Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, March 29, 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

State suspends Fairbanks Memorial Hospital chief of staff

Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks

The State Medical Board has suspended the license of the former chief of staff at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. The suspension of Dr. Christopher Jensen earlier this month is the result of accusations filed by the state, including drug use.

Alcohol, drugs cost Alaska economy $3 billion a year

Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau

The total costs from alcohol and drug abuse and dependence in Alaska are more than $3 billion per year. Those numbers are according to a new Alaska Mental Health Trust report completed by the McDowell Group.

Names of troopers and K-9 involved in weekend shooting revealed

Dave Bendinger and Josh Edge, KDLG – Dillingham/Alaska Public Media – Anchorage

Authorities have identified the troopers involved in a fatal shooting of a suspect Sunday outside of Wasilla.

Mat-Su School District Superintendent abruptly resigns

Phillip Manning and Casey Grove, KTNA – Talkeetna/Alaska Public Media – Anchorage

After a sudden resignation, Alaska’s second largest school district finds itself in need of a superintendent for the second time in under a year.

Mat-Su Borough budget proposals expect over $12M shortfall

Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage

From Public Safety to Platting, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s various departments have unveiled their latest round of budget requests.

What do Anchorage residents think about climate change regulations?

Rachel Waldholz, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Anchorage

Yesterday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at rolling back many of the Obama administration’s efforts to curb climate change. The order comes as surveys show Americans remain divided over global warming’s causes and consequences. But those divides often show up in unexpected ways.

Snow closes schools in Alaska’s largest city

Associated Press

A lot of snow fell in the Anchorage bowl overnight.

Ask a Climatologist: Arctic sea ice drives climate around the globe

Annie Feidt, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Anchorage

Arctic sea ice extent hit a new record low in March for the third year in a row. That sea ice, or lack of it, drives climate patterns around the globe. But how?

It can power an ice rink in Fairbanks. Could it power rural Alaska?

Elizabeth Jenkins, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Juneau

A system that could power remote Alaska is being tested in an unexpected place. Typically found in Scandinavian countries, a new cleaner energy technology is now coming to Fairbanks.

ANTHC searching for long-term solution for St. Michael’s frozen water and sewer lines

Davis Hovey, KNOM – Nome

After going more than a month without sewer or water, the community of St. Michael can again access those services at the local health clinic and City building. About 10 miles of above-ground water and sewer lines in St. Michael froze up back in mid-January.

Drones, robots and paper circuits: Wrangell students take hands-on lesson in tech

Aaron Bolton, KSTK – Wrangell

Building electric circuits has been a science-class staple for decades. Using copper wire, a 9-volt battery and a light bulb, students learn about the flow of electricity. That classic lesson is changing as new technologies, such as drones and robots, enter the classroom.

Previous articleDrones, robots and paper circuits: Wrangell students take hands-on lesson in tech
Next articleAlcohol, drugs cost Alaska economy $3 billion a year