Anchorage news

• ‘Open never meant over’: Alaska announces new clusters of COVID-19 in Anchorage and Kenai Peninsula

  01-06-2020 02:01 via ktoo.org
  
  Updated Post – by Rashah McChesney, KTOO
  A dozen people in an extended care facility in Anchorage have tested positive for COVID-19.
  Those infected with the virus are a mix of residents and caregivers at the Providence Transitional Care Center — a skilled nursing facility in Anchorage. They’re among 27 new Alaskans that state health officials announced had the virus on Sunday.
  It’s the largest single day spike in cases since Alaska first started tracking the spread of the
  
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• Close encounters with a curious killer whale remind Juneau residents of the city’s wild nature

  07-05-2024 03:57 via ktoo.org
  
  An orca travels near Admiralty Cove on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Clarise Larson/KTOO)
  On a recent sunny Friday in Juneau, Lindsey Bloom was eager to get outside and enjoy the spring weather. 
  “I was like ‘Okay, I’m just going to go for a little paddleboard. I’m gonna just watch the sun sparkle on the water and that’s gonna like light me up from just a day of emails,” Bloom said.  “I mean it just seemed so … just so benign.”
  At Blo
  
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• Newscast – Monday, May 6, 2024

  07-05-2024 03:46 via ktoo.org
  
  https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240506.mp3
  In this newscast:Juneau residents had some close encounters with a curious killer whale.
  Sitka’s “Indian Village” was recognized as one of 11 endangered historic places in the U.S. Organizers are hoping that attention will inspire efforts to conserve and rebuild a cultural hub.
  
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• Competing House and Senate bills propose fixes to homeschool laws ruled unconstitutional

  07-05-2024 03:39 via ktoo.org
  
  The Alaska State Capitol on March 25, 2024. (Eric Stone/Alaska Public Media)
  Lawmakers in the Alaska House and Senate are racing to craft a bill that would allow homeschool programs to continue after a judge threw out two key homeschool laws as unconstitutional, leaving parents of more than 20,000 students wondering what next school year will look like.
  Legislators are hoping to pass a bill in the next week or so that would provide those parents with some clarity on what’s ahead, but
  
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• UAA graduation is extra sweet for students who missed high school ceremonies 4 years ago

  07-05-2024 02:18 via ktoo.org
  
  Student commencement speaker Katie Scoggin walks up to the podium for her graduation speech at the Alaska Airlines Center on Sunday, May 5, 2024. (Matt Faubion/Alaska Public Media)
  Just before receiving her diploma as a University of Alaska Anchorage graduate on Sunday, Katie Scoggin spoke to her classmates about the importance of being part of a community.
  “There is strength not only in numbers, but especially in dedicating yourself to serving others and giving back to the communitie
  
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• Local air carrier adopts new tech with aim to make travel in Southeast Alaska safer, more reliable

  06-05-2024 21:24 via ktoo.org
  
  An airplane equipped with instruments to allow for flight in cloudy conditions is ready for passengers at the Haines airport on May 2, 2024. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
  The air was clear and smooth over the Lynn Canal between Juneau and Haines on Thursday, so there was no need to use the new technology installed in the Cessna Grand Caravan’s instrument panel. But when the clouds roll in, as they are forecasted to do next week, the updated avionics will allow pilots to fly this
  
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• Juneau School District hires new chief financial officer following budget crisis

  06-05-2024 21:07 via ktoo.org
  
  Juneau School District’s temporary budget manager Lisa Pearce explains the district’s projected $9.5 million budget deficit during a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. (Clarise Larson/KTOO)
  The Juneau School District is hiring a familiar face to serve as its new chief financial officer. 
  On Friday, the district announced Lisa Pearce would take over the role in July. She is a school finance consultant who previously worked as the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District&rsqu
  
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• This oil platform stopped pumping 30 years ago. Alaska still won’t make the owner tear it down.

