Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019
Dunleavy seeks PFD back payments over three years; Democrats demand Trump administration stop offshore oil leasing work during shutdown; Communities reliant on Coast Guard services feel the pain of the federal gov. shutdown; Fairbanks man charged with murdering his mother; State says it will temporarily recognize teaching license recommendations from UAA, amid accreditation loss; State Board of Game votes down changes to moose hunting season; Military’s remote Cold War radars face a new threat: climate change; Bethel's children advocacy center takes a big step toward national accreditation; Juneau has no plans to add fluoride to water following study; On Alaska's stately birds, some ponder the beguiling raven
As Sec. DeVos promotes her Education Freedom Scholarship statewide, some advocates wonder how it would work in Alaska
Some Alaska education advocates question if and how the program could work in the state.
Alaska Airlines drops sponsorship of Iditarod sled dog race
The Seattle-based airline, which got its start in Alaska decades ago, said in a statement that the decision to end sponsorship after this year’s race was made as the company transitions to a new corporate giving strategy.
Republican Talerico falls one vote short of becoming House speaker
The vote was the latest action in a stalemate that’s preventing Alaska’s House of Representatives from beginning work this session.
Iditarod names Joseph Redington, Jr. 2018 Honorary Musher
The Iditarod Trail Committee Board of Directors has named Joseph “Joee” Redington, Jr. the 2018 Honorary Musher. Redington passed away in August and was the oldest son of Joseph Redington, Sr., often called the “Father of the Iditarod.” Listen now
Amid national crunch, Alaska’s coronavirus test supply is adequate, officials say
There's a national testing crunch right now for the coronavirus as the number of cases rise, with Vice President Mike Pence acknowledging that there aren't enough to meet demand
Paddleboarders Find Unique Way to Experience Juneau
A group of people from all over the U.S. traveled to the capital city this week for one reason – stand up paddle boarding. Jan and Jeff Lipscomb, Carol Fontius, and Bob Stafford went to Auke Lake for their first Alaska stand up paddle board experience.
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Boaters can again float some of the Kenai River, as fire slows
Fire officials say while warmer, drier days are coming, the Swan Lake Fire is not expected to show any considerable change.
‘The best trail I’ve ever seen’: Iditarod teams rest in the sun at Rainy Pass as they settle into the competition
Although they battled storms and deep snow the first dozen miles, many mushers said the trail ascending the Alaska Range to the Rainy Pass checkpoint was as good as they ever remember it.
Medicaid, Kids, and Mental Health Services- Something Is Wrong
Drug abuse, domestic violence, and poverty rates are all very high in Alaska and impact many young people who are supported by Medicaid. A problem arises, however, when Medicaid recipients try to access mental health services.
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Upper Lynn Canal leaders discuss implications of Juneau cruise industry lawsuit
In December, a federal judge ruled that the City and Borough of Juneau’s cruise ship passenger fee could not be used to fund projects that did not directly support cruise ship vessels. Since then, communities in the Upper Lynn Canal have been trying to determine if the decision could affect funding for local infrastructure projects.
Already low price for Alaska crude falls further as the world responds to coronavirus
The COVID-19 pandemic is driving some of that recent decline. But, prices were low even before the outbreak.
Bomb threat called into Dimond High School
Anchorage School District officials say an anonymous bomb threat was made against Dimond High School on Monday.
With grocery supplies dwindling on remote Alaska island, the government opened seal harvest early
Dwindling supplies of groceries on a remote Bering Sea island prompted the federal government last month to approve an unusual, early opening of an annual subsistence seal harvest. Listen now
Ketchikan assembly postpones vote on retail marijuana tax, sales tax cap measures
After lengthy discussion Monday, two tax items on the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly agenda each were postponed: an increase to the sales tax cap and a tax on retail marijuana.
US House dems push climate change into spotlight
The House hasn't paid much attention to climate change in nearly a decade. That streak came to an end Wednesday with two simultaneous hearings. Democrats are showing that things are different now that they hold the gavels.
Japan whaling decision may have consequences for Alaska subsistence whalers
Last month Japan announced that it is leaving the international group that regulates whaling and will resume commercial whaling in its own coastal waters.
Checking in with Iditarod mushers Baker and Burmeister
Mushers and their teams are making their runs down the Yukon River. KNOM’s Emily Schwing caught up with two mushers who have roots in Western Alaska mushers to find out how their races are going.
Of 140,000 comments, most favor keeping the Tongass Forest Roadless Rule
Back in August, the U.S. Forest Service said it would consider the state’s ask for an exemption that would make it easier to build new roads through the federal land.
Alaska Board of Fisheries navigates ‘uncharted territory’ for Southeast’s king salmon
The Alaska Board of Fisheries faces some tough decisions this week. One of those is how to conserve dwindling king salmon stocks in a way that won’t financially cripple Southeast salmon fishermen.Listen now