Alaska news

• Bill would update Alaska laws to reflect same-sex marriage rights

  25-02-2016 20:23
  
  Bill would update Alaska laws to reflect same-sex marriage rights Alaska laws would be updated to replace terms like "husband" and "wife" with language reflecting the legalization of same-sex marriage under legislation introduced in the state House.February 25, 2016
  
  Read more

• Bill would update laws to reflect same-sex marriage rights

  25-02-2016 18:00
  
  Rep. Andy Josephson speaks on the floor of the House of Representatives, Feb. 24, 2014. (Photo by Skip Gray/Gavel Alaska)
  State laws would be updated to replace terms like husband and wife with language reflecting the legalization of same-sex marriage under legislation introduced in the Alaska House.
  In a release, Democratic Rep. Andy Josephson said the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage is not reflected in state laws. He says there’s a housekeeping nature to proposed
  
  Read more

• Senate panel hears bill aimed at easing birth control access

  25-02-2016 17:57
  
  Sen. Berta Gardner addresses the Alaska Senate on April 7, 2014 . (Photo by Skip Gray/Gavel Alaska)
  Representatives from Planned Parenthood, a union of current and former sex workers, small business owners and others testified on a bill that would require insurance companies to pay claims for women to get up to one year’s worth of contraception at a time.
  The bill’s sponsor, Anchorage Senator Berta Gardner, told a state Senate committee Wednesday that she wanted to make it more conve
  
  Read more

• Shareholder seeks term limits for Sealaska directors

  25-02-2016 17:52
  
  Sealaska shareholder Michael Lee Beasley is author of the term- limits resolution. (Photo courtesy Michael Lee Beasley)
  A longtime critic of Sealaska management is campaigning to limit the terms of the regional Native corporation’s board of directors. Previous efforts have failed.
  Sealaska allows its 13 board members to serve as long as they can win re-election. While some directors are relatively new, others have been on the corporation’s governing body for anywh
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Panel reassigns committee spots held by late representative

  25-02-2016 17:40
  
  Rep. Max Gruenberg addresses the Alaska House of Representatives, March 17, 2014. (Skip Gray/Gavel Alaska)
  Ten days after the death of Anchorage state Rep. Max Gruenberg, legislators are moving to fill the gaps on committees that the House minority whip left behind.
  While Gruenberg’s replacement has yet to be selected, four members from the Democratic-led House minority were appointed Wednesday to fill Gruenberg’s spots on the House Committee on Committees, the House Judiciary and St
  
  Read more

• Homer cannabis club could face legal battle

  25-02-2016 17:39
  
  A new cannabis club has opened its doors on a major street in Downtown Homer and some residents are taking full advantage of the opportunity to use marijuana in – what they call – a safe, social environment. But, the club might not be legal.
  Counter holding marijuana and tools. (Photo by Quinton Chandler/KBBI)
  After the death of prohibition in 1933 black market liquor and infamous speakeasies were slowly left behind.
  But it wasn’t all a smooth transition. Fast forward to presen
  
  Read more

• Bethel moves closer to possible restaurant alcohol license

  25-02-2016 17:33
  
  Fili’s Pizza. (Photo by Dean Swope / KYUK)
  Next month, Bethel could hold its first restaurant liquor license in decades.
  March 6 marks the final day Bethel City Council can protest the Fili’s Pizza liquor license application. The council rejected that action at Tuesday’s regularly scheduled meeting, its final meeting before the protest deadline.
   
  Fili’s has met the conditions imposed by council to avoid protest. It’s created adequate parking and set up a
  
  Read more

• Iron Dog teams race against the clock during repairs in Nome

  25-02-2016 17:26
  
  2016 Iron Dog snowmachine racers are in the middle of their daylong layover at the race’s halfway point in Nome. Teams have a little time to rest and recuperate from the first one-thousand miles they just logged over the last three days, but they’re also scrambling to repair damage to their snowmachines.
  Every minute racers spend on repairs counts against them on the trail.
  Snowmachines crowd Nome’s city garage for the Iron Dog repair session. (Photo: Emily Russell/KNOM)
  When y
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• YK tribes demand special AVCP convention

