Tag: Alaska

Fire Sweeps Wasilla Assisted Living Home

Firefighters responded to a blaze at an assisted living home near Wasilla early Monday afternoon.

Alaska Lawmaker Introduces Right-To-Die Legislation

An Anchorage lawmaker has introduced legislation that would allow terminally ill patients the right to decide to end their lives with the help of a physician. Download Audio

North Pacific Halibut Bycatch Limit Could See 50 Percent Cut

Halibut harvests have been on the decline in the Bering Sea for years, but the amount that trawlers and catcher-processors are allowed to take has stayed the same. Now, federal regulators have agreed to consider stiffer limits on halibut bycatch. Download Audio

Middle school teachers think planning time cuts are hurting students

There's tension in Anchorage's middle schools because some teachers feel they're being treated unfairly. Elective teachers have less planning time, and they say it impacts their relationships with the students. Download Audio

Economic Group Sees Affordable Housing Shortage As Barrier To Growth For Anchorage

The Anchorage housing market is one of the most expensive in the country. A recent grant application by AEDC is trying to bring data on homelessness and affordability to the forefront of the conversation on the city's economic future. Download Audio

New EPA Standards Slash Wood-Fired Heater Emissions

The Environmental Protection Agency has issued updated standards for wood fired heaters. The EPA wood heating appliance emissions standards reduce smoke by two thirds compared to current levels set in 1988. Download Audio

Little Green Apple Ends Haines Junction’s Long Grocery Commute

For three years, the 500-person town of Haines Junction had no grocery store. Residents had to drive two hours to Whitehorse to shop for food. But in December, two locals broke the grocery drought. Download Audio

Yukon Quest Trail Puts Dog Sled Designs To The Test

On the Yukon Quest Trail, there are a few things mushers have to be especially picky about including a sturdy sled. Jumble ice near McCabe Creek, half way to Pelly Crossing is testing sled engineering this year. Download Audio

Police Investigate Dillingham Woman’s Death

As of noon Sunday, Dillingham Police had not labeled the death of Ella S. George, 55, a homicide. She was found deceased by a family friend around 5 p.m. Saturday evening at her daughter April Olson's home on Cessna Drive, across from the Dillingham Bible Fellowship church.

Health Department Says Medicaid Expansion Can Save State Money

Health Commissioner Valerie Davidson unveiled two new reports today (Friday) at a press conference in Anchorage she hopes will help make the case for Medicaid expansion. They show Alaska can actually save money by expanding the program, even as the federal match drops below 100 percent. Download Audio

300 Villages: Levelock

This week, we're heading to Levelock on the Kvichak River near Bristol Bay. Chadalin Washington is an administrative assistant in Levelock. Download Audio

Is An Ambitious Arctic Agenda Economically Viable?

An ambitious set of priorities has been put together for the American chairmanship of the Arctic Council that begins this year, but neither the federal government nor the state has much money to pay for implementing those priorities. Climate change is amplified in the Arctic, and the Arctic nations want to work together to respond. APRN: Tuesday, 2/6 at 10:00 a.m. Download Audio

Combating Anchorage’s Violent Crime Spike

A recent uptick in deadly shooting incidents and assaults in Anchorage have police and public safety advocates sprinting to organize a response to curb the violent trend. The Anchorage Police Department is organizing a task-force to tackle the problem, but what can communities do to help remedy the problem? KSKA: Friday, 2/6 at 2:00pm and Saturday, 2/7 at 6:00pm KAKM: Friday, 2/6 at 7:30pm and Saturday, 2/7 at 4:30pm Download Audio

Governor’s New Budget Cuts 300 State Employees

The latest iteration of the governor’s budget cuts $136 million from the previous version. Download Audio

Training Nears For First Wave Of Armed Alaska VPSOs

Village Public Safety Officers in Western Alaska will be participating in a pilot program that could make them the first VPSOs in the state to carry weapons in their job. Seven experienced officers are in the middle of psychological evaluations right now and are advancing towards training. Download Audio

U.S. Senators Try Again to Kill Vessel Discharge Regs

Alaska fishermen have three years before the EPA is supposed to begin regulating deck wash, bilge water and other liquids discharged from small vessels. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski this week introduced a bill to permanently block the regulation for commercial vessels under 79 feet. Senate co-sponsors include Alaska’s Dan Sullivan, and California Democrat Barbara Boxer. Download Audio

Glory Hole Homeless Shelter Reopens After Repairs

The Glory Hole Shelter and Soup Kitchen reopened its doors Wednesday morning after plumbing repairs closed down its headquarters for the last two months. Download Audio

Yukon Quest Rookies Tout Knowledge, Experience Of Champions

Of the 26 mushers signed up to race dog teams in this year’s Yukon Quest International Sled Dog race, 10 are rookies. They might be new to the race, but a few trained dog teams with a handful of well-known and champion long-distance mushers. Download Audio

SeaLife Center Blind Seal Warms Trainers’ Hearts

Bryce, the eight-month-old harbor seal, is a special resident at the Alaska SeaLife Center. After being rescued in August, the workers at the rescue center discovered he had a very unique quality. He was blind. Since then, they have trained him using auditory commands while they look for a permanent home for the young seal. Download Audio

Why Some Alaskans Are Learning The Tlingit Language

A group of people in Juneau spend an hour every Monday practicing Tlingit. They bring dictionaries and flashcards, look at handouts and do language exercises. But this isn’t a class. Download Audio