Godfather's Pizza.
What are you waiting for?
And now, Channel 2 News with John Larson and Maria Downey,
John Hernandez with Forks, and David Celeste with The Weathers.
Good evening.
The news most cities in Alaska have been anxiously waiting for
came from Governor Sheffield today.
The state will only pick up the tab
for one-third of all capital project costs.
That means many cities will have to find the rest of the money
somewhere else.
More on the story from Jerry DeHogue.
The news came at a press conference this morning.
The state is cutting capital project funds by two-thirds.
That means the state will save $230 million,
a big chunk of the $900 million budget shortfall.
State officials say it would take a miracle for cities
to get any more state money this year.
Some combination of occurrences or events
that make the revenue picture brighter.
And that could be the legislature in regular session
passing a series of measures that provide other sources
of income that make the problem go away.
It could be a change in the price of oil upward.
So none of Anchorage's capital projects were cut.
But at this time, city officials aren't sure which of the 67
projects they'll go ahead with.
We're still going through our same analysis
the state is, our final cash flow analysis on our projects.
And most importantly, Mr. Hogan said today
that he said is a real effort being
made to give communities some flexibility
on their major projects.
The flexibility comes in if the city can lump state money
from several projects together for one big project,
like a gluten up.
Budget officials will let the cities
know what they can and can't do in the next few days.
Jerry DeHogue, Channel 2 News.
1,300 state jobs are in jeopardy.
That today from Bob Miller, the communications director
for the governor.
Last night, members of Alaska's largest union
said no to a 10% pay cut.
The governor had asked state employees
to take a cut as a way to help make up the $900 million
budget shortfall.
Now the governor has to look at other alternatives, which
include massive layoffs.
If 1,300 workers are fired, the state
would save about $80 million.
Meanwhile, the Anchorage School District
is proposing $10.5 million in budget cuts,
but there are still several million more to go.
They say over $17 million will have
to be cut because of the 10% drop in school
aid from the state.
Over 140 positions will be eliminated.
About half of those are already vacant.
So about 70 people so far will lose their jobs.
Food service, transportation, instruction, support areas,
administration.
And these are actual areas, probably in the supply areas,
equipment areas.
We have looked at some people.
Any contracted service we're looking at trying to eliminate.
The school board has yet to vote on these budget cuts.
They'll also be looking at other areas for savings,
like after school activities, student transportation,
and an increase in the teacher to student ratio.
The drop in oil prices has affected all of us
in one way or another, but it is especially
hurting the oil companies.
Today Standard Oil announced a national loss
of $681 million for the second quarter of this year.
Last year at the same time, Standard
reported a profit of $390 million.
President of Standard Alaska, George Nelson,
says they anticipated this loss, which
is why 120 people were laid off last week,
and the budget in Alaska for operations and exploration
has been reduced.
And still to come on Channel 2 News,
Mark Ayer is flying cargo for the Contras in Nicaragua.
And local tourism officials are giving the summer mixed reviews.
Tonight's closing gold and silver prices
are brought to you by Deke International,
offering one of the world's widest
selections of foreign currencies and commission-free travelers
checks.
Mm.
Excuse me.
Did you know that light and lean ham not only tastes great,
it's low in calories?
What?
No way.
Oh, come on.
I'll forget it.
Oh, come on.
You gotta be kidding.
I don't believe it.
No way.
Oh, come on.
You can't fool me.
Give me a break.
No.
What's that?
Uh-oh.
Believe it.
Oh, for sure.
I'd agree with that.
You bet.
Oh, of course.
OK.
Never doubted it.
You betcha.
I'm with you, big guy.
Light and lean ham and ham lunch meat from Hormel.
Big taste.
Ha ha.
Little calories.
Believe it.
Mark Air.
Their advertisements say there's something special in the air.
Well, the Anchorage-based air carrier
has been making special flights into Central America
to help the CIA-backed Nicaraguan contras.
The cargo shipments, seven and all so far,
were part of a $27 million aid package approved by Congress.
Neil Burk, owner of Mark Air, says
his planes took the cargo to a contra-military base
in Honduras.
The National Transportation Safety Board
is considering launching a special study
to look into air safety in the state of Alaska.
In the past few years, the number
of crashes involving commuter air carriers
has been skyrocketing.
The number of crashes which include these carriers
is up over 100% in the last two years.
Dr. John Lobber, a board member with the NTSB,
says the government agency is very concerned
with Alaska's high accident rate.