  25-02-2016 16:48
  
  Executive council of the Association of Village Council President’s 51st annual conference. (Photo by Dean Swope/ KYUK)
  Yukon-Kuskokwim tribes are demanding the Association of Village Council Presidents hold a special convention next month to discuss regional self-governance.
  Akiak tribal member Mike Williams says almost 30 tribes have signed a resolution calling for the convention, scheduled for March 22-23 in Bethel in the ONC multipurpose room. The timing allows tribes to gather before
  
  Read more

• Man sentenced to 248 years for sexually abusing stepdaughters in Alaska, Idaho - KTUU.com

  25-02-2016 07:38
  KTUU.com
  Man sentenced to 248 years for sexually abusing stepdaughters in Alaska, Idaho
  KTUU.com
  An Idaho man who lived in Alaska has been sentenced to 248 years in prison after he was found guilty of 22 counts of sexually abusing a minor and three counts of coercion, the Alaska Bureau of Investigation announced Wednesday. Anthony Gilliam, 52, was ...
  Former Alaskan Sentenced to 218 Years for SAM and CoercionAlaska Native Newsall 4 news articles »
  

• University of Alaska Anchorage athletics braces for financial cuts - KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather

  25-02-2016 07:35
  KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather
  University of Alaska Anchorage athletics braces for financial cuts
  KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather
  The price of oil is down. Start the dominos. One landing spot will be the University of Alaska Anchorage athletic department, which relies heavily on state funding. In a wide-ranging interview with KTVA, UAA Athletic Director Keith Hackett put the word ...
  

• With Medicaid expansion now a fact, a reform bill moves in Alaska Legislature - Alaska Dispatch News

  25-02-2016 06:41
  Alaska Dispatch News
  With Medicaid expansion now a fact, a reform bill moves in Alaska Legislature
  Alaska Dispatch News
  JUNEAU — A state Senate committee on Wednesday unveiled a newly updated, wide-ranging bill to modernize Alaska's public Medicaid health care program, with lawmakers and top officials from Gov. Walker's administration endorsing the legislation.and more »
  

• How Migrating Oil Tax Credits are a Major Drag on Alaska - Alaska Commons

  25-02-2016 06:34
  Alaska Commons
  How Migrating Oil Tax Credits are a Major Drag on Alaska
  Alaska Commons
  On Wednesday, Tax Division Director Ken Alper demonstrated for the House Resources Committee how the current oil tax regime established in 2013 with passage of SB 21 can cost the State revenue. SB 21 set a minimum tax of four percent on oil from the ...
  

• With Medicaid expansion now a fact, a reform bill moves in Alaska Legislature

  25-02-2016 06:30
  
  With Medicaid expansion now a fact, a reform bill moves in Alaska Legislature A Senate committee on Wednesday unveiled a newly updated, wide-ranging bill to modernize Alaska’s public Medicaid health-care program, with lawmakers and top officials from Gov. Walker’s administration endorsing the legislation.February 24, 2016
  
  Read more

• Colorado Eagles weather bad bounce, beat Alaska with three-goal third - Loveland Reporter-Herald

  25-02-2016 06:22
  Colorado Eagles weather bad bounce, beat Alaska with three-goal third
  Loveland Reporter-Herald
  Colorado Eagles goaltender Kris Lazaruk (35) eyes his save as Alaska's Ryan Tesink (13) crashes the net with defender Jake Marto (25) on Wednesday at the Budweiser Events Center. Lazaruk was strong in goal as the Eagles won 4-2. (V. Richard Haro ...
  Colorado Eagles beat AlaskaThe Coloradoanall 2 news articles »
  

• New Mexico: Judge Signs Off on $1 Billion for Tribes

  25-02-2016 06:00 via nytimes.com
  A judge has approved a nearly $1 billion settlement between Obama administration and Native American tribes over claims the government shorted tribes on contracts and other federal services
  
  Read more

• Alaska prisons grapple with staggering number of mentally ill and addicted inmates - KTUU.com

  25-02-2016 04:44
  KTUU.com
  Alaska prisons grapple with staggering number of mentally ill and addicted inmates
  KTUU.com
  Editor's Note: Alaska's prisons are overcrowded, understaffed, and sometimes dangerous. They're filled with people who are addicts, alcoholics, or mentally ill. Recent state investigations and reporting by KTUU paint a disturbing portrait of Alaska's ...
  

