Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, March 16, 2017

Stories are posted on the APRN news page. You can subscribe to APRN’s newsfeeds via email, podcast and RSS. Follow us on Facebook at alaskapublic.org and on Twitter @aprn

Listen now

Don’t panic over Trump’s budget, Murkowski says

Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media – Washington D.C.

President Trump’s first budget shows zeroes for several programs important to Alaska. Sen. Lisa Murkowski says there’s a lot for an Alaskan to be upset about in this document, but she says Congress isn’t going to adopt it.

Alaska House votes to shut down budget debate

Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau

The Alaska House voted to shut down discussion on the state budget. Members of the House minority say the action is stifling debate. The two House caucuses disagree about the budget, the rules, and what lawmakers should focus on.

9th Circuit judges to Congress: Leave us alone

Associated Press

Three federal judges are asking Congress not to break up the vast, San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, a longtime target of Republicans and a recent foe of President Donald Trump.

Alaska’s chief medical officer on opioid battle

Lori Townsend, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage

The state senate today (March 16) passed a bill that leaves in place an order to provide Naloxone, an anti-overdose drug to Alaskan organizations and individuals for another four years. Governor Bill Walker had issued a 30 day emergency disaster declaration in February to make Naloxone widely available.

Fairbanks bus driver shortage making kids late to class

Associated Press

A lack of bus drivers in the Fairbanks area is making some students late to class.

Alaska State Parks switches to new booking system

Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks

Transition to a new booking system will up the cost of renting popular Alaska State Parks public use cabins.

Alaska gets millions of dollars from Volkswagen settlement

Elizabeth Jenkins, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Juneau

The state of Alaska is receiving over $8 million in settlement money after a top car company cheated on its federal emissions tests.

Railway demolition unearths new discoveries from World War II

Laura Kraegel, KUCB – Unalaska

About 75 years ago, the U.S. Navy built a marine railway in Unalaska. It was basically an underwater railroad that helped the military haul boats out of the Bering Sea during World War II.

Sea-to-table movement takes root with Alaska’s growing kelp industry

Elizabeth Jenkins, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Juneau

In February of last year, Governor Walker signed an administrative order to help jumpstart mariculture, or sea farming, in the state. One Juneau couple is whipping up a recipe to make local kelp an enticing business and snack. They’re part of a growing number of startups that see Alaska seaweed as a marketable food.

 

 

Previous articleAlaska gets millions of dollars from Volkswagen settlement
Next articleAlaska’s chief medical officer on opioid battle