Alaska news

• Former Sen. Mark Begich says he isn’t running for office this year

  16-02-2016 23:17
  
  Former Sen. Mark Begich addresses the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 3, 2014. (Skip Gray/ Gavel Alaska)
  Former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich says he will not run for any elected office this year.
  In an interview with The Associated Press, Begich says he has felt pressure from Alaskans to run but for now wants to focus on building his consulting business and spend time with his family. He says his public policy work is giving him an opportunity to engage in a different way.
  He did not close th
  
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• State Dems seeking successor to late-Rep. Max Gruenberg

  16-02-2016 23:15
  
  Rep. Max Gruenberg addresses the Alaska House of Representatives, March 17, 2014. (Skip Gray/Gavel Alaska)
  Democrats are accepting applications for a successor to state Rep. Max Gruenberg, who died Sunday.
  In a release, the state Democratic party and House District 16 Democrats say the deadline to submit applications is 5 p.m. Monday. Applicants must live in District 16, the Anchorage district that Gruenberg represented.
  Interviews will be conducted on Feb. 24 and 25. Three nominees will be sent
  
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• Alaska Natural Resources commissioner announces retirement

  16-02-2016 23:13
  
  State Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Myers has announced his retirement.
  He cited personal reasons for his decision in an email to department staff Tuesday. His retirement will be effective March 1.
  He says Deputy Commissioner Marty Rutherford will serve as acting commissioner. Rutherford has been involved in the state’s efforts to advance a major liquefied natural gas project.
  Myers says he looks forward to spending more time with family. He says that due to the nature of jobs he&rsq
  
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• Winter crab commercial fishery opens for Norton Sound

  16-02-2016 23:09
  
  Norton Sound red king crab. (Photo by Jenn Ruckel/KNOM)
  Norton Sound’s winter crab fishery finally opened Monday after poor sea ice delayed commercial crabbers for about a month.
  Jim Menard is the area manager for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. He said ice conditions are improving, but he doesn’t expect all fishermen to drop their pots immediately.
  “It’s about half and half. Some are saying good pans are starting to develop and they want to get going. Others
  
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• Fish & Game plans to cut 30 positions in upcoming budget

  16-02-2016 23:07
  
  An Alexander Archipelago wolf. Photo courtesy of ADF&G
  The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is looking at trimming 30 positions next year in budget cuts.
  Deputy Commissioner Kevin Brooks gave an overview of the department’s budget to the House Finance Committee last week.
  “Like, I think, most of the department you’ve seen, there was pretty steady growth for about a 10-year period. For the last three years we’ve seen a pretty significant decline,” Brooks said.
  
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• Local internet costs still unclear for fiber optic cable project

  16-02-2016 23:05
  
  This summer, Quintillion will lay undersea fiber optic cable from Prudhoe Bay to Nome. The project is scheduled to bring high-speed internet to western Alaska by March of 2017, but local providers won’t say how much it will cost for residents in the Bering Strait Region.
  Quintillion will start laying cable in June and finish construction in early September, according to spokesperson Tim Woolston. He said local customers should have faster internet by early 2017. Image: Quintillion.
  “
  
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• Managers seek to open Nush caribou to non-locals, same-day airborne

  16-02-2016 23:03
  
  (USGS photo)
  The Federal Subsistence Board is considering two more changes to increase take of the Nushagak Peninsula caribou herd, which managers say is large, overpopulated, and possibly heading for a sharp downfall.
  Togiak Refuge Manager Susanna Henry says the two new special action requests would be for the current season that’s open until March 31st.
  “The two changes would be, one, to allow same-day airborne, providing that someone were to harvest a caribou that they would shoot
  
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• Alaska Airlines plane makes emergency landing after report of smoke in cockpit - KTUU.com

