Anchorage news

• Rural lawmakers wield power without recent precedent

  24-11-2016 21:00 via ktoo.org
  
  DOT Commissioner Marc Luiken, Aleknagik Mayor Jane Gottschalk, Sen. Lyman Hoffman and Rep. Bryce Edgmon cut the ribbon on the Aleknagik Wood River Bridge in October 2015. In 2017, Hoffman will be the Senate Finance Committee co-chairman and Edgmon will be House speaker. (Photo by Misty Nielson)
  Dillingham Democrat Bryce Edgmon will be the first speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives from off the road system or outside of Southeast Alaska since Nome’s Howard Lyng in the Territo
  
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• Navy: Sailors’ personal info hacked on contractor’s laptop

  24-11-2016 20:30
  
  The Navy says the names, Social Security numbers and other sensitive details of 134,386 current and former sailors have been breached on a contractor’s laptop.
  Investigators determined this week that the information had been accessed by unknown people, and the Navy has begun notifying affected sailors.
  On Oct. 27, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Services told the Navy that one laptop operated by an employee working on a Navy contract had been compromised.
  Vice Adm. Robert Burke says the Navy is
  
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• Latest effort to revise Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly invocation policy stalls

  24-11-2016 20:00 via ktoo.org
  
  Some children took part in an Aug. 23, 2016, protest of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly’s invocation policies with their parents. (Photo by Daysha Eaton/KBBI)
  For the past four months, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly has debated whether it should restrict who is allowed to give the invocation, or prayer, that begins each meeting.
  The controversy began in early August, when a member of the Satanic Temple gave the invocation. In response, the borough assembly instituted a new polic
  
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• Alaska to scrap or sell ferry Taku

  24-11-2016 19:33
  
  Alaska Marine Highway ferry Taku.Photo: Erich Tritz
  The Alaska Marine Highway System is moving forward with plans to get rid of the ferry Taku, but it is still undecided about what to do with the sidelined ship Chenega.
  KTOO-FM reports that Taku, which is more than 50 years old, has been laid up for more than a year. The Marine Transportation Advisory Board discussed plans Monday to sell or scrap the 350-pound vessel.
  It’s been appraised for sale as a working vessel and for scrap metal, b
  
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• Rep. Seaton: Depleting savings isn’t fiscally conservative

  24-11-2016 19:00 via ktoo.org
  
  Rep. Paul Seaton speaks during a legislative “Lunch and Learn” on Feb. 27, 2014. (Photo by Skip Gray/360 North)
  After more than two decades of Republican control, the Alaska House is now led by a bipartisan caucus. Democrats make up the majority of the 22-member caucus, along with two independents and three Republicans.
  Republican Rep. Paul Seaton of Homer is a member of the caucus and the newly appointed co-chair of the House Finance Committee. Seaton said he joined the bipartisan c
  
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• Here’s How The International Space Station Is Celebrating Thanksgiving

  24-11-2016 19:00 via ktoo.org
  
  Astronauts at the International Space Station are planning to spend Thanksgiving in quite a traditional fashion: There will be a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, good company and football.
  In a video taped in orbit, Space Station Commander Shane Kimbrough explains how the crewmates will celebrate the holiday.
  “It’s going to be little bit different for us up here in space, but I’m going to try to make it as much like home as we can,” he says.The crew will work during
  
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• How a student from India fell in love with Thanksgiving

  24-11-2016 16:00 via ktoo.org
  
  Malaka Gharib/NPR
  I celebrated my first Thanksgiving in 2002. I’d arrived in the United States in August of that year to start graduate school at the University of Missouri, Columbia. A few months later, I was invited to my first Thanksgiving dinner at a house shared by two Indians, one American, two New Zealanders and their sweet black Labrador, named Willow.
  There was no turkey. The couple from New Zealand — the cooks in the house — were vegan, so they made tofurky and lots o
  
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• Here’s a look at which Alaskans are in the running for a place in Trump’s administration

  24-11-2016 09:09
  
  While President-elect Donald Trump is putting together his new administration, his transition team is eyeing a few of Alaska’s familiar faces.
  Alaska multi-millionaire Bob Gillam said he’s in the running for a cabinet-level position. Gilliam is CEO of McKinley Capital and attended college with Trump.
  Former lawmaker Jerry Ward, who is heading up the Alaska branch of Trump’s transition teams, confirmed his name is also on the list.
  Other Alaska political insiders point to f
  
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• With Trump immigration policy unclear, Anchorage continues promoting inclusivity