  06-05-2024 20:46 via ktoo.org
  
  Hilcorp’s Spurr platform, photographed last year, has not produced any oil or gas since 1992. (Nathaniel Herz for Alaska Public Media)
  The Spurr oil platform stopped pumping crude from beneath the silty ocean water outside Anchorage in 1992.
  The platform, built in Cook Inlet during Alaska’s first oil boom in the 1960s, was losing money, officials from owner Marathon Oil wrote in a letter to the state. Oil production was expected to decline, and a review of seismic data showed that &l
  
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• Former head prison doctor replaces Anne Zink as Alaska’s chief medical officer

  04-05-2024 05:18 via ktoo.org
  
  Dr. Robert Lawrence is a family medicine doctor and previously worked as the chief medical officer for the Department of Corrections. (Image courtesy of Alaska Division of Public Health)
  Dr. Robert Lawrence started as Alaska’s new chief medical officer on Monday. Lawrence replaces Dr. Anne Zink, who served as chief medical officer for five years and led the state’s health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  Lawrence, a family medicine doctor who began his work in rural Alask
  
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• Newscast – Friday, May 3, 2024

  04-05-2024 03:11 via ktoo.org
  
  https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20230503-News-Update.wav
  In this newscast:Gov. Mike Dunleavy is calling on lawmakers to pause their efforts to address a court ruling that threatens the state’s homeschool system. But, the Superior Court judge ruled Thursday evening that the ruling would remain on hold only through this June. The court also rejected Dunleavy’s broad interpretation of his ruling.
  Sitka’s Tourism Task Force adopted cruise tourism recommendations
  
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• Garden Talk: Good pruning technique can help your trees and bushes reach their potential

  04-05-2024 00:25 via ktoo.org
  
  A cherry tree in blossom by the stairs behind Fireweed Place in Juneau on April 24, 2024. Buyarski says the cherry trees downtown are “severely, really thick,” and that pruning would help a lot. (Will Mader/KTOO)https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Garden-Talk-4-Pruning.mp3
  If you’ve taken a walk outside in Juneau lately, you’ve probably noticed the smell of growing things. Maybe you’ve also noticed the budding and blooming trees and bushes.
  Master Gard
  
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• Scientists welcome new rules on marijuana, but research will still face obstacles

  03-05-2024 23:17 via ktoo.org
  
  For decades, researchers in the U.S. had to use only marijuana grown at a facility located in Oxford, Mississippi. A few other approved growers have been added in recent years. (Brad Horrigan/Hartford Courant/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
  As the Biden administration moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, scientists say the change will lift some of the restrictions on studying the drug.
  But the change won’t lift all restrictions, they say, neither will it decrease
  
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• Deer are expanding north. That could hurt some species like boreal caribou

  03-05-2024 19:05 via ktoo.org
  
  (Jim Cumming/Getty Images)https://play.podtrac.com/npr-510351/traffic.megaphone.fm/NPR4930940066.mp3?orgId=1&topicId=1007&p=510351&e=1198909932&size=8645948&d=540&t=podcast&ft=nprml&f=1198909932
  White-tailed deer have expanded their range in North America over many decades. Since the early-2000s, these deer have moved north into the boreal forests of western Canada. These forests are full of spruce and pine trees, sandy soil and freezing winters with lots of snow.
  
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• Homeschool ruling is on hold — but only through the end of June, judge rules

  03-05-2024 17:58 via ktoo.org
  
  Pedestrians pass the Nesbett Courthouse, located in downtown Anchorage on August 31, 2022. (Valerie Kern/ Alaska Public Media)
  A ruling that declared two laws key to Alaska’s homeschool system unconstitutional will be put on hold — but only through the end of June.
  It’s the latest development in the landmark case. One of the statutes in question outlines a system of cash payments to families of homeschooled students, known as “allotments.” The other authorizes &ldqu
  
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• Dunleavy says lawmakers shouldn’t pass bills to address homeschool decision. Lawmakers say that’s risky.

