Alaska news

• Kenaitze Indian Tribe opens new elder center, expands campus in Old Town Kenai

  08-04-2016 23:36
  
  The Kenaitze Indian Tribe recently opened their new elder center near their Dena’ina Wellness Center in the heart of Old Town Kenai. Officials say it’s part of a larger strategy to restore the tribe’s original village site and bring better services to tribal members and other Alaska Natives and American Indians living in the area.
  Sharon Isaak (bottom right, grey jacket) leads members of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s Elders Committee in a closing pr
  
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• Z.J. Loussac Library and it’s Future

  08-04-2016 23:00
  
  Loussac Library; courtesy of Flickr Creative CommonsThe Loussac Library is getting a major remodel, fixing those problematic stairs, and much more. We’ll find out what’s in store for the library, and find out how the library is fitting into the new ways we get information. What is the purpose of a library in an age where you can find out almost anything with your phone? Join Charles Wohlforth, and his guests on the next Hometown, Alaska.
  HOST:
  Charles Wohlforth
  GUEST:
  Mary 
  
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• Education and Economic Opportunities for Women: solutions to poverty and conflict in Pakistan

  08-04-2016 22:30
  
  Jodi has been working with MDF since 2009. She is a former educator, earned a Masters degree in International Development from the University of Denver, and has over 15 years of international development experience. Jodi’s background includes work in the public and private education sector, and with nonprofits, foundations, and government contractors. Jodi has regional expertise in Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East focusing on global health, education, community, and economic develo
  
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• Soldotna GOP Rep. Kurt Olson says he won't seek re-election

  08-04-2016 22:21
  
  Soldotna GOP Rep. Kurt Olson says he won't seek re-election State Rep. Kurt Olson, a six-term Republican from Soldotna, won’t run for re-election, saying in an interview Friday that he’s ready for retirement.April 8, 2016
  
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• The status of Alaska’s budget

  08-04-2016 22:00
  
  “There is no perfect plan, other than the plan that gets done,” Walker said. “The worst plan [is] the plan of doing nothing, and continuing on the course that we are on.” Photo: Rachel Waldholz/APRNLawmakers are in the final days of the regular legislative session and there is still a lot of daylight between the budget plans of the House and Senate and the Governor. Where do the fiscal plans stand currently and what are the potential impacts to the state’s economy?
  
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• Wasilla family sues state of Alaska after daughter dies in jail - KTUU.com

  08-04-2016 21:38
  KTUU.com
  Wasilla family sues state of Alaska after daughter dies in jail
  KTUU.com
  The family of Kellsie Green, a young Wasilla woman who died at Anchorage jail while detoxing from heroin, is suing the state for at least $100,000 in damages, claiming negligence. More from KTUU. Anchorage jail where 24-year-old woman died operates in ...
  

• New Film Explores The Challenges Of Keeping Alaska's Whaling Culture Alive - Huffington Post

  08-04-2016 21:34
  Huffington Post
  New Film Explores The Challenges Of Keeping Alaska's Whaling Culture Alive
  Huffington Post
  On the northern coast of Alaska, indigenous Alaskan teenagers consider their futures while holding on to the language, tradition and whaling culture of their ancestors. "Children of the Arctic" is a year-in-the-life portrait of youth in Barrow, Alaska ...
  

• Senate passes bill allowing firearms on UA campuses

  08-04-2016 21:19
  
  
  Sen. Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, debating the merits of his Senate Bill 174, April 7, 2016. The billl would deny the University of Alaska the authority to regulate the possession of guns and knives on campuses. (Photo by Skip Gray/360 North)The Senate passed a bill Thursday to allow people to carry concealed firearms on University of Alaska campuses.
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  Bill sponsor Fairbanks Republican Pete Kelly says students would be safer if there were more guns on campus.
  Kelly quoted professors fr
  
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• University of Alaska braces for cuts, warns of economic impacts

  08-04-2016 21:09
  
  
  University of Alaska Fairbanks (Creative Commons photo by Jimmy Emerson)As the legislature’s conference committee hashes out the state’s operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year, the University of Alaska is standing by, waiting to see just how large the fiscal dent will be.
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  Depending on legislative action, the University of Alaska will face between a $50 million to $75 million budget shortfall this year.
  That leads to one commonly-asked question of UA President Ji
  
