Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
Anchorage prosecutors failed victim in Schneider assault, lawsuit says
There have been more court filings this week against 34-year-old Anchorage resident Justin Schneider, who received a plea agreement earlier this fall for what many people thought amounted to a sexual assault. But this time the filings aren't criminal charges. Instead, Schneider is the defendant in a civil lawsuit brought by the woman he attacked.
Anchorage rabbi: Political polarization threatens to ‘rip us to shreds’
Rabbi Michael Oblath of Congregation Beth Sholom said he asked police to send a patrol car to sit outside Saturday services for his congregation, which is the largest and oldest Jewish congregation in the state. In a phone interview with Alaska Public Media's Casey Grove on Monday, Oblath recounted how he heard the news, and what the congregation was talking about in its wake. Listen now
Ask a Climatologist: The colder, snowier Halloweens of yesteryear
Many snow-starved parts of Alaska recently saw the ground finally turn to white. But as for this notion of a “White Halloween,” some places may not reach that benchmark, technically speaking.
Yes, Alaska’s volcanoes still dominate in updated threat assessment
The US Geological Survey released an update this week to its volcano threat assessment, first published in 2005. It’s a look at every volcano in the United States and a ranking based on the hazards they pose. This recent update has five Alaska volcanoes in the "very high threat" category, more than any other state. Listen now
Report: Ex-Anchorage cop suing city interfered with Alaska National Guard investigation
A once-confidential report on the botched Anchorage police investigation of drug dealing and sexual assault within the Alaska National Guard is at the heart of a former police lieutenant’s wrongful termination lawsuit, which has culminated in a trial. Listen now
Gov. Walker suspends campaign for reelection in AFN announcement
Governor Walker announced today that he is suspending his campaign for reelection. That leaves a two-person race for governor between Republican Mike Dunleavy and Democrat Mark Begich. Listen now
Ask a Climatologist: Warm early winter topples century-old records
It's the first time in more than a century with no recorded snow -- not even a trace -- this late in October, as of Tuesday the 16th. On top of that, warm weather across the state is setting marks for the latest freeze date on record. We thought this called for an emergency installment of Ask a Climatologist and called our resident climatologist, UAF's Brian Brettschneider. He talked to Alaska Public Media’s Casey Grove. Listen now
So the lieutenant governor resigned. Now what?
The news of Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott's resignation Tuesday had a lot of people wondering what will happen next. And that includes Matt Buxton, who is the editor of the online blog Midnight Sun. He also covered the legislature for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner during the Walker-Mallott administration.
‘What Happened in Craig’: Trying to piece together one of the state’s most perplexing murder mysteries
It was the end of the fishing season in 1982 in tiny Craig, Alaska. The town was full of fishing boats and fishermen, and after a night of celebrating, nobody could find 28-year-old Mark Coulthurst, his boat -- the Investor -- or his crew, kids or wife, who was pregnant. Listen now
Mat-Su teacher accused of sexual misconduct with children, district reaching out to families
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District is reaching out to more than 300 families of children who had classes with a popular teacher now accused of inappropriately touching children. Listen now
Dunleavy receives endorsement from Public Safety Employees Association
Mike Dunleavy, the Republican gubernatorial candidate, won an endorsement from one of the largest police unions in Alaska.
Voting for 4th Annual Fat Bear Week ends Tuesday
Katmai National Park’s 4th annual Fat Bear Week has returned, to - as the park’s announcement put it - “determine which gluttonous giant sits atop the brown bear oligarchy of obesity.” Listen now
As Alaskans receive PFD checks, lower amount still politically contentious
Alaska residents have shared in the state's oil wealth for decades, eagerly anticipating the reveal of the annual check's amount, making plans on how to spend it. More recently, the excitement has been muted as Gov. Bill Walker and state legislators have capped the payout in response to Alaska's budget deficit. Listen now
Man shot in front of Anchorage elementary school; suspect in custody
Anchorage police say a shooting in the parking lot of a downtown Anchorage elementary school Wednesday morning sent one man to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Listen now
After almost 30 years with Alaska State Troopers, director Hans Brinke resigns
The head of the Alaska State Troopers is stepping down after a little more than a year on the job, retiring from nearly three decades with the Troopers. Listen now
Outrage as Anchorage man charged in violent attack receives no jail time
The state Department of Law is defending its plea deal with an Anchorage man - originally charged with kidnapping and assaulting a woman to whom he offered a ride. He was let off this week on time served, with some suspended. And that has angered some, including a group organizing to campaign against retaining the judge in the case. Listen now
Nationwide alert systems test rescheduled due to Hurricane Florence
A nationwide test of emergency alert systems that was scheduled for today has been postponed for about two weeks. Listen now
Sen. Sullivan defends support of Trump nominee Kavanaugh
Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan says he has spoken to Brett Kavanaugh amid Kavanaugh's pending nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court about concerns raised by the Alaska Federation of Natives this week. Listen now
Alaska Federation of Natives opposes Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination
The Alaska Federation of Natives says it opposes the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. Listen now
Walker announces pay raise for troopers
Gov. Bill Walker announced today that Alaska State Troopers are getting a pay raise at the start of next month. Listen now