  16-02-2016 23:02
  KTUU.com
  Alaska Airlines plane makes emergency landing after report of smoke in cockpit
  KTUU.com
  A flight headed to Seattle from Reagan National Airport had to make an emergency landing at nearby Dulles International Airport after its pilots reported smoke in the cockpit. Alaska Airlines spokesman Cole Cosgrove says the flight had just taken off ...
  Cockpit smoke forces Alaska Airlines jet to return to D.C.Alaska Dispatch News
  Mid-air scare forces down Seattle-bound Alaska Airlines flightKOMO N
  

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• Senator Olson’s move to majority leaves Democrats in vulnerable position

  16-02-2016 23:01
  
  Rep. Neal Foster, left, and Sen. Donny Olson during a discussion of legislative priorities with the City Council and the pubic in Nome. (Photo via KNOM)
  The Senate Majority got a little bit bigger last week when Democrat Donny Olson announced his move from the minority. Born in Nome, Senator Olson represents all of Northwest Alaska.
  He said concerns about budget cuts convinced him to switch over.
  “I was called by a number of constituents that were concerned about things like education, thi
  
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• Alaska natural resources commissioner announces retirement - KTUU.com

  16-02-2016 22:36
  KTUU.com
  Alaska natural resources commissioner announces retirement
  KTUU.com
  DNR Commissioner Mark Myers and Deputy Commissioner Marty Rutherford. (Photo courtesy of State of Alaska). 1 / 2. DNR Commissioner Mark Myers. (Photo courtesy of State of Alaska). DNR Commissioner Mark Myers and Deputy Commissioner Marty ...
  Alaska natural resources commissioner retires; deputy named acting chiefAlaska Dispatch Newsall 17 news articles »
  

• Alaska natural resources commissioner retires; deputy named acting chief

  16-02-2016 22:07
  
  Alaska natural resources commissioner retires; deputy named acting chief Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Myers announced his retirement Tuesday. The position is one of the most powerful in Gov. Bill Walker’s cabinet, with a big role in the natural gas pipeline megaproject.February 16, 2016
  
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• Murkowski field hearing highlights rural Alaska’s unique energy issues, solutions

  16-02-2016 19:37
  
  When Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski chose Bethel for a field hearing of the Senate Energy Committee – which she chairs – she had a very specific point to make.
  (Photo by Rachel Waldholz/APRN)
  Murkowski brought five senators – and U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz – to Bethel on Monday. And she made sure they drove down the frozen Kuskokwim River to the nearby village of Oscarville, where she pointed out that the only building with running water and a flush toilet is the s
  
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• Oil hit Alaska like an earthquake: Gov. Walker - CNBC

  16-02-2016 18:18
  CNBC
  Oil hit Alaska like an earthquake: Gov. Walker
  CNBC
  In 1964, Alaska was struck by a 9.2-magnitude earthquake that lasted 5 ½ minutes. More than 130 people were killed. The massive quake triggered tsunamis in coastal communities, including my hometown of Valdez. More than 30 of my friends and ...
  Myths and mistrust distort Alaska budget debate, but we need to heed call of realityAlaska Dispatch Newsall 4 news articles »
  

• Former Sen. Begich says he won't run for any office this year

  16-02-2016 18:18
  
  Former Sen. Begich says he won't run for any office this year Former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich says he has felt pressure from Alaskans to run but for now wants to focus on building his consulting business and spend time with his family. February 16, 2016
  
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• Match Made in Alaska, Part 1: What makes dating in Anchorage different? - KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather

  16-02-2016 18:11
  KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather
  Match Made in Alaska, Part 1: What makes dating in Anchorage different?
  KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather
  “I had real hope, actually was planning on marrying her,” said Harris of the love he found and lost in the Last Frontier. “Had plans, had rings, had everything. And it didn't happen.” Harris moved to Anchorage on military orders in 2010. When he got ...
  

