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Critics say shutdown will doom Arctic projects in court
Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media – Washington D.C.
The Trump administration continued work on some Alaska oil development projects, despite the partial shutdown. Critics say that could invalidate the government’s ultimate decisions to approve them.
Port project cost estimate doubles to nearly $2B
Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
According to the latest estimate, overdue repairs will be twice as expensive as originally forecasted, leaving city officials are dismayed.
Rockslides, icy roads lead to Anchorage highway crashes
Associated Press
A rockslide seriously injured a driver on the Seward Highway.
King Salmon find PFAS contaminants in groundwater
Avery Lill, KDLG – Dillingham
Groundwater contaminated with perflourinated substances was discovered at the King Salmon airport Thursday in Southwest Alaska. The chemical, known as PFAS, is a component of firefighting foams used during regular equipment testing at the airport.
Cannabis advocates wary of Dunleavy’s Marijuana Control Board appointments
Tim Ellis, KUAC – Fairbanks
Alaska’s marijuana industry and its advocates are concerned about Governor Mike Dunleavy’s appointment of two people to the Marijuana Control Board that the advocates say could slow or halt the industry’s growth and hamper the state’s ability to regulate it.
Pending inspection, second marijuana cultivation facility to open in Nome
Katie Kazmierski, KNOM – Nome
Nome Grown LLC, owned by Nome resident Gregory Smith, was issued a Limited Marijuana Cultivation Facility license earlier this month. The license is currently active, pending inspection.
Two Valley sled dog races canceled, another potentially in jeopardy
Phillip Manning, KTNA – Talkeetna
A pair of sled dog races has been canceled, and another may be in jeopardy due to poor trail conditions in the Mat-Su Valley.
New school accountability system flags more schools for improvement
Renee Gross, KBBI – Homer
The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development is assessing schools in a new way. The department rolled out it’s new accountability system in late October, which they call the System for School Success.
AK: New Sitka TV show hopes to promote authenticity in area
Robert Woolsey, KCAW – Sitka
A pair of producers is hoping to put together a show that reflects a more authentic Alaskan experience than what is prevalent in reality television nowadays.
49 Voices: Linda Sampson in Noorvik
Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau
This week we’re hearing from Linda Sampson in Noorvik. Sampson is an instructional aide at the village school.
