Alaska news

• Testing and learning

  22-01-2016 23:00
  
  Tests are supposed to tell us how our kids are doing in school, but we’ve struggled nationally and in Alaska to figure out the right tests to use and even to define what we want the tests to tell us. On this edition of Hometown Alaska, we’ll look at how Anchorage students are tested and ask if the system is working. What should young people get from our schools, and how should we measure their success?
  HOST: Charles Wohlforth
  GUESTS:
  Mike Hanley, commissioner, Alaska Depart
  
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• Arctic Entries: Of Moose and Men

  22-01-2016 22:30
  
  Logo courtesy of Arctic Entries
  This week on Addressing Alaskans we’ll be listening to stories from Arctic Entries, a live show that took place on January 12 at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. In the spirit of This American Life, The Moth, and other storytelling events, Arctic Entries brings Alaskans to the stage to share their personal stories: funny, sad and sweet. At every performance, seven people each tell a seven-minute long true story about themselves relating to the
  
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• Man charged with 7 counts of sex trafficking in alleged Alaska prostitution enterprise - KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather

  22-01-2016 22:24
  KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather
  Man charged with 7 counts of sex trafficking in alleged Alaska prostitution enterprise
  KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather
  An Anchorage man has been charged with seven counts of sex trafficking in connection to what prosecutors are calling “a statewide prostitution enterprise.” Terry Lee Keehn II, 42, was indicted Thursday by an Anchorage Grand Jury following a months-long ...and more »
  

• 49 Voices: Davante Owens of Anchorage

  22-01-2016 22:03
  
  
  This week we’re hearing from Davante Owens, a UAA student who graduated high school in Anchorage and originally attended college and played football in Minnesota. He later came back to Anchorage to finish his studies after joining the Army. downloadaudio:
  Davante Owens (Photo by Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media)
  OWENS: My name is Davante Owens, and I’m currently a student at UAA.
  So I was born and raised. After high school, I graduated and I went to go play football in Minnesota. I
  
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• The Marine Science Symposium

  22-01-2016 22:00
  
  Harbor seals rest on ice near South Sawyer Glacier in 2007. (Photo courtesy NOAA’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center)
  The climate changes that have swept through Alaska are now being reflected in our landscape and wildlife – avalanches, fires, species declines, the list goes on.
  Alaska Marine Science Symposium
  HOST: Steve Heimel
  GUESTS:
  Bruce Wright, Senior Scientist, Aleutian Pribilof Island Association
  George Divoky, biologist who has monitored a colony of Black Guillemot on Coo
  
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• Alaska Marine Science Symposium

  22-01-2016 22:00
  
  Harbor seals rest on ice near South Sawyer Glacier in 2007. (Photo courtesy NOAA’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center)
  The climate changes that have swept through Alaska are now being reflected in our landscape and wildlife – avalanches, fires, species declines, the list goes on.
  Alaska Marine Science Symposium
  HOST: Steve Heimel
  GUESTS:
  Bruce Wright, Senior Scientist, Aleutian Pribilof Island Association
  George Divoky, biologist who has monitored a colony of Black Guillemot on Coo
  
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• Alaska burglary suspect identified after locking keys in car - WTVC

  22-01-2016 21:46
  WTVC
  Alaska burglary suspect identified after locking keys in car
  WTVC
  A man suspected of burglarizing two Alaska businesses was delayed in his get-away by locking his keys in his car. A call to a cab company helped open the car but also led to his identification. Surveillance video of the burglary and the taxi led police ...and more »
  

• Alaska unemployment rate barely budged in December - Alaska Dispatch News

  22-01-2016 21:45
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Alaska unemployment rate barely budged in December
  Alaska Dispatch News
  The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate last month was 6.5 percent, following three consecutive months of a 6.4 percent unemployment rate, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development said Friday. The nationwide average is 5 ...
  Alaska finishes 2015 with unemployment rate of 6.5 percentKTOOall 297 news articles »
  

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• An ex-Anchorage mayor is pushing for an Alaska state lottery - Alaska Dispatch News

  22-01-2016 21:32
  Alaska Dispatch News
  An ex-Anchorage mayor is pushing for an Alaska state lottery
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Former Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan in the state Capitol Thursday, where he's pushing legislators to authorize a state lottery. Nathaniel Herz / Alaska Dispatch News. JUNEAU — Former Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan is in Juneau this week hoping to hit ...
  