• Bill to bar 'abortion providers' from Alaska schools advances in Senate - Alaska Dispatch News

  25-02-2016 04:39
  Juneau Empire (subscription)
  Bill to bar 'abortion providers' from Alaska schools advances in Senate
  Alaska Dispatch News
  JUNEAU — The Alaska Senate on Wednesday pushed forward a controversial bill to bar “abortion services providers” from teaching sex education in schools, and require parental permission before children could be taught any sex education. The bill ...
  Alaska Senate panel hears bill aimed at easing birth control accessFairbanks Daily News-Miner
  Measures would r
  

• Bill to bar ‘abortion providers’ from Alaska schools advances in Senate

  25-02-2016 04:37
  
  Bill to bar ‘abortion providers’ from Alaska schools advances in Senate The Alaska Senate on Wednesday pushed forward a controversial bill to bar “abortion services providers” like Planned Parenthood from teaching sex education in schools, and require parental permission before children could be taught any sex education.February 24, 2016
  
  Read more

• Over 5000 Alaska seniors will see cut in state benefits starting March 1 - KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather

  25-02-2016 04:31
  KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather
  Over 5000 Alaska seniors will see cut in state benefits starting March 1
  KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather
  More than 5,000 low-income seniors will see substantial cuts to their state-funded benefits starting March 1, when cuts made last legislative session to public assistance programs take effect. According to a fact sheet put out last week on the State of ...and more »
  

• Adapting when another Alaska winter turns sour - Alaska Dispatch News

  25-02-2016 04:15
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Adapting when another Alaska winter turns sour
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Regular gym-goers nationwide were irritated Jan. 2. Suddenly, there were lines for the elliptical machine. The new guy didn't seem to know where the sanitizing spray was; or simply refused to use it after finishing on the bike. Americans resolving to ...
  

• Alaska history teaches us how to handle budget crunch -- and how not to - Alaska Dispatch News

  25-02-2016 04:09
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Alaska history teaches us how to handle budget crunch -- and how not to
  Alaska Dispatch News
  OPINION: Alaska lawmakers, governor have the means to helps us ride out low oil prices - or take us deep into recession. We've been here before. Pictured: Voting buttons on the state Senate floor at the Capitol in Juneau. Marc Lester / ADN. A couple of ...
  

• Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016

  25-02-2016 04:01
  
  
  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
  Army officials say they’d like to keep airborne unit at JBER
  Liz Ruskin, APRN-WashingtonTop Army officials Wednesday morning gave their clearest statements yet that they might cancel or postpone plans to shrink the 425th Brigade Combat Team.
  
  Read more

• Research cuts at Alaska universities would protect today's ignorance at tomorrow's expense - Alaska Dispatch News

  25-02-2016 03:51
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Research cuts at Alaska universities would protect today's ignorance at tomorrow's expense
  Alaska Dispatch News
  The University of Alaska is committed to teaching, research and public service. Among these, research is least understood. Some people think research means looking things up in the library, but research in a university means creation of new knowledge.
  

• Brothers indicted on additional charges in Alaska sex trafficking case - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

  25-02-2016 03:31
  Brothers indicted on additional charges in Alaska sex trafficking case
  Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
  FAIRBANKS—Two California brothers arrested for alleged sexual trafficking earlier this month have been indicted on additional charges and their cases have been moved to Anchorage. Kendale Standifer, 37, of Concord, is charged with first-degree sexual ...and more »
  

• House subcommittee starts cutting the budget

  25-02-2016 02:41
  
  
  Download AudioMore than five weeks into the legislative session, House Finance Subcommittees recommended the first cuts to the budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st.
  They include nine point $8 million in cuts to education programs, as well as cutting all $2.7 million in state funding for public broadcasting.
  Representative Daniel Ortiz, (I-Ketchikan) said eliminating the $2 million  for a pre-kindergarten program is a mistake.
  “It’s about investing now, so th
  
