Published Mar 1, 2023 by Tasha Anderson

Two exceptional Alaskans are being inducted into the Alaska Innovators Hall of Fame this year: LeeAnn Munk and Mary Beth Leigh.

The State Committee for Research is an advisory body formed to promote “research and development as an enterprise and as an engine for economic development in Alaska.” To further that goal, it established the Alaska Innovators Hall of Fame in 2014, honoring and celebrating both individuals and inventions in Alaska that “contribute to the state’s growing culture of ingenuity.”

The original 2014/2015 cohort included more than a dozen innovators, such as Cathy Cahill, who invented an air-sensing system that alerts pilots that they are encountering volcanic ash particles; Elden Johnson, one of the engineers that found solutions for how TAPS would carry hot oil over frozen ground; Mark Gronewald, who contributed to the development of fat tire bikes; and Tim Meyers, who used innovative farming methods to improve the agricultural output of Alaska’s tundra.

Just short of a decade later, two more exceptional Alaskans are being inducted into the Alaska Innovators Hall of Fame: LeeAnn Munk and Mary Beth Leigh.

Published Mar 1, 2023 by GlobeNewswire

President & CEO Gregory Beischer stated: “Despite strong execution of the Project Generator model over the past few years, Millrock’s share price has declined. Bold changes are necessary and the Nikolai project presents a timely opportunity. Historical drilling at Nikolai indicates potential for a very large, low grade, polymetallic deposit dominated by nickel sulfide mineralization. The demand for nickel and cobalt for electric vehicle battery manufacture has been growing rapidly and is projected to increase significantly. It will be necessary for the mining industry to mine bulk tonnage nickel – cobalt deposits to meet the demand. Alaska Energy Metals is positioning itself to supply domestic markets with a source of critical and strategic metals. Located in the USA, we intend to help North America transition to electrical power for vehicles and other rechargeable battery powered products.”

Kyle Negri has been appointed Vice-President of Exploration. Mr. Negri started his career with Millrock as a geology student at the University of Alaska in 2008. He is now an accomplished exploration geologist and operations director that will lead Alaska Energy Metals’s exploration efforts.

Published Mar 1, 2023 by MARK THIESSEN

The Iditarod is the most prestigious sled dog race in the world, taking competitors over two mountain ranges, the frozen Yukon River and treacherous Bering Sea ice in frigid temperatures before ending in the old Gold Rush town of Nome. The roughly 10-day event begins with a “ceremonial start” in Anchorage on Saturday, followed by the competitive start in Willow, about 70 miles (113 kilometers) to the north, on Sunday.

..........

There’s also worry about the future of the race because of climate change.

The warming climate forced organizers to move the starting line 290 miles (467 kilometers) north from Willow to Fairbanks in 2003, 2015 and 2017 because of a lack of snow in the Alaska Range. Poor winter conditions and urban growth likewise led the Iditarod to officially move the start from Wasilla about 30 miles (48 kilometers) north to Willow in 2008, even though Wasilla last hosted the start in 2002.

Moving the start of the race north will likely become more common as global warming advances, said Rick Thoman, a climate specialist at the International Arctic Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Ice on Alaska’s western coast could also get thinner and more dangerous, he said.

“It doesn’t have to be that there’s waves crashing on the beach,” Thoman said of the impacts of ice melt. “It just has to be at the point where the ice is not stable.”

Published Mar 1, 2023 by alaskabusiness

The University of Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is releasing $49 million in lending through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). The programs provide incentives to participating lenders to make loans to Alaska-based small businesses that would normally not qualify.

The SSBCI enhances lending opportunities under three programs. The $32 million Loan Guarantee Program guarantees loans up to 50 percent of qualified loan amounts. The $15.9 million Loan Participation Program purchases participations or subordinate lending up to 50 percent. And the $2 million Collateral Loan Program provides collateral support up to 25 percent of project value.

SBDC announced last year that it would deploy $59 million in SSBCI program dollars to drive private sector investments into Alaska’s small businesses. The other $10 million is allocated for an equity investment program.

The center is disbursing the incentives on behalf of the State of Alaska, which received federal funds from the US Department of Treasury, authorized by the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act.

“The SSBCI program will be an amazing catalyst for economic growth and is a perfect example of what can happen when the State, University, and private sector work together,” says SBDC Director Jon Bittner.

Published Mar 1, 2023 by Josh Reed

The Seawolves will begin their playoff journey by playing Seattle Pacific University in Bellingham, Washington, on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. AST in the 2023 Great Northwest Athletic Conference tournament.

