Anchorage news

• Justice Department reverses position on Texas voter ID law case

  27-02-2017 23:40 via ktoo.org
  
  This post has been updated
  The Department of Justice is reversing the federal government’s position in an important voting rights case, involving a Texas voter ID law. The switch was not unexpected following the election of Donald Trump and confirmation of Jeff Sessions as Attorney General. Both Trump and Sessions claim voter fraud is a major problem and have backed voter ID laws.
  In a motion filed Monday, DOJ asked a federal court to dismiss the department’s earlier claim that the I
  
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• SpaceX says it will fly 2 people around the moon next year

  27-02-2017 23:23
  
  SpaceX says it will fly two people to the moon next year.
  Company chief Elon Musk announced the surprising news Monday.
  Two people who know one another approached the company about sending them on a weeklong flight just beyond the moon. Musk won’t identify the pair or the price tag. He says they’ve already paid a “significant” deposit.
  Musk says SpaceX is on track to launch astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA in mid-2018. This moon mission would follow
  
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• Teacher of the Week: Laura Freeman

  27-02-2017 22:14
  
  For the first time in Laura Freeman’s 16-year teaching career, she is teaching just one subject — math.
  KTVA 11’s Teacher of the Week was instrumental in changing the fifth and sixth grade class structure, at Baxter Elementary School, to a middle school model. This year, the school’s oldest students have a different teacher for math, english, social studies and science.
  “I kind of went to my principal and I said, ‘I really, really want to do this,'&r
  
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• Retrial of Kodzoff Acres homicide case rescheduled for this fall

  27-02-2017 22:14 via ktoo.org
  
  Defendant Christopher Strawn listens to his defense attorney Eve Soutiere during jury selection in his homicide trial in Juneau in February 2017. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
  The retrial of Christopher Strawn on charges related to the death of Brandon Cook has been rescheduled for October.
  After a declaration of a mistrial earlier this month, a new trial was initially scheduled for early April.
  Multiple conflicts among the attorneys and the judge in the case forced a new hearing on Feb. 21 to res
  
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• Bush weighs in on Trump presidency, calling press ‘indispensable to democracy’

  27-02-2017 21:56 via ktoo.org
  
  It started out a simple, human interest story featuring a former president and his post-White House hobby — painting watercolors of world leaders, and now, portraits of American soldiers, wounded during military service.
  But before it was over, that President, George W. Bush, made real news by doing something he never before done in a public forum since leaving office: discussing at length the current occupant of the Oval Office.
  All through the Obama years, Bush avoided questions about th
  
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• Snow closes Steese Highway; road impassible at summits

  27-02-2017 20:28
  
  FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) – Heavy snow has closed an interior Alaska Highway.
  The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports the Steese Highway is closed over two summits between Miles 80 to 114.
  Interior Alaska over the weekend saw 7-9 inches of snow, high wind and relatively warm temperatures.
  The Steese Highway starts in Fairbanks and extends north and east 161 miles to the Yukon River community of Circle.
  The Alaska Department of Transportation says the highway is impassible in the affected areas
  
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• Plow crews reopen Elliott Highway, work to open Steese

  27-02-2017 20:28
  
  ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – Heavy snowfall and strong winds closed two northern Alaska highways over the weekend.
  Alaska Department of Transportation spokeswoman Meadow Bailey says crews have reopened the Elliott Highway after a closure Sunday and are working to reopen the Steese Highway.
  She says truckers heading for North Slope oil fields face hazardous conditions along parts of the Dalton Highway and may be delayed until plows come through.
  The Steese Highway closure was first reported by
  
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• Light on Trump, Sullivan aims for optimism in address to Alaska Legislature

  27-02-2017 20:27 via ktoo.org
  
  
  U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, delivers his annual address Feb. 24, 2017, to the Alaska Legislature. (Photo by Skip Gray/360 North)
  In his annual address to the Alaska Legislature, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan did not say much about President Donald Trump, and he did not bring up the issues that drove demonstrators to the steps of the state Capitol on Friday: Trump’s policies on immigration and refugees, and what Congress intends to do about the Affordable Care Act.
  Sullivan did, though, dire
  
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• Wasilla man killed in snowmachine wreck in Talkeetna

  27-02-2017 19:30
  
  A 19-year-old was killed in a snowmachine wreck in Talkeetna Sunday.
  At 3:20 p.m., Alaska State Troopers were notified of a “possible fatality in the area of the Talkeetna Mountains, near Yoder Road, in Talkeetna,” the agency said.
  Jacob Harris, of Wasilla, was found underneath his idling snowmachine near a steep embankment. He was unresponsive. Other snowmachiners attempted to revive Harris, but were unable to.
  Troopers noted poor weather conditions, with visibility less than 1
  
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• AST: 1 killed in Butte house fire

  27-02-2017 19:20
  
  A woman was killed and a man was injured in a house fire on South Knik River Road Sunday, according to Alaska State Troopers.
  Troopers and the Mat-Su Fire Department were called to the home at 12:54 p.m. for a report of a residence fully engulfed in flames, with one woman still inside, AST said.
  “Investigation revealed that two people were sleeping inside of the residence when one awoke to the residence fully engulfed with fire.  The man attempted to get the adult female out
  
