Alaska news

• Alaska's Iditarod Sled Dog Race Stymied by Lack of Snow - NBCNews.com

  02-03-2016 23:49
  NBCNews.com
  Alaska's Iditarod Sled Dog Race Stymied by Lack of Snow
  NBCNews.com
  Alaska's epic Iditarod race will be eight miles shorter this year because the dog sledders can't mush when there's not even slush. A lack of snow in Anchorage has forced race organizers to shorten the ceremonial start of the celebrated race from 11 ...
  Alaska bringing in trainloads of snow for Iditarod raceCBS News
  Alaska Is Shipping in Snow for This Year's IditarodSmithsonian
  Photos: Alaska Railroad hauls snow to A
  

• Girl Scout Cookies are on sale in Alaska - KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather

  02-03-2016 23:31
  KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather
  Girl Scout Cookies are on sale in Alaska
  KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather
  There are about 6,000 Girl Scouts in Alaska. The cookie program teaches girls scouts how to set goals, make decisions, manage money and build business ethics. A majority of the money raised through cookie sales goes to support local troops. “Once we ...and more »
  

• In Anchorage education lottery, lots of winners

  02-03-2016 23:09
  
  Parents tour Aquarian Charter School in February. (Hillman/KSKA)
  It’s school lottery time in Anchorage. That means parents who may want to opt out of their neighborhood school are considering optional and charter school programs across the district. But at least one neighborhood school principal says charter schools and neighborhood schools aren’t necessarily so different. Parents took school tours to find out.
  Last year was really stressful for Sara Lopez when she was trying to find
  
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• Lack of snow shortens Iditarod start from 11 to 3 miles

  02-03-2016 22:25
  
  A lack of snow in Alaska’s largest city has led the world’s most famous sled dog race to shorten its ceremonial start this weekend.
  Pete Kaiser in last year’s 2015 Iditarod ceremonial start. (Photo by Josh Edge, APRN – Anchorage)
  The Iditarod Trail Committee said in a news release Wednesday that the route will be reduced to 3 miles from its normal 11 miles on Anchorage streets and trails.
  Persistent warm temperatures the last few weeks have melted much of the snow, i
  
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• Alaska moves to ban some non-citizens from getting senior benefits - Alaska Dispatch News

  02-03-2016 22:22
  Alaska moves to ban some non-citizens from getting senior benefits
  Alaska Dispatch News
  JUNEAU — State officials want to change eligibility requirements that now allow some people who aren't U.S. citizens to collect monthly senior benefits. The proposed change from Gov. Bill Walker and the state health department would remove 16 people ...and more »
  

• BLM proposes Red Devil clean-up, calls for community meetings

  02-03-2016 22:21
  
  Crews last year built a channel at the old Red Devil mine site. 2015’s work is leading up to water and sediment clean-up. (Photo courtesy BLM)
  The Bureau of Land Management on Tuesday is releasing its proposed plan on how to clean up the hazardous tailings left by the Red Devil Mine.
  “There is still mercury in those tailings, and there’s an awful amount of arsenic, and that stuff is tending to leach into the water,” Mike McCrum, BLM Project Manager, said, before adding an
  
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• Alaska moves to ban some non-citizens from getting senior benefits

  02-03-2016 22:21
  Alaska moves to ban some non-citizens from getting senior benefitsState officials want to change eligibility requirements that now allow some people who aren't U.S. citizens to collect monthly senior benefits.March 2, 2016
  
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• State lawmakers recommend closing the Nome Youth Facility

  02-03-2016 22:17
  
  The Nome Youth Facility. (Photo: Laura Kraegel, KNOM)
  A subcommittee for the Alaska House of Representatives has recommended closing the Nome Youth Facility. The closure would save more than a million dollars outright, but some say it would come at the expense of kids who live in western Alaska.
  The Nome Youth Facility serves 28 communities surrounding Nome and Kotzebue. Last week, the House Finance Subcommittee for the Department of Health and Social Services recommended the state shut it
  