“We’re excited for this opportunity for the GNAC tournament and hopefully we can string together some games and get a bid into the national tournament,” McCarthy said.

The Seawolves are surging into the postseason after winning their last four games, including a 64-54 victory last Thursday over the opponent they will be facing in the opening round.

“Being able to say that we were like the hottest team coming into the tournament was something nice for all of our confidence,” junior guard Vishe’ Rabb said. “I think we’re getting confidence at just the right time, so it couldn’t be any better.”

Published Mar 1, 2023 by Staff report

Registration is open for spring Master Gardener classes in Anchorage and Fairbanks.

The classes teach the fundamentals of gardening and can lead to the official title of Alaska Master Gardener. Participants who want the title also must commit to volunteer 40 hours of community service involving horticulture. Topics covered will include botany, soil science, entomology, greenhouse design and management, organic and conventional fertilization, lawn care, vegetable-growing techniques specific to Alaska, and more.

Stephen Brown, the agriculture and horticulture agent for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service in Palmer, will oversee the series. Registration, class information and the required master gardener volunteer application are available online. Registration deadline is March 9.

The Anchorage classes, taught by Gina Dionne, will be held in person at the Z.J. Loussac Library, 3600 Denali St. Classes will meet Mondays from 5-8 p.m., March 13 to June 9. Register online at bit.ly/MGANC23.

The Fairbanks classes, taught by Tamara Bell, will be held in person at the Tanana District Office, 1000 University Ave. Classes will meet Wednesdays from 6-9 p.m., March 15 to May 31. Register online at bit.ly/MGFAI23.

The $300 fee includes materials and a copy of the Cooperative Extension Sustainable Gardening Handbook.

Published Feb 28, 2023 by Jim Grazko and Katherine Gardner

Normally, being No. 1 is a badge people wear proudly. We all want a first-place ribbon and the accolades that follow.

This is not one of those situations.

Alaska has the highest health care costs in the country. According to a 2018 University of Alaska Anchorage report, the average annual increase in health care spending in Alaska between 2005 and 2014 was $376 million. Being first place in health care costs is not something any of us want to be.

The Alaska Division of Insurance (DOI) is holding hearings to consider abolishing Alaska’s 80th percentile regulation. This regulation was enacted in 2004 to protect patients from surprise billing, which occurs when medical providers bill a patient for the difference between the amount they charge and the amount that the patient’s insurance pays.

However, it allows doctors and hospitals to increase charges over time, with little incentive to keep costs low or to join insurance networks. Instead of simply protecting patients from unexpected costs, it has contributed to Alaska’s soaring health care expenses.

With the passage of the Federal No Surprises Act in 2022, which protects consumers from surprise billing, the 80th percentile regulation is no longer needed. We urge the DOI to abolish the 80th percentile regulation. This will make health care more affordable for Alaskans.

Published Feb 28, 2023

The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Skiing Committee announced today the 74 men and 74 women selected to participate in the 2023 National Collegiate Men’s and Women’s Skiing Championships, to be held March 8-11 at Mt. Van Hoevenberg and Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, New York. The championships will be hosted by St. Lawrence University. 

Participants are selected on a regional basis from two designated regions for Alpine skiing (East and West Regions) and three designated regions for Nordic skiing (Central, East and West Regions). Bids are awarded to regions using a formula determined by the skiing committee. A maximum of 12 student-athletes (three per gender per discipline) may be selected from an institution. 

Leon Nikic, University of Alaska Anchorage

Ella Bromee, University of Alaska, Anchorage

Ainsley Proffit, University of Alaska Anchorage

Ashleigh Alexander, University of Alaska Anchorage

Mike Ophoff, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Joe Davies, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Christopher Kalev, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Magnus Noroey, University of Alaska Anchorage

Ari Endestad, University of Alaska Anchorage

Peter Hinds, University of Alaska Anchorage

Mariel Pulles, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Univ. of Alaska Anchorage 10

Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks 6

Published Feb 28, 2023 by RSS Feed

Gov. Mike Dunleavy supports the project, and all three members of Alaska’s congressional delegation urged the state Legislature to unanimously approve a nonbinding resolution stating their support for the project. In the final tally, none of Alaska’s 60 state legislators voted against it, though four House members and one senator — Robert Myers, R-North Pole — were absent. Several legislators said they plan to travel east to deliver the resolution to the U.S. Capitol in person.

The University of Alaska Board of Regents approved a separate resolution on Friday, and various trade organizations have also chimed in with their support.