• Mental Health First Aid

  22-01-2016 21:00
  
  Just as First Aid and CPR help teach people how to aid in a medical emergency, Mental Health First Aid teaches the skills needed to assist someone experiencing a mental health related crisis. Mental Health First Aid courses teach people about risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction, and teach strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-­crisis situations. Before you can know how to help, you need to know when to help. Mental Healt
  
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• AK: Among wolverines, lynx and fox, a man finds his pack

  22-01-2016 20:01
  
  About 30 miles north of Haines, there’s a sanctuary for abandoned wildlife, big and small. Steve Kroschel has owned and operated Kroschel’s Wildlife Center for decades. He’s been dubbed the wildlife whisperer. Even the wolverines – compact killing machines capable of handily taking down an adult moose – play with Kroschel like he’s one of the pack. KHNS’s Jillian Rogers visited the unique ranch earlier this winter and found out that, despite appearances,
  
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• Former Alaska Airlines Pilot Arrested for Allegedly Flying Under the Influence - ABC News

  22-01-2016 19:58
  USA TODAY
  Former Alaska Airlines Pilot Arrested for Allegedly Flying Under the Influence
  ABC News
  A former captain with Alaska Airlines has been arrested on federal charges of piloting a commercial flight while under the influence of alcohol on two separate occasions, according to the Department of Justice. David Hans Arntson of Newport Beach, ...
  Former Alaska Airlines pilot charged with flying drunkUSA TODAY
  Ex-Alaska Airlines Employee Arrested, Charged on Suspicion of Piloting Passenger
  

• Race to Alaska – Team Sistership's Journey - Scuttlebutt Sailing News

  22-01-2016 19:56
  Scuttlebutt Sailing News
  Race to Alaska – Team Sistership's Journey
  Scuttlebutt Sailing News
  Michelle Boroski and Jen Bates stood atop Grand Targhee Mountain on a crystal clear hot August day. The grey-blue Tetons stood silent before them in the sunshine. Aside from small patches of dirty snow on the mountains, there was no water to be seen ...
  

• Joe Scarborough tells Sarah Palin she should go back to Alaska - Twitchy

  22-01-2016 19:36
  Twitchy
  Joe Scarborough tells Sarah Palin she should go back to Alaska
  Twitchy
  MSNBC host Joe Scarborough had some advice for Sarah Palin this morning, telling her to go back to Alaska to be with her son who she said yesterday was suffering from PTSD. He also accused the former governor of exploiting Trump for money.
  

• Looking ahead: the legislative session

  22-01-2016 19:00
  
  
  The Legislative session started this week, and battles are already brewing over the budget, several pre-filed bills ranging in relevance. This week’s Alaska Edition explores what’s ahead this session and how it stacks up to previous years.
  Listen Now:
  HOST: Zachariah Hughes
  GUESTS:John Arono, Contributing writer, Alaska Commons
  Richard Mauer, Reporter and editor, Alaska Disptach NewsKSKA (FM 91.1) BROADCAST: Friday, Jan. 22, at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 23, at
  
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• Head of Alaska's ferry system calls for reduced fleet - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

  22-01-2016 18:53
  Head of Alaska's ferry system calls for reduced fleet
  Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
  JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The head of the Alaska Marine Highway System says the ferry system's fleet needs to downsize amid a proposed $5 million cut to operations in the next fiscal year. Capt. Michael Neussl told the Alaska House Transportation Committee ...and more »
  

• Kreiss-Tomkins previews session, proposes license plate design contest

  22-01-2016 18:29
  
  The Alaska legislature gaveled in Tuesday (01-19-16), in what will be the fourth session for Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins of House District 35, representing his hometown of Sitka, Petersburg, and 20 other rural Southeast communities. In sharing his goals for the session, Kreiss-Tomkins has a few policy ideas up his sleeve.
  Sitka Democrat Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins has pre-filed a bill that would invite artists to design an original Alaskan license plate. (KCAW photo)
  Representative J
  
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• Sullivan moves to halt proposed ban on predator control in Alaska refuges - Alaska Public Radio Network

  22-01-2016 18:27
  Alaska Public Radio Network
  Sullivan moves to halt proposed ban on predator control in Alaska refuges
  Alaska Public Radio Network
  This photo was published in an ADFG pamphlet “Understanding Intensive Predator Management in Alaska,” part of the Department's efforts in 2012 to educate the public about practices that have been controversial, especially to observers outside Alaska.
  Sullivan moves to halt proposed ban on Alaska predator huntsKTUU.com
  Alaska shoots itself in the foot over
  

