KRUA 88.1 FM http://www.kruaradio.org THE EDGE Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:21:09 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 THE EDGE KRUA 88.1 FM no THE EDGE KRUA 88.1 FM http://www.kruaradio.org/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://www.kruaradio.org KRUA Volunteer Meeting Friday March 2nd http://www.kruaradio.org/archives/1943 http://www.kruaradio.org/archives/1943#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:57:20 +0000 admin http://www.kruaradio.org/?p=1943 The time has come to look in the mirror and ask what can you do to add to your already overflowing daily swagger. The answer is becoming a KRUA volunteer!

you can expand your knowledge about UAA’s collegiate radio station by attending KRUA Volunteer meetings that occur at the top of each month on the first Friday.

The KRUA staff will provide you with thorough updates on new and upcoming events, opportunities available with the organization, and is a great way to meet current, as well as other perspective, KRUA volunteers.

KRUA will feed you. Free pizza and drinks are always dope.

For more information please feel free to call 907-786-6800 or email aykrua1@uaa.alaska.edu

]]> http://www.kruaradio.org/archives/1943/feed 0 Audio Dome: “The Nostalgic Living Room Date.” http://www.kruaradio.org/archives/1938 http://www.kruaradio.org/archives/1938#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:43:44 +0000 admin http://www.kruaradio.org/?p=1938

Well Ladies and Gentlemen; it is time for another edition of Audio Dome featuring KRUA DJ Blind Bat. Grab a date or a couple of friends this Friday February 24 and head on over to the UAA Planetarium check out Audio Dome from 8pm to 9pm.

“The Nostalgic Living Room Date” includes artists such as Lykke Li, Little Dragon, and Broadcast.

For more details visit http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/planetarium/shows/#ad

]]> http://www.kruaradio.org/archives/1938/feed 0 Syrian Crisis Prompts Worries Over Possible Civil War http://www.kruaradio.org/archives/1932 http://www.kruaradio.org/archives/1932#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:16:47 +0000 admin http://www.kruaradio.org/?p=1932 By Nithya Thiru

KRUA News Reporter

Courtesy of LA Times Patrick J. McDonnell and Rima NMarrouch

As violence in Syria continues, the international community worries that the nation is nearing a civil war. Dissenters looking to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are demanding democracy freedom, and an end to the killing of innocent civilians.

In an attempt to bring peace, The United Nations Security Council planned to pass a resolution condemning the Syrian government early this month. The effort was crushed however, by a veto from both Russia and China. This veto has prevented the UN from acting decisively against the current Syrian regime causing public anger to be directed towards Russia and China.

Adam Jackson, a UAA International Studies Major on the Russian track offers his opinion on the Syrian crisis and Russia’s involvement in Syria.  Regarding Russia’s veto decision, Jackson notes that given Russia’s stance against western interventionalism, the veto makes sense.

Jackson also seems to be wary of U.N. or Western intervention in Syria, and instead suggests that the Arab League lead the way to a solution. Further, Jackson finds that support of rebel forces could prove problematic given that, “we don’t know who these rebels are. We don’t know who’s supporting them, and we don’t know exactly if their policies are going to be any more democratic than the people that… they’re overthrowing.”

Russia will be electing a new President later this year. The public generally expects that Vladimir Putin will take power once more, despite growing opposition to Putin. Jackson believes that a Putin Presidency will cause very little change in Russia’s policies toward Syria.

 

To hear more about the Syrian crisis, and its global implications, tune in to KRUA 88.1 FM on Tuesday February 21 at 1pm.

For KRUA, I’m Nithya Thiru.

 

