Individual news 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.
State Eyes Arkansas Plan As Model For Medicaid Expansion
By Annie Feidt, APRN – Anchorage
Does Arkansas have a health care solution that would work in Alaska? The state’s Health and Social Services Commissioner, Bill Struer, is looking into that. Arkansas wants to use federal Medicaid expansion money under the Affordable Care Act to enroll people in private plans on its health insurance exchange.
The Coast Guard icebreaker Healy is on its annual mission in the ice pack north of Barrow. Â Next month a group of technology specialists will come aboard with drones and submersibles to test arctic oil spill response capabilities.
Inuit Circumpolar Council Meets In Kotzebue
By Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
The Inuit Circumpolar Council met in Kotzebue last week. It was the first meeting there since a general assembly in 1986. Members from Russia, Greenland and Canada joined their Alaskan counterparts to discuss ongoing concerns for indigenous people in the north.
Anchorage Police Search For Man Who Shot At Officer
By The Associated Press
A man fired several shots at an Anchorage police officer today, but the officer was not hit. Police spokeswoman Jennifer Castro says the suspect fled on foot, and police have set up a perimeter in the midtown area to search for the man.
Over the past ten years, state education funding has more than doubled while student enrollment has stayed about the same. Still, educational outcomes haven’t seen dramatic improvement.
Flood Threat Minimal With Heavy Rain
By Phillip Manning, KTNA – Talkeetna
Communities that were hit by last fall’s floods do not need to start heading for high ground, yet. Rivers are rising in the Mat-Su and Anchorage, but major flooding is not expected right now.
Matsu Ferry Could Be Dry-Docked
By Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
The Matanuska Susitna Borough is working on a plan to dry-dock the ferry Susitna in Cook Inlet. But the move would cost the borough more than one million dollars.
Public Invited To Comment On New Ferry Design
By Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO – Juneau
The Alaska Marine Highway System Manager says the first of two day boats will be sailing Lynn Canal even before the summer of 2016. Captain John Falvey and other state transportation officials are holding meetings on the new ferry design this week.
Glacier Bay Lodge Saved
By Lisa Phu, KTOO – Juneau
Glacier Bay Lodge will stay open, at least for another 2 years. Several weeks of negotiations between National Park Service and the current concessionaires ended yesterday.
