Alaska news

• Alaska lawmaker proposes 'America Idol' license plate contest - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

  02-02-2016 23:47
  KTUU.com
  Alaska lawmaker proposes 'America Idol' license plate contest
  Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
  JUNEAU, Alaska - A bill attempting to mimic the success of a popular reality television show by establishing a statewide contest for license plate design has begun winding its way through the House after advancing from the House State Affairs Committee ...
  Lawmaker proposes contest to design specialty license plate in AlaskaKTUU.com
  Alaska lawmaker proposes license plate contest for artistsKTV
  

• Fairbanks police say alcohol was a factor in accidental shooting death

  02-02-2016 22:30
  
  Alcohol was a factor in an accidental shooting that took the life of Ft. Wainwright based soldier over the weekend.
  Fairbanks Police Detective Scott Adams says 25-year-old Stryker Brigade Sergeant Nathan Michael Higginbotham had been consuming alcohol prior to the early Sunday incident.
  “Basically it looks like the gentleman had been drinking, at the same time was handling a firearm. The two mixed together are never a good thing.”
  Police say friends witnessed Higgenbotham remove a cl
  
  Read more

• Record low snow totals for Fairbanks recorded in December, January

  02-02-2016 22:27
  
  Fairbanks has been exceptionally dry over the last two months. A total of just 1.9 inches of snow fell at the airport in December and January, besting Fairbanks previous low mark for the two months set in the winter of 1952-53.
  National Weather Service lead meteorologist Christopher Cox attributes the snow drought to El Nino driven high pressure.
  “The large ridge of high pressure that’s built up over the eastern Interior and west coast of Canada, and that’s a direct result of a
  
  Read more

• Taxes on Oil Won't Fix Alaska's Budget Problems, But Will Hurt Jobs - U.S. News & World Report

  02-02-2016 20:28
  U.S. News & World Report
  Taxes on Oil Won't Fix Alaska's Budget Problems, But Will Hurt Jobs
  U.S. News & World Report
  There seems to be a prevailing belief in Washington that any fiscal problem can immediately be fixed through "revenue enhancements." Like waving a magic wand, imposing punitive tax measures on certain industries supposedly conjures up money from thin ...and more »
  

• Advertisement

• Marijuana laws missing key language

  02-02-2016 18:28
  
  Marijuana for sale at a dispensary in California. (Photo: Dank Depot via Flickr Creative Commons)
  Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott signed the state marijuana regulations into law last month (01-22-16) and the state will begin accepting license applications on February 24th. But there’s a wrench in the works: the original bill fails to properly authorize background checks.
  Before the Marijuana Control Board can issue licenses, the FBI requires a background check of each applicant. It&rsquo
  
  Read more

• ANSEP proposes to run Mt. Edgecumbe as 3-year STEM school

  02-02-2016 18:26
  
  Lawmakers this week heard a proposal from the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program to turn Mt. Edgecumbe High School into a three-year accelerated program.
  ANSEP says it’s a way to save money while expanding an effective program, but the idea was an unpleasant surprise for some at the Sitka boarding school.
  Middle school students at an ANSEP summer academy in 2013. (Photo courtesy ANSEP)
  This week, parents of Mt. Edgecumbe students got an unexpected email from school administrator
  
  Read more

• Alaska sends second draft of transboundary agreement to BC - Alaska Public Radio Network

  02-02-2016 18:17
  Alaska Public Radio Network
  Alaska sends second draft of transboundary agreement to BC
  Alaska Public Radio Network
  Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott sent the second draft of a Statement of Cooperation to British Columbia officials last week as part of an ongoing effort to preserve water quality and fisheries of the Stikine, Taku, Unuk and Alsek rivers. Mining at Red Chris in ...
  

• Alaska sends second draft of transboundary agreement to BC

  02-02-2016 18:17
  
  Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott sent the second draft of a Statement of Cooperation to British Columbia officials last week as part of an ongoing effort to preserve water quality and fisheries of the Stikine, Taku, Unuk and Alsek rivers.
  Mining at Red Chris in February 2015. (imperialmetals.com)
  Mallott said although the Statement of Cooperation is legally non-binding, it will build agreements and understanding between Alaska and B.C. to ensure water quality in transboundary rivers is maintained.
  “
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Board of Fisheries member resigns

  02-02-2016 18:12
  
  The newest member of the state Board of Fisheries is planning to resign after less than a year on the job.
  Anchorage’s Bob Mumford was appointed last spring. In late January, he told board support staff that after two more meetings, he would be done serving on the board. Mumford will serve through the Alaska Peninsula and statewide meetings, scheduled for February and March, and then will be done with that job.
  That’ll leave Governor Bill Walker with three seats to fill this spring.
  
  Read more

• Fairbanks police investigate shooting death of Army sergeant

  02-02-2016 17:42
  
  Police in Fairbanks are investigating after an Army sergeant died when a firearm he was handling accidentally discharged.
  The U.S. Army says in a release that 25-year-old Sgt. Nathan Michael Higginbotham died from a single gunshot wound to the head early Sunday. The 9 mm pistol involved in the shooting was privately owned.
  Fairbanks police said in a statement the shooting appears to be accidental based upon statements from two witnesses.
  Police say they aren’t releasing “specifics re
  
  Read more

• Bill would restrict attorney general appointments to boards

  02-02-2016 17:39
  
  Rep. Mike Chenault. (Photo by Skip Gray/360 North)
  A bill introduced in the Alaska House seeks to restrict the attorney general from serving on the governing body of a state public corporation or on boards or commissions.
  The bill’s stated intent is to keep the attorney general from “being compromised” or having a real or perceived conflict of interest when representing the state’s interest in legal proceedings in which the corporation, board or commission is a party.
  It
  