Syria

]]> http://www.kruaradio.org/archives/1932/feed 0 By Nithya Thiru - KRUA News Reporter - As violence in Syria continues, the international community worries that the nation is nearing a civil war. Dissenters looking to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are demanding democracy freedom, By Nithya Thiru KRUA News Reporter As violence in Syria continues, the international community worries that the nation is nearing a civil war. Dissenters looking to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are demanding democracy freedom, and an end to the killing of innocent civilians. In an attempt to bring peace, The United Nations Security Council planned to pass a resolution condemning the Syrian government early this month. The effort was crushed however, by a veto from both Russia and China. This veto has prevented the UN from acting decisively against the current Syrian regime causing public anger to be directed towards Russia and China. Adam Jackson, a UAA International Studies Major on the Russian track offers his opinion on the Syrian crisis and Russia’s involvement in Syria.  Regarding Russia’s veto decision, Jackson notes that given Russia’s stance against western interventionalism, the veto makes sense. Jackson also seems to be wary of U.N. or Western intervention in Syria, and instead suggests that the Arab League lead the way to a solution. Further, Jackson finds that support of rebel forces could prove problematic given that, “we don’t know who these rebels are. We don’t know who’s supporting them, and we don’t know exactly if their policies are going to be any more democratic than the people that… they’re overthrowing.” Russia will be electing a new President later this year. The public generally expects that Vladimir Putin will take power once more, despite growing opposition to Putin. Jackson believes that a Putin Presidency will cause very little change in Russia’s policies toward Syria.   To hear more about the Syrian crisis, and its global implications, tune in to KRUA 88.1 FM on Tuesday February 21 at 1pm. For KRUA, I’m Nithya Thiru.   Syria KRUA 88.1 FM no 5:48 Students could get a break on interest rates http://www.kruaradio.org/archives/1911 http://www.kruaradio.org/archives/1911#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:15:20 +0000 admin http://www.kruaradio.org/?p=1911 By Andy Fischer
KRUA News Reporter
Student debt is a growing concern in the U.S. Last October, the New York Federal Reserve announced student borrowing has exceeded $1 billion. With interest, American students owe over $1 trillion on their loans. Some effort has been made recently to ease loan payments for students with Federal loans, and now some Alaska legislators are trying to do the same for students with state education loans.
“When you can get a used car loan for 3% and we’re charging student 7% and 8% for state loans, it makes you question your priorities,” said representative Les Gara.
Gara and Representaive Dave Guttenberg of Fairbanks pre-filed bill in the legislature that would reduce interest payments on student loans through the Alaska Student Loan Corporation. If students remain in Alaska after graduation, their interest rate would go from eight percent down to five percent. That would bring the interest on state loans more in line with private lenders. Wells Fargo bank advertises student loans with interest rates ranging from 3.4 percent up to 5.4 percent. Those rates are dependent on the borrower’s credit, or that of their cosigners. You can get a federal Direct Stafford loan with a fixed interest rate of 3.4 percent for an undergraduate degree, or 6.8 percent if you’re a graduate student.
Aside from making loans more affordable for student, Gara also hopes it will entice students to stay in Alaska and work after they graduate.
“In this economy, a seven percent or eight percent loan is a hefty burden for people to carry,” Gara said. “And we also want either to get Alaskans to stay here for school, or get them to come back. By reducing the interest rate, we maintain an Alaskan workforce”
So called brain drain has been a hot button issue for years in the state. It’s the recurring problem of educated youth leaving the state for jobs elsewhere, often times forcing state employers to hire workers from outside. Alaska was recently ranked fifth by education site edudemic.com on list of states with high rates of brain drain. Legislation was introduced in the Alaska Legislature in 2009 that would offer loan forgiveness for students, something that’s also been pushed on the federal level. But Gara says such a bill wouldn’t pass in the current economic environment.
Stephanie Butler is the chief executive officer of the Alaska Commission on Post Secondary Edcuation. She says that while the commission hasn’t taken a stance on the bill, funding the interest decrease could be an issue.
“Any change in interest rates would need to be approved, and would need to be funded,” Butler says. “As the bill currently exists, there isn’t a funding mechanism for that.”
Still, Gara is hopeful that a compromise can be reached on the issue of funding, and that the bill will make its way through the house and senate. As of yet, it hasn’t come up for a hearing in the education committee.
“We’re willing to work with the student loan corporation to reword the bill to make it as easier as possible for them to administer,” Gara says. “But it will certainly cost some money. They basically break even right now, but historically we value education. An eight percent loan right in this economy seems pretty unfair.”

Andy Fisher

Interest Rates

]]> http://www.kruaradio.org/archives/1911/feed 0 By Andy Fischer KRUA News Reporter Student debt is a growing concern in the U.S. Last October, the New York Federal Reserve announced student borrowing has exceeded $1 billion. With interest, American students owe over $1 trillion on their loans. By Andy Fischer KRUA News Reporter Student debt is a growing concern in the U.S. Last October, the New York Federal Reserve announced student borrowing has exceeded $1 billion. With interest, American students owe over $1 trillion on their loans. Some effort has been made recently to ease loan payments for students with Federal loans, and now some Alaska legislators are trying to do the same for students with state education loans. “When you can get a used car loan for 3% and we’re charging student 7% and 8% for state loans, it makes you question your priorities,” said representative Les Gara. Gara and Representaive Dave Guttenberg of Fairbanks pre-filed bill in the legislature that would reduce interest payments on student loans through the Alaska Student Loan Corporation. If students remain in Alaska after graduation, their interest rate would go from eight percent down to five percent. That would bring the interest on state loans more in line with private lenders. Wells Fargo bank advertises student loans with interest rates ranging from 3.4 percent up to 5.4 percent. Those rates are dependent on the borrower’s credit, or that of their cosigners. You can get a federal Direct Stafford loan with a fixed interest rate of 3.4 percent for an undergraduate degree, or 6.8 percent if you’re a graduate student. Aside from making loans more affordable for student, Gara also hopes it will entice students to stay in Alaska and work after they graduate. “In this economy, a seven percent or eight percent loan is a hefty burden for people to carry,” Gara said. “And we also want either to get Alaskans to stay here for school, or get them to come back. By reducing the interest rate, we maintain an Alaskan workforce” So called brain drain has been a hot button issue for years in the state. It’s the recurring problem of educated youth leaving the state for jobs elsewhere, often times forcing state employers to hire workers from outside. Alaska was recently ranked fifth by education site edudemic.com on list of states with high rates of brain drain. Legislation was introduced in the Alaska Legislature in 2009 that would offer loan forgiveness for students, something that’s also been pushed on the federal level. But Gara says such a bill wouldn’t pass in the current economic environment. Stephanie Butler is the chief executive officer of the Alaska Commission on Post Secondary Edcuation. She says that while the commission hasn’t taken a stance on the bill, funding the interest decrease could be an issue. “Any change in interest rates would need to be approved, and would need to be funded,” Butler says. “As the bill currently exists, there isn’t a funding mechanism for that.” Still, Gara is hopeful that a compromise can be reached on the issue of funding, and that the bill will make its way through the house and senate. As of yet, it hasn’t come up for a hearing in the education committee. “We’re willing to work with the student loan corporation to reword the bill to make it as easier as possible for them to administer,” Gara says. “But it will certainly cost some money. They basically break even right now, but historically we value education. An eight percent loan right in this economy seems pretty unfair.” Andy Fisher Interest Rates KRUA 88.1 FM no 3:04 Dan Savage: The Round Table http://www.kruaradio.org/archives/1912 http://www.kruaradio.org/archives/1912#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:12:32 +0000 admin http://www.kruaradio.org/?p=1912
By Nithya Thiru
KRUA News Reporter