• Sullivan moves to halt proposed ban on predator control in Alaska refuges

  22-01-2016 18:27
  
  This photo was published in an ADFG pamphlet “Understanding Intensive Predator Management in Alaska,” part of the Department’s efforts in 2012 to educate the public about practices that have been controversial, especially to observers outside Alaska. (Credit Steve Dubois/ADF&G)
  A U.S. Senate Committee Wednesday passed language that would pre-emptively block a draft Fish & Wildlife Service rule seeking to ban some predator control in national wildlife refuges.
  The propos
  
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• Tuluksak school wins national contest, learns computer coding

  22-01-2016 18:23
  
  Last week in President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union address, he envisioned a future where all students in the U.S. learned computer science. That future is beginning in Tuluksak where 21 iPads are being shipped to the Kuskokwim school to teach coding.
  Katherine Garrison holding the check from Code.org inside her Tuluksak classroom. (Photo by Anna Rose MacArthur/KYUK)
  In December Tuluksak seventh- and eighth-grade teacher Katherine Garrison saw a Facebook post asking teacher
  
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• State of the State address focuses on Alaska’s budget shortfall

  22-01-2016 17:54
  
  Governor Bill Walker called for the entire legislature to work together with him to close the state’s budget shortfall.
  The annual State of the State address last night reflected the state’s grave budget situation.
  Alaska Gov. Bill Walker delivers his annual State of the State Address to the legislature, Jan. 21, 2016. Behind him (left to right) are Senate President Kevin Meyer and Speaker of the House Mike Chenault. (Photo by Skip Gray/360 North)
  Walker said the budget crisis was a
  
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• Gov. Walker on budget: ‘It’s time to fix the hole in the boat’

  22-01-2016 17:54
  
  Governor Bill Walker called for the entire legislature to work together with him to close the state’s budget shortfall.
  The annual State of the State address last night reflected the state’s grave budget situation.
  Alaska Gov. Bill Walker delivers his annual State of the State Address to the legislature, Jan. 21, 2016. Behind him (left to right) are Senate President Kevin Meyer and Speaker of the House Mike Chenault. (Photo by Skip Gray/360 North)
  Walker said the budget crisis was a
  
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• Kenai Peninsula investigation yields drug arrests

  22-01-2016 17:49
  
  Methamphetamine. (Photo via dea.gov)
  An investigation by the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit led to the arrest Wednesday of four people on the central Kenai Peninsula for distribution of methamphetamines and other charges.
  Alaska State Troopers report that 32.2 grams of meth were seized, as well as 1.2 grams of heroin, prescription pills, cash and firearms. The following were arrested and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility:
  36-year-old Richard Paul Morrison, of Kenai, was charged with five coun
  
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• Ft. Wainwright soldier sentenced in child porn case

  22-01-2016 17:49
  
  A Ft. Wainwright soldier is looking at 72 months in prison for child pornography.
  Stephen Michael St. Hilaire, 28, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Court Judge Ralph Beistline. St. Hilaire faces 15 years of supervised release following his prison time.
  In documents filed in the case, St. Hilaire was identified by sharing pornographic files on-line. FBI officers found hundreds of images and videos of child pornography on St. Hilaire’s computer when it was searched.
  In his remarks, Jud
  
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• Head of Alaska’s ferry system calls for reduced fleet

  22-01-2016 17:47
  
  The ferry Taku sails into the Wrangell Narrows on its way south in 2013. (Ed Schoenfeld/CoastAlaska News)
  The head of the Alaska Marine Highway System says the ferry system’s fleet needs to downsize amid proposed cuts to operations in the next fiscal year.
  The Juneau Empire reports that Capt. Michael Neussl told the Alaska House Transportation Committee Thursday that the ferry system needs to get rid of two of its 11 ships “sooner, rather than later.”
  With the governor’s
  
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• Who's the most important person in Alaska history since purchase from Russia? - Alaska Dispatch News

  22-01-2016 16:53
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Who's the most important person in Alaska history since purchase from Russia?
  Alaska Dispatch News
  We're still waiting for the arts season to kick into high gear. In the meantime, thoughts turn to yesteryear and philosophy. So here's a topic for your next round of meaningless speculation: Who were the most important people in the history of Alaska ...and more »
  