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• Air carrier accused of punishing whistleblower

  02-03-2016 22:14
  
  Bald Mountain Air Service is accused of suspending, firing and then essentially blacklisting a pilot who blew the whistle on the company for violating federal safety standards.
  The U.S. Department of Labor ordered the air service to reinstate the pilot, pay him $100,000 in damages on top of a little more than three years’ back pay.
  The pilot claimed he saw problems in Bald Mountain Air’s record keeping for flight checks and training, in addition, he reported pilots were missing drug
  
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• Traveling Music 3-6-16

  02-03-2016 22:11
  
  Traveling Music
  Shonti Elder
  3-6-16
   
  Concert ahead: Solas, Friday, March 18, PAC (by Anchorage Concert Association)
   
  Format:
  Song TitleArtist / Composer
  CD Title
  Label
  Duration
   
  All That You Ask Me
  Solas / Kieran Goss
  Another Day
  Shanachie
  5:14
   
  The Blind Harper
  Kate Rusby / lyrics traditional, tune by Nic Jones
  Underneath the Stars
  Compass Records
  4:07
   
  Battle of Waterloo
  Old Blind Dogs / melody traditional, words by Jim Malcolm
  The World’s Room
  Green Linnett
  
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• Borough pot ordinance stuck on setbacks

  02-03-2016 21:38
  
  Cannabis entrepreneurs lined up at Tuesday night’s Matanuska-Susitina Borough Assembly meeting to comment on land use regulations related to marijuana operations.
  Sarah Williams, chair of the Mat-Su Borough Marijuana Advisory Committee (Photo by Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage)
  The bone of contention in the new Mat-Su Borough ordinance regulating standards for marijuana related facilities is a one hundred foot setback from public right of ways or front and side lot lines.
  That partic
  
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• Retired educator appointed interim deputy education commissioner

  02-03-2016 20:55
  Retired educator appointed interim deputy education commissionerA retired state educator has been named interim deputy commissioner of the Alaska education department.March 2, 2016
  
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• US marshals impersonated in new Alaska phone scam - Alaska Dispatch News

  02-03-2016 20:32
  Alaska Dispatch News
  US marshals impersonated in new Alaska phone scam
  Alaska Dispatch News
  The Anchorage office of the U.S. Marshals Service is warning Alaskans not to fall prey to phone scammers threatening to arrest their victims unless they're paid off -- after similar calls recently placed by people claiming to be Alaska state troopers ...and more »
  

• Alaska's Polar Bears Win Their Day in Court - TakePart

  02-03-2016 20:05
  TakePart
  Alaska's Polar Bears Win Their Day in Court
  TakePart
  Polar bear mother and cub emerge from their den in springtime along the Arctic coast of Alaska. (Photo: Steven Kazlowski/Barcroft Media/Getty Images). Mar 2, 2016. Emily J. Gertz is an associate editor for environment and wildlife at TakePart. Bio.
  Court upholds federal plan to protect vast polar bear habitat in AlaskaThe Guardian
  Appeals court protects polar bears in AlaskaChristian Science Monitorall 13 news articles »
  

• Kodiak Ancestral Remains to Return Home

  02-03-2016 19:22
  
  After a struggle that’s lasted more than a decade, ancestral remains long removed from the Kodiak Archipelago will soon return home.
  Chirikof Island. (Photo courtesy of the Alutiiq Museum)
  Following excavation in the 1960s, they traveled to the University of Wisconsin and ended up at Indiana University Bloomington. They’ve been the subject of study and research papers, but they’re also the ancestors of Alaska Native people in Kodiak who would like them returned for burial.
  Kodi
  
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• Proficiency is key when accessing Alaska's remote locations - Air Force Link

  02-03-2016 17:37
  Air Force Link
  Proficiency is key when accessing Alaska's remote locations
  Air Force Link
  A C-12F Huron assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, waits for passengers to arrive before taking off at Tatalina Air Force Station near McGrath, Alaska, Feb. 23, 2016. Tatalina is a long-range radar site and ...
  

