Anchorage news

• Rural Americans at higher risk from 5 leading causes of death

  12-01-2017 23:58
  
  Americans living in rural areas are more likely to die from five leading causes of death than people living in urban areas, according to a new government report.
  Many of these deaths are preventable, officials say, with causes including heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory disease.
  “This new study shows there is a striking gap in health between rural and urban Americans,” said CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden, said in a statement. “To
  
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• In a surprise send-off, Obama awards Biden Presidential Medal Of Freedom

  12-01-2017 23:50 via ktoo.org
  
  President Obama awarded outgoing Vice President Biden the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday afternoon.
  Calling the former longtime Delaware senator “the best vice president America’s ever had” and a “lion of American history,” Obama gave his White House partner the surprise award in an emotional ceremony, initially billed as a farewell.
  After extolling the job that Biden has done, Obama ended it with the unexpected news that he was giving the vice president
  
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• DC may force presidential candidates to release tax returns

  12-01-2017 23:15
  
  A District of Columbia lawmaker plans to introduce a bill that would require presidential candidates to make their tax returns public in order to appear on the city’s ballot.
  David Meadows, a spokesman for Democratic D.C. Council member Anita Bonds, says Bonds is working on the bill. He says it’s currently being vetted by attorneys and will be introduced soon.
  The bill would be similar to proposals in other Democratic-leaning states in response to the 2016 presidential campaign. Pres
  
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• Menopause mystery: Why do female killer whales experience the change of life?

  12-01-2017 23:10 via ktoo.org
  
  Orcas. (Creative Commons photo by Chis Michel)
  Menopause is a mystery to evolutionary biologists, but new insights could come from a long-term study of killer whales.
  In these whales, the explanation may lie in a combination of conflict and cooperation between older and younger females, according to a report published Thursday in the journal Current Biology.
  Killer whales are one of only three species known to have menopause — the others are pilot whales and humans. Researchers have long w
  
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• Temps of 50 below possible in Interior; Anchorage to get snow in coming days

  12-01-2017 22:32
  
  Snow returns to the forecast for Southcentral Alaska beginning Thursday night, while temperatures in the Interior are expected to drop substantially in the coming week thanks to approaching Arctic air.
  An area of low pressure will move into Prince William Sound, bringing areas of snow and rain to Southcentral and Southeast Alaska Friday and Saturday. Areas around Anchorage will generally see 1 to 4 inches of accumulation with locally higher amounts possible.After the snow wraps up, the
  
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• Alaska Seeds for Change growing opportunity for homeless teens

  12-01-2017 22:12
  
  Inside what was once a cabinet-making business in Spenard, people can find warm, moist air, purple-tinted lights and rows of lettuce, kale, basil and chervil. But there’s another thing growing there — hope.
  As the name for the program suggests, Alaska Seeds for Change is about more than just crops. The youth employment project has been a longtime dream for Dr. Michael Sobocinski, who has spent his career counseling homeless kids. Years ago, one boy’s story opened his eyes.
  
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• Juneau Assembly pushes sales tax exemption for cruise ships

  12-01-2017 22:00 via ktoo.org
  
  Three cruise ships dock in downtown Juneau on July 14, 2016, at the height of the tourist season. (Photo by Ed Schoenfeld/CoastAlaska News)
  The Juneau Assembly is moving ahead with a proposal to exempt the cruise industry from sales tax for goods and services sold on board while ships are in port.
  The finance committee voted 8-1 Wednesday evening to approve a motion by Mayor Ken Koelsch to amend the tax code and formalize the exemption.
  The tax exemption isn’t a done deal.
  The propose
  
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• Alaska Pioneer Homes escape state budget cuts, for now

  12-01-2017 21:13 via ktoo.org
  
  
  “The Prospector” statue stands in front of the Sitka Pioneers Home entrance, which was under repair Sept. 20, 2016. The homes reduced admissions as budgets were cut. (Photo by Ed Schoenfeld/CoastAlaska News)
  When the Alaska Legislature convenes later this month, it will consider a budget that makes no further cuts to Alaska’s Pioneer Homes. Final decisions are months away.
  But Gov. Bill Walker’s spending plan would help level the senior-care program’s funding after
  
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• No foul play suspected in death of Juneau man found in woods

  12-01-2017 20:48 via ktoo.org
  
  Authorities have identified the body of a Juneau man found last week.
  Brandon Shaun Estes, 23, was found dead near a mudslide chute above Gastineau Avenue by a hiker Friday afternoon, according to a Juneau Police Department news release.
  His body showed signs of being unattended in the woods and he had no identification on him.
  Estes’ body was transported to the state Medical Examiner’s Office for identification and to determine cause of death.
  No foul play is suspected.
  Estes&r
  
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• Volcanic eruptions are changing the face of an Alaska island

  12-01-2017 19:40
  
  Scientists are getting a unique look at how eruptions are changing the layout of Bogoslof Island and its volcano.
  Over the last month, the volcano has erupted more than a dozen times, according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO).
  AVO geologist Chris Waythomas pointed out how the landscape has changed in a pair of photos taken nearly 19 years apart.
  1998 photo courtesy of John Seese, National Marine Fisheries/NOAA. 2017 photo courtesy of Dan Leary, Maritime Helicopters. Compilation by Chris
  