• Alaska tries to work around federal laws to collect pot taxes - KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather

  22-01-2016 08:10
  KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather
  Alaska tries to work around federal laws to collect pot taxes
  KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather
  This is the year Alaska's legal marijuana industry will finally be up and running. Once it is, all commercial growers will have to pay taxes to the State of Alaska. The proposal on the table is $50 an once for buds and flowers, and $15 an ounce for the ...and more »
  

• Alaska governor calls for boldness in State of State speech - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

  22-01-2016 07:50
  Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
  Alaska governor calls for boldness in State of State speech
  Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
  Alaska Gov. Bill Walker calls for bold action Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, in Juneau, Alaska, during his annual State of the State address before a joint session of the state Legislature. Behind him are Alaska state Senate President Kevin Meyer, left, and ...
  Public integrity unit planned by Alaska Department of LawKTUU.com
  Alaska Department of Law plans public integrity unitSFGate
  Budg
  

• Alaska Air employees in Alaska will get $8M in bonuses Friday - Alaska Dispatch News

  22-01-2016 05:37
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Alaska Air employees in Alaska will get $8M in bonuses Friday
  Alaska Dispatch News
  The Seattle-based company will pay out $98 million in annual bonuses to its nearly 15,000 employees at Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air on Friday. Of that, the company's 1,825 employees in Alaska will get $8 million. Combined with monthly bonuses for ...
  Alaska Air's record year means nearly $100M in employee bonusesThe Seattle Times
  Alaska Air (ALK) Stock Upgraded After Earnings BeatTheS
  

• Tourism could prove bright spot in Alaska's dark economic outlook - Alaska Dispatch News

  22-01-2016 05:13
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Tourism could prove bright spot in Alaska's dark economic outlook
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Visit Anchorage said the city's outlook this year is good when it comes to tourism growth. Bob Hallinen / ADN. Many sectors of Alaska's economy are bracing for a downturn as oil prices drop and lawmakers try to solve a $3.5 billion budget deficit.and more »
  

• Alaska agritourism business gears up for 1st year of farm tours in Mat-Su - Alaska Dispatch News

  22-01-2016 05:04
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Alaska agritourism business gears up for 1st year of farm tours in Mat-Su
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Ben VanderWeele holding a lettuce start at his family's farm in Palmer, Alaska on Wednesday, May 2, 2012. Loren Holmes photo. Margaret Adsit wants to share a secret with the world. The 29-year-old founder of Alaska Farm Tours is gearing up for her ...
  

• Art Beat: Who's the most important person in Alaska history as part of the United States? - Alaska Dispatch News

  22-01-2016 05:02
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Art Beat: Who's the most important person in Alaska history as part of the United States?
  Alaska Dispatch News
  We're still waiting for the arts season to kick into high gear. In the meantime, thoughts turn to yesteryear and philosophy. So here's a topic for your next round of meaningless speculation: Who were the most important people in the history of Alaska ...
  

• Sen. Meyer: Savings can mitigate budget overhaul impacts

  22-01-2016 03:40
  
  
  The Majority Caucus in the State Senate has one priority this year: restoring fiscal stability to Alaska. And Senate President Kevin Meyer, of Anchorage, says Permanent Fund earnings will have to be part of that mix.
  Senate president Kevin Meyer. (Photo by Josh Edge, APRN – Anchorage)
  But Meyer says the first order of business will be trimming the state budget. And he says there is room to make substantial reductions.
  Download Audio
  MEYER: Getting to about $800 million — similar to t
  
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• Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016

  22-01-2016 03:40
  
  
  Stories are posted on the APRN news page. You can subscribe to APRN’s newsfeeds via email, podcast and RSS. Follow us on Facebook at alaskapublic.org and on Twitter @aprn.Download Audio
   
  Sen. Meyer: Savings can mitigate budget overhaul impacts
  Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
  The Majority Caucus in the State Senate has one priority this year: restoring fiscal stability to Alaska. And Senate President Kevin Meyer, of Anchora
  
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• State of the State: What do Alaskans want to hear?

