Alaska News Nightly: April 1, 2019

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Judge blocks Trump administration move to undo Obama ban on Arctic oil leasing

Elizabeth Harball, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Anchorage

U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason, in an opinion released late Friday, said President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by issuing an executive order in 2017 that reopened large parts of the Beaufort and Chukchi seas to offshore oil leasing. Former President Barack Obama had protected those areas from development in his second term.

Soldier killed during live-fire exercise near Fort Greely

Tim Ellis, KUAC – Fairbanks

A Stryker Brigade soldier stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson was killed Saturday during a live-fire training exercise in the Donnelly Training Area near Fort Greely.

‘Stay off the ice’ BSAR warns as two die from four-wheelers falling through ice

Krysti Shallenberger, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Bethel

Two four-wheelers carrying five men leaving Bethel broke through needle ice on the upper end of Church Slough on Sunday night. Two of the men died, while three others were treated for hypothermia in Bethel.

Anchorage municipal ballots due April 2

Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage

Tuesday marks the last day to cast a ballot in Anchorage’s municipal elections. Voters will pick new members of the Assembly and school board, and weigh in on 11 ballot measures ranging from bonding proposals to a new tax on alcohol.

State regulators propose changing how to implement Clean Water Act

Jacob Resneck, CoastAlaska – Juneau

The Trump administration is quietly reviving its consideration of a long-stalled effort in Alaska to loosen pollution standards where fish spawn. State regulators proposed the rule change to how it enforces the federal Clean Water Act more than a decade ago. But it still needs approval from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Tariffs force Alaska seafood industry to look beyond China

Associated Press

Chinese tariffs are forcing the seafood industry in Alaska to look for markets beyond the Asian giant.

Juneau homeless service providers worry governor’s budget could close facilities

Adelyn Baxter, KTOO – Juneau

The cuts proposed in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget would have big impacts for housing and homeless service programs. In Juneau, providers say the loss of funding could put some of Alaska’s most vulnerable residents back on the streets.

For Kachemak City residents, DIY roadwork beats higher taxes

Renee Gross, KBBI – Homer

Kachemak City in the southern Kenai Peninsula offers grants to residents to fix roads themselves. Some residents say DIY roadwork beats higher taxes.

Auluturta: The story of the 2019 Cama-i Spirit Mask

Anna Rose MacArthur, KYUK – Bethel

This year’s Cama-i theme was “Together We Dance As One.” The unifying message inspired artist Sivaluaq Jerry “Bucket” Lieb to design the festival’s spirit mask around the story of how people gave up fighting to dance and sing.

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