Alaska news

• First case of H5N2 bird flu found in Alaska - KTUU.com

  26-08-2016 23:56
  
  Wall Street Journal
  First case of H5N2 bird flu found in Alaska
  KTUU.com
  ANCHORAGE (KTUU) A strain of bird flu that was responsible for killing millions of birds has been found in Alaska for the first time. The virus is not considered dangerous to humans. According to state officials, a mallard duck was collected by Alaska ...
  Avian Flu Found in Wild Duck in AlaskaWall Street Journal
  Migratory duck tests positive for bird flu in FairbanksAlaska Public Radio Network
  USDA confirms avian infl
  
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• Laurie the Moose Lady Puts ‘Heart and Soul’ Into Roadkill

  26-08-2016 22:58 via nytimes.com
  Laurie Speakman and the Alaska Moose Federation have streamlined the harvesting of food from the roads. But increasingly, Alaskans aren’t following the rules.
  
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• Alaska lawmakers prepare for bids to install new Capitol surveillance system - Alaska Dispatch News

  26-08-2016 22:40
  
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Alaska lawmakers prepare for bids to install new Capitol surveillance system
  Alaska Dispatch News
  The Alaska Legislature plans to upgrade and replace its roughly 100 existing security cameras, issuing a request for proposals last week for a new surveillance system. The cost of the new system isn't specified in the request document, but lawmakers ...
  
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• Marine mammal camp nurtures budding scientists

  26-08-2016 22:10
  
  The phrase “summer camp” usually brings to mind images of toasted marshmallows, campfires and wobbly canoe trips.1 of 6 Lee Post (a.k.a. "Mr. Bone") helps a camper position sea lion flipper bones. (Photo by Shahla Farzan, KBBI - Homer)Lee Post (a.k.a. "Mr. Bone") helps a camper position sea lion flipper bones. (Photo by Shahla Farzan, KBBI - Homer)Stellar sea lion skeleton (Photo by Shahla Farzan, KBBI - Homer)Stellar sea lion skeleton (Photo by Shahla Farzan, KBBI - Homer)A stellar
  
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• Researchers Combine Science and Traditional Food Preparation

  26-08-2016 21:55
  
  Food scientists with the help of a botulism expert are trying to combine science and traditional Alaska Native methods to make one prohibited food safe to eat. Regulated programs under the State of Alaska Food Safety and Sanitation Program are not allowed to accept or distribute seal oil due to the danger of botulism, a potentially fatal disease which is caused by bacteria in contaminated food.
  Bacteria that causes botulism. (Public domain image)But how or when the neurotoxins enter the renderin
  
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• Coats for Kids seeking donations

  26-08-2016 21:45
  
  The Salvation Army is collecting coats for school-age children again this year, and they are relying on more individual donors.
  The organization is hoping to collect enough money and new or slightly used coats this year to help 3,000 kids from kindergarten to 12th grade.
  Salvation Army Capt. Diana Gomes says they distributed 2,000 coats in the city last year, and it wasn’t enough. “It’s very hard because it’s first come, first served, and the families are in line by the t
  
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• Contaminated shellfish found in Homer harbor

  26-08-2016 21:31
  
  The State Department of Health and Social Services is warning residents to exercise caution when collecting shellfish in Homer harbor.
  Recent tests have shown elevated saxitoxin levels in blue mussels.
  Blue mussels.
  (Credit Photo by Kathy Kartchner)Catherine Bursch is the Harmful Species Program Coordinator at Kachemak Bay Research Reserve. She samples blue mussels every two weeks in Homer harbor to monitor for toxins.
  “We did pick up over the regulatory limit of toxins in the shellfish th
  
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• Report catalogs contaminated land conveyed to Native corporations

  26-08-2016 21:19
  
  The BLM put together an inventory of 920 contaminated sites conveyed to Alaska Native Corporations, color-coded to indicate sites that have already been cleaned up, and those with work still to be done. (Web screenshot)Scattered throughout Alaska are hundreds of pieces of land that have been transferred to Alaska Native Corporations by the federal government.
  Some of it is the land of Alaska dreams: forests, tundra, river banks – largely untouched. Other parcels are less picturesque,
  
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• Adolescent Depression

  26-08-2016 21:00
  
  Photo: Curtis MacNewton, Flickr.comThe adolescent years can be a challenging period for teens and a scary time for parents. While moodiness, self doubt, and high risk behavior are all a part of this highly important developmental stage, some teens can, and do, develop serious mood disturbances like depression and anxiety. If left untreated, these conditions can lead to substance abuse, failing grades, explosive anger, electronics addiction, and self harm. About 20% of to
  
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• VIDEO: Oil companies in Alaska say long sought-after gas line is uneconomic - KTUU.com

  26-08-2016 18:42
  
  KTUU.com
  VIDEO: Oil companies in Alaska say long sought-after gas line is uneconomic
  KTUU.com
  Oil companies told state lawmakers one by one Thursday that they agree with a new report that finds Alaska's long sought-after gasline project won't make money as it stands now. And the oil producers say it's time for change. Channel 2's Austin Baird ...
  
