Alaska news

• Too close to call Unalaska municipal ballots for mayor, marijuana after record voter turnout

  05-10-2016 22:57
  
  The polls have closed, but it’s still too close to call for half of Unalaska’s municipal races.
  Election Day at Unalaska City Hall.
  (Photo by Laura Kraegel, KUCB – Unalaska)Tuesday’s election set a new record for voter turnout. But with about 80 absentee and questioned ballots outstanding, City Clerk Cat Hazen said several races could go to runoffs, including mayor and City Council Seat C.
  “There’s a significant number of ballots that’ll be canvasse
  
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• Kotzebue still awaiting local options election tally

  05-10-2016 22:14
  
  Yesterday, Kotzebue residents filed into the North West Arctic Borough building to cast their vote during the municipal election. On the ballot was a local option vote to close the city-run liquor store as well as openings for Assembly and School Board seats.
  On October 4th, Kotzebue voted whether or not they want alcohol sold in the city. (Phoot by Tyler Stup, KNOM – Nome)According to unofficial tallies released last night, incumbent Larry Westlake, Sr., kept his seat on District 1, Seat
  
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• Brotherhood, Sisterhood prep for convention

  05-10-2016 21:19
  
  Alaska’s oldest Native organizations are working to attract younger members.
  ANB and ANS members and leaders prepare to march in a parade during the 2015 Grand Camp Convention in Wrangell. (Photo courtesy Peter Naoroz – ANB)That, subsistence and other issues are on the table at the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood’s Grand Camp Convention Oct. 5-8 in Juneau.
  The Grand Camp Convention attracts 80 to 100 delegates and members from local chapters, also called
  
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• Voters renew Juneau sales tax, add extra 3% for marijuana

  05-10-2016 21:01
  
  (Creative Commons photo by Laura Thorne)Shoppers in Juneau will continue to pay the same sales tax rates, for now. Local voters chose to renew the city’s 3 percent temporary sales tax through Proposition 2 in Tuesday night’s municipal election by a 3-1 margin, but shot down another question that asked to make it permanent.
  Voters have renewed the temporary sales tax every four or five years since 1983, according to the city’s voter information pamphlet. City Manager Rorie Watt
  
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• Coal plan on hold for now

  05-10-2016 20:23
  A proposed coal mine near the village of Tyonek could move a step closer depending on a draft environmental impact statement expected to be released this month by the US Army Corps of Engineers. But  changes in a state application for the Chuitna mine could complicate an already lengthy process.
  Although PacRim’s plan to mine coal near the Chuitna River on the West side of Cook Inlet has been in the works for years, an expected draft environmental impact study on the project is now be
  
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• Mat-Su votes are in, ban on marijuana growth out

  05-10-2016 20:08
  
  Voters in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough on Tuesday overwhelmingly turned down a citizens’ ballot initiative banning the commercial growth and sale of cannabis in the Borough.
  A ballot seeking a ban on the commercial growth and sale of cannabis in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough has been voted down. (Creative Commons photo by Brett Levin)Unofficial election results show over 8,704 Borough voters voted against Proposition B-1, which would have banned retail marijuana businesses in areas outsid
  
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• With estimated 2 million visitors, Alaska sees possible record-breaking tourist season - KTUU.com

  05-10-2016 17:40
  
  KTUU.com
  With estimated 2 million visitors, Alaska sees possible record-breaking tourist season
  KTUU.com
  ANCHORAGE (KTUU) - The 2016 summer tourism season might be turn out to be a record breaker for Alaska. Today the Alaska Travel Industry Association announced at its annual convention that the number of visitors to the state could top 2 million.
  
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• ConocoPhillips sets Alaska drilling record - WorldOil (subscription)

  05-10-2016 14:39
  ConocoPhillips sets Alaska drilling record
  WorldOil (subscription)
  ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. announced that it achieved a drilling record for Alaska at drill site CD5 in the Colville River Unit (Alpine) on Alaska's North Slope. CD5 is the first commercial oil development on Alaska Native lands ...and more »
  
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• ConocoPhillips sets Alaska drilling record - World Oil - WorldOil (subscription)

  05-10-2016 14:39
  Petro Global News
  ConocoPhillips sets Alaska drilling record - World Oil
  WorldOil (subscription)
  ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. announced that it achieved a drilling record for Alaska at drill site CD5 in the Colville River Unit (Alpine) on ...
  ConocoPhillips drills record-setting Alaska wellPetro Global Newsall 2 news articles »
  
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• Alaska Airlines unveiling new plane which will offer three flights out ... - KEYT

