Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks

Preliminary work will continue this summer on an in state natural gas pipeline. That’s despite the legislature’s failure to approve $200 million, and expanded powers for the agency charged with pursuing the project, the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation. The legislature did provide $21 million, and AGDC President Dan Fauske says that’s enough to keep the North Slope to Southcentral project going in light of new direction from Governor Parnell.

Climate warming is causing the release of methane in the far north from a previously undocumented source. Past research has found methane created by bio-degradation of thawing organic matter, but a University of Alaska Fairbanks led study has confirmed a deeper, older source. UAF researcher Katey Walter Anthony describes the gas as geologic methane.

A memorial service was held on Ft. Wainwright yesterday to honor soldiers killed during the Stryker Brigade’s deployment to Afghanistan.

Another weak king salmon return is forecast for the Yukon River. Alaska Department of Fish and Game Yukon area management biologist Steve Hayes says this summer’s Chinook run is predicted to be up to 146,000 fish, in line with weak runs since 1997.

As many as 6,000 military will march through Fairbanks Saturday.

The Copper River salmon fishing season is set to get underway next week. The first commercial opening at the river’s mouth is scheduled for May 17. Glennallen area management biologist Mark Sommerville says the run is forecast to be relatively strong.

Portrayals of Peacemaker’s militia members as dangerous men plotting to kill federal employees were juxtaposed with characterizations of the men as hapless big mouths who exaggerated a lot but were harmless – during this morning’s opening statements in day two of the Schaeffer Cox, Lonnie Vernon and Barney Coleman federal trial in Anchorage.

A Fairbanks man who helped protect natural resources in Afghanistan, is heading up a similar program for polar regions. Longtime University of Alaska Fairbanks faculty member Harry Bader recently completed three years in Afghanistan, serving as co-leader of a counterinsurgency cell for the U.S. Agency for International Development. Bader, who won a heroism award for his work preventing enemy exploitation of natural resources, is back at UAF heading up a new Polar Security Center. Bader says the Defense and Homeland Security funded program is scientific research focused.

The final group of the Ft. Wainwright based Stryker brigade soldiers returned to Fairbanks from Afghanistan Wednesday. The contingent of 100 was the last of the 4,000 member unit that deployed overseas a year ago.

A computer model being developed by University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers will predict climate driven ecosystem changes. Alaska Integrated Ecosystem Model Project Manager Amy Breen says it accounts for major climate driven processes.

May is starting off cold. National Weather service meteorologist Corey Bogel says a large low pressure system over Northwest Alaska is dragging down temperatures. The forecast also includes a chance of snow showers, but Bogell says more spring like weather should be back by the weekend.

Conditions are improving at Manley Hot Springs after ice jams on the Tanana River caused flooding over the weekend.

The anniversary of a 1993 murder brought people together in Fairbanks yesterday to remember those lost in unsolved homicide cases.

The state is taking feedback on proposed new student achievement standards. Education Commissioner Michael Hanley is hosting meetings around the state, and was in Fairbanks Tuesday. The new standards will replace the current package developed in the mid 1990’s, and are designed to clarify what’s expected of kids at each grade level. Hanley says they’re based on a Common Core package developed by the National Governors Association and the council of chief state school officers.

Fairbanks turned out last night to support the family of a baby who died last week as the result of child abuse. The event was organized by interior Alaska Native leaders for the family of 2-year-old Jacob Williams, who died of injuries inflicted by his mother’s boyfriend. William’s family is from Allakaket and last night’s gathering raised money for funeral services in the village. One of the organizers Tisha Simmons says there was also a broader goal.

After nearly seven months camped at a downtown park, Occupy Fairbanks has taken down its tents. The move follows a notice from the Fairbanks North Star Borough last week threatening legal action if the group refused to clear out of the park, where overnight camping is not allowed. Occupy Fairbanks member William White says the group anticipated having to call it quits.

Tourism officials aren’t sure what type of a season to expect this summer. Numbers have been up and down since peaking in 2008, and then tanking the next year with the recession. Fairbanks Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Director Deb Hickok says varying sectors of the market have performed erratically in the years since.

Alaska is playing a role in the growing field of unmanned aviation, and provisions in a recently passed Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization Act could expand it.

A bill that passed the legislature will benefit businesses that operate around military installations. Businesses inside state designated Military Facility Zones would have access to tax breaks and low interest loans. Sponsor Representative Steve Thompson, of Fairbanks, says the change could attract new companies to meet specific military needs in Alaska. As an example, Thompson says there’s opportunity around Eielson Air Force base related to unmanned aerial vehicles.

There’s no short term energy relief from the state legislature, but two bills approved by state lawmakers offer potential for new access to natural gas.