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.
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.
First 3 Subsistence Fishermen Found Guilty
Trials began yesterday for two dozen Kuskokwim subsistence fishermen who allegedly fished with salmon nets when they were restricted this past summer. The first three fishermen were found guilty at the Bethel District Court House today. The politics of subsistence rights versus state restrictions weighs far heavier on the trials than the violations themselves, worth $250 each
Ancient Marine Reptiles are Topic of Recent Norwegian Journal and Fairbanks Scientist’s Research
It’s hard to imagine that oceans in the far north once teemed with ancient marine reptiles. But 145 million years ago, that’s exactly what was happening a couple hundred miles north of mainland Europe. A region east of Greenland and north of Norway used to be home to a whole slew of giant sea-faring reptiles. “It is literally one of the richest places in the world for marine reptiles like Plesiosuars and Ichthyosuars,” says Pat Druckenmiller.
Task Force to Gather Testimony on Sex Trafficking in Alaska
Gathering information about the scale of the problem of sex trafficking in Alaska will be the focus of a state hearing on the issue next week. The lengthily titled State of Alaska Task Force on the Crimes of Human Trafficking, Promoting Prostitution and Sex Trafficking will hold hearings in Anchorage and Bethel. Cori Badgley is an assistant Attorney General with the state. She says domestic violence and sexual assault of children are usually in the backgrounds of victims of sex trafficking. She says it's important for Alaskans to weigh in on this crime.
Homer Residents Express Growing Frustration with Endeavor Oil Rig
A public meeting between representatives of Buccaneer Energy and concerned Homer citizens turned contentious Tuesday night, with many people wondering why the company’s ‘Endeavor’ jack-up rig is still parked at the Homer harbor nearly two months after its arrival. Company officials say the rig will soon be moving to drill in the Cosmopolitan Unit near Anchor Point but as KBBI’s Aaron Selbig reports, the State of Alaska says that’s not likely to happen.
Seward, Mat-Su Clean Up, Kenai To Get More Rain
The cleanup is underway in Talkeetna and in other areas of the Matanuska Susitna Borough, but south of Anchorage, more rain is falling. River waters continue to rise on the Kenai Peninsula, and a flood warning has been extended until later this (Monday) afternoon a for Seward and for Tuesday night for the entire Kenai Peninsula Borough.
Rainfall Report & Peak Wind Gusts
Here are some rainfall and peak wind gust information for the storm that affected Mainland Alaska September 15 - 16, 2012.
Flood Warning Along Talkeetna River
Flood warnings are in effect until 4:00 pm this (Monday) afternoon for rivers and streams in the western Talkeeta Mountains and for rivers that cross the Parks Highway.
Citizen Storm Reports from Anchorage Hillside
Citizen reports from the upper hillside area of Anchorage: Jordan Shay an upper Bear Valley resident reports wind gust Saturday evening of 120 miles per hour.
Flood Warning: Prince William Sound
The NWS Anchorage has issued a flood warning for Southeast Prince William Sound, including Cordova, Eyak River, Eyak Lake until 4:00 PM AKDT Thursday.
Federal Government Clears Redistricting Plan
The U.S. Justice Department today (Wednesday) gave its approval - or preclearance - to Alaska's new redistricting plan. Alaska Redistricting Board Chair Taylor Bickford says the Amended Proclamation Plan can now be used as a voting map for the November elections.
Fairbanks Area Leaders Express Relief Over F-16 Decision
Members of the Congressional delegation are weighing in on the Air Force’s decision to suspend the relocation of the F-16 Aggressor Squadron from Eielson...
State will apply for No Child Left Behind waivers
The state is asking the Obama Administration for waivers from the national standards set by the No Child Left Behind Act. The act went into effect during 2001 and has drawn bipartisan criticism for demanding a one-size-fits-all standard for Alaskans.
Grounded Landing Craft near Kodiak will Float Soon
The U.S. Army Reserve is preparing to move the landing craft Monterrey, which has spent all week aground near Kodiak. The vessel struck a...
Rural Residents Struggle with Low King Returns on the Yukon
Life on the Lower Yukon has gotten tougher and tougher over the years for subsistence fishers. Families that rely on Chinook for food yearlong...
Alaska Will Collect Millions from Federal Grant Program
Twenty-seven million dollars will be going to rural Alaska communities this year for schools and government services provided to areas where the federal government...