Based on an overall impression of the accident rates
and the kinds of accidents that are happening,
I think it's clear that among other issues and areas that
we'll want to look at are questions having
to do with pilot training and pilot experience
and how that relates to the kinds of accidents
that we're seeing.
Besides pilot training and operations,
the NTSB says their proposed study
would take a good look at airline management.
The Fairbanks Pioneer Home has been put on notice
that it has serious health and safety problems.
The state has granted the Fairbanks Home a six month
provisional license.
The state health department says the home is understaffed
and its rooms are too small.
State officials say the Pioneer Home is making progress
and can use this health report to get changes made.
Incidentally, the Anchorage Pioneer Home
has been granted a full one year license.
And John Hernandez joins us now with sports.
We keep talking about budget cuts in the news,
state workers and such.
It's also affecting school sports.
Yes, unfortunately it does affect the schools
and the schools means sports.
And it looks like it could be a major problem here.
Of course, Governor Bill Sheffield
is asking all educational agencies
to make 10% budget cuts.
That means over $10 million for the Anchorage School District.
One of the possible, possible targets,
all after school activities as in sports, football,
basketball, volleyball, et cetera, et cetera.
Ed Nash is with the Alaska School Activities Association.
He's here with us in the studio.
Now, Ed, they are talking about wholesale cuts.
Is it a smoke screen or is it a real possibility
that all sports may be eliminated?
The school district, John, has to look at all possibilities.
There is no smoke screen about the cut.
What is the impact of that possible cut
on a district like the Anchorage School District?
Well, it's a very major impact.
They have over 3,200 students that participate,
individuals that participate in activities.
And they have to think very clearly
what those students are going to do if there are not
activities to participate in.
Now, you oversee sports and school activities
all over the state.
Is there a similar impact around the rest of Alaska?
Every district in the state is going through the same thing.
I met with 42 superintendents on Wednesday and Thursday in Juneau.
And they discussed the very same thing.
And not one, though, has, at this point, any inclination
to cut all activities.
Is it a bad idea in your mind to make wholesale cuts?
Maybe I'm biased, but yes, I think
it's a very bad idea because the history, Alaska
is not new to this.
The cuts have been taking place for 10 years in the lower 48.
And every time they've cut it, they
find that the dropout rate goes up, the vandalism goes up,
the drug usage goes up.
And those are things we don't want to happen
to the students in this state.
OK, Ed Nash, thank you very much.
We should know more about this on Monday when the school
district meets.
Seems like there's been a steady diet of sports in the courts
lately.
Today, indictments in the Len Bias case,
acquittals in that Minnesota basketball rape case,
and a preliminary hearing for two New York Mets.
As far as the Bias case goes, the indictments are sealed.
But sources say Brian Tribble is charged
with distribution of drugs.
Bias' teammates, Terry Long and David Gregg,
said to be facing possession charges.
In Madison, Wisconsin, former gopher Mitch
Lee is one of three men acquitted of rape.
So were a couple of teammates, George Williams here
and Kevin Smith.
Their accuser's testimony swayed
the jury in their favor.
In Houston, New York Mets Ron Darling and Tim Tuffell
showed up for a hearing.
That was in regards to a scuffle last Saturday
in a Houston bar.
Just one person, an off-duty police officer,
testified, and the judge sent the case to the grand jury.
Now, there is a full schedule tonight in the majors.
We will have all the scores at 10 o'clock tonight.
There are three games scheduled in the Alaska League.
Oilers and Bucks are supposed to play at Mulcahy.
The chances don't look good.
Word is the weather is not wet yet in Palmer.
Pilots and minors scheduled there.
And the Palouse Empire Cougars play up in Fairbanks.
Got to figure it's the end of the line for Joe Theismann.
He failed his preseason physical.
And today, the Redskins put him on waivers.
Theismann is not fully recovered from that gruesome broken leg
he suffered last fall.
I'm sure you remember it.
Here it is one more time.
The Redskins wanted him to retire.
But by going on waivers, Theismann
picks up $65,000 in injury money.
His medical bills are paid for the next year.
Robin Grahl made a big name for herself playing basketball
for UAA last season.
But as John Carpenter reports, she is not a one-sport woman.
On the basketball court, Robin Grahl
is one of the best there is.
And when she trades a basketball for a soccer ball,
Grahl doesn't lose a thing.
A superb athlete, soccer for Grahl
is just another way to stay in shape.
Especially during the summer, I like
to keep in shape for basketball.
And this seemed like a good way to do it.
Grahl plays center midfielder for the Yukon Kickers.
Currently, she leads the team in assists
and is second in scoring.