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• Anchorage Opera’s The Mikado

  08-04-2016 21:08
  
  
  Take a magical trip to a fantasy Japan (seen through the eyes of 19th Century British satire) as Stage Talk welcomes three of the stars from Anchorage Opera’s upcoming production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera The Mikado. The Mikado runs April 15-17 in the Discovery Theatre in the Performing Arts Center.
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  HOST:
  Steve Hunt
  GUESTS: 
  Sharin Apostolou, “Yum-Yum” in Anchorage Opera’s The Mikado
  Ryan MacPherson, “Nanki-Poo” i
  
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• The Mat-Su Behavioral Health Environmental Scan

  08-04-2016 21:00
  
  Mat-Su Regional Medical Center
  The major determinates of human health include health policies, social factors, health care, genetics and individual behavior. Several studies have shown that individual behavior is the major contributor to health for most of us. As the Mat-Su Health Foundation attempts to improve health outcomes in the Matanuska Valley it is trying to better understand behavioral health. In this program we will discuss health, behavioral health, and access to care through focusin
  
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• Alaska university system braces for cuts as lawmakers weigh budget - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

  08-04-2016 20:37
  KTUU.com
  Alaska university system braces for cuts as lawmakers weigh budget
  Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
  ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The University of Alaska will lose hundreds of jobs under two budget scenarios presented by President Jim Johnsen and the final number depends on whether the legislature adopts a Senate or House spending plan. Under a ...
  University of Alaska president presents budget cut scenarios in Anchorage todayKTUU.com
  University of Alaska president presents budget plans wit
  

• Anchorage Municipal Elections: What passed and what didn’t?

  08-04-2016 19:30
  
  
  Voters headed to the polls on Tuesday in Anchorage to cast their votes for assembly seats, school board members and a number of ballot issues. This week on Alaska Edition host, Ellen Lockyer, discusses what the outcome of this elections means for the city. She is joined by Mayor Ethan Berkowitz and two representatives from the Anchorage School District to discuss prop 8, school bonds and more.
  Listen Now:
  HOST: Ellen Lockyer
  GUESTS:Ethan Berkowitz, Anchorage Mayor
  Ed Graff, Superintendent, Ancho
  
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• Alaska's farmers hoping for support from Legislature - Kenai Peninsula Online

  08-04-2016 18:18
  Alaska's farmers hoping for support from Legislature
  Kenai Peninsula Online
  As we hope you are aware, stubborn self-reliant farmers and young entrepreneurs from Homer to Sterling to Nikiski and Tyonek are producing more food for citizens of all ages, on all sides of the political spectrum, with each passing year. At last count ...and more »
  

• Alapag rescues Meralco from Alaska; Bolts clinch top two - Inquirer.net

  08-04-2016 16:09
  Inquirer.net
  Alapag rescues Meralco from Alaska; Bolts clinch top two
  Inquirer.net
  Jimmy Alapag took charge late and Meralco clinched a spot in the top two after beating Alaska, 107-101, in the 2016 PBA Commissioner's Cup Friday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum. The former national team captain canned four freebies in the final two ...
  Meralco beats Alaska, clinches twice-to-beat seedRappler
  Meralco rides Jimmy Alapag's throwback performance to end Alaska hoodooSports Interactive Network Ph
  

• British Prime Minister Cameron acknowledges profiting from an offshore trust - Alaska Dispatch News

  08-04-2016 15:55
  Alaska Dispatch News
  British Prime Minister Cameron acknowledges profiting from an offshore trust
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron speaks to employees at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Birmingham, England, on Tuesday. Christopher Furlong/PA via AP. LONDON - After dodging questions for days, British Prime Minister David Cameron ...and more »
  

• Fiber break causes GCI outage across much of Alaska - Bryan-College Station Eagle

  08-04-2016 15:12
  Fiber break causes GCI outage across much of Alaska
  Bryan-College Station Eagle
  FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — Many customers of Alaska telecommunications company General Communications, Inc. have been left without service due to a significant cable break affecting communities statewide. The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports ...and more »
  

