Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
Researchers Launch Rocket to Study Northern Lights
A rocket was successfully launched from Poker Flat north of Fairbanks over the weekend. Saturday night’s flight was part of a multi-university project aimed at understanding the effect of the northern lights on global positioning system and other radio signals. Principle investigator Steve Powell of Cornell University says satellite data indicated an intense stream, of charged particles from the sun heading toward the earth, and the aurora did not disappoint.
Bill Would Offer Energy Relieve for Alaskans
A bill introduced in the state legislature offers energy relief for Alaskans. The bipartisan sponsored measure would provide vouchers to all Permanent Fund Dividend eligible adults for 250 gallons of heating fuel, or an equivalent amount of natural gas, or 1,500 kilowatt hours of electricity.
February Much Warmer than January
February weather will go down in the record books in stark contrast to January. Above normal warmth so far this month following January’s extreme cold is hard to pin on any one factor, but National Weather Service lead forecaster Rick Thoman in Fairbanks says the cooling of equatorial Pacific waters called La Nina likely figures into it.
General Schwartz To Explain Planned Movement of Eielson F-16s
Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz meets with a group of local officials in Fairbanks tomorrow. General Schwartz is coming to explain the Air Force’s planned movement of Eielson Air Force Base’s F-16 Squadron, and as many 2,000 of the base’s 2,700 people, to Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson in Anchorage.
‘On the Ice’ Movie Set to Premiere
Another Alaska based movie is premiering. Like the recently released “Big Miracle, “On the Ice” is set in Barrow, but as KUAC’s Dan Bross reports the films are very different.
A-CAP Report Says Climate Change Predictions Proving True
Climate change predictions are coming true. That’s the finding in an updated report from the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy or “A-CAP.” The recently released draft report includes input from a variety of stakeholders.
Usibelli Granted Coal Mine Permits Near Healy
The State Department of Natural Resources has granted Usibelli a permit for a new coal mine in the Healy area. The Jumbo Dome Mine site is on leased state land near where the company has long operated its Two Bull Ridge mine.
Precipitation Database Helping Designers, Builders Plan For Extremes
A new data base of precipitation in Alaska will help designers and builders plan for extremes. The Alaska Precipitation Atlas was put together by researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and The University of Alaska Fairbanks Water and Environmental Research Center.
State Reviewing Proposed Animal Care Standards
The State is beginning another round of public workshops to review proposed animal care standards. The sessions, which begin this week, focus on standards specific to different types of animals, including horses, livestock, birds, dogs and other domestic pets. State Veterinarian Robert Gerlach says opinions and comments gathered during the first round of meetings last year are the jumping off point for the upcoming sessions.
Park Service May Plow Road Further Into Denali National Park
The National Park Service has proposed plowing more of the road into Denali National Park. Park spokeswoman Kris Fister says keeping more of the road open in winter will allow for better visitor access.
Alaska Delegation Introduces Legislation To Prevent Moving Eielson F-16s
Alaska’s U.S. Senators have introduced legislation to prevent the Air Force transfer of aircraft from Eielson in North Pole to joint base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage.
Both Sides Appealing Redistricting Ruling
Both sides are appealing a Superior Court Judge’s ruling in the Alaska redistricting suit. A mixed decision issued last week by Judge Michael McConahy remanded four districts proposed by the Alaska Redistricting Board back for re-working.
Fairbanks Man Receives Silver Star
A Fairbanks man has been awarded the military’s 3rd highest honor. Retired Staff Sergeant Paul Taylor was decorated with the Silver Star at a ceremony Saturday at Ft. Wainwright.
January Sets Cold Records Across State
January 2012 will have a place in the weather record books. National Weather Service meteorologist Jim Brader says locations across the northern half of the state bested or came close to records.
Some Customers May Get Refund From Fairbanks Utility
A Fairbanks utility and the state have come to resolution in a long running rate dispute that will result in customer refunds.
Push For New Information On Old Fairbanks Murder Gains Momentum
An effort to uncover new information about an old murder in Fairbanks is gaining momentum. Blogging and social networking are being employed in an attempt to exonerate four local men imprisoned for the 1997 killing of a Fairbanks teenager.
Alaska Film Group, NANA Team Up To Attract Productions
A trade group and a Native Corporation are teamed up to promote a program that attracts movie and television productions to Alaska. The Alaska Film Group and Nana Regional Corporation owned Piksik LLC are pushing the state to extend its film incentive program.
United Airlines To Fly Into Fairbanks This Summer
Fairbanks will have a 3rd major air carrier this summer. United Airlines is returning to the Fairbanks market after a several year absence. United will run daily flights between Denver and Fairbanks June 7th through August 27th.
North Slope to Canada Gas Line Meeting Takes Place in Fairbanks
Fairbanks was the site of the first in a series of public meetings Monday night on the proposed gas line from the North Slope to Canada. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is hosting the meetings as part of the scoping process for an Environmental Impact Statement for the Alaska Pipeline Project.
Interior Expecting Milder Weather
The interior is coming off a weekend during which Fairbanks and several other locations had low temperatures in excess of 50 below zero. National Weather Service meteorologist Corey Bogel says Galena had the coldest official reading.