Her coach, Dick Hanlon, has become quite a Robin Grahl
fan.
She's an aggressive player, but at the same time,
she's a finesse player.
She has the right amount of speed
where she can defend at the same time.
She can turn it on and turn a breakaway into a goal.
Right now, Grahl has helped the Kickers
become a legitimate contender for the Anchorage Women's
Soccer League title.
But to Hanlon, she's done even more.
I think more than anything, she strengthened the Anchorage
Women's Soccer League.
She's made the whole league a much better team
because she's given us a dimension of soccer
that women's soccer hasn't seen up here for a while.
John Carpenter, Channel 2 News.
American Greg Lamont, another day closer
to winning the Tour de France.
He did not win today's 21st stage,
but he's got a lead that, at this point,
looks to be unbeatable.
The Tour ends Sunday in Paris.
Maria and John, that's it for now.
Of course, that would be history making.
Greg Lamont would be the first American to win the Tour.
How long has it been going on now?
The Tour is about, oh, three weeks.
Seems long, doesn't it?
Yeah, it is a long, grueling, sometimes gruesome event.
Better them than us.
Thanks, John.
And still to come tonight, a reunion
of sorts above Anchorage.
The Ketchum family welcomes you to the real Alaska.
Ketch, Marguerite, and Craig Ketchum
have welcomed many, many visitors
over the years to the unique wilderness experiences.
Breath-taking aerial vistas of Mount McKinley
or of the mighty Columbia Glacier.
We have learned from years of float plane flying
where to expect to see wildlife, where
to go for a relaxing river float trip,
and where to find some of the finest fishing, river
floating, and hunting in Alaska.
Stay at fully equipped cabins, lodgers, or secluded tent camps.
Get away from the roads and crowds.
Ketchum Air Service at Lake Hood, 243-5525.
This weekend, only 99 cents delivers anything
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Free Coke and hot dogs courtesy of Coca-Cola and Color Time.
Open 10 to 8 both days.
28 people have been killed in boating accidents
around the state so far this year.
The latest fatality came yesterday.
51-year-old Harlan Essink of Virginia
is believed to have drowned in a rafting accident
on the Nanana River.
Essink was with a group of seven people
being taken down the Cable Rapids by the Denali Raft Adventure
Company when that raft overturned.
No one else was injured.
This summer's tourist season is getting mixed reviews.
Alaska was supposed to experience a banner year
for tourism due to terrorism in Europe
and falling gas prices at home.
But some tour companies and state officials
were expecting tourism to jump by as much as 15% this summer.
But by the end of this summer season,
Anchorage may actually see much, much less.
Well, I think we tend as an industry
to overreact to things.
Maybe all industries do.
At that time, you could tell there were some people just
talking to each other.
And the more they heard it from each other,
the more it became the truth.
By the end of the summer, more than 500,000 tourists
will have visited Anchorage.
That's about 40,000 more than last summer, an overall increase
of only about 8%.
And a sudden increase in teen runaways
has led to an increase in runaway shelters, which
in turn has led to a need for more volunteers and household
items to keep the centers running.
Last year, just five beds were available for runaways.
That number has just risen to 27.
The homes need everything from beds
to major household appliances to kitchen utensils.
Shelter coordinator Lionel Jones says,
with winter on its way, it's now important to keep
the kids off the street.
Our concern is that due to the economic crisis
and other things that are occurring around the state,
that the kids will be beating down our doors
and we don't have facilities that
are fully operable at this time to provide a service to them.
If you'd like some information on what you can do to help out,
you can call Alaska Youth Advocates at 274-6541.
Most of us have been to one sort of reunion or another,
but probably none like the reunion
today near Fort Richardson.
As Jackie Purcell reports, it was
a get together for paratroopers.
No more explanation necessary.
Today's was no ordinary jump.
Rather, it was what the soldiers call a Hollywood jump,
an easy one for fun.
And the uniqueness is that we have about 500 paratroopers
in the air at one time, over two passes,
so the sky will fill with the paratroopers.
The Air National Guard flew up to Fort Wainwright
this morning to pick up the soldiers.
After gearing up, they load back on the C-130s.
Now they wait.
Then the DZ, or drop zone, near Fort Rich looms ahead.
I believe it's more a sense of excitement, a thrill,
when the doors open up, hearing the wind rushing by.
It's like an excitement to get out of the plane.
Everybody gets pretty excited about that.
It's over in a few seconds.
The sky is now dotted with paratroopers.
The trip down takes only about a minute.
On the ground, family and friends await.
It'll now be another year before they can see something
like this again.