• This could explain all those strange happenings in Alaska's waters - Washington Post

  16-02-2016 17:59
  Washington Post
  This could explain all those strange happenings in Alaska's waters
  Washington Post
  New research is shedding light on how far toxic algae blooms have spread in Alaska, and surprised scientists are saying this is just the beginning. A study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Northwest fisheries center found ...
  Algae study could explain all those strange happenings in Alaska's watersFairbanks Daily News-Minerall 3 news articles »
  

• Interview: Barrow's Rep. Ben Nageak talks Arctic issues

  16-02-2016 17:39
  Interview: Barrow's Rep. Ben Nageak talks Arctic issues Issues like climate change, an uptick in marine traffic, and infrastructure concerns have driven many of the discussions among Arctic stakeholders so far this year. February 16, 2016
  
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• Energy Dept Spends $7 Million On North Alaska Solar Power, Except It's Dark 24/7 - Daily Caller

  16-02-2016 14:47
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Energy Dept Spends $7 Million On North Alaska Solar Power, Except It's Dark 24/7
  Daily Caller
  Dmitry Baikalov, a duty engineer, inspects equipment at the Abakan solar electric station in a suburb of the Siberian town of Abakan, Khakassia Republic, Russia, December 17, 2015. Owned by EuroSibenergo company of the En+ Group, the solar electric ...
  U.S. senators, top energy official travel to tiny Alaska village, hold Bethel hearingAlaska Dispatch News
  Daines Snaps His Way
  

• On Elizabeth Peratrovich Day, we honor all of Alaska's human rights champions - Alaska Dispatch News

  16-02-2016 04:57
  Alaska Dispatch News
  On Elizabeth Peratrovich Day, we honor all of Alaska's human rights champions
  Alaska Dispatch News
  OPINION: Elizabeth and Roy Peratrovich struggled tirelessly to end discrimination in Alaska, and today we honor their work and try to live up to the standard they set. Pictured: Alaska Territorial Gov. Ernest Gruening signs the Anti-Discrimination Act ...and more »
  

• Alaska Senate seeks public testimony on Permanent Fund bill

  16-02-2016 03:29
  
  Alaska Senate seeks public testimony on Permanent Fund bill A Senate committee is offering Alaskans a chance to give their feedback Tuesday evening on a bill to use some of the Permanent Fund’s earnings to pay for government.February 15, 2016
  
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• Alaska News Nightly: Monday, Feb. 15, 2016

  16-02-2016 03:15
  
  
  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.
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  Legislative veteran Max Gruenberg dies in Juneau
  Anrew Kitchenman, KTOO/APRN-JuneauLongtime Representative Max Gruenberg died Sunday in Juneau. The Anchorage Democrat was 72. Gruenberg gained bipartisan respect for his skill in crafting legislation. He
  
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• UAF’s Walsh wins international science award

  16-02-2016 03:12
  
  
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  A University of Alaska Fairbanks scientist is receiving the recognition of his peers. Dr. John Walsh recently garnered a medal from the International Arctic Science Committee. The prestigious award recognizes Walsh’s sustained work in far north.
  
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• Ketchikan’s safe homes group has been on probation

  16-02-2016 03:00
  
  
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  Ketchikan’s Women in Safe Homes has been on probation since last fall after a site visit by the state Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault found the emergency shelter out of compliance with various regulations. WISH officials, though, say there was no warning from the state council that there were any problems.
  
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• Hugh Neff wins Yukon Quest

  16-02-2016 01:25
  
  Hugh Neff has taken the lead in the Yukon Quest. (File Photo by Patrick Yack/Alaska Public Media)
  Hugh Neff won the Yukon Quest on Monday.
  After flying under radar behind first half leaders Brent Sass and Allen Moore, the 2012 champ had built a commanding lead heading toward the Whitehorse finish.
  Neff was first out of Braeburn on his way to the finish line. He said he was going to push it into Whitehorse.
  “Just because I have this huge lead doesn’t mean I’m gonna lollygag it a
  
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