Decision on Southeast Alaska king salmon looms
Alaska Board of Fisheries has put off a decision on king salmon action plans until Friday at the earliest. The decision making body has been hearing testimony from fishermen and other concerned citizens all week at its meeting in Sitka.
Watchdog group calls for tougher training standards for oil spill response
A citizens watchdog group is concerned new oil response crews coming to Prince William Sound aren’t being trained in rough weather conditions they might have to operate in.
State senators slam additional Medicaid costs
Budget director Pat Pitney notes spending increased health care access, strengthened health care industry.
What caused the Blob? Scientists conclude: We did.
The relationship between extreme weather events and climate change is complicated. But scientists are getting closer to figuring out how the two are linked.
Some Southeast lawmakers hope to fund K-12 in advance
As the legislative session gets underway, education will once again be at the front of many Alaskans’ minds. That includes Southeast legislators.
Among 100-plus proposals, Sitka’s sac roe herring fishery a top issue
With its waters visible outside the window of Harrigan Centennial Hall, Sitka Sound, the site of the Sitka sac roe herring fishery, is one of the biggest battles this cycle.
Trump administration will protect health workers who refuse services on religious grounds
The Division of Conscience and Religious Freedom is being established to aid health workers with objections rooted in conscience or religion to treating certain people and performing some procedures.
Alaska Board of Fisheries navigates ‘uncharted territory’ for Southeast’s king salmon
The Alaska Board of Fisheries is tasked with balancing conservation of king salmon with the livelihood of fishermen. Dwindling king salmon runs have triggered it as a “stock of concern” in several major Southeast river systems and major closures are being considered.
Firefighters quickly put out downtown house fire
Capital City Fire/Rescue officials said the Wednesday fire appeared to start in a mattress in the basement of the two-story house at 241 Behrends Street.
Young wants earmarks back, and he’s not alone
The U.S. House is pondering whether to reinstate the use of earmarks, allowing lawmakers to again direct federal money to specific projects, usually in their home districts. One of the biggest proponents at a House Rules Committee hearing Wednesday was Alaska Congressman Don Young.
Top Republican, Democrat in Alaska Senate differ on income tax
Senate President Pete Kelly said his caucus was right to oppose an income tax last year. Anchorage Democratic Sen. Berta Gardner, the minority caucus leader, said a broad-based tax is still needed.
Woman rescued from 39 degree waters of Gastineau Channel
A woman jumped into the 39 degree waters of Gastineau Channel on Tuesday night and needed rescue. According to a Coast Guard news release, the 27-year-old was in a group when she jumped into the channel at the cruise ship terminal near the Taku Fisheries pier.
State-ordered investigation following BP leak finds no additional problem wells
The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission found no additional wells that could lead to a similar accident, according to commissioner Cathy Foerster.
Knowles quits National Parks panel, says new administration won’t listen
Former Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles led a mass resignation this week from the National Park System advisory board. He’s served on the board since 2010.
Southeast Alaska squid fishery shot down
Declining king salmon stocks are playing a role in the Alaska’s Board of Fisheries decisions for other commercial fisheries. On Sunday, the board voted down a proposal for a new fishery in Southeast Alaska for market squid.
Ask a Climatologist: “Astounding” new state temperature record for January
66 degrees at the Annette Island Airport on Sunday, January 14 is the state record for a high temperature anywhere in Alaska in the month of January.
With two Juneau judges retiring, court system seeks change to relieve bottleneck
Juneau District Court Judge Thomas Nave and Juneau Superior Court Judge Louis Menendez are both retiring on June 29.
Juneau Community Charter School celebrates 20 years
Twenty years ago, a group of parents in Juneau banded together to establish a school where they could be more directly involved in their children’s education. Ever since, the Juneau Community Charter School has offered an alternative learning environment.
Poetry Omnibus solicits submissions, offers workshops
The deadline to submit entries to Poetry Omnibus, the contest that puts locally written work in our Capital Transit buses, is Jan. 31.
Haines keeps title of oldest borough in Alaska
If the old adage with “age comes wisdom” is true, then on average, Haines is the wisest of Alaska’s boroughs. The state released 2017 data on population this week. Haines retained its superlative status as the oldest borough.