Individual news stories are posted on the APRN news page. You can subscribe to APRN’s newsfeeds via email, podcast and RSS. Follow us on Facebook at alaskapublic.org and on Twitter @aprn.
State May Get 8 Cargo Planes
Liz Ruskin, APRN – Washington DC
The state may be taking possession of eight new airplanes. They’re 1980s era cargo planes that the Army doesn’t want anymore. A provision in the Defense Bill now before the U.S. Senate offers them to the governor of Alaska. The catch is, the state has to figure out what to do with them – and how to pay for their upkeep.
China Bans Purchase Of Northwest Shellfish
Amelia Templeton, Northwest News Network
Environment and health officials in the U.S. say they are puzzled by China’s decision to ban shellfish harvested from Northern California to Alaska. State officials say their records don’t show the same unsafe toxin levels that were detected by a lab in China.
Gas Spills From Broken Pipe On Kake Waterfront
Joe Viechnicki, KFSK – Petersburg
Officials say an estimated 5,500 gallons of unleaded gasoline spilled into the water Saturday in the small Southeast community of Kake.
Australian Company Mothballs Chickaloon Coal Mine Plan
Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
Riversdale Alaska is mothballing its plan to mine coal in the Chickaloon area. The Australian-owned mining company is turning its sights on coal prospects in Alberta, Canada, instead.
Thousands Of New Fish Specimens Double Museum’s Collection
Emily Schwing, KUAC – Fairbanks
The University of Alaska, Fairbanks Museum of the North recently acquired as many as 150,000 fish and marine specimens from the National Marine Fisheries Service. The acquisition means the museum’s fish collection has doubled in size.
What Would You Do With 9 Tons Of Salmon You Can’t Sell?
Lisa Phu, KTOO – Juneau
Juneau’s soup kitchen and shelter recently received a donation of salmon with an estimated retail value of more than $100,000.
Fairbanks Discuss Solutions For Support Services Void
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
The bankruptcy of a Fairbanks primary mental health care provider earlier this fall, and the more recent closure of an assisted living facility, has resulted in a major void in support services in the area. A community forum held last week in Fairbanks brought people together to discuss solutions.
Palmer Farmers’ Market Starts Up
Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
Even though winter temperatures are sweeping the state, a local farmers’ market in Palmer is just starting up. It features some surprising products guaranteed to dispel the winter-time blahs.