• Team Alaska goes undefeated in USA Curling Mixed National Championships pool play, playoffs today - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

  08-04-2016 09:24
  Team Alaska goes undefeated in USA Curling Mixed National Championships pool play, playoffs today
  Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
  FAIRBANKS — Team Alaska, featuring four Fairbanks curlers, finished undefeated in pool play and enter the playoffs at the USA Curling Mixed National Championships as the top seed after winning twice on Thursday. Greg Persinger, Vicky Persinger, ...
  Team Alaska undefeated at Mixed Curling National Championshipswebcenter11all 2 news articles »
  

• Walker: This year is to 'fix Alaska' - Kenai Peninsula Online

  08-04-2016 06:19
  Kenai Peninsula Online
  Walker: This year is to 'fix Alaska'
  Kenai Peninsula Online
  Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion Gov. Bill Walker visited Kenai Thursday to update the public on the state's fiscal situation and answer questions about the particulars of his administration's goals to address the budget deficit. He spoke to ...
  

• Senate bill could force school districts to pay private mental health centers for education of students

  08-04-2016 06:18
  Senate bill could force school districts to pay private mental health centers for education of students The Alaska Senate on Thursday passed a bill that opponents say targets a problem that doesn't exist and would mainly benefit Outside business interests.April 7, 2016
  
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• Advocates ask whether Senate bill would help students or Outside business

  08-04-2016 06:18
  Advocates ask whether Senate bill would help students or Outside businessThe Alaska Senate on Thursday passed a bill that could force school districts to pay privately owned mental health treatment centers for the education of students there, over opposition from some advocates who say it targets a problem that doesn't exist.April 7, 2016
  
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• Temblor shakes Anchorage, Mat Su

  08-04-2016 05:32
  A 4.2 earthquake shook Anchorage and the Mat Su at 7:24 on Thursday evening. Paul Huang, with the National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer says the quake’s epicenter was about 15 miles North of Anchorage and 30 miles Southwest of Palmer at a depth of about 18 miles.
  
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• If you want a warmer weekend, head to Alaska - Buffalo News

  08-04-2016 04:46
  Buffalo News
  If you want a warmer weekend, head to Alaska
  Buffalo News
  It will be colder in Buffalo this weekend than Alaska, the Canadian Yukon and Greenland. A weather pattern squeezing Arctic air southward across eastern Canada will make record-breaking cold possible across upstate New York, a forecaster said Thursday.and more »
  

• Why Alaska's NAACP and Republican Party both support criminal justice reform - Alaska Dispatch News

  08-04-2016 04:45
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Why Alaska's NAACP and Republican Party both support criminal justice reform
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Alaska's prisons are filled with people of color, many of whom aren't dangerous. They're in prison because they can't afford bail, or they had their probation revoked for drinking, or they were sentenced for low level drug and property crimes. Prison ...
  

• New bill would put Alaska into the Pacific time zone - Alaska Dispatch News

  08-04-2016 04:43
  Alaska Dispatch News
  New bill would put Alaska into the Pacific time zone
  Alaska Dispatch News
  The House State Affairs Committee approved a measure Thursday that would place Alaska into the Pacific Time Zone and remove the state from daylight saving time. The bill would shift all of Alaska to one time zone — it currently has two — bringing it ...
  Daylight Saving Time advances toward twilightJuneau Empire (subscription)all 8 news articles »
  

• Diversifying Alaska's use of space will help diversify economy after oil - Alaska Dispatch News

  08-04-2016 04:36
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Diversifying Alaska's use of space will help diversify economy after oil
  Alaska Dispatch News
  There has been a lot written lately on the effects of falling oil prices on our Alaska economy. These articles primarily focus on who is leaving the state (“the talent” as economic corporations call them) and who will be left here in a few years ...
  

