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The Alaska Marijuana Control Board approved the first commercial license Thursday. (Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Alaska moves closer to onsite marijuana use in certain areas

Alaska has moved closer to becoming the first in the country with statewide rules allowing onsite use of marijuana at specially authorized stores.

By Associated Press | March 10, 2019 5:20 am

This genetically engineered fish, branded AquAdvantage, is designed to grow faster in fish farms. (Photo by AquaBounty Technologies)

FDA clears path for genetically engineered salmon

Genetically engineered salmon is on its way to the United States after FDA announced the cancellation of the last barrier keeping the fish out of the country.

By Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media | March 10, 2019 5:05 am

Juneau businesses find themselves in alcohol license limbo as legislators work to change laws

Businesses in Juneau and across Alaska have been surprised to find their alcohol license renewals denied by the state recently. A new bill could solve the issue, but legislators say more reforms are necessary to overhaul Alaska’s alcohol laws.

By Adelyn Baxter, KTOO | March 8, 2019 6:14 pm

Energy & Mining

Public comment period for Pebble’s draft EIS underway, but critics stress shortcomings

Aside from concerns that the 90-day review period isn’t enough time to examine the 1,400-page document, critics say the draft environmental impact statement’s shortcomings render it insufficient.

By Isabelle Ross, KDLG-Dillingham | March 8, 2019 5:33 pm

The Explorer of the Seas docked in Skagway. (Photo by Emily Files/KHNS)

Crime & Courts

Family awarded $3.38M for Royal Caribbean passenger’s death

A federal jury says Royal Caribbean Cruises owes $3.38 million to the family of a passenger who died during an Alaska cruise. Royal Caribbean representatives say they plan to appeal the decision.

By Associated Press | March 8, 2019 2:13 pm

Lawsuit challenges Alaska Medicaid policy denying transgender-related health care coverage

The lawsuit, which seeks to be class action, argues that prohibiting coverage for gender reassignment surgery and hormone therapy is discriminatory and illegal.

By Renee Gross, KBBI-Homer | March 8, 2019 1:48 pm

Representatives from Sealaska Heritage, Alaska Native Brotherhood, Central Council of Tlingit & Haida and descendants of the five known Tlingit code talkers on the steps of the capitol on Wednesday.

State Government

Alaska Legislature recognizes Tlingit code talkers for their efforts during WWII

The Legislature adopted a citation recognizing the contributions of Tlingit code talkers during World War II. During floor sessions, lawmakers spoke about the outsized role Alaska Natives have played in the military.

By Henry Leasia, KHNS-Haines | March 8, 2019 12:47 pm

Education

How school districts can keep students safe from abuse

If records and reference checks don’t turn up any red flags, there isn’t much other information available to school districts. But there are other steps districts can take to emphasize student safety.

By Zoe Grueskin, KTOO | March 8, 2019 12:17 pm

Senate Finance Committee members hear testimony from Mouhcine Guettabi of the Institute of Social and Economic Research, March 7, 2019. (Photo by Andrew Kitchenman/KTOO and Alaska Public Media)

State Government

Lawmakers want to know more about impact of proposed budget cuts

Alaska lawmakers got some answers this week about the effects of potential budget cuts, but they still face a lot of uncertainty as they weigh funding for government services and permanent fund dividends — or whether to reopen a debate on taxes.

By Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO and Alaska Public Media | March 7, 2019 6:43 pm

Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, at his swearing-in ceremony, March 14, 1973. Speaker of the House Carl Albert, D-Okla., administers the oath, with House Minority Leader Gerald Ford, R-Mich.

Federal Government

Don Young: 46 years in an office he never expected to win

Rep. Don Young is now the longest-serving Republican in the history Congress. He reflects on his legacy, and on the goofs and gaffes that punctuate his career.

By Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media | March 7, 2019 3:29 pm

Robert Melovidov holds up fur seal meat that he’s preparing to cook in his home on St. Paul island in January. Unangan people on St. Paul like Melovidov have been pushing the federal government for more than a decade for more freedom to harvest the fur seals they share the island with.

Alaska's Energy Desk

For decades, the government stood between the Unangan people and the seals they subsist on. Now that’s changing.

On remote St. Paul Island, federal rules have restricted subsistence hunting for years, forcing residents to buy expensive groceries. New rules could take effect soon, but opponents worry about a declining local seal population.

By Nat Herz, Alaska's Energy Desk | March 7, 2019 2:26 pm

Education

Are more Juneau high school graduates ready for college? It depends.

UAS says over the past five years, more Juneau students are arriving on campus ready for college. UAS uses its own definition of college readiness — a lower bar than national standards — but officials stand by it.

By Zoe Grueskin, KTOO | March 6, 2019 6:53 pm

The Norwegian Joy, NCL's latest megaship, will visit Alaska for the first time this summer. (Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Lines)

Tourism

Juneau Assembly rejects cruise invitation, citing possible conflicts of interest

The four-day trip between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Los Angeles will be the Norwegian Joy’s inaugural U.S. voyage. But some Assembly members questioned the company’s motives at Monday’s meeting.

By Adelyn Baxter, KTOO | March 6, 2019 6:00 pm

Dan Robinson, chief of research and analysis at the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, speaks to the Senate Finance Committee at the Alaska Capitol on March 6, 2019.

State Government

State labor economist says state policies have affected recession length

Dan Robinson, research chief for the state’s labor department, told the Senate Finance Committee that uncertainty over the size and spending of state government are contributing to Alaska’s recession.

By Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO and Alaska Public Media | March 6, 2019 5:31 pm

Politics

Keith Miller, Alaska’s third governor, dies at 94

Alaska came into sudden wealth under Miller’s governorship when an oil lease sale on the North Slope fetched $900 million.

By Associated Press | March 6, 2019 5:28 pm

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Alaska’s Energy Desk

Marijuana

Alaska moves closer to onsite marijuana use in certain areas

FDA clears path for genetically engineered salmon

Business

Juneau businesses find themselves in alcohol license limbo as legislators work to change laws

Energy & Mining

Public comment period for Pebble’s draft EIS underway, but critics stress shortcomings

Crime & Courts

Family awarded $3.38M for Royal Caribbean passenger’s death

Health

Lawsuit challenges Alaska Medicaid policy denying transgender-related health care coverage

State Government

Alaska Legislature recognizes Tlingit code talkers for their efforts during WWII

Education

How school districts can keep students safe from abuse

State Government

Lawmakers want to know more about impact of proposed budget cuts

Federal Government

Don Young: 46 years in an office he never expected to win

Alaska's Energy Desk

For decades, the government stood between the Unangan people and the seals they subsist on. Now that’s changing.

Education

Are more Juneau high school graduates ready for college? It depends.

Tourism

Juneau Assembly rejects cruise invitation, citing possible conflicts of interest

State Government

State labor economist says state policies have affected recession length

Politics

Keith Miller, Alaska’s third governor, dies at 94

Juneau

Juneau businesses find themselves in alcohol license limbo as legislators work to change laws

Alaska Legislature recognizes Tlingit code talkers for their efforts during WWII

How school districts can keep students safe from abuse

Are more Juneau high school graduates ready for college? It depends.

Alaska

FDA clears path for genetically engineered salmon

Public comment period for Pebble’s draft EIS underway, but critics stress shortcomings

Family awarded $3.38M for Royal Caribbean passenger’s death

Lawmakers want to know more about impact of proposed budget cuts

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Nation & World

Murkowski explains why she’ll vote to cancel Trump’s emergency

Prospect of commercial fishing in central Arctic Ocean poses big questions for science

Alaska’s seafood industry says the U.S.-China trade war is costing it dearly

Trump makes stop, speech at Alaska military base

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