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EPA Suspends BP From Future Government Contracts
Peter Granitz, APRN – Washington DC
Just weeks after BP accepted blame for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico; the federal government is announcing more punishment for the company. The Environmental Protection Agency is suspending BP from future government contracts.
ASD Superintendent Announces First Cuts Through Attrition
Daysha Eaton, KSKA – Anchorage
The Anchorage School Board discussed the district’s finances over lunch at King Career Center today. Anchorage School District Superintendent Jim Browder made his first big announcement – cuts. He says ASD is eliminating 100 positions to save more than $4 million, but nobody is getting laid off.
Court Reverses Decision To Halt Port MacKenzie Construction
Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
The federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday reversed its decision to halt construction on the Port MacKenzie rail project.
Thomas Files Recount Request
Ed Ronco, KCAW – Sitka
State Representative Bill Thomas said Tuesday that he was “99.9 percent sure” he’d ask for a recount in the race to keep his seat in the Legislature. Wednesday, he made it official.
BRH To Repay Nearly $1-Million In Medicare and Medicaid Billing Errors
Casey Kelly, KTOO – Juneau
Bartlett Regional Hospital must repay the state and federal governments close to a million dollars for six years of Medicare and Medicaid billing errors. The hospital also may have to pay penalties for violating federal law.
Young & Impressionable: The Effect Of Domestic Violence On Children
Anne Brice, KCAW – Sitka
Children’s brains are like sponges. They soak up languages and absorb impressions of the world. But this also means their minds retain bad experiences, like domestic violence. Prevention programs in Sitka are working with young kids to give them the tools they need to process feelings and become more resilient. In part one of a two-part series, KCAW’s Anne Brice explores programs that aim to create personal connections through group activities.
State Awards Emergency Food Supply Contract
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
The state has awarded a contract for an emergency food supply. Anchorage based Select Medical Products Incorporated is the recipient of a $4 million, five-year contract from the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Southcentral Utility Costs May Rise As Much As 19 Percent
Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
Representatives of Southcentral Alaska’s three major electric utility companies told an Anchorage Chamber of Commerce audience that rates could go up as much as 19 percent next year, although the Regulatory Commission of Alaska will have to approve any rate increase.
Sitka Looks To Tighten Laws On Smelly Trash
Ed Ronco, KCAW – Sitka
Sitka police could get tougher on trash under a measure advanced Tuesday night by the Assembly. City law right now says residents must wait until their designated trash pick-up day before they put smelly garbage outside. The days of a friendly warning for violators might soon be over.
