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Alaska's Energy Desk

In rural Alaska, school districts deal with a legacy of unaddressed contamination

Typically, when a contaminated site is discovered it’s up to the landowner — or the person responsible for making the mess — to clean it up. But there are dozens of sites where this process has broken down.

By Rashah McChesney, Alaska's Energy Desk | June 19, 2019 7:53 pm

Public Safety

Jökulhlaup raises Taku River levels; Suicide Basin release likely in next few weeks

The rising water level will bring more debris and much colder water. “So, if you were to perhaps fall in the river, there would be more risk of hypothermia,” said Nicole Ferrin of the National Weather Service.

By Matt Miller, KTOO | June 24, 2019 4:00 pm

Alaska governor fires back at AFN over criticism of his budget

Gov. Mike Dunleavy says the Alaska Federation of Natives hasn’t offered a valid solution to the fiscal crisis. He wants to know AFN’s plans to fight sexual assaults and educational woes in Native communities.

By Alex DeMarban, Anchorage Daily News | June 24, 2019 11:22 am

Following the purchase of Minto Mine, Yukon ore may be shipped from Skagway once again

The Yukon’s Minto Mine is expected to resume ore production in the near future. That means that Skagway’s ore terminal may begin loading ships with ore after months of inactivity. However, this may complicate the other needs of Skagway’s port.

By Henry Leasia, KHNS | June 23, 2019 2:03 pm

Politics

Time for Murkowski to take a stand on Pebble? She says not yet.

Opponents of the Pebble Mine are doing all they can to get Sen. Lisa Murkowski on their side. But Murkowski is not ready to make a declaration about the mine, for or against.

By Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media | June 22, 2019 11:34 am

Subsistence

Fishing regulations on the Kuskokwim: Do they restrict Yup’ik culture, or preserve it?

Regulations on the Kuskokwim River are intended to keep fish populations sustainable for the future. But they can be frustrating for the Yup’ik people who’ve fished the river for generations.

By Greg Kim, KYUK-Bethel | June 21, 2019 6:40 pm

State Government

Legislators, Dunleavy administration expect school funds to be paid during potential lawsuit

The Legislative Council voted unanimously on June 13 to authorize a lawsuit against the Dunleavy administration over education funding.

By Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO and Alaska Public Media | June 21, 2019 3:14 pm

Alaska's Energy Desk

Planning for 2019 NPR-A oil lease sale begins as feds pursue opening more Arctic land to drilling

The U.S. Interior Department is re-evaluating the management plan for the reserve, aiming to open up land that’s currently off-limits to oil leasing.

By Elizabeth Harball, Alaska's Energy Desk | June 21, 2019 1:24 pm

The Carnival Miracle arriving in Juneau in 2013.

Crime & Courts

Court rejects Alaskans’ appeal in Carnival pollution case

A judge explained in court papers that the harm claimed by the three Alaskans and one Bahamian were general in nature and could’ve applied broadly to others in the region.

By Jacob Resneck, CoastAlaska | June 21, 2019 12:59 pm

State Government

Agency estimates $1.3M 30-day Wasilla special session cost

The estimates were prepared by the Legislative Affairs Agency, which cited security and logistical concerns with meeting at the Wasilla Middle School, Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s recommended venue.

By Becky Bohrer, Associated Press | June 21, 2019 12:34 pm

Gardentalk

Gardentalk – Preparing your picked peonies for a perfect, prolonged presentation

Master Gardener Ed Buyarski has tips for getting the most out of your peonies flowers. He also answers a question about mulch for rhododendrons.

By Matt Miller, KTOO | June 21, 2019 5:00 am

State Government

Dunleavy to lawmakers: PFD formula must be approved by popular vote

Dunleavy and lawmakers are engaged in a worthy discussion over the future of Alaska Permanent Fund earnings and dividends.

By Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO and Alaska Public Media | June 20, 2019 5:21 pm

Juneau police officers confer as they arrest Chuck Cotten, property manager at the Bergmann Hotel. Cotten was responsible for removing residents from their rooms before Friday March 10, 2017 in Juneau, Alaska. The building has been condemned. (Photo by Rashah McChesney/Alaska's Energy Desk)

Crime & Courts

Ex-manager of Juneau’s Bergmann Hotel sentenced on meth charges

Charles Edward Cotten, Jr., 53, will spend 10 years in prison, then 25 years on supervised release.

By Matt Miller, KTOO | June 20, 2019 4:54 pm

Health

Federal audit finds gaps in Alaska ‘critical incident’ reporting

A recent review from a federal watchdog agency found that Alaska health care providers failed to correctly report and monitor critical incidents involving people with developmental disabilities.

By Kirsten Swann, Alaska Public Media | June 20, 2019 4:09 pm

Alaska's Energy Desk

As sea ice changes in a warming Arctic, new challenges for polar bear research

“There’s probably going to be a greater amount of uncertainty with some of the information that we’re able to provide, because it’s simply not going to be as precise as it used to be,” said wildlife biologist Todd Atwood.

By Ravenna Koenig, Alaska's Energy Desk | June 20, 2019 2:59 pm

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Alaska’s Energy Desk

Alaska's Energy Desk

In rural Alaska, school districts deal with a legacy of unaddressed contamination

Public Safety

Jökulhlaup raises Taku River levels; Suicide Basin release likely in next few weeks

Alaska governor fires back at AFN over criticism of his budget

Following the purchase of Minto Mine, Yukon ore may be shipped from Skagway once again

Politics

Time for Murkowski to take a stand on Pebble? She says not yet.

Subsistence

Fishing regulations on the Kuskokwim: Do they restrict Yup’ik culture, or preserve it?

State Government

Legislators, Dunleavy administration expect school funds to be paid during potential lawsuit

Alaska's Energy Desk

Planning for 2019 NPR-A oil lease sale begins as feds pursue opening more Arctic land to drilling

Crime & Courts

Court rejects Alaskans’ appeal in Carnival pollution case

State Government

Agency estimates $1.3M 30-day Wasilla special session cost

Gardentalk

Gardentalk – Preparing your picked peonies for a perfect, prolonged presentation

State Government

Dunleavy to lawmakers: PFD formula must be approved by popular vote

Crime & Courts

Ex-manager of Juneau’s Bergmann Hotel sentenced on meth charges

Health

Federal audit finds gaps in Alaska ‘critical incident’ reporting

Alaska's Energy Desk

As sea ice changes in a warming Arctic, new challenges for polar bear research

Juneau

Jökulhlaup raises Taku River levels; Suicide Basin release likely in next few weeks

Agency estimates $1.3M 30-day Wasilla special session cost

Ex-manager of Juneau’s Bergmann Hotel sentenced on meth charges

Former Arizona lawmaker receives 65-year sentence for Excursion Inlet homicide

Alaska

Following the purchase of Minto Mine, Yukon ore may be shipped from Skagway once again

Time for Murkowski to take a stand on Pebble? She says not yet.

Fishing regulations on the Kuskokwim: Do they restrict Yup’ik culture, or preserve it?

Legislators, Dunleavy administration expect school funds to be paid during potential lawsuit

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Nation & World

Following the purchase of Minto Mine, Yukon ore may be shipped from Skagway once again

Court rejects Alaskans’ appeal in Carnival pollution case

Norway islanders want to go ‘time-free’ when sun doesn’t set

‘Starving’ polar bear wanders into Siberian town

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