Anchorage news

• Pollsters find ‘at best mixed evidence’ Comey letter swayed election

  06-05-2017 23:15 via ktoo.org
  
  Hillary Clinton speaks at an event in Manchester, New Hampshire, Jan. 22, 2016, and Donald Trump speaks with supporters at a campaign rally at the South Point Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Feb. 22, 2016. (Creative Commons photos by Gage Skidmore)
  FBI Director James Comey said this week that he is “mildly nauseous” at the idea that the FBI may have swayed the presidential election results. A new report may ease that nausea if only a little.
  “We would conclude there is at best, mix
  
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• Leaked document indicates big proposed cuts to drug czar’s office

  06-05-2017 23:15 via ktoo.org
  
  A draft document from the White House budget office, obtained by NPR, proposes nearly zeroing out funding for the Office of National Drug Control Policy, despite Trump campaign promises to tackle the opioid epidemic.
  Office of National Drug Control Policy
  Updated at 8:15 p.m. ET
  In an all-staff email to employees in the Office of National Drug Control Policy, acting Director Richard Baum shared some news he described as “very discouraging for our Nation’s effort to address drug abuse
  
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• Say it ain’t so: 129 people have already filed to run for president in 2020

  06-05-2017 23:14 via ktoo.org
  
  The 2020 election cycle might have already started. The Federal Election Commission shows that 129 people have filed to run for president in the next election. Annette Elizabeth Allen for NPR
  There are way too many signs that the 2020 election is already beginning.
  Consider:
  -Here’s a crazy stat: 129 people have already filed to run for president in 2020, as of Friday afternoon. In fairness, in 2016, more than 1,700 filed. But…
  -One of them is President Trump. He’s not only al
  
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• Top state ferry manager resigns

  06-05-2017 22:13 via ktoo.org
  
  Alaska Marine Highway System Capt. Mike Neussl addresses the 2016 Southeast Conference in Juneau. (Photo by Ed Schoenfeld/CoastAlaska News)
  The man overseeing the Alaska Marine Highway System is leaving his post.
  Capt. Mike Neussl said he’s departing for personal, not professional reasons. He needs to leave the state for a while to care for an ailing family member.
  He said he’ll miss his co-workers, but not the long hours.
  “It’s an important job and I clearly en
  
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• Mat-Su, Anchorage under burn suspension

  06-05-2017 21:21
  
  Both Anchorage and Mat-Su are under a burn suspension, effective 10 a.m. Saturday due to high winds and dry conditions.
  The Alaska Department of Natural Resources says any outdoor debris burning and use of burn barrels is prohibited. However, small campfires under three-feet in diameter are permitted, but extreme caution is urged to guard against the potential for wildfires.
  The burn suspension is in place through the weekend.
  For more information about safe and legal burning, click here.
  The po
  
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• Interest in community patrols grows even as funding wanes

  06-05-2017 21:01
  
  EAGLE RIVER, Alaska (AP) – The trouble usually happens in the night: Prowlers slip between parked cars, thieves strike and suspicious vehicles linger in parking lots and quiet residential neighborhoods.
  For months now, Eagle River residents have noticed what seems like a surge in local crime, reported via word-of-mouth and social media. Recently, Powder Ridge resident Cliff Cook decided to take action.
  “I’m old-school military retired, and I’ve always been taught, when yo
  
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• Southeast Alaska secure land trade with approved bill

  06-05-2017 20:59
  
  KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) – A recently approved U.S. Senate bill secures a long-awaited land trade.
  The Ketchikan Daily News reports the $1.1 spending bill approved by the Senate Thursday will permit a land trade between the U.S. Forest Service and the Alaska Mental Health Trust. The bill is heading to President Donald Trump’s desk for final signature.
  The land trade has been an ongoing effort by the Mental Health Trust Authority Board, who use land proceeds to fund the state’s me
  
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• Upcoming conference emphasizes Native education in Alaska

  06-05-2017 20:57
  
  JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – An upcoming cultural education conference will focus on Native students in Alaska.
  CoastAlaska News reports the Our Cultural Landscape conference to be held in June will give educators a better understanding of their Native students.
  The southeast Alaska Native nonprofit organization Sealaska Heritage Institute is putting on the event. The conference will feature speakers inside and outside Alaska with experience working with indigenous students and psychology.
  R
  
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• Inside the Gates: JBER firefighters use controlled burn as training

  06-05-2017 08:13
  
  Every spring, crews on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson light the training ranges on fire, to prevent fires later in the year.
  “It’s a lot of work. Wild land is not easy and it’s a lot of grass. A lot of acreage that we gotta burn down,” said Grant Kopplin, a firefighter with the JBER Fire Department.
  It’s Kopplin’s third year with the department, which is teaming up with the Forest Service and the Division of Forestry, who are experts in wildland fire manageme
  
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• Anchorage community pays tribute to fallen officers