  03-05-2024 17:54 via ktoo.org
  
  Gov. Mike Dunleavy reads from a book of Alaska laws at a news conference on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Eric Stone/Alaska Public Media)
  Gov. Mike Dunleavy is calling on lawmakers to pause their efforts to address a court ruling that threatens the state’s homeschool system, saying they should wait for a ruling from the Alaska Supreme Court.
  “This is literally a disaster, potentially, an emergency because of its magnitude,” he told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday.
  The de
  
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• For one Utqiaġvik family, spring bowhead whaling marks an important milestone

  03-05-2024 17:45 via ktoo.org
  
  
  Quincy Adams slices through bowhead whale meat to distribute to his family and community members in Utqiaġvik on April 24, 2024. (Valerie Lake/Alaska Public Media)https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/01292024-News-Update.mp3
  For the Aaluk Crew, last Wednesday was cooking day.
  The night before, the whaling crew, captained by Bernadette and Quincy Adams, had landed the first bowhead whale of Utqiaġvik’s spring season. The crew flag, featuring a harpooned bowhead tail f
  
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• Newscast – Thursday, May 2, 2024

  03-05-2024 03:05 via ktoo.org
  
  
  https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/01292024-News-Update.mp3
  In this newscast:Dozens of child-sized Ravenstail robes were danced for the first time at an event in Juneau on Tuesday. It’s the largest collection of new Ravenstail weaving in decades.
  KTOO’s Katie Anastas investigated Juneau’s varying gas prices for this week’s Curious Juneau Episode.
  
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• Ravenstail weaving comes to life at historic Juneau event

  02-05-2024 23:06 via ktoo.org
  
  
  Students from Harborview Elementary’s Tlingit Culture, Language and Literacy Program dance on stage during a Ravenstail robe ceremony on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (Clarise Larson/KTOO)https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/02robeMP3.mp3
  There’s a story behind every Ravenstail robe. 
  “Up here we have the northern lights with the Chilkoot mountains,” said fifth-grader Aurora Southerland, describing a robe she was wearing. “And then down here are bear pr
  
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• Forest Service seeks public input in revising its long-term plan for the Tongass

  02-05-2024 22:54 via ktoo.org
  
  
  A view of the Tongass National Forest near the U.S. Forest Service’s Raven’s Roost Cabin on Mitkof Island. (Angela Denning/CoastAlaska)
  The Tongass National Forest is a 17 million-acre temperate rainforest covering most of Southeast Alaska. It’s managed by the U.S. Forest Service, which is revising its long-term plan for the Tongass. The previous plan is 25 years old and was revised in 2016. It’s 516 pages long.
  The agency will spend the rest of this year gather
  
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• Sitka Indian Village recognized as endangered historic place

  02-05-2024 21:21 via ktoo.org
  Sitka Indian Village pictured circa 1878. (Photo provided by Alaska State Library Historical Collections)https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/01CLANNOM.mp3
  Sitka Indian Village was once home to over forty Lingít clan houses. Today, only eight of those are still standing, and even fewer serve as active clan houses. Now, the area has been recognized as one of 11 endangered historic places in the US. Organizers are hoping that the attention will inspire efforts to creatively con
  
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• With an unexpected ship, Thursday will be Sitka’s biggest day of the summer cruise season

  02-05-2024 21:13 via ktoo.org
  Sitka began closing Lincoln Street to traffic in 2022, when 383,000 passengers visited the town. 2024 brought Sitka’s first 10,000-passenger day, which many agreed was not optimal. (Tash Kimmell/KCAW)
  There will be three ships in port on Thursday in Sitka — rather than two — with a total passenger capacity of 9,300.
  The latecomer is the Nieuw Amsterdam, which notified Sitka’s port director about a week ago that it was making an unscheduled call. Combined, the three ships
  
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• Why is gas cheaper in Auke Bay? And why is it cheaper to fly to Seattle than Ketchikan?

  02-05-2024 20:11 via ktoo.org
  
  
  The De Hart’s gas station in Auke Bay charged $3.49 per gallon on Feb. 15, 2024. (Katie Anastas/KTOO)https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/12CJgas.mp3
  On a sunny Saturday at the Fisherman’s Bend gas station back in February, Juneau resident Joyce Sepel was filling up her tank. She said the Auke Bay gas station is her favorite.
  “I’ve been going to Fred Meyer because it was cheaper,” she said. “But now I’ll just watch. I like coming here. It&rs
  
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• Dunleavy signals support for $175M one-year education funding boost