• Alaska sends orphaned Kodiak bear to Ohio zoo in rare move - KTUU.com

  02-03-2016 17:10
  KTUU.com
  Alaska sends orphaned Kodiak bear to Ohio zoo in rare move
  KTUU.com
  Elias Holt of Munsey's Bear Camp pulls a mud-caked brown bear cub from the den. Munsey staff were given special authorization from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to rescue and handle the animals. (Photo courtesy Harry Dodge). Orphaned in ...and more »
  

• Despite reassurances from Alaska officials, credit rating agencies don't have good news - Alaska Dispatch News

  02-03-2016 17:07
  KTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather
  Despite reassurances from Alaska officials, credit rating agencies don't have good news
  Alaska Dispatch News
  A visit from top Alaska officials didn't sway the top three credit rating agencies from recent negative outlooks or downgrades to Alaska's bond rating. Gov. Bill Walker, Revenue Commissioner Randy Hoffbeck, Deputy Revenue Commissioner Jerry Burnett ...
  Moody's downgrades Alaska's credit ratingFairbanks Daily News-Miner
  Alaska's credit downgraded from AA
  

• Despite reassurances from Alaska officials, credit rating agencies don’t have good news

  02-03-2016 17:06
  
  Despite reassurances from Alaska officials, credit rating agencies don’t have good news Gov. Bill Walker traveled to New York with other state officials to meet with members of three big bond ratings agencies, asking them to preserve Alaska's good credit. March 2, 2016
  
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• Judge dismisses Alaska Legislature's lawsuit over Medicaid expansion - Alaska Dispatch News

  02-03-2016 16:44
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Judge dismisses Alaska Legislature's lawsuit over Medicaid expansion
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Superior Court Judge Frank Pfiffner questions attorneys during oral arguments in the Medicaid expansion lawsuit held Thursday morning, February 4, 2016, at Nesbett Courthouse. Erik Hill / ADN. A Superior Court judge dismissed the Alaska Legislature's ...
  Judge finds governor's move to expand Medicaid in Alaska is constitutionalKTUU.com
  Alaska judge tosses lawmaker challenge to Med
  

• Ted Cruz Wins Alaska - U.S. News & World Report

  02-03-2016 12:30
  U.S. News & World Report
  Ted Cruz Wins Alaska
  U.S. News & World Report
  Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, won the final contest of the night, Alaska. Associated Press March 2, 2016, at 6:28 a.m. + More. BECKY BOHRER, Associated Press. JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz won the ...
  Ted Cruz's Alaska WinThe Atlantic
  Ted Cruz narrowly defeats Trump in Alaska's Super Tuesday Republican voteKTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather
  Cruz defeats Trump in Alas
  

• Cruz wins Alaska’s GOP presidential poll (slightly)

  02-03-2016 12:26
  
  Alaska’s Republicans have weighed in, and picked Texas Senator Ted Cruz as their presidential candidate. But by a razor thin margin.
  Alaska Republican Party Chairman Peter Goldberg declared Cruz the winner close to midnight at a ballroom in the Loft Hotel in downtown Anchorage.
  Late into the night, results from the Alaska GOP’s Presidential Preference Poll trickled in. It was one of the 12 nominating contests held across the country as part of “Super Tuesday.”
  Cruz receiv
  
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• Super Tuesday: Alaska Results - Forbes

  02-03-2016 11:05
  Forbes
  Super Tuesday: Alaska Results
  Forbes
  Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin endorsed Donald Trump back in January. On Tuesday, Alaska Republicans were not as supportive, giving Ted Cruz a narrow win in their state's presidential preference poll (Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images).
  Super Tuesday poll shows Bethel, Alaska has a lot of love for Ben CarsonKTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather
  Alaska GOP Super Tuesday 2016 Results And Winner: Polls Open Across The StatePatch.com
  Palin endorsement
  

• Cruz leads Alaska Republican vote, with Trump close behind - Alaska Dispatch News