Jackie Purcell, Channel 2 News.
Two New York artists are at Anchorage
to display their impressions of Alaska.
The exhibition started Tuesday at the Visual Arts Center.
Michelle Stewart used beeswax to put together three murals.
Each represents the forest at night, during the day,
and the Alaskan sky itself.
The murals are big, 45 feet wide and eight feet long.
Nancy Holt's piece is called Pipeline.
She was impressed by the structure in March.
She says she tries to involve her location in her work.
The place always inspires me.
And I try to sense the psychology of the place,
the sociology, as well as the topography,
the indigenous materials, the built environment.
And after absorbing all of those elements,
I come up with an idea for a work of art.
It's like Nancy has to fix a leak in one of her pieces.
The exhibition runs through August 22.
And David Seleski is here with the weather.
Sir, tomorrow is the Eagle River Parade.
Tonight's your street dance.
A lot is going on.
Tonight is your street dance.
Tonight, the garb of the evening
should be yellow rainwear.
It would be very fashionable wear this evening.
I think they did move it indoors.
They did plan to have it back.
That was a good idea.
Street dance indoors would be fine this evening.
And tomorrow for the parade, I would suggest maybe some rain
here in the morning, changing way to some bathing suits.
Bathing suits, what would this be actually?
I don't know.
Yeah, well.
Yeah.
Harold and I have been friends for a long time.
Right, Harold?
Right, Rocky.
And the thing about it is, we're always
in friendly competition with each other.
Right, Harold?
Right, Rocky.
We're all heroes here at the nerd
to go out and buy a brand new Bronco.
And my friend, Terry Ford, without even asking me.
Now what's a guy to do?
I think he should let me drive it home.
Right, Harold?
Wrong, Rocky.
Can you recognize the early warning signs
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Godfather's Pizza.
No hot slice in just minutes.
What are you waiting for?
This is Charles J. Givens.
You probably already feel like you're paying far too much
in income taxes, making investments that never
seem to make any money for you, particularly
after you pay the commissions.
And I can promise you, you're wasting $0.50 out of every dollar
you're now paying for automobile insurance, life insurance,
and even your home mortgage payments.
I'll show you how to profit from the coming tax reform,
teach you how to protect yourself
from the coming reversal in the stock market.
I'll show you 25 checking accounts that are now
paying 11% insured, and show you four places you can put
your IRA account that will guarantee you 20% interest.
Spend an exciting half hour this week
and learn the secrets of the man that today shows
Bryant Gumbel called a financial wizard.
These scheduled times on this channel
will be the most important of your viewing week.
Rain showers right now over Anchorage.
Heavy rains.
As a matter of fact, there is a advisory
at the seaving for most of the streams in the localized area.
Up on the current conditions, again,
56 degrees is our temperature.
The barometer is at 2.9.92, still dropping off.
Winds are southeast.
The past 24 hours, we've had 0.03 of an inch of rain.
Good air quality over Anchorage.
Satellite shot for tonight, a lot more rain on the way.
Here's what's happening over the area.
Low pressure sitting up off the western part of the state
is now moving in this evening as we speak.
And an awful lot of rain falling through most
of south central Alaska and down the southwest.
Likely to see anywhere from 6 tenths upwards to an inch
and a half out of this system as it passes through tonight
and through tomorrow morning.
There are stream advisers out for rising water
throughout most of the Sittin Valley area
and for Little Campbell Creek here in Anchorage.
Meanwhile, high pressure building in behind that.
So the rain will move through real fast.
And by mid-morning tomorrow, skies will start clearing.
Low pressure down for southeast Alaska today,
but even down the very tip of southeast
and some sun shining through.
67 this afternoon for the high temperature.
Ketchikan 58 degrees reported for the big city in Sitka.
Up north in the interior, not too bad a high of 60 degrees
this afternoon.
58 a high here in Anchorage and 53 degrees today
for the folks in Nome.
Locally here in south central Alaska,
temperatures were in the 50s and the 60s.
The exceptions being, of course, Palmer at 61 degrees
and Homer a high of 60 degrees.
Everywhere else is between 52 to 58 above.
Cold spot for the state is Barrow.
Our hot spot belongs to a net at 67.
Low of 48 right now, clouds and some heavy rain showers
throughout most of the central rocky states this evening,
up into Wyoming and, of course, into Utah.
Rain showers also developing for central California
this afternoon.
Some very heavy thunderstorms spread
throughout most of the southeast today,
all the way from central Florida up into the Georgia area.
