Politics

Even Alaska conservatives support Medicaid expansion, pollster says

Alaskans from every region of the state support expansion of Medicaid, said pollster Ivan Moore, putting new pressure on legislators who oppose expansion and say they are reflecting their constituents' views.
Pat Forgey
Question in Juneau: Combine Medicaid expansion with reforms, or reforms alone?
Politics

Gov. Walker defends nominees to Alaska education board

The Alaska teachers union is criticizing Gov. Bill Walker for not appointing people with classroom experience in public schools to the state education board. Walker said his two nominees are strong candidates.
Nathaniel Herz
Chair of Alaska education board withdraws from reappointment
Alaska News

Alaska Intertie problem causes large power outage in Interior, Mat-Su

The outage affected about 7,000 MEA customers from Houston to just north of the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge and more GVEA customers in and around Fairbanks.
Tegan Hanlon
Crime & Justice

FBI considering civil rights investigation into Bethel police altercation

The FBI is evaluating whether to open an official civil rights investigation into a July altercation involving a Bethel police officer that sparked complaints of police brutality and was captured on video, an FBI spokeswoman said Thursday.
Lisa Demer
Video shows Bethel police officer slamming man to the ground
Crime & Justice

Bukurim Miftari gets 61 years for killing ex-girlfriend in 2012

Bukurim Miftari, 24, was sentenced to 61 years on Thursday for kidnapping and murdering his ex-girlfriend, Kristen Reid, in 2012. He chose not to speak and maintained his innocence.
Jerzy Shedlock
Anchorage man found guilty in 2012 murder of ex-girlfriend
Woman found shot and in ditch to be taken off life support

Fish and Game plans to kill family of black bears in Government Hill

Alaska Department of Fish and Game officials said Thursday that because of public safety concerns, they planned to kill a family of five black bears seen roaming through Government Hill, a densely populated neighborhood near from downtown Anchorage.WildlifeTegan Hanlon

Walker's promised veto on gas line bill reflects philosophical, political divide

Gov. Bill Walker faces a Saturday deadline to act on his pledge to veto a gas line bill hurriedly approved by the Alaska Legislature to allow for an override vote before the session ends, a divide that stems from a deep disagreement about how best to deal with the three largest oil companies in Alaska.PoliticsDermot Cole

Anchorage homebuilders not deterred by dim economic outlook

Construction season has begun in Anchorage, with little sign that the dramatic year-long slide in oil prices has discouraged the building of new homes or the renovation of older ones.EconomyJeannette Lee Falsey

Governor, AFN say new adoption rules a step toward stronger ties

Efforts to remove barriers for relatives or tribal members hoping to adopt Alaska Native foster children are a move toward stronger state-tribal relations and signal a willingness by the Walker administration to seek solutions to long-running court disputes.  PoliticsAlex DeMarban

News & Politics

Juneau Journal: April 16, 2015

Here's a roundup of the latest news from the Alaska Legislature. On Thursday, the conflict between Gov. Bill Walker and the Republican-controlled Legislature intensified as the Senate moved to disregard an order from Walker to hold confirmation votes on Friday.
Alaska Dispatch News
Fish and Game plans to kill family of black bears in Government Hill
Anchorage detective says victim's DNA found on accused double-murderer's body
Mat-Su appoints new emergency director without formal hiring process

Have a news tip? Let us know at newstips@alaskadispatch.com

Multimedia

Multimedia
Photos: Anchorage student rally against state education spending cuts
Anchorage
Photos: Frank Nicholai mourns daughter's death
Multimedia
Video: 2015 Arctic Man Ski and Sno-Go Classic
Multimedia
Photos: 2015 US Universities Debating Championship

Popular columnists
Jeff Lowenfels  •  Heather Lende •  Shannyn Moore  •  Paul Jenkins  •  Elise Patkotak  •  Mike Dingman
Steven Haycox  •  John Havelock  •  Alan Boraas  •  Michael Carey  •  Rick Sinnott • Laureli Ivanoff

Voices

More than legal pot at stake: Legislature delays justice for Alaskan voters

OPINION: Alaskans didn't just vote for legal marijuana, they also voted for Alaska's government to get to work implementing a sound regulatory system.Tim Kacillas
If lawmakers kill film tax credits, they'll kill an Alaska-grown treasure in progress
Alaska needs to play strong role as U.S. takes Arctic Council lead
Alaska Board of Fish nominee Robert Ruffner makes his case

Sports

First champions of NYO 2015 crowned

The first three events of the 2015 Native Youth Olympics were contested Thursday at the Alaska Airlines Center. Alaska Dispatch News
North Pole's Colledge ends NFL career after 9 seasons, 1 Super Bowl title
UAF hockey player from Anchorage jailed on sexual assault charge
UAA heptathlete sets career best mark

Events

Reading and discussion of Sophocles' 'Ajax'
2015 NYO Games Alaska
Celebrate Snow City Cafe's 17th anniversary
Alaska Dirt Divas

Adventure

Adding parcels to Palmer Hay Flats may be 'for the birds,' but it makes a lot of sense

Since the late 1980s, the State of Alaska has acquired six once-private parcels in and adjacent to the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge through purchases and donations. Several additional parcels were gained in trades with the Mat-Su Borough. A bill winding its way through the legislature seeks to add these parcels, totaling 3,000 acres, to the refugeRick Sinnott
Rapid jump in Prince William Sound black bear harvest worries officials, who curtail hunt
Viewing wildlife, in the wilderness or in a zoo?
Donors step in to help keep walrus haulout on Round Island open to visitors

Culture

Alaska from Scratch: Curried and caramelized carrots

Using a hot cast-iron skillet caramelizes the carrots on the outside and brings out their natural earthiness and sweetness. Maya Evoy
Wayne and Wanda: Looking for Mr. Right by dating Mr. Wrongs
Momentum Dance Collective presents a 'grand experiment' fusing performance with social issues
Photos: Momentum Dance Collective Rehearses for Impact

Arctic

Arctic ‘unraveling’ due to global warming, and consequences will be global

A new booklet from the National Academy of Sciences’ National Research Council wants to change that. Synthesizing much past academy work on the Arctic region, the booklet -- being released just before the United States assumes the chairmanship of the eight-nation Arctic Council later this month -- blazons this message: “What Happens in the Arctic Doesn’t Stay in the Arctic.”Chris Mooney
Russia: Arctic megapolluter pays record-high dividends
Arctic, Barents submarine patrols up 50 percent over last year
Yacht race planned from New York to Victoria -- by way of the Arctic

Nation/World

We Alaskans

Love of the ice -- and tasty king crabs -- keeps Nome crabber coming back

Crabbing season is in full swing in Nome, and one crabber is taking full advantage of what the sea has to offer.Suzanna Caldwell
Walking a windswept 500 miles to Kotzebue with 2 kids
Photos: A family winter expedition - hiking between Nome and Kotzebue
Genre-busting 'Bear Island' delivers fresh approach to an old theme