  06-05-2017 07:50
  
  A ceremony in Anchorage began Alaska’s police memorial week Friday.
  This year, a sixty-eighth name was added to the monument at the Alaska State Crime Lab honoring fallen officers, Fairbanks Police Sargeant Allen Brandt.
  Brandt was responding to a call for shots fired on October 16, 2016, when an armed suspect shot him five times in the legs. His vest stopped a sixth bullet, but shrapnel from the gunshot was lodged in his eye. He later died on October 28, following complications during a s
  
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• Former U.S. Senate candidate says campaign manager sexually harassed her, party forced her to quit race

  06-05-2017 05:59
  
  Nearly six months after the 2016 general election, a former hopeful to represent Alaska in Washington, D.C. said her campaign manager sexually harassed her and worked to force her to step down from the race.
  Cean Stevens was a Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate. She posted about the allegations on Facebook Thursday.
  Stevens hired Michael Chambers as her campaign manager because of his resume and list of contacts, according to the Stevens’ lengthy Facebook post. However, shortly after th
  
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• House calls for reprimand of two Wasilla lawmakers

  06-05-2017 05:48
  
  The Alaska House majority is calling for disciplinary action against two Wasilla lawmakers. Representative David Eastman and Senator David Wilson have both been under fire from the public and legislative colleagues for actions this week.
  Now, House leadership says it’s seeking legal council on legislative reprimand.
  On Tuesday, Eastman made national headlines for saying:“We have folks who try to get pregnant in this state so that they can get a free trip to the city, and we have folk
  
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• Downtown assault, pursuit ends with arrest

  06-05-2017 03:45
  
  Anchorage Police have arrested a man who committed assault and was later found to be in possession of Xanax.
  Wednesday afternoon around 1, police in the area of 3rd Avenue and E Street report witnessing two Downtown Partnership employees chasing a man through the streets. An officer began pursuing the suspect, 34-year-old Daniel Gales, and he was taken into custody without further incident.
  APD says Gales assaulted an employee who had asked him to leave the Downtown Partnership premises. Ga
  
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• Rural House members demand apology from Rep. Eastman over abortion remarks

  06-05-2017 03:40 via ktoo.org
  
  Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, speaks during a House floor session in March. He hasn’t apologized for comments he made about Alaska women being glad to become pregnant so they can travel for abortions. (Photo by Skip Gray/360 North)
  Alaska House members are demanding Rep. David Eastman apologize for saying some women are glad to become pregnant so they can receive Medicaid-funded travel to have abortions. So far, he’s declined.
  Eastman hasn’t backed down from comments he made e
  
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• JPD seeks help identifying assailants in video of Seward Street sidewalk scrum

  06-05-2017 03:24 via ktoo.org
  
  Juneau police want help identifying several people caught on video shoving, punching and yelling at each other after bar break in downtown Juneau a few weekends ago.
  The Juneau Police Department shared a 1 minute of video on its Facebook page of the Seward Street sidewalk scrum that involved about 16 people. The timestamp on the video puts it in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 23.One man wearing a red tank top clearly winds up and slugs a woman in her face, nearly knocking her off
  
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• Air Quality Alert issued for Mat-Su Borough

  06-05-2017 03:16
  
  The potential for wind-blown dust is prompting officials in Mat-Su to warn susceptible residents to stay indoors and reduce physical activity over the weekend.
  The Air Quality Alert is in effect from 5 p.m. Friday through 9 a.m. Monday.
  The National Weather Service says sustained 10 mph southeast winds may blow dust from the Knik Riverbed and other localized sources that may impact the Butte and surrounding areas, including Wasilla and Palmer; NWS says the result may be unhealthy to hazardous ai
  
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• Municipal Wood Lot open in South Anchorage

  06-05-2017 02:46
  
  If your spring cleaning includes lots of yardwork, there’s a place where you can drop off all those branches, sticks and other debris; the Municipal Wood Lot in South Anchorage opened for the season on Friday.
  John See with the Anchorage Fire Department said cleaning up your property not only makes it look better but can also go a long way toward making it fire safe.
  “We are rapidly transitioning into fire season,” said See. “As soon as the snow goes away people need
  
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• Citywide cleanup participation up nearly 50 percent

  06-05-2017 02:41
  
  With an entire winter’s worth of trash along the highway, volunteers were bound to find some interesting items.
  “A slightly dirty, used hockey skate. Looks like a left foot, size 10-and-a-half. Anybody?” one volunteer laughed.
  The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce president, Bruce Bustamante, said participation in the Anchorage Citywide Cleanup is up 44 percent this year.
  “Anchorage is known for its volunteerism, especially around citywide cleanup. It’s a chance to spru
  
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• Winners of Nenana Ice Classic to split jackpot

  06-05-2017 02:31
  
  ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – Organizers of Alaska’s favorite guessing contest say 42 winning tickets will split this year’s $267,444 jackpot.
  Nenana Ice Classic manager Cherrie Forness (SHER’-ee for-NESS’) says tickets represent correct guesses on when the ice on the Tanana (TA’-nan-nah) River moved.
  The ice went out at 1 p.m. Monday. For contest purposes, that means the official correct guess was 12 p.m. Alaska Standard Time.
  Each of the winning tickets is valued
  
