost State Over $1 Billion
The latest rewrite of a bill cutting taxes on oil companies is expected to cost the state more than $1 billion next year. That is more than any version that’s been introduced so far.
Concerns Raised Over How Drug Testing Bill Would Affect Bush Alaska
A bill that would allow the state to drug test recipients of cash assistance programs got its first hearing on Tuesday.
Senate Committee Introduces New Version Of Oil Tax Bill
At today’s prices, Alaska’s oil tax system can be compared to those of Norway, Russia, and Venezuela in terms of how much money it puts in state coffers. A plan introduced by the Senate finance committee today would change that. It’s a new version of the oil tax plan Governor Parnell introduced earlier this session.
Race Leaders Leave White Mountain For Safety, Nome
Mitch Seavey left the Iditarod checkpoint of White Mountain at 1:11 this afternoon. Aliy Zirkle followed 13 minutes later. According to GPS, she is currently running about one mile behind Seavey. Seavey is a former Iditarod champion. Zirkle’s best finish in the race was second, last year.
Southeast Fishermen Lobby for Stricter Salmon Habitat
Commercial fishermen and tour operators from Southeast Alaska are in Washington D.C. this week, lobbying Congress to strengthen the protection of certain areas of the Tongass National Forest.
Alaska Broadcasters Line Up To Oppose GCI Purchase Of TV Stations
It may be months before the Federal Communications Commission rules on GCI’s application to take over two small television stations in Southeast Alaska and one in Anchorage. Commercial broadcasters have lined up to oppose the purchase and request a hearing before the commission, something the FCC is often reluctant to do. The question hinges on whether the merger is in the public’s interest.
Iditarod Leaders Pull Into White Mountain
Thirteen minutes is all that stands between Mitch Seavey and Aliy Zirkle, the top two teams in this year’s Iditarod. Seavey’s team took just over 90 minutes longer than Zirkle’s to reach the checkpoint. But Jeff King’s team is still within striking distance after arriving third. Teams are resting for a mandatory eight hours. It’s an unusual year when the Iditarod comes down to the last long run from White Mountain.
Feds Begin Investigation of Dillingham-Area Plane Crash
Over the weekend, federal investigators were at the crash site of the ACE Air Cargo plane that went down in the Muklung Hills Friday morning, killing the pilot and co-pilot.
Race Remains Tight As Leaders Head For White Mountain
The top teams in this year’s Iditarod likely won’t be decided until they cross under the burled arch in Nome. That’s because teams have spent the last quarter of the race, if not the last 900 miles leap frogging each other as they travel down the trail.
Bodies Recovered From Cargo Plane Crash North of Dillingham
The weather cleared up Saturday in the Bristol Bay region allowing the Alaska National Guard to recover the bodies of the pilot and copilot that were killed in Friday's cargo plane crash north of Dillingham.
Iditarod Teams Begin Moving Up The Coast
Dog teams face the last 250 miles of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The trail runs along the windy coastline of the Bering Sea from Unalakleet to Nome. It’s getting close to the time when mushers will make some of their last moves. It’s only a matter of time before decisions on the trail turn into race results.
Mitch Seavey First Into Unalakleet
Former Iditarod champion Mitch Seavey was the first musher into Unalakleet, checking in at 10:13 a.m. Sunday. Aaron Burmeister is hot on Seavey's heels, riding into Unalakleet less that 15 minutes later.
Buser Keeps Lead Out Of Eagle Island
About three hours separate Martin Buser from Aliy Zirkle and the rest of the pack. Buser checked out of Eagle Island at 2:41 a.m. Saturday morning for his 60-mile run to Kaltag. Seven other mushers have departed Eagle Island, including Zirkle, Mitch Seavey, Jessie Royer and Aaron Burmeister.
Mushers In The Middle Of The Pack Remaining Competitive
Iditarod mushers running outside of this year’s top-20 are just as competitive as the front of the pack, but they have different reasons for travelling the trail.
Buser Retakes Lead, Departs Grayling
Martin Buser has again regained the Iditarod lead, departing Grayling at 12:52 p.m., staying at the checkpoint for only 10 minutes. Aliy Zirkle, Aaron Burmeister, Jake Berkowitz and Sonny Lindner round out the top-5. Buser is the only competitor in the top-5 that has used both the mandatory 8-hour and 24-hour layovers.
Plane Crashes Near Dillingham
A plane crashed Friday morning in the Muklung Hills, roughly 20 miles northeast of Dillingham, but by 6pm Friday, authorities had not been able to reach the crash site.