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• Chugiak first responder thankful for community support after snowboarding accident

  27-02-2017 17:30
  
  A Chugiak first responder who’s used to rescuing other people found himself on the other side of an accident last week.
  Peter Casey works as a flight paramedic for LifeMed Alaska and helps out with Chugiak Volunteer Fire and Rescue. In his free time, the lifelong Alaskan enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his family. But on Feb. 21, all of that was put in danger when a fun day of snowboarding at Alyeska went wrong.
  “When I landed, I just felt this crack in my n
  
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• Poll: US teens disillusioned, divided by politics

  27-02-2017 16:17
  
  PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A survey of children ages 13 to 17 finds that America’s teens are almost as politically disillusioned and pessimistic about the nation’s divisions as their parents.
  But they aren’t quite as quick to write off the future as adults.
  The poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that 8 in 10 teens feel that Americans are divided when it comes to the nation’s most important values. Six in 10 say the country is hea
  
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• Juneau-Douglas students win over 15 awards in academic decathlon

  27-02-2017 08:36 via ktoo.org
  
  The 13 Juneau-Douglas High School students who competed in the 2017 Alaska Academic Decathlon in Anchorage on Friday including Tasha Elizarde, bottom right. (Photo courtesy Karina Reyes)
  Juneau-Douglas High School walked away from the Alaska Academic Decathlon in Anchorage with multiple awards Saturday including two team awards – one for highest improved aggregate score for the Large Schools Division and a bronze medal in the Team Super Quiz Competition.
  Juneau-Douglas Librarian and Academ
  
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• Inclusivity measure stirs debate in Alaska fishing town

  27-02-2017 07:46 via ktoo.org
  
  The small Alaska fishing community of Homer is wading into national politics.
  Homer is the latest U.S. city to consider affirming its commitment to inclusion following the election of President Donald Trump.
  On Monday, the City Council is expected to weigh a resolution that states Homer will resist any efforts to profile “vulnerable populations” and will reject any expressions of fear and hate.
  It doesn’t go as far as San Francisco and other sanctuary cities.
  If the resolution
  
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• Fairbanks man accused of setting occupied vehicle on fire

  27-02-2017 07:43 via ktoo.org
  
  Alaska State Troopers say they have arrested a Fairbanks man suspected of setting a vehicle on fire while people were inside the car.
  KTVA-TV reports that troopers responded Thursday to a report of a man pouring gas on a vehicle and setting it on fire.
  Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters says there were two people inside the vehicle at the time and they both were able to escape uninjured.
  She says the two victims were in a confrontation with another individual, who was an acquaintance of the 27-ye
  
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• LGBTQ advocates fear ‘religious freedom’ bills moving forward in states

  27-02-2017 07:19 via ktoo.org
  
  San Francisco Fire Department Deputy Chief Raemona Williams (right) passes out beaded necklaces to the crowd during the 2015 San Francisco Gay Pride Parade. Tony Avelar/AP
  There are renewed efforts at the state level to pass so-called religious freedom bills. LGBTQ rights advocates believe that’s because local lawmakers are anticipating support from the Trump administration.
  In Alabama, there’s a bill that allows adoption agencies that are religiously affiliated to hold true to their
  
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• Dentists work to ease patients’ pain with fewer opioids

  27-02-2017 07:10 via ktoo.org
  
  Dr. Joel Funari performs some 300 tooth extractions annually at his private practice in Devon, Pa.. He’s part of a group of dentists reassessing opioid prescribing guidelines in the state.
  Elana Gordon / WHYY
  Firsts can be life changing — think about your first kiss, your first time behind the wheel of a car. But what about the first time you got a prescription for a narcotic?
  James Hatzell, from Collingswood, NJ, is now a technology officer for a college addiction treatment program.
  
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• Hostetler Park renovation project includes new plan for Alaska Victims Memorial

  27-02-2017 04:45
  
  A small park in the northwest corner of downtown Anchorage will soon have a new look.
  Hostetler Park is located where Third Avenue becomes L Street. Since 1994, the eastern portion of the park has been occupied by the Alaska Victims Memorial. It includes the names of more than 350 Alaskans who died because of a violent crime, whether it was through homicide or a drunk driving crash.
  Now, the Rotary Club of Anchorage is leading an effort to rebuild the park and the memorial.
  “These victims
  
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• Alaska Weather Forecast – Feb. 26, 2017

  27-02-2017 04:38
  
  Meteorologist Melissa Frey says most of the state will see some amount of snow, but Southeast will stay dry through Monday.
  Follow KTVA 11’s Weather Team on Facebook and Twitter. Got a weather-related photo or story idea? Email the team at [email protected].
  The post Alaska Weather Forecast – Feb. 26, 2017 appeared first on KTVA 11.
  
