February-Issue-4 2012

After five years and nearly two dozen short-term extensions of the Federal Aviation Administration budget, the state that relies on air transportation more than any other can breathe a little easier.

A small aviation company is making big strides in getting its technology to become an industry standard. A long-awaited reauthorization from the Federal Aviation Administration adds widespread installation real-time safety technology in 2020.

WASHINGTON (AP) — After years of procrastination, the White House and Congress have suddenly boosted a long-term plan to improve the nation’s roads, bridges and transit systems to the top of the political agenda.

The state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has just released its 2011 aviation annual report with some typical statistics and a few new developments.

It's the 12th time legislation to open ANWR has been sent to the Senate.

The Alaska Supreme Court has reversed a lower court ruling and reinstated what may be the largest civil fraud judgment in state history.

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell is supporting continued work on a land natural gas pipeline to Canada although he is now urging North Slope producers to support an alternative pipeline to a possible large liquefied natural gas project at a southern Alaska port, a state official told a federal agency conducting an environmental review of the project Feb. 13.

Fire Island Wind Energy

A small aviation company is making big strides in getting its technology to become an industry standard. A long-awaited reauthorization from the Federal Aviation Administration adds widespread installation real-time safety technology in 2020.

First Tech Challenge Anchorage qualifying tournament at South Anchorage High School

Butch Whiting displays a woodland camouflage pattern developed by his Fairbanks-based company, Kryptek.

Fire Island Wind Energy

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Move over, coffee and Red Bull. A Harvard professor thinks the next big thing will be people inhaling their caffeine from a lipstick-sized tube. Critics say the novel product is not without its risks.

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (AP) — Radium-powered golf balls. Fishing lures that glow in the dark. Atomic potions that add pep to your step and cure all that ails you.

The Legislature passed the one-third mark for its 2012 session, which started Jan. 17, and it appears a bruising fight may be shaping up over increased funding for schools as well as for oil and gas tax legislation, which was always considered to be the major issue going into the session.

Rising medical costs are biting hard. Health care spending in Alaska is now running at $7.5 billion a year, and if trends continue, it will double by 2020.

After five years and nearly two dozen short-term extensions of the Federal Aviation Administration budget, the state that relies on air transportation more than any other can breathe a little easier.

The Alaska Supreme Court has reversed a lower court ruling and reinstated what may be the largest civil fraud judgment in state history.

BOSTON (AP) — A fight is breaking out between the money-market mutual fund industry and federal regulators. Whatever the outcome, investors will question whether they can continue to rely on money funds as a safe place to keep cash readily accessible.

Taxpayers swamped by big medical bills in 2011 can get some relief when they file their income tax forms this spring thanks to an overlooked deduction that is hard to reach in a typical year.

The state’s decision last week to grant an air quality permit to restart the Healy Clean Coal Plant was an encouraging step toward eventually reducing the electricity bills that have been stinging Interior residents.

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (AP) — Radium-powered golf balls. Fishing lures that glow in the dark. Atomic potions that add pep to your step and cure all that ails you.

The Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby is revamping for 2012 in a proactive response to concerns about the resource.

To look at the awkward-looking clam whose name is pronounced “gooey duck,” one would wonder why consumers would pay such good prices for its long foot. The name is Native American in origin and describes the effort of humans and otters to dig them out.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Move over, coffee and Red Bull. A Harvard professor thinks the next big thing will be people inhaling their caffeine from a lipstick-sized tube. Critics say the novel product is not without its risks.

CHICAGO (AP) — Good news for budget-minded travelers: There’s no proof that flying economy-class increases your chances of dangerous blood clots, according to new guidelines from medical specialists.