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• Country singer Loretta Lynn had stroke, hospitalized

  06-05-2017 02:07
  
  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A publicist for country music legend Loretta Lynn says she has been hospitalized after having a stroke.
  Maria Malta confirmed Friday that the 85-year-old singer and songwriter was admitted into a Nashville hospital on Thursday night after suffering the stroke at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.
  Lynn’s website says she is responsive and expected to make a full recovery.
  It says Lynn has been advised by doctors to stay off the road while she recuperates,
  
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• Juneau Afternoon – 5-9-17

  06-05-2017 02:03 via ktoo.org
  
  Tuesday at 3 on A Juneau Afternoon, Laury Scandling will host;
  We’ll talk about Glaciers, books and visitor Centers with guests Mark Kelley and Jon Neary;
  We’ll talk about Totem pole raising;
  We’ll get a preview of this month’s Mudrooms event.
  And we’ll get an update on School District activities
   
  That, Writers Almanac, Bird Note, music & more, live at 3 on KTOO, repeated at 4 on KRNN; and available on demand via ktoo.org
   
  At 4, tune in to KTOO for A
  
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• Gardentalk – Planting potatoes

  06-05-2017 01:57 via ktoo.org
  
  
  Three different varieties of seed potatoes await getting split up and planted. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
  In this week’s edition of Gardentalk, Master Gardener Ed Buyarski provides a quick primer on planting potatoes this season.
  Buyarski suggests using a plot of nice, loose, well-drained soil that was not used for potatoes last year.
  He recommends digging a trench about 6 to 8 inches deep. Sprinkle a little fertilizer in the bottom and barely cover it up. Potatoes are light feeders.
  Buya
  
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• Cancer-stricken dad marks future milestones with kids

  06-05-2017 01:48
  
  Ray Burrow and his daughter, Zaidee, pose for pictures in wedding attire. (Credit: Southern Fried Photography) Ray Burrow and his son Nathan, 9, have a moment. (Credit: Southern Fried Photography) Ray Burrow poses with his son Nathan, 9, and his two daughters Zaidee, 15 and Ava, 13. (Credit: Southern Fried Photography)
  Nearly 20 years after Ray Burrow wed his high school sweetheart, Christy, the father of three is getting ready to do the hardest thing he’s ever had to do — say goodb
  
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• Marine nude photo scandal grows to 21 felony cases

  06-05-2017 01:35
  
  MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Virginia (AP) – In a cramped office at the Marines’ Quantico base outside Washington, about 20 investigators sit elbow to elbow, staring into their computers as images of naked men and women flash across the screens.
  The objective of this disturbing sleuth work is to root out the extent of a nude-photo sharing scandal that has rocked the Corps, embarrassed its leaders and spread to other military services. And the sheer scope of the material is daunting.
  W
  
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• Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino slammed by lawsuit

  06-05-2017 01:32
  
  What’s the value of a unicorn-themed drink? It may go well beyond the $5 or so Starbucks was charging for its limited-time “Unicorn Frappuccino,” according to a lawsuit filed by a New York city cafe called The End. The cafe is suing Starbucks over the drink, claiming the sugary Frappuccino overshadowed its “Unicorn Latte.”
  The End, which is owned by Montauk Juice Factory, started selling its Unicorn Latte in December and applied for a trademark on the drink in Janua
  
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• North Korea accuses US, South Korea of assassination attempt

  06-05-2017 01:27
  
  SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – North Korea has accused the U.S. and South Korean spy agencies of an unsuccessful assassination attempt on leader Kim Jong Un involving bio-chemical weapons.
  North Korea’s Ministry of State Security said Friday in a statement carried on state media that it will “ferret out and mercilessly destroy” the “terrorists” in the CIA and South Korean intelligence agency for targeting its supreme leadership.
  North Korea frequently lambasts the
  
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• Debate continues over treating opioid addiction with opioids

  06-05-2017 00:13 via ktoo.org
  
  Suboxone pills. (Creative Commons photo by Supertheman)
  Buprenorphine is one of the medications used to treat opioid addictions. A speaker at a recent medical conference in Anchorage said getting the medication to heroin users through their primary care providers is an essential way to reduce overdose deaths. But some addiction treatment professionals in Alaska say not so fast.
  Buprenorphine is a synthetic opioid that’s often combined with another drug and sold as Suboxone. It’s usua
  
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• Daybreak Adopt-A-Pet: May 5, 2017

  06-05-2017 00:00
  
  From Anchorage Animal Care and Control:
  Seven cats:
  There are seven black and white cats up for adoption. They range from shy to social, young to 14 years old, and independent to lap cats.
  Caption contest winner:
  This week’s caption contest winner goes to Robin Segovia, whose caption had Pickles the cat saying, “Peekabo0 I see you!” Pickles the cat isn’t brave enough yet for adopted just yet, but will be soon.
  Check with the municipality’s website for upda
  
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