Ellen Lockyer, Alaska Public Media
APTI Reporter-Producer Ellen Lockyer started her radio career in the late 1980s, after a stint at bush Alaska weekly newspapers, the Copper Valley Views and the Cordova Times. When the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, Valdez Public Radio station KCHU needed a reporter, and Ellen picked up the microphone.
Since then, she has literally traveled the length of the state, from Attu to Eagle and from Barrow to Juneau, covering Alaska stories on the ground for the AK show, Alaska News Nightly, the Alaska Morning News and for Anchorage public radio station, KSKA
elockyer (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.550.8446 | About Ellen
Since then, she has literally traveled the length of the state, from Attu to Eagle and from Barrow to Juneau, covering Alaska stories on the ground for the AK show, Alaska News Nightly, the Alaska Morning News and for Anchorage public radio station, KSKA
elockyer (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.550.8446 | About Ellen
Port Mackenzie repairs spread Mat-Su budget thin
Recurring structural problems at Port Mackenzie's barge dock are adding costs to the Mat-Su Borough's already tight budget. Port officials are puzzled as to the cause of the damage, which seems to be located in a specific area, while a series of repair jobs so far have done nothing to solve the problem. Listen Now
Clamming halted on East Cook Inlet beaches due to low razor clam numbers
A decline in the numbers of mature razor clams the past several years has prompted the state Fish and Game department to curtail clamming on East Cook Inlet beaches for the foreseeable future. Listen Now
AK State Troopers say cuts may force them out of urban areas
This week Governor Bill Walker released his version of next year's budget, and the community of Whittier contracted with its big city neighbor to the North on a deal to provide law enforcement for an Anchorage suburb. The seemingly unrelated events may shape things to come. Listen Now
AK: Praising La Señora de Guadalupe in Anchorage
Aztec dancers whirled, while drums beat and a guitar-backed chorus sang Spanish hymns in praise of La Senora de Guadalupe. The pre-dawn celebration honors Mexico's patron saint, and even in frozen Alaska, the tradition warms up a December morning. Listen Now
Five teenagers face adult charges for Palmer murder
A group of Matanuska Valley teenagers, ranging from sixteen to nineteen years of age, were arraigned in state Superior Court in Palmer Tuesday, in relation to the disturbing kidnap and murder case of another Valley teen, David Grunwald. All five will be charged as adults. Listen Now
Four more teens arrested in Palmer murder case
Hundreds of people turned out Friday night in frigid temperatures to honor and pray for David Grunwald, the Palmer teenager who was kidnapped and murdered in November.
Controversial Sled Dog film to premiere at Canadian festival
The acclaimed Whistler, BC, film festival started this week, featuring Canadian first-run Oscar-buzz films like Ms. Sloan and La La Land. Although the pictures feature Hollywood luminaries Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, those stars could be upstaged by the subjects of another film - one creating a lot of controversy in the mushing world. Listen Now
ACLU sues state on abortion regs
The ACLU of Alaska Wednesday filed suit against the state challenging restrictions on second trimester abortions. Planned Parenthood Votes of the Great Northwest and Hawaii and the Center for Reproductive Rights joined ACLU as plaintiffs. Listen Now
Southcentral’s only meat packing plant up for grabs
Southcentral Alaska's only federally-approved meat packing plant, Mt. McKinley Meat and Sausage in Palmer, is up for sale or lease. Listen Now
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center welcomes two new wolves
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Portage is welcoming a two new wolves. Robin Randich is the Center's marketing manager. She says the Center's two resident wolves, Brie and Deshka, are both females, so to build a pack, males were needed. Listen Now
Central Arctic caribou population drops by half over three years
Reports from state biologists indicate that the population of the Central Arctic caribou herd has dropped by about half during the past three years. The herd, which hit it's peak of about 70,000 animals in 2010, dropped to about 50,000 in 2013 due to a late spring.
Sockeye fire trial postponed again
The trial of an Anchorage couple charged with igniting the devastating Sockeye fire last year is scheduled to start Tuesday in District court in Palmer. Listen Now
Suspicious Soldotna deaths under investigation
Alaska law enforcement officials are investigating two suspicious deaths in Soldotna. According to a Alaska State Trooper dispatch posted Monday, two burned bodies were found in a burned-out Ford Bronco that was located off a trail near a Soldotna residence.
DOC seeks input on re-purposing Palmer Correctional Center
The Palmer Correctional Center, now shuttered after a state Department of Corrections decision to close it due to budget cuts, was the topic of a "brainstorming" session earlier this month. The state wants input on how to re-purpose the buildings and the land now occupied by the prison. Listen Now
Alaska Native corporation heads dam removal project
An old dam on the Eklutna River is destined for destruction. The dam is on Alaska Native corporation land, and it is hoped that when it comes down, salmon runs will return to the river. The demolition work is expected to be finished next year, but enticing fish back upstream could be another story, since an upstream hydropower facility has drained water from the river and there is not enough left for fish. Listen Now
Mat-Su Salmon Symposium brings salmon advocates together
Matanuska Susitna Borough's annual Salmon Symposium brings together researchers and conservationists for updates on how to better manage and protect salmon habitat. Listen Now
Sockeye Fire trial to begin at end of November
Two Alaskans charged with starting the destructive Sockeye wildfire over a year ago will face trial starting late November. Listen Now
Will President Trump follow through on changing Denali’s name back to Mt. McKinley?
President-elect Donald Trump made many a campaign promise during his run for the White House; shutting down the Environmental Protection Agency, and killing the Affordable Care Act were among those promises. But one of Trump's rhetorical pledges affects Alaskans specifically: his Twitter vow to re-name Denali. Listen Now
Update: APD says officer ambushed and shot; officer in surgery, suspect dead
A suspect is dead and a police officer has been hospitalized a shooting early Saturday in downtown Anchorage. Listen Now
Mushers await release of documentary criticizing the sport
Alaska mushers are waiting for the release of a Canadian-made documentary film that is purportedly damaging to sled-dog racing. Parts of the film were made with the help of Iditarod resources, yet early reports of the film's content indicate it is actually an indictment against the sport. Listen Now