• Colony High School celebrates Big Apple opportunity

  08-04-2016 04:08
  
  Colony High School students got a big surprise on Thursday. Colony high students were called in to a special assembly meeting Thursday after lunch. When they got there, they got the news that has been kept secret for some time. And the result was pandemonium.
  Confetti flies at colony high school as. Macy’s officials announce. Colony’s marching band ‘s selection to march in the 2017 Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City. (Photo by Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage)&l
  
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• Governor fails to protect Alaska fisheries with Senate Bill 163 - Alaska Dispatch News

  08-04-2016 03:46
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Governor fails to protect Alaska fisheries with Senate Bill 163
  Alaska Dispatch News
  OPINION: Governor wrong to back holdover legislation from the Parnell Administration that would make it harder for Alaskans to nominate and participate in the designation of state waterways and their fisheries for protection. Pictured: Anglers try ...
  Alaska Senate votes to allow concealed guns on campusesWashington Times
  Alaska Senate Votes in Favor of Campus CarryBearing Arms
  Senate passe
  

• Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, Apr. 7, 2016

  08-04-2016 03:33
  
  
  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
  Corrections officers union seeks retraction of review, opposes commissioner
  Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau
  The state corrections officers union wants Governor Bill Walker to retract key sections of a report released last year that criticized Dep
  
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• Semi-pro Alaska baseball team settles disputes with Fairbanks Borough - Alaska Public Radio Network

  08-04-2016 03:19
  Semi-pro Alaska baseball team settles disputes with Fairbanks Borough
  Alaska Public Radio Network
  The Alaska Goldpanners baseball team officially announced its new contract with the Fairbanks North Star Borough Wednesday. Last year, the semi-pro ball club had tangled with the borough over the safety issues at its home field, Growden Park ...and more »
  

• Semi-pro Alaska baseball team settles disputes with Fairbanks Borough

  08-04-2016 03:18
  
  
  The Alaska Goldpanners baseball team officially announced its new contract with the Fairbanks North Star Borough Wednesday. Last year, the semi-pro ball club had tangled with the borough over the safety issues at its home field, Growden Park. Differences have been set aside so the tradition of the Midnight Sun Game continues.
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  Both Borough Mayor Karl Kassel and Goldpanner Board president John Lohrke Wednesday expressed enthusiasm over the contract they inked last week. Six months a
  
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• Late-night conditions preempt firefighting efforts at McHugh Creek

  08-04-2016 03:13
  
  
  Anchorage firefighters were alerted to a forest fire near McHugh Creek south of the city late Wednesday night. The fire was at least 45 minutes up a trail on the North side of the creek but did not appear to be growing rapidly. Due to the location, darkness and weather conditions, crews couldn’t respond until this morning to extinguish it.
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  Alaska division of forestry fire management officer Norm McDonald says six crewmen were dispatched to the site early Thursday morning.
  &l
  
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• GCI fiber optic cut causes outages across the state

  08-04-2016 03:07
  
  
  A GCI fiber optic cable was cut in midtown Anchorage Thursday morning causing phone, cable, and internet outages across the state. The company says they are working as quickly as possible to fix it, but it’s more complicated than it seems.
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  The cable contains over 500 strands of glass. Each is responsible for carrying different information. One transports television channels to rural Alaska. Another carries internet. GCI spokesperson David Morris says that’s why outages
  
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• Fifteen mushers set to compete in Kobuk 440 Race

  08-04-2016 03:04
  
  
  The last major sled dog race of the season got underway Thursday in Kotzebue. Fifteen mushers drew bib numbers Wednesday night at the start banquet for mid-distance Kobuk 440.
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  Musher Jeff King traverses the Kobuk 440 trail in 2015 between
  the checkpoints of Shungnak and Kobuk. (Photo by Francesca Fenzi, KNOM – Nome)Fog enveloped parts of Western Alaska most of Wednesday, which was enough to keep flights grounded and mushing fans from the Kobuk 440 start b
  
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• Voznesenka parents tell KPBSD ‘Keep School Open’

  08-04-2016 03:00
  
  
  A handful of the parents of students who attend Voznesenka School testified before the Kenai Peninsula Borough School Board Monday evening. They said they did not want the district to shut the school down, which officials say they’re considering due to a stalled lease negotiation.
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  Voznesenka School. (Photo by Daysha Eaton, KBBI – Homer)Frosia Polushkin a substitute teacher at Voznesenka School and a parent, told the Kenai Peninsula Borough School Board that the controv
  