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• House speaker, noted conservationist agree: Alaska 'flip flops' on climate change - Juneau Empire (subscription)

  26-08-2016 10:15
  Juneau Empire (subscription)
  House speaker, noted conservationist agree: Alaska 'flip flops' on climate change
  Juneau Empire (subscription)
  Julia Bevins, left, of Anchorage and Steve Jones of San Francisco wear polar bear costumes during a climate action rally on the Park Strip in Anchorage during President Obama's 2015 visit to the city. Alaska appears to be changing course on climate ...
  
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• From giant cabbages to JFK, the Alaska State Fair celebrates 80 ... - Alaska Dispatch News

  26-08-2016 08:34
  
  Alaska Dispatch News
  From giant cabbages to JFK, the Alaska State Fair celebrates 80 ...
  Alaska Dispatch News
  A rare photo of the Matanuska Valley Fair in 1936. The festival now called the Alaska State Fair is celebrating 2016 as its 80th anniversary. (Courtesy Palmer ...and more »
  
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• Should Alaska Psychiatric Institute be privatized? - Alaska Dispatch News

  26-08-2016 05:20
  
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Should Alaska Psychiatric Institute be privatized?
  Alaska Dispatch News
  A health care bill passed this year requires the Alaska Department of Health, in partnership with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, look into how feasible it is to privatize API. (Loren Holmes / ADN). Members of the mental health community and ...
  
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• Alaska's pink salmon record broken twice in 2-day span on Kenai River - Alaska Dispatch News

  26-08-2016 03:55
  
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Alaska's pink salmon record broken twice in 2-day span on Kenai River
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Boaz Sessom, a guide at Anglers Lodge, holds a 13-pound,10.6-ounce pink salmon caught by Robert Dubar on the Kenai River on Tuesday. Dubar said he plans to get the fish mounted. (Courtesy Anglers Lodge). After 42 years, the Alaska state record for a ...
  
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• Traveling Music 8-28-16

  26-08-2016 03:54
  Traveling Music
  8-28-16
  Shonti Elder
   
  Format:
  Song TitleArtist / Composer
  CD Title
  Label
  Duration
   
  10,000 Miles
  Eliza Carthy / Traditional
  Red
  Topic Records
  3:04
   
  Lighthouse Light
  Mary Black (with Janis Ian) / Ry Cavanaugh
  Stories from the Steeples
  Blix Street, www.mary-black.net
  3:58
   
  Fremont Center / The “Vornado” / Minuteman Reels (violin instrumentals)
  Liz Carroll & John Doyle / Liz Carroll
  In Play
  Compass Records
  4:35
   
  Who Put the Blood
  Karan Ca
  
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• Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, August 25, 2016

  26-08-2016 03:54
  
  
  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
  Listen now
  Following hold on previous administrative order, CFEC to keep most of its functions
  Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau
  The Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission will keep most of its functions for now, after commission supporters fought to protect it fr
  
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• Gov. Walker hits pause on commercial fisheries commission move

  26-08-2016 03:48
  
  
  The Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission will keep most of its functions for now, after commission supporters fought to protect it from losing certain duties to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
  Listen now
  Governor Bill Walker put a hold on an administrative order he issued in February, saying he needed more stakeholder feedback.
  The commission controls the number of licenses in commercial fisheries to ensure their economic health and stability. An audit last year found the state could sa
  
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• Following hold on previous administrative order, CFEC to keep most of its functions

  26-08-2016 03:48
  
  
  The Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission will keep most of its functions for now, after commission supporters fought to protect it from losing certain duties to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
  Listen now
  Governor Bill Walker put a hold on an administrative order he issued in February, saying he needed more stakeholder feedback.
  The commission controls the number of licenses in commercial fisheries to ensure their economic health and stability. An audit last year found the state could sa
  
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• Grounded by fog, would-be travelers watch Huna Tribal House festivities from afar

  26-08-2016 03:47
  
  
  Hundreds of people gathered Thursday at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve to celebrate the opening of a newly completed Huna Tribal House and the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary.
  Listen now
  Valerie Hillman shows off her clan’s crest, the T’akdeintaan’s Raven, while holding arms with Hoonah tribal elder Lillian Austin, who’s clan crest is the Shangukeidí’s Thunderbird. The women were on standby to go to Gustavus at Juneau International Air
  
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• Alaska State Troopers rescue Canadian hiker near Chris ... - Alaska Dispatch News

  26-08-2016 03:43
  
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Alaska State Troopers rescue Canadian hiker near Chris ...
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Alaska State Troopers say they had to rescue a stranded hiker who made his way close to the infamous "Into the Wild" bus. On Thursday around 6 a.m., troopers ...and more »
  