Atlanta picked up almost two inches of rain
from thunderstorms this afternoon,
also causing some power failures in that part of the country.
90s throughout most of the southeast again.
No break for the drought in South Carolina and North Carolina
and up into the Rockies this afternoon.
Temperatures were up in the 60s and the 70s.
Hot spot for the nation is Gila Bend, Arizona.
Cold spot for the lower 48 is Gunnison, Colorado.
And our forecast this evening, first of all,
for the Kenai Peninsula, heavy rain tonight.
I guess you can spell tonight that way.
Local river advisors again this evening
for the streams on the peninsula.
Lows will be in the 40s.
Daytime highs will be in the 50s.
Up north in the Matsu Valley, again,
there are stream advisors posted this evening
for the heavy rain showers.
Lows tonight will be in the 50s, daytime highs,
upper 50s to low 60s.
And here in Ike Ridge, rain tonight, heavy at times.
Stream advisors for Campbell Creek.
The rain will end by Saturday morning
and clearing by Saturday afternoon.
A little bit of that's going to be 51.
The high tomorrow, 60, our four.
The outlook calls for a very nice Sunday and Monday.
Daytime highs reaching up into the 70s.
Too bad we come back and go to work on Monday.
That's all right.
But could be a blue flu.
Catch a cold in the rain tonight and on Saturday.
Could be possible.
Remember, you heard it here first.
That's right.
That's on tape.
Thanks, Dave.
Just ahead tonight, local firemen
take off their boots for charity.
And Mary Lou pays the city a visit.
I'm going to go.
Alaska Mutual Bank introduces free checking
with our new Super Savings account.
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account at Alaska Mutual Bank.
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Either way, you'll save big.
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Anchorage firefighters were out stopping traffic
this afternoon as part of their annual fundraising drive
for muscular dystrophy.
The firefighters were at five of the city's busiest intersections
collecting money in, yes, their boots.
In fact, the campaign is called Fill the Boot.
They'll be out until about 7 tonight.
The goal is to raise $10,000.
Last year, they brought in about $8,000.
Humana Hospital and Anchorage is celebrating
the completion of a new five-story $23 million
addition.
Nearly every department in the hospital
has been expanded or modernized, like their new intensive care
nursery and their updated emergency room.
Paul Gross of Humana Incorporated
says they expanded in Alaska because they saw
a need that wasn't being met.
We saw a significant number of people in Anchorage
and in Alaska that, for one reason or another,
were dependent on the lower 48 for their health care.
They were going down into the Seattle, Tacoma, Washington
area.
Well, as you probably already know,
there was a celebrity on hand for the official ribbing
cutting ceremony at Humana this afternoon.
Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton
was brought to Alaska by Humana Hospital.
She read from a prepared speech at that dedication.
In this regard, I'm looking forward
to seeing a lot of the hospital's faculties hosting
tomorrow's gymnastics demonstration at 11 AM.
Make sure you're all here.
I hope it doesn't rain on that.
And to meeting with the Anchorage Organizing Committee,
where I'll learn more about Anchorage.
I don't think Mary Lou was reading, do you?
No, I don't think so.
OK.
That's our report for tonight.
I'll see you at 10 o'clock.
We close tonight with a look back at the week's events
and the people who make this newscast possible every night.
Good night.
Project.
I mean, the commitment is really there.
And sooner or later, that project will be funded
and will be completed.
It would be very difficult, if not impossible,
for any one city of the state or any one region
this size of the state to receive 90% or more than 90%
of all the money available for capital projects
within the state of Alaska.
We pray that as we continue in our lives,
that we will so live that we may be assured of your presence
with each of us, and that we might
be affected by the validity of the life
that Jim shared before us.
We pray you bless this family.
Touching each other, did we not?
Right.
That was the last time.
All right.
That's a close-up of the patient.
He's coming out.
Yeah!
Oh!
OK.
When I ask about
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This is Charles J. Givens. You probably already feel like you're paying far too much in income
taxes, making investments that never seem to make any money for you, particularly after
you pay the commissions. And I can promise you, you're wasting 50 cents out of every
dollar you're now paying for automobile insurance, life insurance, and even your home mortgage
payments. I'll show you how to profit from the coming tax reform, teach you how to protect
yourself from the coming reversal in the stock market. I'll show you 25 checking accounts
that are now paying 11% insured and show you four places you can put your IRA account that
will guarantee you 20% interest.
Spend an exciting half hour this week and learn the secrets of the man that today shows
Bryant Gumbel called a financial wizard. These scheduled times on this channel will be the
most important of your viewing week.