Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
Casey Grove is host of Alaska News Nightly, a general assignment reporter and an editor at Alaska Public Media. Reach him at cgrove@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Casey here.
Southcentral king salmon sport fishing closures continue
All sport fishing for kings on the Kenai River, including catch and release, closed Wednesday. Farther to the north, king fishing will close starting Friday morning on the Susitna and Little Susitna rivers, as well as the Big Su's tributaries. A subsistence fishery on the Upper Yentna is also set to close early Monday. Listen now
State: Permafrost thaw from Arctic broadband projects violated permits
Alaska officials are still trying to sort out the scope of a problem caused by trenching for fiber optic cables owned by GCI and Quintillion, which could threaten the only haul road to the oil fields at Prudhoe Bay, as well as dozens of streams along the way. Listen now
One dead, another injured, after Eagle River brown bear attacks
Anchorage police say a brown bear attacked two men, killing one who had last been seen Monday and injuring another Wednesday who was part of a group searching for the missing hiker. Listen now
Accused of 2016 murders, Palmer man faces possible death sentence
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Anchorage says it's only the third time in the past 25 to 30 years that a formal intent to pursue the death penalty has been filed in an Alaska case. Listen now
Two planes collide north of Anchorage; one dead upon Susitna River crash
Two airplanes collided in the skies over Alaska north of Anchorage. Listen now
Anchorage police investigating chlorine powder near homeless shelter
Police are investigating the spreading of chlorine pool cleaner Thursday alongside a street in the vicinity of an Anchorage homeless shelter and soup kitchen. Listen now
New Anchorage fire chief is first woman to lead the department
Jodie Hettrick has been appointed to lead the Anchorage Fire Department, the first woman to be fire chief in Alaska's largest city, according to an announcement Wednesday from the mayor's office. Listen now
Update: Begich and Treadwell throw their hats into Alaska Governor’s race
After days of rumors and speculation, Mark Begich has announced that he is running for governor in the Democratic primary. Mead Treadwell, former Lt. Gov. under Sean Parnell, announced his candidacy in the Republican primary. Listen now
Almandinger found guilty on all charges in Grunwald murder trial
A Palmer jury today found Erick Almandinger guilty on all counts in the 2016 slaying of 16-year-old David Grunwald. Listen now
Palmer trial of first alleged Grunwald murder accomplice goes to jury
Prosecutors presented evidence over about two weeks, and when Almandinger's defense rested without calling any witnesses -- not even Almandinger himself -- it set the stage for closing arguments Wednesday. Listen now
Indictment adds charges for ex-trooper accused of attempted sex abuse
Former Alaska State Trooper Vance Peronto, 57, was charged with attempted sexual abuse of a juvenile. A grand jury has now also indicted Peronto for alleged exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography. Listen now
Appeal challenges Alaska’s exclusion of village residents from juries
The Alaska Court of Appeals heard arguments Thursday in a case that could have huge implications for how Alaska village residents are included -- or excluded -- as jurors in trials. Listen now
Urged by Alaska veterans, Sullivan supports cannabis research at VA
Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan is co-sponsoring a bill that calls on the Department of Veterans Affairs to look into the "efficacy and safety" of cannabis in the treatment of veterans diagnosed with "chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder" and other conditions. Listen now
Federal designation puts Alaska in touch with millions to fight drug-trafficking
Alaska is the last state to get the "high-intensity drug-trafficking" designation, which allows access to a total nationwide funding pool of $250 million. Public safety officials say the money will help facilitate collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement. Listen now
Murkowski cites rural Alaska in ‘net neutrality’ vote with Dems
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski joined two other Republicans who broke GOP ranks to vote with Democrats on Wednesday in an effort to protect an Obama-era rule on "net neutrality." Listen now
Alaska spent millions. So why is this historic building still a wreck?
The Jesse Lee Home is a nearly century-old former children's home and the birthplace of the Alaska state flag. The nonprofit Friends of the Jesse Lee Home had millions in grants and more than a decade to fix it up, but they now say time is running out. The problem, according to state officials, is that the group mismanaged state funds. Now the Jesse Lee Home is closer than ever to being demolished. Listen now
In murder of ‘all-American’ Palmer teen, first alleged accomplice goes on trial
Prosecutors say Erick Almandinger, 18, was part of a small group of teenage accomplices in David Grunwald's beating, kidnapping and execution. Almandinger's attorney says it's true his client failed to stop the others, but that he isn't guilty of murder. Listen now
Report: More staff needed for Alaska public assistance backlog
According to the state ombudsman's investigation report released Monday, the Division of Public Assistance is swamped with applications and has failed to meet state and federal mandates for processing them in a timely manner. The report also says members of the public have had great difficulty getting responses to questions, and that the division's processing for long-term care is "inefficient and ineffective." Listen now
Troopers continue to investigate one of their own for alleged sexual abuse attempt
Charged with attempted sexual abuse of a minor, 57-year-old Vance Peronto, is no longer a trooper. The Department of Public Safety said the 16-year veteran of the force is not employed by the state anymore, as of Tuesday morning. He had been based in Soldotna.Listen now
Trooper charged with attempted sexual abuse of minor
An Alaska State Trooper, 57-year-old Vance Peronto, is charged with attempted sexual abuse of a minor after allegedly trying to meet a 16-year-old girl at an Anchorage hotel Sunday, according to a written statement from the Department of Public Safety. Listen now