Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
Overdue hiker visiting “Into the Wild” bus found safe
The search for an overdue hiker headed to the abandoned bus where Christopher McCandless died, ended happily Monday morning. Denali National Park spokeswoman Katherine Belcher says 45-year-old Carlos Castrejon of Mexico was located walking along the Park Road.
Meet the Alaska woman who could be NASA’s Arctic astronaut
One of NASA's new astronauts could come from Fairbanks. A University of Alaska Fairbanks researcher has been selected by NASA as one of a 100 finalists for the job. More than 18,000 people applied. International Arctic Research Center and Institute for Northern Engineering Associate professor Jessica Cherry's work focuses on water and climate. She says a lot of the tools she uses have applications in the space program.
University of Alaska suffers cybersecurity breach
The University of Alaska is reporting a security breach. An email issued Tuesday says UA became aware of the cyber attack several months ago, and there’s no evidence that personal information was accessed or stolen. Listen now
Tanker trailer goes off the road near Fairbanks and leaks fuel, cleanup ensues
A cleanup operation continues along the Richardson Highway south of Fairbanks, where a tanker trailer went off the road and leaked fuel. Listen now
Following robbery and assault, Fairbanks man fatally shot by police
Fairbanks police fatally shot a man yesterday. FPD spokeswoman Yumi McCulloch said officers were called to a robbery and assault at the Alaska Motel on South Cushman Street. Listen now
Search for missing Chena hiker ends in success
A search that tapped air and ground resources ended successfully Monday night when an overdue hiker was rescued in the wilderness near Chena Hot Springs Resort, east of Fairbanks. Alaska State Troopers report that 19-year-old Anatoliy Balko was spotted from the air and picked up with a helicopter. Listen now
Leaf-mining bug infestation leaving birch leaves brown across the state
Many birch leaves in Fairbanks and Anchorage are going from green to brown as the result of an insect infestation. U.S. Forest Service entomologist Stephen Burr in Fairbanks says a leaf mining bug believed to have come to the state on imported ornamental trees, is to blame. Listen now
Search continues for missing hiker by Chena Hot Springs
A search continues for an overdue hiker in the hills surrounding Chena Hot Springs Resort. Alaska State Trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters says resort employee 19-year-old Anatoliy Balko left on what was he anticipated to be a 2 day hike Friday morning. Listen now
Assembly seeks help for Denali wolves
The Fairbanks North Star Borough assembly passed a resolution last Thursday asking Governor Bill Walker to protect Denali National Park wolves and other predators on state land along the park’s northeast boundary. Listen now
Fairbanks citizens gather signatures to ban commercial marijuana sales
Sponsors of a voter initiative to ban commercial marijuana businesses in the City of Fairbanks submitted over 500 signatures Friday in an effort to get the measure on the fall 2017 ballot. Listen now
Moose and vehicles: Dangerous mix
Increasing darkness ups the chance of drivers hitting wildlife on Alaska roads. Moose collisions present the most common and dangerous hazard, and a few factors are common to most accidents. Listen now
Migratory duck tests positive for bird flu in Fairbanks
A sample taken from a south migrating mallard duck in Fairbanks, has tested positive for bird flu. Avian influence is carried by wild birds, but the disease is far more deadly to domestic poultry. Listen now
Denali celebrates 100 years of the National Park Service
Today is the National Park Service’s 100th birthday. The agency celebrated at 413 parks nationwide, including Denali National Park.
Low sea ice and warm water to drive autumn weather
El Nino has transitioned to below normal sea surface temperatures in the mid latitude Pacific. If that persists, the condition known as La Nina, typically results in a colder than normal winter for Alaska, but National Weather Service climate science and services manager Rick Thoman said low sea ice and remaining warm water around Alaska, will be primary drivers of the state’s autumn weather. Listen now
Eielson Air Force Base has new construction plan for incoming F-35 fighters
$500 million in new construction is planned for Eielson Air Force Base to support the upcoming deployment of F-35 Fighters, and local hire for a portion of that work is a top priority. Listen now
Denali bus employs hybrid technology
Denali National Park is testing 2 new hybrid buses. The vehicles are the final prototypes to be tested by the Park Service at Denali as part of a grant funded effort to reduce pollution. Listen now
Alaskan long jumper misses qualifying in Rio Olympics
Former Eielson High School long jumper Janay DeLoach just missed qualifying at the Rio Olympics. The 2012 long jump bronze medalist barely missed making the final cut during qualifying Tuesday, falling a little over an inch short of the top 12 who advanced. Listen now
Petition sent to Walker asking for predator control reform
A petition signed by 150 Alaskans sent to Governor Bill Walker, asks for changes to state predator control programs. Listen now
Alaska Miners Association to protest BLM plan for Eastern Interio
The Alaska Miners Association will protest a proposed Bureau of Land Management plan for the Eastern Interior. The recently released plan covering 6.5 million acres includes environmental protections that would ban new mining on over a million federal acres, including 2 areas in the mineral rich Forty Mile region. Listen now
Justice Sotomayor speaks at UAF
United States Associate Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor spoke at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Sunday. Sotomayor, the first Latina appointed the nation’s highest court, addressed a capacity audience in Fairbanks. Listen now