Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN - Juneau
agutierrez (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.209.1799 | About Alexandra
Balash Appointed Natural Resources Commissioner
Gov. Sean Parnell has named Joe Balash as his Natural Resources commissioner. Balash has served as acting commissioner since September, and he was previously a deputy in the department. He was one of the governor's point people on the recent overhaul of the state's oil tax system.
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Hultberg Leaving Admin Commissioner Post
Gov. Sean Parnell's cabinet continues to experience turnover. Becky Hultberg is resigning from her post as commissioner of the Department of Administration.
Fishing Industry Fights Back Against Proposed Set-net Ban
Commercial fishing groups are pushing back against a proposed ballot initiative that would ban a sector of their industry.
Rodell Named Revenue Commissioner
After serving as acting revenue commissioner for the past three months, Angela Rodell now officially has the job.
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Sportfishing Advocates Push For Ban On Cook Inlet Set Nets
The Alaska Fisheries Conservation Alliance submitted signatures from 100 initiative sponsors to the Division of Elections on Wednesday, the first step in the application process. The Alliance is a newly formed group of sport fishermen, river guides and fisheries advocates.
Group To File Recall Application Against Lindsey Holmes
A group that wants to remove state legislator Lindsey Holmes from office is turning in their recall application Wednesday morning.
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State Wrestles With $12 Billion Pension Shortfall
When it comes to retirement benefits, the state is looking at a $12 billion shortfall. Just how that's going to be paid off is expected to be a big issue for the Legislature next session. The Parnell administration is thinking about putting hundreds of millions of dollars into the state's retirement funds to help close the gap.
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More Legislative Workers Allowed Facebook Access
For years, Facebook access has been a vexing issue for the Legislature. Lawmakers have even joked that it's second only to oil taxes in the amount of controversy it stirs up. On Wednesday, the committee that sets office rules for the Capitol finally approved a policy for staff use of the social networking site.
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The Battle of Dude Creek
Gustavus' wetlands have become an unlikely battleground in a fight that could decide how millions of acres of sensitive land in the state are managed.
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Democrats Get Early Start On Run For US House Race
With the control of Congress in balance, the Alaska Senate race is expected to be one of the more high profile races in the country.The Republican National Committee has gotten involved, and veterans of the Romney and McCain presidential campaigns are already working to unseat Democrat Mark Begich, but what about the House race? The odds may be long, but two Democrats are already competing for the chance to take on Don Young.
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French To Run For Lieutenant Governor
The Anchorage Democrat had been considering jumping into the gubernatorial race, but set aside those plans after former Juneau mayor and Permanent Fund Division Director Byron Mallott announced he would seek the Democratic nomination. French says he wanted to avoid expending resources on a competitive primary race.
ATV Decision Could Inform Pebble Mine Case
Back in July, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that the state was inappropriately granting permits for ATV usage on park land. The decision affected about 200 families who use their four wheelers to cross park lands to get to their property. Last week, the Court reissued their decision, and the way they handled the case could offer a clue on how they'll handle other questions of land management, including one involving the proposed Pebble Mine.
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Mallott Kicks Off Gubernatorial Campaign
Byron Mallott will be filing as a candidate for governor today, making him the first Democratic candidate to officially jump into the race.
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Volleys Traded Over Tennis Court Funding
A $10.5-million earmark for indoor tennis courts in Anchorage has become a lightning rod because the city didn't ask for it and many lawmakers thought the money was being used for other purposes.
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Nikiski Top Pick For Gasline Terminal
Since natural gas was discovered on the North Slope, there's been talk of building a pipeline to get it to market. But where should that pipeline end? Exxon, BP, ConocoPhillips, and TransCanada announced on Monday that Nikiski is their top choice for a stopping point.
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Treadwell Calls For More Aggressive Tack On State Sovereignty
The government shutdown means the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Federal Areas isn't getting time with federal workers. But at this week's meetings, they did hear from someone who wants to work in Washington: Lt. Gov. and Senate candidate Mead Treadwell.
Signature Gathering: A Budding Business
If you want to get a proposition on the ballot, you're given a pretty gargantuan task. So instead of relying on volunteers, most initiative sponsors bring in professionals. Paid petitioners working for the marijuana have recently hit Southeast Alaska to help guarantee their question will get a vote.
Despite Shutdown, Alaska WIC Recipients Should Still Get Food Aid
Even though the federal government is shut down, poor women and children can still get food vouchers through the State of Alaska. The Women, Infants, and Children Supplement Nutrition -- or "WIC" -- program should be able to operate until the end of the month, according to the Alaska Department of Health.
Alaska’s Federal Workers Speak Out On Shutdown
This morning, hundreds of workers trickled out of Juneau's federal office carrying boxes of personal items, plants, and even pet fish -- basically, any personal items they might want during their furlough. They won't be allowed back to their desk until Congress agrees to fund the federal government. APRN's Alexandra Gutierrez caught up with some of these workers Tuesday and brings us their voices on dealing with the shutdown.
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Senate Challengers Side With House Republicans In Shutdown Showdown
A shutdown of federal government was triggered Monday night, after House Republicans tried to use a funding resolution to stop implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Alaska's two senators came out against the tactic, and both let a clean resolution without the health care rider move forward. But what would the Republican Senate candidates who are challenging Begich have done if they had been in office instead?