  22-01-2016 03:39
  
  
  Gov. Bill Walker is giving his State of the State address Thursday night. The state is facing tough times. Walker’s budget plan includes a reduction in the permanent fund dividend payments that Alaskans receive each year.
  Download Audio
  State government reporter Andrew Kitchenman met with Alaskans at Juneau’s legislative welcome reception Wednesday night and asked what they want to hear from the Governor.
  “I would like to hear him address the budget cuts for AK pre-K,
  
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• Top Army nominee says he’s not keen to cut Alaska troops

  22-01-2016 03:37
  
  
  Eric Fanning in 2013, when he was Acting Air Force Secretary. Photo Christopher Muncy/N.Y. Air National Guard
  When Pentagon nominees comes before the Senate Armed Services Committee for a confirmation hearing, it’s a sure bet that Sen. Dan Sullivan will press them on the 4-25th. That’s the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the one  slated for reduction.
  Download Audio
  Eric Fanning is nominated to be the next secretary of the Army
  
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• Mayors want tax share scheme for future gasline

  22-01-2016 03:35
  
  
  Although the proposed Alaska LNG pipeline is still a long way from reality, a state committee is working on a fiscal scheme that would compensate local governments for property taxes they would forfeit under the current agreement with gasline producers.
  Download Audio
  The Municipal Advisory Gas Project Review Board is devising a formula to distribute more than $15 billion in anticipated state gasline taxes over a 25-year period to local governments impacted by the project.
  The Matanuska-Susitna
  
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• Board: Aye to Yukon pinks fishery

  22-01-2016 03:35
  
  
  The Alaska Board of Fisheries finished its consideration of proposals from the Kuskokwim, Yukon and Norton Sound regions on Saturday.
  Download Audio
  Pink salmon. U.S. Fish and Wildlife image.
  For the Yukon, the Board rejected a proposal to allow purse seining for summer chum salmon.
  But the board unanimously supported a proposal laying the groundwork for a new pink salmon directed commercial fishery on the Yukon.
  The pink run comes in strong on the Yukon in even-numbered years, and Board Vi
  
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• First Alaskans to host public forum on racial equity

  22-01-2016 03:34
  
  
  The First Alaskans Institute in Anchorage is hosting a gathering it’s calling: “Partners for the next 10,000 years:  A Racial Equity Summit.” They’re inviting the public to join in discussions on ways to use education, law, policy, and advocacy to work toward racial equity.
  Download Audio
  Andrea Sanders is the Alaska Native Policy Director for the First Alaskans Institute. She said organizers are seeking a range of views for thoughtful, candid conversations on race.
  
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• ‘Our Voices Will Be Heard’ brings child sexual abuse saga to stage

  22-01-2016 03:33
  
  
  Set in a fictional Tlingit village in the late 19th century, “Our Voices Will Be Heard” is Vera Starbard’s semi-autobiographical story of a mother whose daughter is sexually abused by a relative. The show premiered Friday at Perseverance Theatre in Juneau and will play in Anchorage in February.
  Download Audio
  “Our Voices Will Be Heard” playwright Vera Starbard (right) and Perseverance Theatre Executive Artistic Director Art Rotch. (Photo by Jennifer Canfield/KTOO)
  T
  
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• Get some Momentum in your life

  22-01-2016 02:02
  
  Jessie Embly and Ariel Graham in rehearsal
  Momentum Dance Collective is presenting their seventh annual Breaking Ground, a collection of various choreographers, dancers and new works, this Saturday January 23rd at the Alaska Dance Theatre’s Alice Bassler Sullivan Theatre (curtain at 7:30pm). Artistic Director Becky Kendall and Company Director Ariel Graham drop by Stage Talk this week to talk about that concert as well as two future events they have lined up.
  HOST:
  Steve Hunt
  GUESTS: 
  
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• The name is ‘Pollock.’ Just ‘Pollock’

  22-01-2016 01:13
  
  Pollock photo by NOAA Fishwatch
  It’s official: The fish formerly known as “Alaska Pollock” now goes by a single name. It’s just called “pollock” now. That’s according to the FDA, which today updated its list of acceptable seafood marketing names. It matters because when “Alaska” was part of the fish name, purveyors of foreign pollock could fool consumers – with the FDA’s blessing — into thinking the fish they were buying was
  
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• Alaska, Louisiana And The Other States Getting Squeezed By Oil's Bust - Forbes

  22-01-2016 00:27
  Forbes
  Alaska, Louisiana And The Other States Getting Squeezed By Oil's Bust
  Forbes
  Photo credit: KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images. Over the past few weeks, oil prices have gone into somewhat of a free fall, hitting twelve-year lows while throwing global markets into flux. Investor returns have been the most obvious victim of the turmoil ...and more »
  

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