North Pacific Right Whale gets further federal protection
Thu, March 6, 2008
The North Pacific right whale is now a unique species in the eyes of the law. The right whale has been on the endangered species list for nearly forty years, but until today the North Pacific and North Atlantic populations were lumped together and protected as a single species. It’s a technical change, but one that could have big implications in Alaska.
Charles Homans, KIAL - Unalaska
Palin baby due in May
Thu, March 6, 2008
The Palin family is growing some more. Governor Palin late yesterday announced that she is seven months pregnant. The announcement was a complete surprise – even her top staff didn’t know until she mentioned it to a few reporters after a press conference.
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
Shorter session puts legislators under pressure
Thu, March 6, 2008
The fast pace of this years session has prompted concern among legislators. Some lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are questioning whether too much public process is being sacrificed in order to meet the new 90-day deadline. Supporters of the shorter session say it’s making the process more efficient.
Matt Lichtenstein, KFSK - Petersburg
Coast Guard evaluating potential new role in the arctic
Thu, March 6, 2008
The US Coast Guard will have to extend its reach into the Arctic Ocean as climate change and retreating sea ice open access there. Commandant Thad Allen says there’s a lot the Coast Guard needs to learn as it prepares for its new Arctic responsibilities.
Joel Southern, APRN - Washington, DC
Iditarod leaders into Cripple - DeeDee surprised to be first
Thu, March 6, 2008
On the Iditarod trail, DeeDee Jonrowe was the first into the Cripple checkpoint at 6:22 a.m. She was followed in rapid succession by Paul Gebhardt, 6:30 a.m.; Zack Steer, 6:36 a.m.; and Martin Buser, 6:40 a.m. along with Ed Iten at 7:20 a.m. and Ken Anderson at 7:42 a.m. As of late afternoon, the Iditarod report showed 10 mushers in Cripple. All appear to be taking their mandatory 24-hour layovers, perhaps reflecting a difficult trail between Ophir and Cripple.
Len Anderson, KSKA - Anchorage and Libby Casey, KUAC - Cripple
US Senate passes bill strengthening Consumer Product Safety Commission
Thu, March 6, 2008
Today the U.S. Senate passed a bill to modernize and beef up the Consumer Product Safety Commission. And tucked inside it, are provisions to improve the safety of new all terrain vehicles. The bill would make safety measures developed by the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America the mandatory standard for 4-wheeled ATVs. It would be unlawful for manufacturers or distributors to import new 4 wheelers or commercially sell them unless those standards were met.
Joel Southern, APRN - Washington, DC
Denali National Park wolves suffer losses
Thu, March 6, 2008
Independent wildlife scientist Gordon Haber is again calling for more protection of Denali National Park wolves that wander onto state land. A buffer zone already exists along a portion of the Park Boundary near Healy, but wolves continue wander onto state lands where wolf trapping and hunting are legal. Haber says several of the 15-20 National Park Service wolf study groups have suffered major losses this winter.
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
New state hatcheries struggle to find funds
Thu, March 6, 2008
Skyrocketing costs have created a hurdle for new state fish hatcheries in the works for Fairbanks and Anchorage. A Senate Finance committee this week restored money for the projects, but Fairbanks Senator Joe Thomas says they’ve been in peril due to unanticipated cost hikes.
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
Alaska News Nightly: March 6, 2008
Thu, March 6, 2008
The North Pacific Right Whale get unique status under the endangered species act. Plus, the shorter legislative session ratchets up pressure on legislators and the US Coast Guard begins planning for operations in the arctic. Those stories and more on tonight’s Alaska News Nightly, broadcast statewide on APRN stations.
Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.
Iditarod frontrunner status scrambled on way to Cripple
Thu, March 6, 2008
It looks like a fast trail to Cripple. A pack of mushers led by Paul Gebhart took off for there yesterday afternoon. We’re not sure yet how that worked out for them. And now another group has taken off for Cripple from Takotna on what may be a better and faster trail. We’re talking about Kjetil Backen, 45 minutes ahead of Lance Mackey and Jeff King. They will pass Mitch Seavey and others, who can’t take off until later from Ophir.
Cripple is the halfway point, and the most remote point, on the trail. Reporting from there is fragmentary and often delayed. Things will become a lot clearer by the time teams reach Ruby and the Yukon River. The front pack that Gebhart led toward Cripple yesterday includes Hugh Neff, Zack Steer, DeeDee Jonrowe, Sylvia Willis, Martin Buser, Ed Iten, Ken Anderson, Rohn Buser and several others. In the past, some have gone all the way to Ruby before taking their 24 hour layover, which is mandatory, and can be a key element of strategy. Though there are other reasons some mushers lean towards Takotna.
Some took their twenty-four hour layovers in McGrath and headed down the trail toward the others in the middle of the night. They’ll roar through Takotna and Ophir, trying to catch up with the pack on the way to the Yukon river. They include Hans Gatt, William Kleedin, Gerry Willomitzer and five-time winner Rick Swenson.
TEAM COVERAGE:
Steve Heimel, APRN - Anchorage
Libby Casey, KUAC - Takotna
David Shurtleff, APRN - McGrath
Be sure to listen to the attached audio update for our full report.
-
Search
-
datebook49.com
See the full calendar
Submit your event
Sallie Morris -- It is true the fuel costs here are eating up all our savings and we are not even...
Site Credits
Site Policies
Contact Us