Daysha Eaton, KMXT - Kodiak
2-1-1 Snapshot Highlights Need for Affordable Housing
Rent and housing prices are high in Alaska. And that's putting a squeeze on lower income families in the state. The United Way's social service help line – 2-1-1 – is logging an increasing number of calls about affordable housing. But the outlook for providing cheaper options for families, especially in the Anchorage area, is bleak.
New Superintendent Previews Plan for Coming School Year
New Anchorage School District Superintendent, Jim Browder, took the helm from Carol Comeau July 1. Browder met with members of the media at the ASD Offices Monday to outline his course for managing Alaska largest and most diverse school district.
Meeting Planned to Address Shootings
A public meeting is planned for later this month about recent police shootings in Anchorage. Polynesian Community members say they are satisfied with a preliminary meeting over the shootings Friday. Saturday they held a rally to draw attention to their cause.
Shell’s Oil Response Barge Awaiting USCG Approval Before Heading North
Shell’s oil response barge is stuck in Bellingham, waiting for approval from the Coast Guard before it can begin its trip to the Alaskan Arctic. Federal inspectors want the company to make improvements to ensure the ship can withstand the harsh Arctic environment. Shell had hoped to be transiting through the Bering Sea by now with its fleet of ships.
APD Shootings Spark Rally, Community Concern
The Polynesian community is leading a Rally to raise awareness about recent shootings by Anchorage Police Officers. Protesters want the APD to adopt a policy of shooting to disarm rather than to kill. But the APD says that’s not likely.
Mask Carver Puts an Urban Twist on Alaska Native Tradition
Anchorage is sometimes called Alaska's largest Native village because it's home to so many Alaska Natives. Drew Michael is one of them. And he's exploring his urban Native identity through his art. The mask carver is part of a generation of Alaska Native artists who are blurring the lines between traditional and contemporary art.
Report on Muni Election Debacle Blames Complacency, Inexperience
The long-awaited report by an independent investigator on the troubled April 3 Municipal Election in Anchorage is out. It blames the election debacle, including widespread ballot shortages that kept an estimated hundreds of voters from casting ballots, on bad management at the Clerk's Office.
Rundown of a Busy Week in D.C., What it Means for Alaska
Congress is wrapping up a heavy legislative week before the week-long 4th of July recess. And it was a big week for Alaska. APRN's Peter Granitz in Washington D.C. joins Daysha Eaton to talk about how Alaska fared. Granitz says one of the biggest wins for the state came in the transportation bill.
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Gov. Parnell Reacts To Health Care Ruling
Governor Sean Parnell says Alaskans stand to lose more freedom and pay more taxes with Thursday's Supreme Court ruling largely upholding the federal health care overall. Alaska was one of 26 states suing to overturn the Affordable Care Act. At a news conference this afternoon, Parnell said the state may have lost the battle, but isn't going to stop fighting.
Bus App In the Works for Anchorage Transit
If you go to most cities these days, you can log on to your smart phone and find a bus app that will tell you where the closest bus stop is, when the next...
Anchorage Renovates MLK Memorial
Anchorage residents are celebrating the renovation of a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Junior at the Delaney Park Strip. The new memorial contains a laser-etched granite image of Dr. King that can be seen from one of downtown's main thoroughfares.
Despite Community Outcry, Anchorage Assembly Moves Ahead with Chester Creek Realignment
The Anchorage Assembly has passed a resolution to move ahead with the Chester Creek Realignment in the Muldoon neighborhood. Eastside community members turned out for the regular meeting Tuesday where Assembly members were deeply divided on the issue.
Alaska Railroad Announces Layoffs, Blames Global Recession
The Alaska Railroad is eliminating 52 positions. The layoffs seem to be evidence that the global economic downturn that started a few years ago, is finally impacting Alaska. And if the trend...
Anchorage Braces For F-16 Transfer
The Air Force is moving forward with plans to relocate its F-16 Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks to Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson in Anchorage, despite opposition from Alaska's Congressional delegation. Nothing is written in stone yet, but the move could bring an estimated 2,000 new residents to Alaska's largest city over the next few of years. Anchorage officials are considering how the city will absorb the influx. The main concern is housing.
Residents Fight Anchorage West District Plan to Keep Parks, Trails
The Anchorage Assembly heard testimony from dozens of people opposed to the West Anchorage District Plan at their regular meeting Tuesday. One man who testified said he had discovered documents that would rule out a controversial land swap.
EPA Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment Draws Hundreds in Anchorage
An estimated 900 people packed the Wendy Williamson auditorium at UAA in Anchorage for a presentation and public comment on the draft assessment of the Bristol Bay watershed. The document is the Environmental Protection Agency's take on the impact that a large mine such as the Pebble Mine could have in Southwest Alaska. KSKA's Daysha Eaton was there and filed this report.
‘True North’ Showcases Alaskan Contemporary Art at Anchorage Museum
It's been three years in the making and contains works by more than 40 artists from Northern Countries. The Exhibit 'True North' opened at the Anchorage Museum in May. KSKA's Daysha Eaton takes us inside the show which attempts to de-romanticize the North.
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Anchorage Assembly Chair Appoints New Clerk
The Chair of the Anchorage Assembly has appointed a new Municipal Clerk. Barbara Jones who is currently the municipal Ombudsman will fill the position, beginning July 1.
AK: Anchorage DJ Teaches Mountain View Kids to Spin
The Mountain View Boys & Girls Club is packed with kids after school. One reason they show up is the music. There's a room filled with instruments and a digital production studio. Now an Anchorage DJ who grew up in the neighborhood is adding to the mix by sharing his craft.
Anchorage Clerk Resigns As Investigation Mounts
Anchorage Municipal Clerk Barbara Gruenstein has resigned. Her resignation comes after nearly two months of controversy surrounding the April 3 Municipal Election.