Gay sex advice columnist Dan Savage arrived in Anchorage to a sold out show last Thursday. In addition to writing his column, Savage has also become an advocate for the LGBT community, particularly in regards to preventing bullying through the It Gets Better Campaign. Savage sat down with a group of UAA students to discuss politics, journalism, and his column, Savage Love.
Savage Love, published in newspapers across the country is known for its use of frank language when discussing sex. Of the column, Savage says, “What differentiated Savage Love when I started writing it was I allowed people to use the language that they actually use when they talk about sex with their friends and amongst themselves in print.” While for fans of the column this honest language was the column’s strength, The Anchorage Press, a newspaper here in town chose to remove Savage Love from the paper due to what the publishers felt was the presence of pornographic material. Savage himself finds this to be a cowardly choice, but recognizes a paper’s right to drop and pick up columns as they please.
Savage has also entered the news thanks to his redefinition of Rick Santorum’s name. This new foul definition of Santorum’s name is now the first result that appears when ‘Santorum’ is googled. Savage does not think highly of any of the Republican candidates for president and finds Santorum’s stance against LGBT and sexual rights to be absolutely despicable. Though many are critical of Savage’s actions against Santorum, Savage defends the need for liberals to fight back against Republican vehemence in order to be taken seriously.
Savage’s political involvement is not limited to the national stage alone. Here in Alaska, Savage declared his firm support of One Anchorage, a ballot initiative that will add sexual orientation and transgender identity to the city’s non-discrimination clause if passed this April. Savage wrote a blog post about the issue, and helped raise funds for the campaign. Savage is confident that the initiative will pass, despite any influence that figures such as Jerry Prevo and Jim Minnery might have over the populace.
For KRUA, I’m Nithya Thiru.
Dan Savage

]]> http://www.kruaradio.org/archives/1912/feed 0 By Nithya Thiru KRUA News Reporter Gay sex advice columnist Dan Savage arrived in Anchorage to a sold out show last Thursday. In addition to writing his column, Savage has also become an advocate for the LGBT community, By Nithya Thiru KRUA News Reporter Gay sex advice columnist Dan Savage arrived in Anchorage to a sold out show last Thursday. In addition to writing his column, Savage has also become an advocate for the LGBT community, particularly in regards to preventing bullying through the It Gets Better Campaign. Savage sat down with a group of UAA students to discuss politics, journalism, and his column, Savage Love. Savage Love, published in newspapers across the country is known for its use of frank language when discussing sex. Of the column, Savage says, “What differentiated Savage Love when I started writing it was I allowed people to use the language that they actually use when they talk about sex with their friends and amongst themselves in print.” While for fans of the column this honest language was the column’s strength, The Anchorage Press, a newspaper here in town chose to remove Savage Love from the paper due to what the publishers felt was the presence of pornographic material. Savage himself finds this to be a cowardly choice, but recognizes a paper’s right to drop and pick up columns as they please. Savage has also entered the news thanks to his redefinition of Rick Santorum’s name. This new foul definition of Santorum’s name is now the first result that appears when ‘Santorum’ is googled. Savage does not think highly of any of the Republican candidates for president and finds Santorum’s stance against LGBT and sexual rights to be absolutely despicable. Though many are critical of Savage’s actions against Santorum, Savage defends the need for liberals to fight back against Republican vehemence in order to be taken seriously. Savage’s political involvement is not limited to the national stage alone. Here in Alaska, Savage declared his firm support of One Anchorage, a ballot initiative that will add sexual orientation and transgender identity to the city’s non-discrimination clause if passed this April. Savage wrote a blog post about the issue, and helped raise funds for the campaign. Savage is confident that the initiative will pass, despite any influence that figures such as Jerry Prevo and Jim Minnery might have over the populace. For KRUA, I’m Nithya Thiru. Dan Savage KRUA 88.1 FM no 5:20