  02-03-2016 08:22
  Cruz leads Alaska Republican vote, with Trump close behind
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Volunteer Dawn Linton-Warren cheerfully greeted voters at the Church of the Nazarene while handing out State of Alaska voter registration applications during the Presidential Preference Poll on Super Tuesday, March 1, 2016. Bill Roth / ADN. Photos ...
  Alaska Republican State Results Election 2016ABC Newsall 232 news articles »
  

• Lawmaker criticized for suggesting some seniors should leave Alaska - Alaska Dispatch News

  02-03-2016 07:23
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Lawmaker criticized for suggesting some seniors should leave Alaska
  Alaska Dispatch News
  JUNEAU — Wasilla Republican Rep. Lynn Gattis faced a backlash Tuesday for comments she made about elderly Alaskans in a television interview, suggesting they might be better off moving as lawmakers slash subsidies and services to close the state's ...
  Balancing the budget: Some lawmakers say scale tipping against rural AlaskaKTVA.com - Alaska News and Weather
  Familiar Cuts Le
  

• First results come in from Alaska Republican presidential poll - Alaska Dispatch News

  02-03-2016 07:00
  Alaska Dispatch News
  First results come in from Alaska Republican presidential poll
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Volunteer Dawn Linton-Warren cheerfully greeted voters at the Church of the Nazarene while handing out State of Alaska voter registration applications during the Presidential Preference Poll on Super Tuesday, March 1, 2016. Bill Roth / ADN. Photos ...and more »
  

• Alaska Republicans head to the polls (including a dentist's office) for Super Tuesday - Alaska Dispatch News

  02-03-2016 06:16
  The Guardian
  Alaska Republicans head to the polls (including a dentist's office) for Super Tuesday
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Volunteer Dawn Linton-Warren cheerfully greeted voters at the Church of the Nazarene while handing out State of Alaska voter registration applications during the Presidential Preference Poll on Super Tuesday, March 1, 2016. Bill Roth / ADN. Photos ...
  Trump's self-financed campaign charms Super Tuesday voters in AlaskaThe Guardian
  Alaska Republicans to decide who they back for
  

• Iditarod Route Lacking Snow

  02-03-2016 06:00 via nytimes.com
  A lack of snow in Anchorage is forcing organizers of the race to ship in tons of it by train.
  
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• Final approval gained for Alaska oil pipeline settlement - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

  02-03-2016 05:51
  Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
  Final approval gained for Alaska oil pipeline settlement
  Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
  The Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline snakes across the Alaska tundra under the Brooks Range about 150 miles from Prodhoe Bay, Alaska Tuesday Aug. 28, 2001 carrying North Slope crude oil about 800 mile to Valdez, Alaska. (AP Photo/Al Grillo). prev. next. × ...
  Settlement sets Trans-Alaska pipeline value at $8 billionKTVA.com - Alaska News and Weatherall 7 news articles »
  

• Retail and recreation under threat in Anchorage warm weather winters

  02-03-2016 05:40
  
  
  It’s been a terrible winter for Anchorage by just about every measure. Warm weather systems have turned what little precipitation has reached the municipality into rain and ice, ruining many of the recreational activities residents wait all year to enjoy. Few people’s livelihoods in Anchorage depend on reliable winter conditions. But there may be a hazard to the city’s economic health if winter-loving outdoor enthusiasts decide dark, icy winters aren’t worth sticking
  
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• Alaska Republicans go to the polls on Super Tuesday - Alaska Public Radio Network

  02-03-2016 05:01
  Alaska Public Radio Network
  Alaska Republicans go to the polls on Super Tuesday
  Alaska Public Radio Network
  A line stretched out the door at the First Christian Church polling station on LaTouche Street in Anchorage. Photo: Rachel Waldholz/APRN. Download Audio. March 1 is Super Tuesday, and Americans in 12 states (and American Samoa) are choosing their ...
  