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• Alaska’s House majority weighs whether to hold open caucus meetings

  12-01-2017 10:18 via ktoo.org
  
  The Alaska House of Representatives entrance in the Capitol in Juneau, Feb. 6, 2015. (Photo by Skip Gray/360 North)
  Last year, when most Democrats were in the minority in the Alaska House of Representatives, they held regular caucus meetings that were open to the public before voting in sessions on the House floor.
  Most of the Democrats who were out of power last year will be in the majority this year. But it’s not clear whether the majority caucus will hold these pre-session open meetings
  
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• Alaska’s House Democrats weigh whether to hold open caucus meetings

  12-01-2017 10:18 via ktoo.org
  
  The Alaska House of Representatives entrance in the Capitol in Juneau, Feb. 6, 2015. (Photo by Skip Gray/360 North)
  Last year, when most Democrats were in the minority in the Alaska House of Representatives, they held regular caucus meetings that were open to the public before voting in sessions on the House floor.
  Most of the Democrats who were out of power last year will be in the majority this year. But it’s not clear whether the majority caucus will hold these pre-session open meetings
  
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• Hilltop Ski Area says ‘thank you’ with a night on the slopes

  12-01-2017 08:36
  
  How do you say “thank you” to those who serve? For Hilltop Ski Area, it’s simple. 
  On Thursday, it will offer its Military Appreciation Night for the month of January. That means a free lift ticket, lesson and meal for all active and retired members of the military and their families.
  “It’s nice. It shows there are people who still appreciate what we do,” said Spc. Randy Johnson.  
  Hilltop Ski Area general manager Rick Cramer
  
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• Anchorage Assembly approves $58 million ASD bond for April ballot

  12-01-2017 08:17
  
  Tuesday night, the Anchorage Assembly approved an Anchorage School District (ASD) bond package to go on the ballot in April.
  In 2016, voters surprised the district, choosing not to approve a roughly $50 million bond package by about 250 votes. This time around, ASD is asking for even more — $58.45 million. That’s why the district is starting to reach out to voters now with events like Wednesday evening’s budget open house.
  “Quite honestly, we’re very aware that all
  
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• UAA overcomes slow start for win over UAF

  12-01-2017 07:53
  
  Never turn your back on a rivalry game—ever. 
  The University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves nearly found out the hard way but turned it around in time to claim a 76-63 win over in-state nemesis University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks at Alaska Airlines Center.In the 100th installment of the series, UAF (7-9, 2-5) jumped out to 23-16 first half lead. But the Seawolves (11-4, 5-2) received 24 points from senior guard Spencer Svejcar and regained it’s footing
  
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• How the Anchorage district attorney’s office is doing more with less

  12-01-2017 06:34
  
  Anchorage saw a record number of homicides in 2016. The 34 murders have meant more work for Anchorage police, but also for the district attorney’s office at a time when the office is already downsizing because of budget cuts.
  Dozens of case files and a handful of hearings are all in a day’s work for Anchorage District Attorney Clint Campion.
  “This is a case where we’re preparing for trial, we’re negotiating with the defense attorney about whether or not we’re
  
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• Is it illegal not to report a crime?

  12-01-2017 06:19
  
  A recent case in the Valley where Alaska State Troopers said a sexual assault was captured on a cell phone is raising the question of whether it’s legal to watch a crime and not report it.
  John Skidmore, the director of the Criminal Division of the Alaska Department of Law, said that with a few exceptions, it is perfectly legal to watch a crime, even a murder, and not report it to authorities.
  As for recording a crime, Skidmore said that in and of itself is not illegal, especially if the w
  
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• ANTHC opens new patient housing facility

  12-01-2017 06:01
  
  Patients and their families coming into Anchorage from rural Alaska now have a new place to stay. The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) celebrated the opening of its patient housing area on Wednesday.
  Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Valerie Davidson joined dozens of people at the open house. She spoke about her experience when she was 4 years old and had to stay in the hospital for months after being severely burned on 20-percent of her bo
  
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• State Emergency Operations Center ready when disaster strikes

  12-01-2017 05:21
  
  When disaster strikes in Alaska, the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s (DHSEM) State Emergency Operations Center is ready to respond, as it did this week to western Alaska.
  Emergency management specialist Karl Edwards is ready to go when the call for help comes in.
  “I always, always, always have my passport,” Edwards said.
  His backpack is by his side with all the tools he might need.
  “Communications are the hardest thing,” he said.
  
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• Why is this Alaska glacier surging ahead of the others?