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• Kenai Borough Assembly keeps invocation, hears from deeply divided residents

  26-08-2016 03:05
  
  Invocations, or prayers, will continue to be said at the beginning of Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meetings, despite recent debate about whether they are appropriate.
  The Assembly voted at their regular meeting on Tuesday not to introduce an ordinance that would have eliminated the invocation and another that would have changed the invocation to a moment of silence.
  But that was only after impassioned testimony from deeply divided residents.
  Religious leaders testified like Dr. Keith Hamilto
  
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• Police funding concerns intertwine with Fairbanks mayoral race

  26-08-2016 02:25
  
  As October’s Municipal Election approaches the race for Fairbanks City Mayor is heating up. At Monday’s City Council meeting the issues of employee morale, and a disputed police contract drew pointed comments from some council members and a sharp exchange between the police chief and council.
   
  Over the past two years the City of Fairbanks has been hemorrhaging police officers and other employees from its payroll.  This issue has become a political bone of contention in the
  
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• Denali celebrates 100 years of the National Park Service

  26-08-2016 02:18
  
  Today is the National Park Service’s 100th birthday. The agency celebrated at 413 parks nationwide, including Denali National Park. Denali National Park centennial coordinator Lynn McAloon said the event was one of many held throughout the year, to mark the anniversary but also connect with the next generation of park users.
  The colorful Polychrome Mountains emerge from the clouds on July 22, 2016, in Denali National Park. The mountains get their color from volcanic rock. The U.S. Geologic
  
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• Former Bethel PO Andrew Reid sentenced; victim’s sister speaks up about lasting trauma

  26-08-2016 02:17
  
  Former Bethel Police Officer Andrew Reid has been sentenced by a Bethel judge to the maximum penalty allowed for the two crimes he pled guilty to: one count of first degree assault, and one count of fourth degree official misconduct. Reid will spend a maximum of 120 days in detention. Reid’s sentence would have carried a maximum of 180 days in detention, but was reduced under the recently passed Senate Bill 91.
  Still image from Alaska Commercial Company security camera showing Andrew
  
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• Report ponders future of University of Alaska athletics

  26-08-2016 01:00
  
  A conceptual image of the Alaska Airlines Center. Image from Alaska Airlines.The future of athletics for the University system is at financial risk.
  The programs get more than half their current budget from state funds and the UA system plans to dramatically reduce that in the next few years.
  A new report takes a look at steps the athletic departments can take to save money.
  The goal of the report is straightforward.
  “Look at ways to reduce expenses, reduce costs,” University of
  
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• Anchorage Opera’s 2016-2017 season

  26-08-2016 00:57
  
  Carmen, from 2015-2016 seasonAnchorage Opera is celebrating its 55th anniversary with something old, something new and something… well, extravagant! Join Reed Smith, AO’s General Director and Judy Berry, AO’s Marketing and Development Director this week on Stage Talk as they sing the praises of the upcoming season.
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  Anchorage Opera’s 2016-2017 season
  Rigoletto, Verdi. October, 28, 28, 30
  Glory Denied, Tom Cipulla. February 10, 12, 16, 18
  Opera Extravaganza. April
  
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• Alaska State Fair kicks off its 80th birthday in Palmer

  26-08-2016 00:42
  
  It’s that time of year again. Giant pumpkins, pig racing and the ever-popular upside down bungee ride make their annual appearance at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer. The venerable fair, which turns 80 this year, manages to attract all ages with an eclectic mix of homespun crafts, toothsome food and lots of rock n’ roll.
  Jim Meier and his Sunflower entry for Large Garden crop competition at Palmer on Wednesday night. Fair officials took entries until 9 pm. The Alaska State Fair start
  
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• What more kids showing up in schools says about Juneau’s economy

  26-08-2016 00:22
  
  Juneau’s unexpectedly high student count for the new school year is a big deal for local education officials, but it’s also a good indicator for how the local economy is doing.
  Meilani Schijvens poses for a photo at her desk in the Soboleff Building in downtown Juneau on Wednesday. Schijvens runs the Juneau-based economic firm Rain Coast Data. (Photo by Jeremy Hsieh, KTOO – Juneau)Economics, demographics and spreadsheets make a lot of people’s eyes glaze over, but they&rs
  
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• School enrollment numbers in Juneau buck declining trend

  26-08-2016 00:08
  
  Summer vacation is over and as hundreds of students walk back into classrooms, school administrators are eagerly counting how many kids they’ll have under their watch.
  Students study in the hallway at Yaakoosge Daakahidi Alternative High School in October 2012. (Photo by Heather Bryant)This year, the Juneau School District is bucking a trend of declining enrollment. The district has counted more students than expected and higher enrollment could land it enough money to cover a $200,00
  
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