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• Officials readying for Eielson F-35s to spur housing crunch

  27-02-2017 04:18
  
  Officials are preparing for a possible housing crunch in 2020 that is expected to coincide with an influx of servicemen tied to the two new F-35 squadrons coming to Eielson Air Force Base.
  The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports one part of the Fairbanks North Star Borough is estimated to need 800 units of housing by fall 2021.
  Air Force estimates say the F-35s will boost the population by 3,500 residents.
  Col. Richard Cole says apartments are needed most.
  Military and local officials are working
  
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• White House to propose slashing agency budgets

  27-02-2017 04:07
  
  The White House is moving to propose slashing cuts to longtime Republican targets like the Environmental Protection Agency in a set of marching orders to agencies as it prepares its budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
  Capitol Hill aides say the White House budget office on Monday will send agencies proposed levels for the 2018 budget year. The aides are speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information and a sensitive process.
  The Pentagon is due for a huge boost, but many non
  
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• Agency publishes timetable for Mexico border wall

  27-02-2017 04:04
  
  U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it plans to start awarding contracts by mid-April for President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall.
  The agency said Friday on a website for federal contactors that a request for bids would be published on or around March 6. Companies would have to submit “concept papers” to design and build prototypes by March 10.
  CBP will narrow the field by March 20 and require that finalists renew their offers by March 24, with a price attached.
  The t
  
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• Feds extend Obamacare deadline for some Alaskans

  27-02-2017 04:03 via ktoo.org
  
  Some Alaskans have another chance to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
  Enrollment for insurance through the Affordable Care Act has been reopened for some Alaskans. (File photo)
  A special enrollment period is being offered to those who were in a plan from Moda Health last year.
  That company has since dropped out of the program, though it provides other coverage in the state.
  Jon Zasada of the Alaska Primary Care Association said some Moda customers didn’t kno
  
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• Developers wary of city-planned Pederson Hill subdivision

  27-02-2017 04:01 via ktoo.org
  
  
  The proposed 86-lot Pederson Hill subdivision as envisioned by the City & Borough of Juneau. It goes before the Planning Commission on Tuesday, Feb. 28. (Courtesy City & Borough of Juneau)
  A city-planned subdivision that aims to create dozens of buildable lots is set to go before the Juneau Planning Commission. City planners say the proposed Pederson Hill subdivision could help create relatively affordable housing for Juneau. Though some remain skeptical of the project.http://s
  
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• 2017 Fur Rondy snow sculpture winners announced

  27-02-2017 03:49
  
  Courtesy of Heather Stewman Courtesy of Heather Stewman Courtesy of Heather Stewman Fur Rondy snow sculpturesCourtesy of Heather Stewman Courtesy of Kimberly Harris Courtesy of Kimberly Harris Courtesy of Edward Urevich Courtesy of Edward Urevich
  One of the most popular events at Fur Rendezvous is the snow sculpture competition. On Sunday, Fur Rondy officials announced the winners of this year’s event.
  While the competition is over, the public will be able to see each of the snow sculptur
  
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• Roxy Wright wins Fur Rondy sled dog races

  27-02-2017 03:45
  
  Roxy Wright took home top prize at the 2017 Fur Rendezvous World Sled Dog Championship races over the weekend.
  The races take place over three days as competitors sprint a 25-mile loop through Anchorage, running a total of 75 miles.
  This year’s championship had the largest prize purse ever of $100,000. In perspective, last year’s purse was only $25,000, but that year also suffered from a severe lack of snow, which forced race officials to shorten the race route and limit the run to a
  
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• Education ‘cafes’ connect communities, ideas and action

  27-02-2017 03:03 via ktoo.org
  
  
  Juneau educators, students and parents met at two local libraries Saturday and discussed how to give every Alaska student a quality K-12 education. The grassroots group Great Alaska Schools organized the two Community Cafés, one in the Mendenhall Valley Public Library and one in the Juneau Downtown Library.http://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/ktoo/2017/02/25Cafe.mp3These meetings, or cafés, weren’t about money. The point wasn’t to recruit people to call their leg
  
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• Denali National Park and Preserve celebrates 100 years

  27-02-2017 02:02
  
  Denali 100th birthdayDenali National Park and Preserve Facebook Denali 100th birthdayDenali National Park and Preserve Facebook Denali 100th birthdayDenali National Park and Preserve Facebook Sled dog rides were offered as part of the 100th birthday celebrationDenali National Park and Preserve Facebook Sled dog rides were offered as part of the 100th birthday celebrationNPS Photo / Jay Elhard
  The Denali Visitor Center is open during winter for the first time ever as the park celebrates its cent
  
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• Viewer Photos: Fur Rondy 2017

  27-02-2017 00:08
  
  Fur Rondy FireworksCourtesy of Edward Urevich Fur Rondy snow sculpturesCourtesy of Heather Stewman Courtesy of David Pope Courtesy of Christy Cline Fur Rondy snow sculpturesCourtesy of Kimberly Harris Courtesy of Cherie Palmatier Courtesy of Christy C Courtesy of David Pope Fur Rondy snow sculpturesCourtesy of Kimberly Harris Fur Rondy snow sculpturesCourtesy of Edward Urevich Courtesy of Cherie Palmatier Fur Rondy FireworksCourtesy of Edward Urevich Fur Rondy snow sculpturesCourtesy of Edward
  
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