  24-11-2016 08:28
  
  As the nation prepares for a holiday celebrating its immigrant heritage, the uncertain future of the country’s immigration policy has some people on edge.
  President-elect Donald Trump said he plans to deport at least 2 million undocumented immigrants as part of his immigration reform plan. In a video message Monday, Trump said he wants the U.S. Department of Labor to investigate abuse of the country’s visa programs.
  Yet in the city with the most diverse neighborho
  
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• More Americans traveling this Thanksgiving holiday than last year

  24-11-2016 08:22
  
  About 48.7 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home between Wednesday and Sunday. That is an increase of 1 million over last year, and the most since 2007, AAA spokeswoman Julie Hall said.
  Americans are hitting the roads for what’s expected to be the busiest Thanksgiving travel day in almost a decade, spurred by low gas prices and an improving economy. More than 89 percent of holiday travelers will drive. As of Wednesday, the average price nationally for a g
  
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• Training preps AMCC inmates for work on the North Slope

  24-11-2016 08:07
  
  23 inmates, all males, participated in the NSTC training to get a card for potential future work on Alaska gas pipeline in the North Slope area. Photo credit: AMCC staff (2016)
  NOME — Anvil Mountain Correctional Center (AMCC) was the latest correctional facility in Alaska to host a North Slope Training Cooperative (NSTC) course for its inmates Tuesday. The eight- to nine-hour training includes safety handbooks, course evaluations and of course – cups and cups of coffee.
  Rus Bilak, a
  
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• Small Business Saturday to include scavenger hunt in downtown Anchorage

  24-11-2016 05:42
  
  After Thanksgiving and Black Friday, Alaskans have another opportunity to mingle with friends and loved ones and get some of their holiday shopping done, thanks to Small Business Saturday. The Anchorage Downtown Partnership (ADP) is adding a scavenger hunt to the mix.
  Small Business Saturday is a nationwide event hosted by American Express as a way to promote local businesses. Twenty downtown Anchorage businesses are joining in with the Shop Small Scavenger Hunt, and many are offering deals
  
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• Animal control investigates dog with mouth taped shut

  24-11-2016 05:35
  
  Anchorage Animal Care and Control (AACC) is trying to find the person responsible for taping a dog’s mouth shut.
  Someone found the dog running loose in South Anchorage Tuesday. They took a picture of the tape around the dog’s mouth and neck and down its back before taking it off. The animal has been reunited safely with its owner, who was looking for the dog at the time.
  AACC spokesperson Laura Atwood said it’s concerning someone would do that.
  “That’s a little scar
  
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• Alaska Picker owners salvage antiques from abandoned Adak naval station

  24-11-2016 05:34
  
  A Valley couple is on the hunt for Alaska’s most valuable antiques. Together Kelly Turney and Becky Green own the Alaska Picker store in Wasilla and travel the state searching for items to repurpose and sell.
  They’ve uncovered some pretty cool stuff but say nothing compares to what they found in Adak this summer.
  “People come into our store all the time and tell us stories of where stuff may be,” Turney said. “I’ve heard the stories about Adak, but n
  
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• Small explosion delays Healy 2 startup

  24-11-2016 05:25 via ktoo.org
  
  The Healy coal power plant on July 8, 2011. (Creative Commons photo by Travis)
  Golden Valley Electric Association customers will see a slight decrease in their monthly bills next month, but well short of what GVEA had hoped to give ratepayers. That’s because the co-op has run into more problems with Healy 2 power plant.
  Golden Valley President and CEO Cory Borgeson said the co-op had hoped by now, Healy 2 would be producing low-cost electricity generated by the cheapest fuel &nda
  
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• What are we thankful for?

  24-11-2016 05:13 via ktoo.org
  
  
  Thanksgiving dinner. (Creative Commons photo by churl han)http://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/ktoo/2016/11/24THANKS.mp3I asked around the office this year, “What are you thankful for?” Here’s what people said.
  Annie Bartholomew
  “I’m thankful for Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings.”
  Christy Ciambor
  “I’m thankful for sunny Juneau days. I’m also thankful for the OT, speech therapists, para-educators and all the people that work with our autism communi
  
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• New efforts to bring back crowds for GCI Great Alaska Shootout

  24-11-2016 04:42
  
  The GCI Great Alaska Shootout has been struggling to boost attendance for years, but this year, organizers say they’re trying some new things to bring in new fans.
  Much of the outreach effort is focused on bringing in younger fans, and University of Alaska Anchorage athletics director Keith Hackett thinks it’s working, based on the turnout for the first night of the tournament on Tuesday.
  “We had a great crowd I think last night for the first two women’s games, so I&rsquo
  
