Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019
After a month of deadlock, Bryce Edgmon selected as state House speaker; Among Dunleavy's proposed DOC cuts, sending 500 prisoners out of state; Dunleavy floats deep cuts, privatization of ferry system; Findings released regarding governor’s bid to fire state oil and gas watchdog chair; Rep. Young sponsors bill to bring back deported vets; Marijuana Control Board nominee draws fire from industry; Storms erode Bering Sea ice pack; caution is urged; Calista shareholders voice dissent over Donlin Mine in letter to board; U.S. Air Force ‘barren lands’ survival course teaches how to stay alive in Arctic wilderness; 2019 World Ice Art Championships kick off in Fairbanks
ASD Budget Cutting Process Begins as Legislature Mulls Increasing Education Funding
Anchorage School District officials presented the 2014-15 budget to the Anchorage School Board Thursday evening. The district faces cutting 23 million dollars this year unless the legislature increases the per student funding. Public testimony was passionate and officials discussed calculations for how much legislators would have to increase funding to stop cuts.
Download Audio
AK: Music Education
A little known, but long running program is teaching music in villages across Alaska. Earlier this year, teachers with “Dancing with the Spirit” were in Eagle. The program aims to prevent suicide and substance abuse in villages, but it’s also bringing communities together.
Walrus Move To Shore In Northwest Alaska
Pacific walrus are gathering on the northwest coast of Alaska and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has begun procedures to keep airplanes out of the area.
Download Audio
Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, March 10, 2020
State officials say preparation can slow the spread of coronavirus when it gets to Alaska. Plus: hear from an Anchorage resident whose parents have been stuck on that coronavirus cruise ship in California. And, weakening migratory bird protections could have a significant impact for species in Alaska.
Richardson Highway To Reopen Wednesday
After nearly two weeks, the Alaska Department of Transportation says the Richardson Highway in the Keystone Canyon area could reopen as soon as Wednesday.
Fairbanks police officer in stable condition after suffering multiple gunshot wounds
A Fairbanks police officer was shot multiple times early Sunday. The officer is identified as Sgt. Allen Brandt, an 11-year veteran of the Fairbanks Police Department. Listen Now
Wrangell Seafoods might be closed by city council
The Wrangell city council is considering foreclosing on Wrangell Seafoods, Inc. (WSI). The company wrote several bad checks to the city and is delinquent...
Ousted Anchorage city manager accuses Mayor Bronson of breaking law, creating hostile work environment
The scathing 11-page letter to city leaders says Amy Demboski's firing was retaliatory and unlawful.
‘Stalemate’: Prepare to wait weeks, or even months, before a majority forms in Alaska House
Key decisions, like school spending and the size of Alaska’s oil-wealth checks, hang in the balance pending the outcome of a lawsuit challenging a Republican’s eligibility.
Sequester Would Cut NPS Budget By 5 Percent
Eighty-five billion dollars in federal budget cuts are set to begin Friday. The U.S. Senate will debate competing measures to replace the cuts tomorrow, but neither will become law. The National Park Service is slated to lose 5 percent of its budget, and that would trickle down to every park in Alaska.
Forest Service could delay Wrangell contaminated soil move
The U.S. Forest Service could put the brakes on a state plan to store contaminated soil near a Wrangell recreation area. Listen now
Concern over Avian Cholera grows
Canadian Federal biologists will expand the monitoring of eider ducks as concern grows over avian cholera. Avian cholera is a naturally occurring disease that...
Lawmakers juggle ideas on alternatives to Walker’s PFD cut
Few citizens love the fact that Governor Bill Walker vetoed half the money for Permanent Fund dividends this year – including Walker. Walker said the PFD cut is necessary as part of a comprehensive fiscal plan he’d like the Legislature to adopt. Two senators would like to reverse the cut through different methods – a lawsuit and a new piece of legislation. Listen Now
Denali Park road could be closed due to sloughing roadway
The road into Denali National Park could be closed next summer at mile 43, the National Park Service said this week. That’s just east of a where portion of the road traversing a slope, is sloughing.
Bill requiring nonresident caribou hunters to have guides meets opposition
House bill 211 sponsored by Kiana Democrat Dean Westlake met opposition in a house session early Monday afternoon. Listen now
Parnell Says Medicaid Won’t Expand In Alaska
Friday, Governor Parnell announced he won't expand Medicaid in Alaska. Medicaid expansion is a key provision of President Obama's Affordable Care Act. It would offer health coverage to an estimated 40,000 low income Alaskans. Parnell says he doesn't want to attach Alaskans health care or finances to a "failing Obamacare system."
Download Audio
Alaska predator control doesn’t result in more moose harvests, according to a study of one game unit
The state disputes that, saying not enough time had passed between the predator control work and the analysis of moose harvests.
Environmental Group Emphasizes Danger of Coal Ash in New Report
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
Alaska environmental groups sound the alarm about the danger of coal ash in a new report. The report cooperatively produced...
Parnell Launches Response to Threats to Resource Development
The state has begun a three-pronged response to what Governor Sean Parnell (R) calls the improper use of the Endangered Species Act to shut...