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• Elvi Gray-Jackson says she hopes to be next Anchorage Assembly chair

  08-04-2016 02:56
  
  Elvi Gray-Jackson says she hopes to be next Anchorage Assembly chairAnchorage Assemblywoman Elvi Gray-Jackson of Midtown said Thursday she expects be the next chair of the Assembly, and Dick Traini will be vice-chair.April 7, 2016
  
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• Corrections officers union seeks retraction of review, opposes commissioner

  08-04-2016 02:51
  
  
  The state corrections officers union wants Governor Bill Walker to retract key sections of a report released last year that criticized Department of Corrections policies and some officers’ actions.
  Download Audio
  Dean Williams, Commissioner of the Alaska Dept. of Corrections (Photo by Skip Gray,360 North)But Acting Corrections Commissioner Dean Williams says he’s moving forward to address what he sees as needed changes to the department.
  Alaska Correctional Officers Association Busin
  
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• Alaska Senate votes to allow concealed guns on UA campuses

  08-04-2016 02:47
  
  Alaska Senate votes to allow concealed guns on UA campusesA bill that would allow concealed guns on college campuses in Alaska is headed to the state House after senators passed the measure Thursday.April 7, 2016
  
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• Forest Service chief: Firefighting cost leaves little room for prevention, other programs

  08-04-2016 02:34
  
  
  File photo courtesy of Baker River HotshotsNationally, longer fire seasons and more destructive fires have put the Forest Service in a bad place: To pay the cost of fighting mega fires, the agency has had to raid other programs, including its fire prevention budget. Sen. Lisa Murkowski supports a plan to end so-called “fire borrowing.” But Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell told her it’s not penciling out as they’d hoped.
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  Last year, more than half of the Fore
  
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• The Amsterdam of Alaska: pot businesses sit down with Spenard

  08-04-2016 02:29
  
  
  As potential businesses across the state get ready for commercial cannabis sales, communities are beginning to meet their new neighborhood pot dealers. And growers and processors, too. As part of an ongoing series profiling one new marijuana business hoping to open up shop, Alaska Public Media’s Zachariah Hughes looks at how communities are trying to have a say at the most local level.
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  Marijuana for sale at a dispensary in California. (Photo: Dank Depot via Flickr Creative C
  
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• Young challenged for House seat by former Alaska Public Media GM

  08-04-2016 02:19
  
  
  Alaska U.S. Rep. Don Young says he’s looking forward to a spirited and energetic campaign as he seeks a 23rd term in Congress.
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  Steve Lindbeck, former CEO and General Manager of Alaska Public Media, speaks at a Member Appreciation Picnic (Aug 16, 2007). Photo by Stephanie Miller.Young is the longest serving Republican in the U.S. House and on Thursday, he gained a Democratic challenger.
  Steve Lindbeck, the former general manager of Alaska Public Media, announced he will chall
  
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• Juneau rallies for hope amid heroin crisis

  08-04-2016 02:11
  
  The Juneau Police Department recently held an event to bring people and service providers together called Hope Not Heroin. Alaska lawmakers were there, as well as Gov. Bill Walker. And for some in the crowd, the event signified how communities are changing the conversation when it comes to talking about addiction.
  First lady Donna Walker and Gov. Bill Walker talk to a man at Saturday’s Hope, Not Heroin event. (Photo by Elizabeth Jenkins, KTOO – Juneau)Hope, Not Heroin started off wit
  
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• Warm Alaska spring might be waking bears up early; grizzly spotted in Fairbanks - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

  08-04-2016 00:59
  Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
  Warm Alaska spring might be waking bears up early; grizzly spotted in Fairbanks
  Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
  Tracks are seen from where a bear jumped the bank down on the Tanana River in this April 19, 2013, photo. prev. next. ×. 14 remaining of 15. Welcome! We hope that you enjoy our free content. ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Warm temperatures across Alaska ...
  Free dental care event in Alaska struggles to find fundingWashington Times
  Bear Safety in Alaskayoura
  

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