New research illuminates ‘bear necessity’ in Alaska’s berry patches
Bears play a well-known role in fertilizing Alaska’s temperate forests. They catch, carry, and digest fish, spreading nutrients through the undergrowth. But two scientists using remote control cameras near Haines show that bears are making contributions on a different front.
In rural Alaska, looking inside the home to reduce energy costs
A batch of new energy assessors, who live in Southeast villages, are being trained to spot areas that could be more efficient.
Former Juneau real estate agent ordered to pay back stolen $28K, apologizes
Rosalinda Ainza, 35, worked as a property manager for Coldwell Banker Race Realty and stole money intended for the firm’s property management trust account.
Legislature seeks public testimony Saturday on distillery tasting rooms
State lawmakers are hearing public input on whether distilleries should be allowed to serve mixed drinks Saturday morning in the State Capitol building. The House Community and Regional Affairs Committee hearing is on House Bill 269, which would clarify the law regarding serving mixed drinks in distillery tasting rooms.
Rep. Zach Fansler to resign effective Feb. 12
Alaska state Rep. Fansler resigned today, KTOO government reporter Andrew Kitchenman says. It was announced on the House floor Friday morning.
National Weather Service issues high wind warning for Juneau area
Meteorologist intern Sharon Sullivan says the National Weather Service is expecting near 65 mph winds tonight in downtown Juneau and Douglas.
Confidential report paints bleak picture for Iditarod
A confidential report looking into the financial sustainability and leadership of the Iditarod race’s governing body says the race is in trouble. Iditarod officials are planning to implement a series of reforms later this year, but not until after the race wraps up in March.
Suspect held in 2016 shooting in Alaska Peninsula village
Ole Shangin, 32, is charged with first- and second-degree murder in the death of Joseph Peterson, who was shot and killed in Ivanof Bay.
Marijuana tax collections in Alaska tumble again
Marijuana tax revenue in Alaska fell for the second straight month in December, though a state tax auditor says the slide may be short lived.
Alaska Attorney General started defending Juneau in a lawsuit. Then it changed its mind.
The Attorney General filed a friend of the court brief in support of the City and Borough of Juneau in its cruise ship lawsuit. Less than 24 hours the state withdrew, claiming the filing was an “error due to internal miscommunications.”
State supplemental budget reaches $178 million, prompts Medicaid concern
Most of this cost — $92 million — is from Medicaid. Legislature is funding Medicaid at a lower level than state officials projected costs would run. On top of that, those projections were too low. Officials say more people enrolled in Medicaid due to the recession.
It’s hurry up and wait for state gasline corporation’s federal permitting schedule
Alaska’s gasline corporation has filed tens of thousands of pages of documents for their federal permit. Now it’s waiting for the commission to make a decision on if, and when, the state can get to work on its massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project.
Kodiak park officials to discuss fad of hiding painted rocks
Kodiak park officials have plans to discuss whether they should ban a nationwide craze of painting rocks and leaving them to be found by others.
Y-K Delta Democrats discuss Fansler’s potential replacement
Democrats met Tuesday in Bethel to discuss who should replace Rep. Zach Fansler if he resigns or gets expelled from his seat. About 20 of Fansler’s constituents filed into an empty classroom on Bethel’s Kuskokwim University campus in Bethel and tried to decide what to do.
Amid shrinking sea ice, hunters race to adapt
As the climate changes, subsistence hunters in Alaska are changing with it. With warm temperatures this winter across the state, sea ice is forming exceptionally slowly in the Arctic and Bering Strait regions.
Kodiak mayor testifies before U.S. Senate committee
The U.S. Senate committee on energy and natural resources held a hearing Tuesday on natural disasters. The city of Kodiak’s mayor Pat Branson was a part of a six-person panel and testified on the city’s recent tsunami scare.
Deep water release required for rockfish in Southeast Alaska in 2020
In two years, anglers sport fishing from a boat in Southeast Alaska will be required to have a device on board for releasing rockfish well below the surface, which is already a requirement for the charter boat fleet. Alaska’s Board of Fisheries made the change during their January meeting in Sitka.
How voters with disabilities are blocked from the ballot box
Many people with disabilities cannot mark paper ballots without assistance, so they rely on special voting machines that are equipped with earphones and other modifications.
Ray Troll’s Ratfish Wranglers return to Juneau
Ketchikan artist Ray Troll’s band performs two concerts in Juneau. See Ray Troll and the Ratfish Wranglers play a free show at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, @360 in the KTOO building. The group performs a fundraiser show at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at the JACC.
When homelessness is around the corner, even the helpers can become helpless
Dion and his wife raised three biological children and dozens of foster kids. They ran a therapeutic foster home in Anchorage for eight years. He says at one point, they had 10 young people in their house. For most of his life he’s provided in-home care for people with disabilities.