Legislative Aide Resigns After Ethics Violation
A legislative aide resigned today because of ethics violations involving an anti-Islam organization.
Senate Considers Disaster Bill That Includes Alaska Aid
The Senate is green lighting a disaster relief bill to the floor. It could come up for a vote as early as Monday. It has two key provisions for Alaska – federal aid for the fishery disaster and money for marine debris research and clean up. As APRN’s Peter Granitz reports, the bill has ballooned in size, and it’s unclear whether it will pass as is.
Bethel Approves Tobacco Tax
Soon it will be more expensive to be a tobacco user in Bethel. At the last regular meeting the Bethel City Council passed an ordinance that will increase taxes on all tobacco products sold in the city. The ordinance will raise the price of cigarettes by $2.21 per pack and raise prices for other tobacco products by 45%.
Legislature Loses Alaska Native Representation
Southeast lost both its Tlingit lawmakers during this year’s legislative elections. It’s the first time in at least two decades that the region has been without Native representation.
Energy Dept. Might Speed Up Terminal Approvals
There’s buzz in Washington that a recent report commissioned by the Department of Energy could speed up approval of export terminals for liquefied natural gas in the Lower 48. Some energy experts say the effect will be minimal on Alaska. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a market for Alaska’s gas.
Matanuska Creamery Co-Owner Indicted
The U.S. Attorney's office in Anchorage on Wednesday announced an indictment by a federal grand jury for wire fraud and false statements to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The indictment is in connection with the construction and management of Valley Dairy, doing business as, Matanuska Creamery in Alaska. The six-count indictment named Kyle E. Beus, 48, as the sole defendant.
Report: Dispersants Used After Blowout Had Few Ill Effects
The Deepwater Horizon blowout of 2010 marked the first time that chemical dispersants were injected into an oil spill underwater. Now a report from government scientists finds remarkably few ill effects from these chemicals. That has heightened concerns of several Native groups, and others who have been pushing for tighter regulation of dispersants.
NOAA Administrator Stepping Down Next Year
You can add the name of NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenko to the list of top Obama administration officials not sticking around for the president's second term. The Commerce Undersecretary for Oceans and Atmosphere told her staff Wednesday that she'll be leaving her job early next year.
State Commission Challenges Park Service Hearings
A state commission is taking issue with the number of public hearings scheduled by the National Park Service on proposed regulations that would block some state sport hunts for bears, wolves and coyotes in several national preserves.
Parnell’s Ferry Plans Upsetting SE Leaders
A number of Southeast leaders are upset about the governor’s plan to scale back the Alaska Class Ferry project. He made his announcement Tuesday in Ketchikan. Legislators and members of an advisory board say they should have been consulted first.
No Snow Stops Sheep Mountain 150
The mushing season is in full throttle by now, but with a lack of snow, mushers are starting to wonder how their racing season will shake out. On Monday, organizers announced the cancellation of the Sheep Mountain 150, a favorite mid-distance race in Southcentral Alaska It's not be the only sled dog race to succumb to this year’s weather.
Preliminary Engineering Underway For Susitna Watana Dam
Preliminary engineering is underway for the proposed Susitna Watana hydro electric dam. The state has hired Colorado based MWH Global to develop designs for the project, which would provide rail belt power.
Petersburg Voters To Decide On Creation Of New Southeast Borough
While the rest of the Alaska is done with elections for a while, one is heating up in Petersburg. Voters there are deciding this month whether to create a new borough in Southeast. The proposal would dramatically expand municipal boundaries and the tax base for Petersburg and increase the population by about 10 percent.
Violence Against Women Act Nearing Expiration
Negations are reportedly on-going between House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Vice President Joe Biden about reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. Key provisions for Alaska are at stake.
Cook Inlet Energy Proposes Pipeline To Link West Side Of Cook Inlet
Plans for a 29-mile pipeline underneath Cook Inlet were announced Wednesday. Cook Inlet Energy, one of many new players in the area, is the company applying for a right-of-way lease from the Department of Natural Resources. An underwater pipeline would solve several problems for Cook Inlet oil producers, but other concerns remain.
Another Person Dies in Bethel After Being Found Cold
A second person has died in Bethel after being found in an unheated home. 60-year-old June Swope was found unresponsive Friday morning at 102 East Avenue, located across the slough.
Planned Parenthood Offers Free HIV testing in Alaska
This week Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest is offering free HIV testing in four Alaska locations. It started today (Monday 12/10) and runs through Friday.
Randall and Diggins Ski to Team Sprint Victory
Anchorage’s Kikkan Randall teamed with Jessie Diggins of Minnesota to win a World Cup team sprint race in Quebec City, Canada today. It’s the first ever World Cup gold for a U.S. women’s cross country relay team.
What Is Juneau Fest 2012?
Juneau Fest 2012 promises free gifts and other prizes worth more than $25,000: electronics to sporting goods and household items, city recreational facility passes, and store gift cards. Firefighters could win a Remington rifle and police officers are eligible for a Glock handgun.
St. Paul Police Department Shuts Down
The three-person public safety department on the Pribilof Island of St. Paul shut down this week suddenly without much explanation, leaving the Bering Sea island without an on-site law enforcement presence. For the past few months there’s been tension between the community and the police department.