  05-10-2016 13:44
  
  KEYT
  Alaska Airlines unveiling new plane which will offer three flights out ...
  KEYT
  Alaska Airlines will be flying a new aircraft in and out of the Santa Barbara airport.and more »
  
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• Assembly OKs Anchorage's first marijuana retail store - Alaska Dispatch News

  05-10-2016 09:39
  
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Assembly OKs Anchorage's first marijuana retail store
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Eric Croft talks with Amy Demboski. The Anchorage Assembly met on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.(Marc Lester / Alaska Dispatch News). The Anchorage Assembly unanimously approved the city's first license for a retail pot shop Tuesday night, setting the stage ...
  After vote, Anchorage could see first pot shop by late OctoberAlaska Public Radio Networkall 4 news articles »
  
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• Assembly OKs Anchorage's first marijuana retail store - Alaska ... - Alaska Dispatch News

  05-10-2016 09:39
  
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Assembly OKs Anchorage's first marijuana retail store - Alaska ...
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Eric Croft talks with Amy Demboski. The Anchorage Assembly met on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.(Marc Lester / Alaska Dispatch News). The Anchorage ...
  After vote, Anchorage could see first pot shop by late October ...Alaska Public Radio Networkall 4 news articles »
  
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• Mat-Su voters reject commercial cannabis ban, but pot taxes popular - Alaska Dispatch News

  05-10-2016 09:29
  
  Alaska Dispatch News
  Mat-Su voters reject commercial cannabis ban, but pot taxes popular
  Alaska Dispatch News
  WASILLA — Residents of Alaska's reputed marijuana cultivation capital rejected a bid to outlaw commercial cannabis operations in local elections Tuesday. A proposition to ban marijuana operations outside the cities of Palmer, Wasilla and Houston went ...
  Mat-Su votes are in, ban on marijuana growth outAlaska Public Radio Networkall 12 news articles »
  
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• After vote, Anchorage could see first pot shop by late October

  05-10-2016 06:03
  
  The Anchorage Assembly chambers at the Z. J. Loussac Public Library in Anchorage. (Staff photo)Anchorage is one step closer to having its first legal pot shop.
  On Tuesday night, the Anchorage Assembly gave unanimous approval to Arctic Herbery, the first time a retail cannabis business has met both state and local requirements in Alaska’s largest city.
  And to the surprise of many, the issue received no debate before passing 11 to 0. It was only at the meeting’s end that assembly
  
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• Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016

  05-10-2016 03:44
  
  
  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 NowCaelus announces big oil find on North Slope
  Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media – Washington D.C.
  Caelus Energy says it’s made a major oil discovery on the North Slope, at Smith Bay. The company estimates the oil under its current state leases at 6 billion barrels and says the development could boost pi
  
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• Alaska News Nightly: Oct. 4, 2016

  05-10-2016 03:44
  
  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 NowCaelus announces big oil find on North Slope
  Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media – Washington D.C.
  Caelus Energy says it’s made a major oil discovery on the North Slope, at Smith Bay. The company estimates the oil under its current state leases at 6 billion barrels and says the development could boost pi
  
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• Alaska's first licensed marijuana retail shop just needs pot to sell - KTUU.com

  05-10-2016 03:28
  
  KTUU.com
  Alaska's first licensed marijuana retail shop just needs pot to sell
  KTUU.com
  It's official; a store in Skagway may be the first marijuana retail shop to open in Alaska.and more »
  
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• Walker requests expedited review of Permanent Fund lawsuit

  05-10-2016 02:51
  
  Governor Bill Walker Monday requested an expedited review of a lawsuit challenging his veto of half the money for this year’s Permanent Fund Dividends.
  In a press release, Walker said, “Alaskans deserve a definite answer as we gear up for a legislative session in which bold action is required to finally fix our fiscal deficit.”
  The lawsuit was filed September 16th by Anchorage Democratic Senator Bill Wielechowski and two retired lawmakers – Clem Tillion and Rick Half
  
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• Chuitna mine application changes may muddy a lengthy process

  05-10-2016 02:49
  
  A proposed coal mine near the village of Tyonek could move a step closer depending on a draft environmental impact statement expected to be released this month by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Changes in a state application for the Chuitna mine could complicate an already lengthy process.
  Although PacRim’s plan to mine coal near the Chuitna River on the West side of Cook Inlet has been in the works for years, an expected draft environmental impact study on the project is now behind sched
  
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• Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters

  05-10-2016 02:39
  
  Child abduction is a nightmare not many parents have had to deal with, but Anchorage author Lizbeth Meredith knows first hand how terrifying it is. In 1994, her former husband kidnapped their two young daughters and took them to Greece. It took two years to get them back. Meredith has written a memoir of that time called Pieces of Me. She says she tried to make her marriage work for herself and her girls but it just got worse.
  Pieces of MeMEREDITH: It had been a miserable, miserable union.
  