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• No time to cook? These Anchorage restaurants will offer Thanksgiving meals to-go

  24-11-2016 04:31
  
  While most Anchorage restaurants are closed on Thanksgiving, some say they plan to serve full Thanksgiving meals to-go.
  Simon and Seafort’s in downtown Anchorage is offering a full Thanksgiving meal to-go that just needs to be heated. The meal includes a 24- to 28-pound turkey, plus the usual sides: stuffing, potatoes, rolls, yams and dessert. Customers can also choose to dine at the restaurant.
  Suite 100 Restaurant, Bar and Lounge started the holiday early and sold takeout Thank
  
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• Assemblyman to propose 4 percent sales tax for Anchorage

  24-11-2016 04:18
  
  Anchorage Assemblyman Bill Evans plans to introduce a 4 percent sales tax proposal to the Assembly next month.
  He said it’s an effort to diversify the revenue coming into Anchorage. The sales tax would exclude necessities like medication and food. There’s also a $200 cap on it for large purchases, like a new car.
  Evans said he wants to relieve some of the tax burden from property owners. The sales tax would still fall under the municipality’s overall tax cap.
  “It, along w
  
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• Police find missing 13-year-old girl

  24-11-2016 03:48
  
  Jayden Lee. Courtesy Anchorage Police Department
  Last updated at 7:11 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23
  ANCHORAGE — Anchorage police say they have found 13-year-old Jayden Lee.
  “We appreciate your help in keeping an eye out for our citizens,” police wrote in the updated Nixle.
  Original story
  The Anchorage Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 13-year-old girl.
  Jayden Lee was last seen around the 1200 block of Muldoon Road near Fred Meyer around
  
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• Alaska inmate dies following terminal illness

  24-11-2016 02:30 via ktoo.org
  
  ANCHORAGE — Alaska corrections officials say a 71-year-old inmate has died of a terminal illness.
  Jim Ferguson died early Friday morning, Alaska Department of Corrections said in a release. Officials say his death was expected.
  The department said Ferguson had been in custody since May 2013 after being convicted of sexual assault of a minor.
  Ferguson is the 11th inmate to die in custody this year. Both internal and external investigations will be conducted, per department po
  
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• Trump calls for unity, healing in Thanksgiving address

  24-11-2016 02:00 via ktoo.org
  
  <iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/BUnv6Kb7syQ” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>
  President-elect Donald Trump issued a Thanksgiving address on Wednesday evening, calling for the nation to come together after a bruising, bitter campaign.
  “It is my prayer, that on this Thanksgiving, we begin to heal our divisions and move forward as one country, strengthened by a shared purpose and very, ver
  
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• Ketchikan man indicted on felony drug charges

  24-11-2016 02:00 via ktoo.org
  
  A Ketchikan man faces multiple felony charges after Ketchikan Police Department officers allegedly found methamphetamine, prescription pills and a loaded gun in his home.
  Police served a search warrant at at the home of Shayne Smith, 43,on Nov. 15 following an ongoing drug investigation, according to a news release sent Wednesday.
  Police found about 11 grams of meth and a syringe loaded with the same drug, prescription pills, a loaded handgun and $832 cash.
  Smith was charged with four
  
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• Bethel approves grant application for bus funding

  24-11-2016 01:45 via ktoo.org
  
  On Tuesday, Bethel City Council approved applying for a grant for the city transit system.
  The council also approved refinancing the city’s court complex, shot down a proposal for new city buses, tabled a motion to amend the city’s current vehicle policy, and discussed the search for a new city manager.
  Acting on a proposal introduced by acting City Manager Pete Williams during their regularly scheduled Tuesday meeting, the council approved another year of funding for the city&r
  
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• Trump’s international business dealings could violate the Constitution

  24-11-2016 01:30 via ktoo.org
  
  Donald Trump’s extensive business dealings around the globe have focused attention on an obscure provision of the Constitution most law professors barely look at — the Emoluments Clause. Now, one of the hottest legal debates around is whether the president-elect is going to violate the Constitution if he continues doing business with companies controlled by foreign governments.
  Who even used the word “emolument” in an actual sentence before November 2016?
  Emolument is def
  
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• Latest effort to revise Kenai invocation policy stalls

  24-11-2016 01:00 via ktoo.org
  
  For the past four months, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly has debated whether it should restrict who is allowed to give the invocation, or prayer, that begins each meeting.
  The controversy began in early August, when a member of the Satanic Temple gave the invocation.
  In response, the Borough Assembly instituted a new policy in which only people or associations on a pre-approved list may give the invocation.
  Critics said this restrictive policy may put the Borough at risk of a lawsuit,
  
