Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
F-35 basing decision expected Monday
The Air Force is expected to issue a final decision Monday on the basing of F-35 fighter jets at Eielson Air Force Base.
UAF mountaineering class recovers from avalanche
Members of a University of Alaska Fairbanks mountaineering class are recovering after being hit by an avalanche in the eastern Alaska Range. The incident has raised questions about the university taking students into the mountains.
Flooding still a large concern on Dalton Highway
Concern continues about flooding on the northern end of the Dalton Highway. Water from the Sag River overran the Dalton south of Deadhorse last year, causing extensive damage that closed the road for weeks. Mitigation work is aimed at reducing impacts of encroaching ice and water.
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Golden Valley Electric investigates coal plant explosion
It will be months before a Golden Valley Electric Association coal fired power plant comes back on line. The plant, one of two Golden Valley operates in Healy, has been down since a coal dust explosion on March 3rd. The incident is similar to two other that occurred during initial testing of the recently re-stated power plant. Download Audio
Supreme Court sides with Sturgeon in case challenging NPS authority
In a decision released Tuesday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court sided unanimously with moose hunter John Sturgeon in his case against the National Park Service, overturning a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision. Download Audio
Renaming of Mt. McKinley to Denali recognized by tribal officials
Renaming of North America’s highest peak from Mt. McKinley to Denali was recognized Wednesday by federal and tribal officials at the Tanana Chief’s Conference annual meeting in Fairbanks. Three other lesser publicized name changes were also highlighted. Download Audio
State, feds pursuing better coordination after wolf kill in national preserve
State wolf control in the vicinity of Yukon Charley Rivers National Preserve has prompted agencies to pursue better cooperation. A wolf was killed by the state inside the Preserve earlier this month. Download Audio
Nuuk, Greenland prepares for Arctic Winter Games
A contingent of Alaskans is travelling to Greenland to participate in the Arctic Winter Games. Alaska’s is one of 9 regional teams descending on the northern nation’s capital of Nuuk for next week’s games. The remote arctic city is going all out to host them. Nuuk, Greenland’s has 17 thousand residents, and a lot of them are involved in putting on the 2016 Arctic Winter Games. Download Audio
Anchorage cyclist wins Iditarod Trail Invitational
Anchorage cyclist Tim Berston has won the Iditarod Trail Invitational 350 mile human powered race between Knik and McGrath. Bernston peddled his fat bike into the Kuskokwim River village Monday afternoon, clocking a time of just under 2 days. Download Audio
Alaska’s weather among the warmest in over a century
This winter’s warmer than normal weather could set an Alaska record. National Weather Service Alaska region climate science and services manager Rick Thoman points to a lack of extreme cold temperatures across the state. Download Audio
Fairbanks skier wins nation’s biggest cross country race
David Norris of Fairbanks won the nation’s biggest cross country ski race over the weekend. Norris bested an elite field in Saturday’s 51 kilometer American Birkibeiner in Wisconsin. Download Audio
Low energy prices a double-edged sword for industry
Low energy prices may help Alaska LNG compete against other prospective natural gas export projects around the world.
Record low snow totals for Fairbanks recorded in December, January
Fairbanks has been exceptionally dry over the last two months. A total of just 1.9 inches of snow fell at the airport in December and January, besting Fairbanks previous low mark for the two months set in the winter of 1952-53. Download Audio
Fairbanks police say alcohol was a factor in accidental shooting death
Alcohol was a factor in an accidental shooting that took the life of Ft. Wainwright based soldier over the weekend. Fairbanks Police Detective Scott Adams says 25-year-old Stryker Brigade Sergeant Nathan Michael Higginbotham had been consuming alcohol prior to the early Sunday incident.
Denali Park proposes to better protect wolves
Denali National Park and two conservation groups are asking the Alaska Board of Game to consider proposals aimed at better protecting park wolves. The proposals are not currently in line for review until next year.
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Conditions wanting in Fairbanks for Iditarod restart
Iditarod organizers continue to look at Fairbanks for restarting this year’s race. Fairbanks North Star borough Mayor Karl Kassel met with race officials in Fairbanks yesterday.
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UAF expects new chancellor hire by spring
There’s a large pool of applicants to be the University of Alaska Fairbanks next chancellor. In a wide ranging address to the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce yesterday, interim UAF Chancellor Mike Powers updated members on the hiring process.
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NPS eyes reg changes for subsistence use of animal parts for the arts
The National Park Service is proposing a regulatory change that would allow subsistence users to collect animal parts and plants for use in arts and crafts.
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Moose hunter’s land jurisdiction lawsuit goes to Supreme Court
A dispute between an Alaska boater and the National Park Service will be heard by the highest court in the country this week on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Lower courts have rejected Anchorage resident John Sturgeon’s suit challenging Park Service authority to regulate Alaska rivers, where they pass through federal conservation units.
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On marijuana clubs, Fairbanks defers to state lawmakers
The Fairbanks City Council has put off consideration of an ordinance that would outlaw marijuana clubs.
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