  02-05-2024 19:46 via ktoo.org
  
  Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with reporters on May 1, 2024. (Eric Stone/Alaska Public Media)
  Gov. Mike Dunleavy signaled Wednesday that he won’t veto $175 million in one-time funding for public schools included in this year’s state budget. That’s roughly equivalent to a $680 increase in base per-student funding.
  He made the comments near the end of a news conference Wednesday discussing the consequences of a recent ruling on Alaska’s homeschool system.
  “I’ve
  
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• Parents petition to recall school board president, vice president in response to district’s consolidation plan

  02-05-2024 03:33 via ktoo.org
  
  Parents Shannon Kelly, Jenny Thomas and Melissa Loggy man the petition table at Safeway (Photo by Anna Canny/KTOO)
  On a recent Sunday afternoon, Shannon Kelly stood in the median at the intersection of Egan Highway and Mendenhall Loop Road, facing a line of heavy traffic.
  She was waving a poster board sign that read “Budget deficit? Con Job,” written in bold marker.
  At a red light, a few passing drivers showed their support by flashing a thumbs up or beeping. 
  “I love the
  
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• Newscast – Wednesday, May 1, 2024

  02-05-2024 03:09 via ktoo.org
  
  https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20230501-News-Update.wav
  In this newscast:Thunder Mountain High School parents want to remove the Juneau school board’s president and vice president.
  The Iditarod’s Burled Arch that marks the finish line of the race fell on Saturday.
  The University of Alaska and a union representing graduate student workers have reached a tentative contract agreement.
  
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• Tidal Network works to meet FCC’s timeline for Hoonah broadband license

  02-05-2024 01:39 via ktoo.org
  
  A wireless tower in Wrangell. (Courtesy of Tidal Network)
  The Central Council of Tlingit and Haida’s broadband service is working to expand access to a federally awarded broadband service in Hoonah, to ensure they can keep the license.
  “It’s important to defend and keep wireless spectrum in Tribal communities to help uphold and preserve sovereignty and infrastructure,” said Chris Cropley with Tidal Network, the broadband service run by Tlingit and Haida. 
  He says tha
  
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• High speed internet is on its way to Hoonah

  02-05-2024 01:39 via ktoo.org
  
  A wireless tower in Wrangell. (Courtesy of Tidal Network)
  The city of Hoonah may have high-speed internet soon, thanks to a federal award and some help building infrastructure. 
  Hoonah Indian Association won a broadband bid from the Federal Communications Commission in 2020, thanks to a program that allowed rural tribes to get licenses. To keep the license, high-speed internet will have to reach 80% of Hoonah’s population in just a couple of years — a timeline set by the FCC.
  Ch
  
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• Entering their final two regular weeks, Alaska legislators are narrowing their focus

  02-05-2024 00:49 via ktoo.org
  
  Reps. Jesse Sumner, R-Wasilla, and Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River, talk to Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, during a break in the Alaska House of Representatives floor session on Monday, April 29, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
  Dozens of firefighters protested outside the Alaska Capitol last week, waving signs and chanting as they urged the Alaska House of Representatives to advance a long-simmering pension bill.
  They’re likely to be disappointed.
  On Friday, the House failed,
  
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• Entering their final 2 regular weeks, Alaska legislators are narrowing their focus

  02-05-2024 00:49 via ktoo.org
  
  Reps. Jesse Sumner, R-Wasilla, and Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River, talk to Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, during a break in the Alaska House of Representatives floor session on Monday, April 29, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
  Dozens of firefighters protested outside the Alaska Capitol last week, waving signs and chanting as they urged the Alaska House of Representatives to advance a long-simmering pension bill.
  They’re likely to be disappointed.
  On Friday, the House failed,
  
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• Alaska Native languages at crucial juncture, biennial report says

  01-05-2024 19:16 via ktoo.org
  
  University of Alaska Southeast students in Professor X̱’unei Lance Twitchell’s Alaska Native Studies class. (Courtesy UAS)
  Before Monday evening’s advanced Lingít language class, Raven Svenson and her classmate discussed how to conjugate the verb “boil” in the context of cooking. The University of Alaska Southeast class in Juneau is headed into finals week and students are preparing for dialogues that will test their conversational skills.
  Professor X
  
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