  12-01-2017 03:16 via ktoo.org
  
  Two glaciers cascade off Denali. (Public domain photo courtesy National Park Service)
  Geologic changes typically move slow. But one glacier in Denali National Park and Preserve could be moving at a decidedly un-glacial pace. Scientists think it’s doing something only a small amount of glaciers do, an event called “surging.”The Traleika glacier last surged around 60 years ago and experts think it’s on track to do it again.
  “It’s just exciting to see the natural
  
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• Ask a Climatologist: 32 degrees doesn’t sound warm, but still broke records

  12-01-2017 03:01 via ktoo.org
  
  Graphic Courtesy of the National Weather Service
  The forecast for much of Alaska is for extreme cold next week, but the state just recorded its warmest year on record.
  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.
  “It doesn’t matter what geographic area you’re looking at,” Brettschneider said. “Whether yo
  
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• Man found dead following fire at Ketchikan high-rise

  12-01-2017 02:48
  
  A man was found dead in a Ketchikan apartment building following a fire Tuesday evening, but officials are uncertain whether the fire is to blame for this death.
  Firefighters at Tongass Towers fire (Ketchikan Fire Dept.)
  In a statement Wednesday, Ketchikan Fire Chief Abner Hoage said the department responded to an automatic fire alarm in the Tongass Towers at 11:19 p.m. On the 11th floor, firefighters found smoke and water from the building’s sprinkler system and quickly located the apartm
  
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• Before and after photos of Bogoslof Island show big changes after recent eruption

  12-01-2017 02:32 via ktoo.org
  
  (Chris Waythomas, AVO-USGS)
  New photos show the dramatic effect of volcanic explosions on Bogoslof Island. The Eastern Aleutian island is home to a volcano that has been erupting since mid-December. Now, the tiny island is even smaller and it’s shaped like a hook.
  Chris Waythomas, of the U.S. Geological Survey, says the photos also show ash on the island.
  “There’s ash draping over everything,” said Waythomas. “There’s a layer of fine muddy-looking ash covering
  
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• Juneau Afternoon – 1-12-17

  12-01-2017 02:00 via ktoo.org
  
  Thursday on A Juneau Afternoon, Joan Pardes hosts.
  Aimee Richards, Academic Advisor:will discuss spring start up— class start date, highlighting a few classes, scholarship deadline, campus activitiesAnd Marsha Squires, Academic Exchange and Study Abroad:will highlight national and international exchange opportunities.We’ll get details about the Thursday night Audubon presentation;
  Val Snyder will be here with news about Saturday’s Brown Boots BrunchAnd Nancy DeCherney will be h
  
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• When the sky was the limit: Former state Sen. Sturgulewski recalls late-1970s Alaska

  12-01-2017 01:47 via ktoo.org
  
  
  Arliss Sturgulewski is a former state senator. She is featured in John McPhee’s book Coming into the Country, which was published in 1977. (Photo by Eric Keto/Alaska’s Energy Desk)
  In John McPhee’s book “Coming into the Country,” Arliss Sturgulewski stands in a field of berries, with a view of Denali in the distance, contemplating the potential site of a new state capital. She’s one of the dozens of Alaskans who make an appearance in the famous book, published
  
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• Rex Tillerson doesn’t rule out idea of Muslim registry

  12-01-2017 01:35
  
  Rex Tillerson, President-elect Donald Trump's choice for Secretary of State, at his confirmation hearingOffice of the President-elect
  Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson did not rule out the idea of a U.S. registry for Muslims when he was asked about it his confirmation hearing Wednesday.
  Asked by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., if he would support a U.S. registry for Muslims, Tillerson told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, “I would need to have a lot more information over how su
  
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• Troopers release name of man burned in truck along Steese Highway

  12-01-2017 01:06
  
  Alaska State Troopers have released the identity of a man found dead in a truck that burned in a ditch along the Steese Highway.
  Troopers shortly after 5 p.m. Dec. 7 took a report of a truck burning at Mile 155, about seven miles from the village of Circle.
  A body was in the truck.
  Troopers, the state fire marshal’s office and the state medical examiner say the man was 73-year-old Richard Doran of Fairbanks.
  The cause of death was not released.
  The pickup was a 2003 Dodge. Investigators sa
  
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• Anvik tribal courts given more jurisdiction in lower level cases

  12-01-2017 00:20 via ktoo.org
  
  
  The state of Alaska and the Anvik Tribe have signed an historic justice agreement.
  The government to government pact provides a template for tribal courts to administer restorative sentences in certain lower level cases, as an alternative to the state criminal justice system.http://media.aprn.org/2017/ann-20170110-01.mp3The western Interior Anvik tribe is the first of several across the state expected to sign on to the justice agreement with the state.
  It allows willing offenders, both tribal an
  
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• Haines mayor breaks tie vote to hire interim borough manager

  12-01-2017 00:07 via ktoo.org
  
  
  Haines Public Facilities Director Brad Ryan is the new interim borough manager.
  It wasn’t an easy decision for the Borough Assembly Tuesday night. The assembly was split between Ryan and a retired Juneau city manager.
  Ultimately, the mayor broke a tie vote in favor of Ryan.
  http://khns.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/11HainesManagerwINTRO.mp3Interim Manager Brad Ryan. (Photo by Emily Files/KHNS)
  Haines’ top municipal job was left in limbo about a month ago, when the Assembly fired man
  
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