  Read more

• Public assistance to drop for 5,348 low-income seniors

  25-02-2016 02:35
  
  
  Download Audio
  Thousands of low-income seniors will see a drop in their state benefits starting March 1. Officials say they have tried to mitigate the negative impacts on beneficiaries, which stem from last year’s budget cuts.
  A letter sent February 18th to beneficiaries of the Senior Benefits Program.
  In a letter sent out February 18th by the Senior Benefits Office in Wasilla, Alaskans over 65 years old living below or near the poverty line were notified that many would see a reduction in
  
  Read more

• Get outdoors in Southcentral Alaska - Alaska Dispatch News

  25-02-2016 02:31
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Get outdoors in Southcentral Alaska
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Telemark skier Rory Camm makes a turn while telemarking during the 2010 the Telepalooza Festival. BILL ROTH / Anchorage Daily News. THURSDAY. Alaska Outdoors weekly evening hikes — Alaska Outdoors hosts easy to moderate social hikes every ...
  

• Scientists meeting Savoonga and Gambell walrus hunters

  25-02-2016 02:30
  
  A team of biologists left for Saint Lawrence Island on Wednesday to consult with local walrus hunters in Savoonga and Gambell.
  Jim MacCracken heads the Alaska program for marine mammals management with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. He says biologists are eager to collect traditional knowledge from hunters and community members.
  “One thing we’ve been thinking of is just basic walrus behavior and how they might adapt to changing habitat conditions, changing climates and t
  
  Read more

• Aleknagik man in custody for stabbing wife

  25-02-2016 02:16
  
  
  Download Audio
  An Aleknagik man is in custody Wednesday on attempted murder and assault charges. Troopers say 51-year old Robin Chythlook stabbed his wife multiple times and pointed a hunting rifle at the unarmed Village Public Safety Officer Tuesday evening.
  Chythlook, 52, allegedly stabbed his wife 27 times with two knives. She was hospitalized but reported to be in stable condition.(Photo courtesy of Dillingham Public safety Department)
  A sobered Chythlook was in court Wed
  
  Read more

• Army officials say they’d like to keep airborne unit at JBER

  25-02-2016 01:56
  
  The Army is rethinking its plan to shrink the 4-25th Airborne Brigade Combat Team. (File photo: Zachariah Hughes/KSKA)
  Top Army officials this morning gave their clearest statements yet that they might cancel or postpone plans to shrink the 4-25th Brigade Combat Team. The Army’s original plan, announced last summer, would remove some 2,600 soldiers from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
  Gen.  Mark Milley said he’s been looking at the decision to cut the 4-25th, the only airb
  
  Read more

• Bill would restrict Planned Parenthood in Alaska schools - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

  25-02-2016 01:09
  Bill would restrict Planned Parenthood in Alaska schools
  Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
  JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Alaska lawmakers are poised to consider legislation that would bar school districts from contracting with abortion services providers or allowing them to offer materials or provide instruction on human sexuality or sexually ...and more »
  

• NTSB releases reports on 2 Alaska fatal airplane crashes - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

  25-02-2016 00:51
  Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
  NTSB releases reports on 2 Alaska fatal airplane crashes
  Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
  This image provided Saturday Nov. 30, 2013, courtesy of Alaska State Troopers shows the wreckage of a plane that crashed Friday near St. Marys, Alaska. Authorities said the pilot and three passengers died in this crash of the single-engine turboprop ...
  NTSB releases reports on 2 Alaska fatal plane crashesKTUU.comall 17 news articles »
  

• Notes galore: Erik Cooper, Brandon Dubinsky, Scott Gomez, Alaska connections domestic and foreign - Alaska Dispatch News

  25-02-2016 00:37
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Notes galore: Erik Cooper, Brandon Dubinsky, Scott Gomez, Alaska connections domestic and foreign
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Time to reel off a long blog about Alaska-connected players here and abroad, so let's get to it with the latest news about Erik Cooper, the St. Norbert senior forward from Anchorage. Cooper this week was named the National Collegiate Hockey Association ...
  

Follow @News_Alaska on Twitter!