• Anchorage elections face ‘dire’ staffing shortfall

  02-03-2016 04:06
  
  
  Download audio
  Officials in Anchorage say they are critically understaffed for municipal elections April 5th.
  Voters in Sitka during the August 2014 state primary election. Photo: Rachel Waldholz/KCAW
  According to Deputy Clerk Amanda Moser, the city depends on a minimum of 650 volunteers to keep polling stations staffed at 122 locations across the municipality. Currently, the Clerk’s Office, which oversees Anchorage’s elections, has just 580 spots confirmed.
  “The conc
  
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• Alaska News Nightly: March 1, 2016

  02-03-2016 03:59
  
  
  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
  Alaska Republicans go to the polls on Super Tuesday
  Rachel Waldholz, APRN – AnchorageRepublicans are holding their Presidential Preference Poll on Tuesday. Alaska will send 28 delegates to the Republican Convention — the same number as Oreg
  
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• More cuts proposed to budget, everything from libraries to senior benefits

  02-03-2016 03:01
  
  
  Download Audio
  Alaskans giving public testimony this week on the House’s budget proposal oppose cuts to many areas.
  The Republican-led majority released a budget this week that included 145 million dollars more in cuts than Governor Bill Walker’s budget. It would reduce spending on everything from public libraries to senior benefits.
  Roughly 100 people testified Monday and Tuesday on the budget.
  The cuts include reduced grants to mental health and addiction treatment programs.
  Reside
  
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• Judge rules in favor of Medicaid expansion

  02-03-2016 02:50
  
  
  Download Audio
  A superior court judge ruled in favor of Governor Walker today in the Legislative Council’s case against Medicaid expansion. The Republican led legislative council sued last summer to stop Walker from unilaterally expanding Medicaid.
  Judge Frank Pfiffner ruled the Governor did not violate the state constitution when he expanded Medicaid. More than 10 thousand low income Alaskans have enrolled in the program since it began Sep. 1st.
  The case hinged on whether the Medicaid exp
  
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• Anchorage cyclist wins Iditarod Trail Invitational

  02-03-2016 02:10
  
  
  Download Audio
  Anchorage cyclist Tim Berston has won the Iditarod Trail Invitational 350 mile human powered race between Knik and McGrath.  Bernston peddled his fat bike into the Kuskokwim River village Monday afternoon, clocking a time of just under 2 days.
  “It was great from the start to Skwentna, other than just being wet and icy,” said Bernston. “But it was fast and it was great and fast from the top of Rainy pass all the way to the finish.”
  Bernston says the onl
  
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• First results come in from Alaska Republican presidential poll

  02-03-2016 01:25
  
  First results come in from Alaska Republican presidential poll Alaskans formed long lines at polling places around the state on Super Tuesday to cast votes for the Republican nominee for president, with some registering as Republicans on the spot.  March 1, 2016
  
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• Cruz wins Alaska Republican vote, with Trump a close second

  02-03-2016 01:25
  
  Cruz wins Alaska Republican vote, with Trump a close second Republican Alaskans formed long lines at polling places around the state on Super Tuesday, and they came out for presidential contender Ted Cruz, with Donald Trump drawing enough votes for a close second place.March 1, 2016
  
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• Alaska Republicans head to the polls (including a dentist's office) for Super Tuesday

  02-03-2016 01:25
  
  Alaska Republicans head to the polls (including a dentist's office) for Super Tuesday Polls opened at 3 p.m. in Alaska for the “Super Tuesday” round of voting for the Republican nominee for president. One of the polling places was a dentist's office in the small Southeast Alaska town of Craig. March 1, 2016
  
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• Sitka revisiting idea of consolidating hospital services

  02-03-2016 01:19
  
  
  SEARHC CEO Charles Clement tells Assembly he’s in conversation with Sitka Community Hospital CEO Rob Allen about how the two institutions can share resources in the future. (Photo by Emily Kwong/KCAW)
  Download Audio
  For decades, the question of whether Sitka can afford two hospitals has percolated, with little success at consolidating services. That era may be coming to a close. Last week, the Assembly entertained a motion from Charles Clement, CEO of the Southeast Alaska Regional Health C
  
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