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• Due to funding reductions, Alaska DOT cuts back on maintenance

  05-10-2016 02:09
  
  The Alaska Department of Transportation is cutting back more on maintenance due to state funding reductions. DOT norther region spokeswoman Meadow Bailey said the department is ceasing maintenance at the Circle airport, and closing 5 road maintenance stations on the Steese Highway at Central, on the Edgerton at Chitina, along the Richardson Highway at Birch Lake, and on the Taylor Highway at Obrien Creek.
  ”We’ve been talking about this kinda since last December when we knew that we&r
  
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• To cut costs, UAF merges Journalism and Communications majors

  05-10-2016 01:30
  
  One of numerous cost saving realignments within the University of Alaska system, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Journalism and Communications departments have merged. Professor Charles Mason said the merger should save money, and shore up the journalism department, which has seen a declining number of majors in recent years.
  ”The point of this merger is to have, probably, a smaller core faculty over the long run, but increase the number of majors in the two programs together so that it
  
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• YKHC’s Calricaraq gains national recognition and is invited to receive Honoring Nations award

  05-10-2016 01:23
  
  Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation’s preventative services program Calricaraq is one of a chosen few to be honored at a national awards ceremony called Honoring Nations.
  Left to right: YKHC VP of Communications Tiffany Zulkosky, Behavioral Health Administrator Ray Daw, and VP of Hospital Services Jim Sweeney.
  (Photo by Charles Enoch, KYUK – Bethel)Calricaraq has been selected as one of six finalists, out of almost 90 applicants across the nation, to be recognized at the 2016 Hon
  
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• Alaska to receive federal grant to process over 1000 untested sexual assault kits - Alaska Public Radio Network

  05-10-2016 01:07
  
  KTVA.com - Anchorage, Alaska
  Alaska to receive federal grant to process over 1000 untested sexual assault kits
  Alaska Public Radio Network
  Governor Bill Walker announced today that Alaska will be receiving $1.1 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice to process over 1,000 sexual assault kits currently in possession of Alaska State Troopers. “While we cannot solve ...
  Arguments scheduled in lawsuit over Alaska dividendKTVA.com - Anchorage, Alaskaall 13 news articles&nb
  
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• Outside health experts stress low infection risk from YKHC dental instruments

  05-10-2016 01:02
  
  The Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation is testing patients for Hepatitis B, C, and HIV after partially sterilized dental instruments were used on patients. Out of the 191 patients seen during the nine-day period in question, up to 13 patients might have had contact with the instruments. When YKHC discovered the error, they consulted with the Alaska Section of Epidemiology and the Center for Disease Control. KYUK talked to some of the same people.
  The YKHC Dental Clinic is the lower level row of
  
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• Online fundraiser nets nearly $50k for erosion control project at Delta-area park

  05-10-2016 00:30
  
  Donors gave nearly $50,000 to an online fundraiser last month to help pay for a project to prevent the Tanana River from washing away the bank that runs along Big Delta State Historical Park near Delta Junction. Alaska State Parks will use the donations as a match for further fundraising to pay for a bank-stabilization project riverbank to prevent further erosion.
  Alaska State Parks is trying to raise money for a riverbank-stabilization project that would halt the Tanana River from washing away
  
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• Catholic Church announces Alaska’s next Archbishop

  05-10-2016 00:28
  
  Archbishop-elect Paul Etienne addresses the public at the Archdiocese of Anchorage on Oct. 4, 2016. (Photo by Josh Edge/APRN)Pope Francis and the Catholic Church have named Alaska’s next Archbishop.
  Archbishop-elect Paul Etienne was introduced to the community Tuesday by outgoing-Archbishop Roger Schweitz at the Archdiocese of Anchorage.
  “This is a very, very special day for me personally since it’s been 15 months since I sent in my resignation to our Holy Father, and he r
  
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• KYUK in Bethel begins airing live translated news from around the world

  05-10-2016 00:23
  
  KYUK has added a new service to its Yup’ik News programming. The Bethel public radio station is now airing news from around the world in Yup’ik. Their targeted audience includes elders, and people in the region who have Yup’ik as their primary language.
  John Active at KYUK.
  (Photo by Charles Enoch, KYUK – Bethel)John ‘Aqumgaciq’ Active recently introduced his new show, which features world news translated into Yup’ik. Active translates news stories
  
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