Lawmakers Dash to DC, Dine with Lobbyists
While the legislature debates whether to cut taxes on oil companies, state lawmakers are meeting with state oil and gas lobbyists in Washington, D.C. They’re attending a meeting of The Energy Council, a group consisting of Alaska, ten other states, four Canadian provinces, and the Venezuelan government.
Otter-Bounty Bill Faces Opposition
Legislation proposing sea-otter bounties will get its first hearing next week. It’s already drawing opposition from environmental groups and the federal marine mammal protection agency.
Most Iditarod Teams Remaining Large So Far
Iditarod mushers start the race with up to 16 dogs. The can drop dogs along the trail, but they have to finish with six. Many mushers will drop dogs in Iditarod after completing the longest single run along the trail. It’s 80 miles from Ophir, but most teams remain large halfway through the race.
Zirkle Leads Mushers Into Grayling
Aliy Zirkle has taken the lead in the 2013 Iditarod. She checked into the Grayling checkpoint at 9:54 a.m. Friday. Aaron Burmeister and Jake Berkowitz arrived in Grayling about 30 minutes apart, at 11:06 a.m. and 11:37 a.m., respectively.
Senate Committee Considers Interior Nominee
President Barack Obama’s nominee to lead the Interior Department, REI chief executive Sally Jewel, testified before the Senate Energy committee today. She hinted at her positions on some issues pertinent to Alaska.
Alaska Railroad Cutting Over 50 Jobs
The Alaska Railroad is cutting more than 50 jobs in an effort to trim the corporation’s costs as federal grants and revenue decline sharply.
Buser Takes Iditarod Lead
Martin Buser has regained the lead in the 2013 Iditarod. After just under five hours of rest at the checkpoint, Buser left Iditarod at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday to begin a 55-mile jaunt to Shageluk.
Lance Mackey First Into Iditarod
Lance Mackey was the first musher to reach the race's namesake checkpoint of Iditarod. He checked in at 8:36 p.m. Wednesday. Sonny Lindner arrived at the checkpoint shortly after 10:00 p.m. Wednesday.
Mental Health Cuts Prompt Public Concern
For the past two days, the House Finance Committee has heard testimony on what it should cut from the operating budget and, especially, what it shouldn’t. Opposition has been especially vocal when it comes to an $8.4 million reduction in behavioral health funding.
Begich Bill Would Define Mental Incompetence For Guns
U.S. Senator Mark Begich introduced a bill Wednesday aimed at clarifying who should be unable to own a gun because of mental illness.
Mushers Debate Where To Take 24-Hour Layover
Three days into the Iditarod, the race is still anyone’s game. And the mushers are keeping it interesting this year. Martin Buser completed his 24 hour layover early in the race. Lance Mackey and Sonny Linder appear to be embracing the opposite strategy... making their way down the trail to the Iditarod Checkpoint, which is also the official half way marker in the race. But many of the veteran mushers decided to stick to a plan they know, resting in the popular 24 layover village of Takotna.
Lance Mackey Leading The Way
Lance Mackey is in the lead, leaving Ophir at 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, nearly two and a half hours ahead of the next musher, Sonny Lindner. Jeff King is currently in third place, departing from Ophir at 8:50 a.m. Wednesday.
Mat-Su Teacher Indicted For Defrauding Hockey Booster Club
A Matanuska Susitna Borough School District teacher has been indicted on five felony counts related to defrauding a hockey booster club out of $48,000. The school district is reviewing its records since allegations were filed against James "Jamie" Donald Smith, Jr, a teacher at Mat-Su Career and Technical High School and the Colony High School hockey coach. Smith has been charged with defrauding the Alaska Avalanche Junior A booster Club, and faces additional charges of forgery of legal documents, first degree theft and fraudulent use of an access device.
Mushers Debate Where To Take 24-Hour Layover
As dog teams get further down the trail, mushers are trying to decide where to take their 24-hour mandatory layover. Out of McGrath there are still roughly 700 miles to go before Nome. Some mushers make decisions based on timing and weather, while others have various ideas about how to use down time to their advantage.
Juneau Celebrates Territorial Legislature’s Centennial
One hundred years ago this week, the first territorial legislature gathered in Juneau. For the past few days, legislators past and present have been celebrating that event, and reflecting on Alaska’s history since the inaugural meeting.
Former Sitka Principal Charged With Sexual Assaults
The former principal of Blatchley Middle School in Sitka has been indicted on charges of sexual assault. A Sitka grand jury on Friday charged 54-year-old Joseph Robidou on six counts of felony sexual assault. He also faces an additional five misdemeanor charges for incidents that allegedly happened beginning last May and as recently as January. All of them involve other adults, and prosecutors say students at the school were not involved.
Governor’s Oil Tax Plan Advances, With Changes
Gov. Sean Parnell's oil tax proposal advanced out of the Senate resources committee on Wednesday, with a few changes. Instead of setting the base tax rate at 25 percent, it bumps it to 35 percent.
Parnell Says No To Medicaid Expansion For Now
So far, eight Republican governors have decided to split with their party and accept federal funding for Medicaid expansion in their state. Today, Sean Parnell announced that he won’t be joining them -- at least for now.
King Cove Residents Push Salazar on Izembek Road
Residents from King Cove met with Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar Thursday morning in Washington, D.C. They’re cautiously optimistic the outgoing secretary will allow a land transfer to permit a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.
4 Anchorage Residents Indicted For Identity Theft
Federal prosecutors say four Anchorage residents have been indicted on multiple charges, including identity theft, for using the identities of people in the prison system to file false income tax returns and get refunds. The four named in the indictment are 46-year-old Steven McComb, 42-year-old Michael Sexton, 47-year-old Paulando Williams and 44-year-old Helen Maloney.