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President Obama Issues Disaster Declaration For Parts Of Alaska
The Associated Press
President Barack Obama has issued a disaster declaration for large parts of Alaska affected by storms, winds, flooding and landslides during September.
The White House in a release today announced the declaration, which allows federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts.
Officials say federal funding is available to the state, local governments and some nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of damaged facilities.
The declaration covers the Tok and Chugach rural education attendance areas, and the Denali, Kenai Peninsula and Matanuska-Susitna boroughs.
Health Care Providers Push Governor Parnell To Expand Medicaid
Peter Granitz, APRN – Washington DC
A coalition of health care providers and advocates in the state is pushing Governor Sean Parnell to expand Alaska’s Medicaid rolls under the Affordable Care Act.
Tens of thousands of Alaskans could qualify for Medicaid if Governor Parnell chooses to open the rolls, and many medical providers could stand to make millions of dollars.
Parnell Proposes Chinook Salmon Research Initiative
Shaylon Cochran, KDLL – Kenai
Governor Sean Parnell visited Kenai Wednesday to meet with local officials, mingle with residents and make a $30 million announcement. That’s the amount the Governor is proposing to spend on a five-year Chinook Salmon Research Initiative.
Thomas Will Ask For Recount In Loss To Kreiss-Tomkins
Margaret Friedenauer, KHNS – Haines
Representative Bill Thomas said Tuesday he’s 99.9 percent sure he will request a recount in the House District 34 race.
Over Half Of Women In Y-K Delta Experience Partner, Sexual Violence
Angela Denning-Barnes, KYUK – Bethel
More than half of women in the Y-K Delta have experienced partner violence or sexual violence within their lifetime. That’s according to a new study led by the state.
Report Warns Of Potential Thawing Permafrost Hazards
Emily Schwing, KUAC – Fairbanks
A report out yesterday from the United Nations Environment Program urges policy makers and the general public to account for potential hazards of thawing permafrost. One UAF scientist co-authored the report. He believes at least half of the world’s permafrost will be thawing within the next century.
Students Dissect Octopus At Sitka’s WhaleFest
Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska – Juneau
What’s it look like inside an octopus? You probably don’t want to know, at least first-hand. That’s unless you’re a student dissecting one during this month’s Sitka WhaleFest. CoastAlaska’s Ed Schoenfeld paid a visit to a very hands-on science lesson and filed this report.
Journey To Attu
Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO – Juneau
Alaska’s westernmost point is actually in the Eastern Hemisphere. Attu Island is the last in the Aleutian Chain, and closer to Russia than Alaska’s mainland.
The fog enshrouded island doesn’t get many visitors, but earlier this month, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sherman and some of her crew called, each with their own unique tie to Attu.