  Read more

• Lawmaker proposes license plate contest for artists

  02-02-2016 17:36
  
  Sitka Democrat Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins has pre-filed a bill that would invite artists to design an original Alaskan license plate. (KCAW photo)
  An Alaska lawmaker says a contest among artists to design a specialty license plate in Alaska could have the excitement of “American Idol.”
  Democratic Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins of Sitka has introduced a bill to open up a contest for artists to design a special-issue, limited run plate to commemorate the arts.
  Kreiss-Tomkins envisions
  
  Read more

• Kenai Peninsula agencies brief Gov. Walker on earthquake

  02-02-2016 17:35
  
  . A 150-foot section of Kalifornsky Beach Road near Kasilof was damaged in the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Southcentral Alaska at 1:30 a.m. Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Jenny Neyman, KDLL Kenai)
  Gov. Bill Walker has lauded the efforts of Kenai Peninsula agencies in their response to the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that resulted in highway damage and the destruction of four homes.
  The Peninsula Clarion reports Kenai area representatives of public safety departments, utility companies and publ
  
  Read more

• Scientists solve mystery of deadly 1964 Alaska tsunami - CBS News

  02-02-2016 16:45
  CBS News
  Scientists solve mystery of deadly 1964 Alaska tsunami
  CBS News
  ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey have solved a 50-year natural science mystery: the undersea source of tsunami waves that devastated a remote Alaska village following the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake. Underwater ...
  Researchers find source of 1964 Great Alaska tsunamiNaples Heraldall 104 news articles »
  

• Economist: Alaska faces the choice 'to become more like other states' - Alaska Dispatch News

  02-02-2016 05:34
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Economist: Alaska faces the choice 'to become more like other states'
  Alaska Dispatch News
  As lawmakers in Juneau try to come up with solutions for Alaska's massive $3.6 billion budget deficit, one economist is encouraging people to educate themselves about what's driving that shortfall. Gunnar Knapp, professor of economics and director of ...and more »
  

• Retired workers file dental benefits suit

  02-02-2016 04:42
  
  
  Download Audio
  An association of retired state workers has filed a lawsuit saying state cuts to dental benefits violate the Alaska constitution.  The Retired Public Employees of Alaska says changes in 2014 to optional dental, vision, audio and long-term-care insurance must be reversed.
  On Friday, the association filed the lawsuit against Department of Administration Commissioner Sheldon Fisher in Superior Court in Anchorage.
  The lawsuit lists eight changes that it says violate a provision o
  
  Read more

• Alaska News Nightly: Monday, Feb. 1, 2016

  02-02-2016 04:00
  
  
  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
  As U.S. buys more guns, state agency has more dough than it can handle
  Liz Ruskin, APRN – WashingtonThe Alaska Division of Wildlife Conservation is largely funded by a federal tax on the sale of guns and ammunition, and sales nationwide are boomi
  
  Read more

• Court rules in favor of municipalities in pipeline case

  02-02-2016 03:20
  
  
  Download Audio
  A ruling by the Alaska Supreme Court Friday has strengthened the role municipalities have in setting the tax value of Trans-Alaska Pipeline and similar structures. The ruling overturns a lower court decision that said the Alaska Department of Revenue had the final say.
  
  Read more

• Congress OKs Coast Guard bill to transfer lands

  02-02-2016 03:11
  
  
  Download Audio
  Congress has approved a Coast Guard bill that includes several land transfers Alaska’s congressional delegation has pursued for years.
  One of them is at Point Spencer, to advance the possible construction of an Arctic deepwater port near Nome. Bering Straits Native Corporation hopes to develop the port, in partnership with the state of Alaska.The bill cleared the U.S. House tonight. It also includes a land handover in Tok, to allow the Tanana Chiefs Conference to continue ru
  
  Read more

• BlueCrest Energy updates drilling plans

  02-02-2016 03:10
  
  
  Download Audio
  BlueCrest Energy, the company drilling for oil north of Anchor Point, gave an update on their effort at a forum in Kenai last week.
  
  Read more

• Reports conflict on Donlin Creek Mine’s effects

  02-02-2016 03:06
  
  
  Download Audio
  Two federal agencies have come to different conclusions on the potential effects the proposed Donlin Creek mine could have on subsistence along the Kuskokwim River.  The site sits 10 miles north of the village of Crooked Creek. Donlin estimates it could excavate 34 million ounces of gold over almost three decades.
  
  Read more

• MTA ballot seeks deregulation

  02-02-2016 02:39
  
  Matanuska Telephone Association members are being asked to vote against Regulatory Commission of Alaska fees for local service during a special election this month. MTA serves Valley and Anchorage members. It is a non-profit, member-owned cooperative, and one of only two telephone cooperatives in the state which are still operating under RCA local controls, according to MTA CEO Michael Burke.
  “What we are referring to, is what’s called the Regulatory Cost Charge. And if you look at y
  
  Read more

• Algo Nuevo: January 31, 2016

  02-02-2016 01:24
  
  Here’s the Sunday, January 10th, 2016 edition of Algo Nuevo con Dave Luera — Something New with Dave Luera. If you have questions, comments or music requests for host Dave Luera, send email to algonuevo [at] alaskapublic [dot] org or post your comment at the bottom of this post. All tracks played are listed below in the following format:
  Song Title
  Artist Name
  Album Title
  CD Label
  Duration 
  Europa
  Santana
  The Best of Santana
  Columbia
  506
   
  El Bailongo
  New Variety  Ban
  
  Read more

Follow @News_Alaska on Twitter!