Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
Fairbanks considers becoming a sanctuary city
The Fairbanks City Council heard testimony last night from members of the public concerned about executive actions by president Trump blocking Syrian refugees and a temporarily halting travel to the US from seven primarily Muslim countries. Listen now
North Pole municipality expands water system to areas impacted by sulfolane spill
An agreement between the State of Alaska, City of North Pole and Flint Hills Resources will expand the municipal water system to properties impacted by spills at a former refinery. The refinery, closed by Flint Hills two years ago, was the site of historic spills of the industrial solvent sulfolane. Listen now
BLM listens to public input on plan for millions of Interior acres
The Bureau of Land Management is taking public feedback on a new management plan for over 13 million acres of federal lands west of Fairbanks and the Dalton Highway. Listen now
Alaska railroad see substantial revenue loss
The Alaska Railroad is riding out tough times. The state-owned railroad has seen revenue drop substantially. Listen now
Water overflows on Richardson Highway
Water is flowing across a section of the Richardson Highway south of Paxson. Department of Transportation northern region spokeswoman Meadow Bailey sayid flooding is an issue between mileposts 184 and 186. Listen now
Fairbanks student arrested after making a school shooting threat on Twitter
A Fairbanks student is charged with terroristic threatening due to a social media post. Fairbanks North Star Borough School District spokeswoman Sharice Walker said staff at West Valley High School were alerted Thursday morning to the threat posted on a student’s Twitter account. Listen now
More snow means moose move to roads
Recent heavy snow accumulation is pushing moose onto Alaska roads. That’s increasing collision danger. Listen now
Richardson Highway avalanche cleared
An avalanche that blocked the Richardson Highway north of Isabell Pass this morning, has been cleared. No vehicles were caught and no one was injured in the slide which naturally triggered near milepost 209, conditions remain dangerous.
North Pole Rep. continues to press for OCS reform
State Representative Tammie Wilson of North Pole continues to press for reform of the State Office of Children’s Services. Wilson cited a 30 percent growth in the number of reportedly endangered kids being removed from parents in recent years, and some constituents unhappy with how the system has treated them. Listen now
Scientist says vanishing clouds have lead to colder temperatures
Long forecast deep cold is sinking in across mainland Alaska. National Weather Service meteorologist Christopher Cox said clouds that have mitigated the arctic air’s full impact on the surface are dissipating. Listen now
Interior Energy Project reaches key milestone
The Interior Gas Utility and Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority have approved a memorandum of understanding to forward the Interior Energy Project. The state funded IEP is aimed at increasing the availability of gas in the city, as a less expensive and cleaner burning alternative to other fossil fuels and wood. The project has a lot of moving parts and is behind schedule, but the MOU is a key step. Listen now
APU skier places fourth as national cross country championship comes to close
The U.S. national cross country ski championships wrapped up in Utah today, with an abbreviated skate technique sprint competition. The race consisted of a single time trail over a 1.3-kilometer course at the 2002 Olympic venue at Soldier Hollow. Listen now
Anvik tribal courts given more jurisdiction in lower level cases
The state of Alaska and the Anvik Tribe have signed an historic justice agreement. The government to government pact provides a template for tribal courts to administer restorative sentences in certain lower level cases, as an alternative to the state criminal justice system. Listen now
Fairbanks air quality lawsuit successful
Environmental groups and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have reached an agreement that settles one of two active lawsuits aimed at forcing the agency to take overdue action on Fairbanks-North Pole area air quality. Localized, but extreme wintertime episodes of fine particulate pollution due to wood and fossil fuel burning emissions have long plagued the communities. Clean air advocates see the legal action as a small win in a long-running effort to reduce pollution. Listen now
Northwest Alaska faces heavy, severe weather warnings
Blizzard and severe weather warnings remain in effect for communities on the northwest coast of Alaska as a winter storm continues to bring wind, heavy snow and in some cases rain. Listen Now
Two sled dogs die after vehicle collision
Two sled dogs are dead after the team of Yukon Quest and Iditarod veteran Sebastian Schnuelle was hit by a vehicle outside Fairbanks. Listen Now
In wake of impending snowstorm Golden Valley Electric preps for outages
With heavy snow and wind in the forecast, Golden Valley Electric Association in Fairbanks is bracing for power outages. Listen Now
Winter fire pops up in Delta Junction
State wildfire officials report a rare winter incident in Delta Junction. An Alaska Division of Forestry post said a 20 by 50 ft. fire was called in by passerby December 20th, who spotted the burn on trails behind the Delta High School. Listen Now
Federal coal mining rule angers operator
The operator of Alaska’s only coal mine is speaking out against a new Obama administration water protection rule for the industry. Healy-based Usibelli coal mine saw the Stream Protection Rule as an attack on the industry. Listen Now
Mike Kelly funeral held
A funeral service for Mike Kelly, former Fairbanks State Legislator and Golden Valley Electric Association Chief, is being held today. The service is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Kelly died December 7th in a small plane crash south of Fairbanks. Listen Now