Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, April 17, 2019

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Legislature confirms all of Gov. Dunleavy’s commissioners

Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau

The Legislature confirmed every commissioner appointed by Governor Mike Dunleavy in its annual joint session today. It continued to consider appointees to boards and commissions this afternoon.

Cost to move Legislature could be up to $45M if state builds office, analysts find

Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau

The first-year cost is closer to $3 million if the state rents office space instead of building new facilities, analysts find.

Murkowski calls for many ‘silver bullets’ to tackle climate change

Krysti Shallenberger, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Bethel

On April 13, Sen. Lisa Murkowski made an unexpected visit to Bethel on her way to Eek. Murkowski had hoped to check out Eek’s new running water and a tiny home project, but she got weathered out.

Glennallen man selected to lead Denali Commission

Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media – Washington D.C.

The U.S. secretary of Commerce has appointed Jason Hoke of Glennallen to be the commission’s federal co-chair.

North Pole High ‘bathroom incident’ raises concerns over bullying, policy

Robyne, KUAC – Fairbanks

The community was concerned about an incident two weeks ago at North Pole High School involving boys coming into a girls’ bathroom. The boys were protesting a transgender student who posted a photo of himself in the boys’ bathroom.

Southeast captain admits to dumping 8 tons of waste overboard

Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage

According to the plea agreement filed in federal court Monday, Brannon Finney admits to violating the federal Clean Water Act. Finney, 32, has signed the plea agreement, which goes before a judge next month at her sentencing hearing.

State dials back PFAS response standard

Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks

The state has rolled back a stricter PFAS drinking water contamination standard, and suspended development of new regulations for the chemicals.

Homer Rep. Vance looks into Board of Fish vote on Cook Inlet meeting location

Aaron Bolton, KBBI – Homer

Homer House Rep. Sarah Vance announced Friday that she is launching an inquiry into the Alaska Board of Fisheries’ January vote to move its 2020 Upper Cook Inlet finfish meeting on the Kenai Peninsula back to Anchorage. Vance and other peninsula legislators asked the board to reconsider its decision and to provide public notice before it did so. The board has not responded.

Juneau high schoolers headed to world robotics championship

Zoe Grueskin, KTOO – Juneau

A high school robotics team from Juneau is competing in a world championship this month. It’s the first time a team from Southeast Alaska has made it this far.

American Ninja Warriors Nate DeHaan and Nick Hanson talk friendship and representing rural Alaska

Greg Kim, KYUK – Bethel

The television show “American Ninja Warrior” enters its 11th season next month, and again will feature the “Eskimo Ninja”, Nick Hanson from Unalakleet. Hanson visited Bethel last week to hang out with his buddy, fellow American Ninja Warrior, Nate DeHaan. These two comprise two thirds of all the Ninja Warriors to ever come from Alaska.

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