Casey Kelly, KTOO - Juneau
Casey Kelly is a reporter at KTOO in Juneau.
Rep. Carl Gatto Dies
Rep. Carl Gatto died this morning. The Palmer Republican was battling prostate cancer and last week suffered kidney failure. His death was announced about 12:30 p.m. on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives. He was 74.
Cutter Anacapa Sinks Japanese Ghost Ship After Hours of Shelling
Last night the Coast Guard fired a number of rounds into the derelict Japanese ghost ship off the coast of Southeast Alaska until it burst into flames and then sank. The cutter Anacapa began shelling at around 1:00 pm yesterday afternoon and finally watched it go down at about 6:15, leaving just a light sheen in the water about 180 miles offshore.
More photos of sinking ship
Coast Guard Sinks Ghost Ship
A U.S. Coast Guard cutter is attempting to sink a derelict Japanese fishing vessel off the coast of Alaska. The Ryou-un Maru is currently about 180 miles southwest of Sitka. It’s been adrift since last year’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Coastal Managment Initiative Worker Charged with Forging Signatures
Lawmakers Consider FASD Legislation
A bill that would allow judges to consider FASD as a mitigating factor in criminal sentencing had a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee yesterday (Monday).
FASD stands for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. It refers...
Woman Charged with Faking Signatures on Coastal Zone Management Initiative
A petition book from Fairbanks for the Coastal Zone Management ballot measure was never turned in to election authorities by sponsors because it looked suspicious. Now Deborah Carrol faces charges of forgery. ...
Douglas Sends Its Post Office A Love Letter
Save the post office. That was the rally cry in downtown Douglas Wednesday as a crowd of about a hundred urged Congress to pass legislation to keep open the community’s post office. The Douglas station is one of more than 3,600 post offices nationwide being considered for closure by the financially strapped United States Postal Service.
Coastal Management Bill Stalled In House
With less than three weeks remaining in the legislative session, it’s looking unlikely lawmakers will pass a bill to re-establish the Alaska Coastal Management Program.
Filmmaker Argues For Universal Health Insurance
With the U.S. Supreme Court hearing oral arguments in the health care reform case this week, the debate over access to affordable insurance is in the news.
Gold Medal: March Madness In Southeast Alaska
It’s March Madness Alaska-style this week, as adult teams from around Southeast gather in Juneau for the 66th annual Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. The event, organized by the Juneau Lions Club, has achieved legendary status in many of the small village communities that dot the panhandle.
Alaska Unemployment Rate Drops In January
Alaska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell two-tenths of a percent in January, to 7.2 percent, according to figures released by the state Labor Department Tuesday.
Cruise Lines Urge Hoonah To Build New Dock
The City of Hoonah is feeling pressure from cruise lines and local Native village Corporation Huna Totem to build a multi-million dollar dock at the corporation’s popular Icy Strait Point tourist destination.
Negotiations For New Labor Building Lease Break Down
Mediated negotiations between the state and the owner of the Alaska Department of Labor building in Juneau have ended without a deal to extend the state’s rental agreement.
Federal Funds May Be Available For Avalanche Mitigation
Avalanches from Mt. Juneau pose an “unacceptable risk” to Capital City residents and property. That’s the finding of a new report presented to the Juneau Assembly this week (Monday). The study also recommends the city buyout at risk homes.
Senators Strike Back At Parnell’s Oil Tax Bill Claims
Members of Alaska’s bipartisan Senate Majority fired back at Governor Sean Parnell and his allies today (Tuesday) for calling the Senate’s proposed revision of the state’s oil tax structure an “increase.”
Coeur d’Alene Mines Setting Records
Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation set new records for production, metal sales, and cash flow in 2011. The Idaho-based company, which owns the Kensington Mine near Juneau, released year-end financial results yesterday (Thursday).
Sen. Murkowski Addresses State Legislature
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski touched on an array of federal issues that affect Alaskans in her annual speech to the state Legislature on Thursday.
State Plans To Extend DoL Lease Despite Health Concerns
The state is negotiating a new lease for the Department of Labor building in Juneau, even as employees who work there continue to suffer ill health effects.
Austerman Open to Changes to ACMP Bill
House Majority Leader Alan Austerman says he’s open to changes to a bill that would re-establish an Alaska Coastal Management Program.
Parnell Signs Bill Changing Disclosure Rules into Law
Governor Sean Parnell has signed a bill easing the state’s requirement for certain political candidates to file disclosure information electronically.