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• Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge manager retires

  24-11-2016 01:00 via ktoo.org
  
  Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Manager Anne Marie LaRosa is exchanging one island for another and retiring to Hawaii.
  LaRosa has an extensive background working for the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, and spent three years as manager at the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge.
  She credits the refuge staff for making her time in the position rewarding.
  “Being a manager means you kind of, for a Kodiak analogy, steer the ship, and I’ve ha
  
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• DOC: Alaska inmate dies following terminal illness

  24-11-2016 00:59
  
  Goose Creek Correctional Center
  ANCHORAGE — Alaska corrections officials say a 71-year-old inmate has died of a terminal illness.
  The Alaska Department of Corrections says in a release that Jim Ferguson died early Friday around 4:30 a.m. DOC spokesman Corey Allen Young said his death was expected.
  The department says Ferguson had been in custody since May 2013 after being convicted of second-degree sexual assault of a minor. He was incarcerated at the Goose Creek Correctional Center a
  
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• Judge orders striking cargo pilots back to work

  24-11-2016 00:47
  
  A federal judge is ordering pilots for a cargo airline that delivers Amazon packages to go back to work.
  The judge in Cincinnati said Wednesday that holiday shoppers expect to receive their packages on time, so it’s in the public’s interest to end the strike.
  About 250 pilots for ABX Air went on strike early Tuesday in a dispute over working conditions and time off. Dozens of flights and more than 1 million pounds of cargo were held up.
  The airline went to court to block the strike,
  
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• Bethel City Council approves grant application for bus funding

  24-11-2016 00:44
  
  In their Tuesday meeting, Bethel City Council approved matching funds for a state grant, giving the Bethel transit system another year of fundingAdrian Wagner / KYUK
  Tuesday night, the Bethel City Council approved applying for a grant for the city transit system. It also approved refinancing the city’s court complex, shot down a proposal for new city buses, tabled a motion to amend the city’s current vehicle policy and discussed the search for a new city manager.
  Acting on a pr
  
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• Police arrest man on warrant for charges of sexually abusing a minor

  24-11-2016 00:37 via ktoo.org
  
  On Tuesday, Juneau police arrested a man who was wanted on charges of sexually abusing a minor.
  According to a Juneau Police Department news release, officers learned Sergius Sheakley, 42, had an outstanding warrant issued by the Anchorage Superior Court. Police located him at a residence on North Douglas Highway.
  He’s charged with at least five felony counts of various degrees of sexual abuse of a minor. Court records put the dates of the alleged offenses between 2005
  
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• Ask a Climatologist: Dreaming of a white Thanksgiving? Dream on, Anchorage.

  24-11-2016 00:35 via ktoo.org
  
  (Graphic courtesy of Brian Brettschneider)
  In Alaska, a white Thanksgiving is usually a given for most of the state. But not this year. The entire state is below normal for snowfall.
  Brian Brettschneider is a climatologist in Anchorage who closely tracks Alaska climate data and trends. Alaska’s Energy Desk is checking in with him regularly as part of the segment, Ask a Climatologist.
  He told Energy Desk editor Annie Feidt a white Thanksgiving is relatively rare for most of the U.S., but Al
  
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• Thanksgiving food boxes given to 88 Petersburg families in need

  24-11-2016 00:00 via ktoo.org
  
  Volunteers Steve Homer, left, and Mysti Birks pack Thanksgiving boxes for the Salvation Army Church. (Photo by Angela Denning/KFSK)
  Volunteers in Petersburg have been working to put together dozens of boxes of Thanksgiving food to give away to needy families in town.
  In the back room of the Salvation Army Church, long tables are set up around the perimeter.
  Canned food is stacked on top as well as cardboard boxes filled with bags of ingredients; ingredients specific for a Thanksgiving meal.
  Myst
  
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• At the U.S.-Mexico border, Haitians arrive to a harsh reception

  24-11-2016 00:00 via ktoo.org
  
  Haitian nationals at a Mexican government immigration office near the port of entry between Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, and Nogales, Ariz., wait day after day for appointments with U.S. immigration agents so they can enter. As a result of the Haitian influx and a continuing surge of Central Americans on the Texas-Mexico border, the U.S. government has run out of detention space. (Photo by John Burnett/NPR)
  Desperate Haitian immigrants have been massing along the U.S.-Mexico border for months s
  
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