Ellen Lockyer, Alaska Public Media

Ellen Lockyer, Alaska Public Media
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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

Dunleavy Faces Independent Challenger in Senate E Race

Political newcomer Warren Keogh, non-affiliated, is challenging incumbent Republican Michael Dunleavy for the Senate E seat in the November general election. Two candidates both live in the Matanuska Valley - other than that, they have little in common. Download Audio

State Disputes ANWR Boundaries

The state of Alaska has launched the opening salvo in a border dispute with the federal government over the western edge of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. At stake is a 20 thousand acre wedge of land that the federal government counts as part of ANWR. But in a letter to the BLM today, the state asserts the government has mapped ANWR incorrectly. The state says the wedge of land between the Canning and the Staines River is actually outside the refuge, according to a 1960 legal description of the refuge border. Download Audio

Settlement in Mt. Marathon Race Suit

The Seward Chamber of Commerce has been cleared of any negligence in the death of a Mt. Marathon race runner. Download Audio

Groups Criticize State For Renewal Of Wishbone Hill Coal Mining Permit

A coalition of environmental organizations are criticizing the state for issuing a coal mining permit for a site near Palmer. Download Audio

Unofficial Mat-Su Borough Election Results

Matanuska Susitna Borough voters elected two Borough Assembly seats on Tuesday.

HUD Grants Aimed at Alaska Native Housing Projects

US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Announces millions of dollars in housing grants for Alaska Native and American Indian Tribal Organizations. Listen now:

Mat Su Borough Election Propositions

Voters in the Matanuska Susitna Borough will be asked to decide on two ballot propositions on Borough election day October 7.

Mat Su Borough District 5 Race

Two political newcomers are vying for the Matanuska Susitna Borough's District 5 seat, since incumbent Darcie Salmon has decided to retire. Borough elections are set for October 7, and the heat is building up in this, the only contested race, which pits two long time community leaders, Bill Kendig and Dan Mayfield, against each other to represent the Borough's fast growing industrial area.

Suit Halts Seward Coal Loading

A federal court ruling earlier this [september] month has temporarily stopped work at the Seward Coal Facility, and now the state is getting involved in the issue.

6.24 Quake Hits Southwest of Talkeetna

A 6.24 earthquake rocked Southcentral Alaska shortly before 10 a.m. this morning. No significant damage has been reported as yet, though it knocked ceiling tiles down and shook merchandise off store shelves.

Monofil Project On Hold, Again

A plan by Eklutna, Inc. to build a landfill in Chugiak has re-surfaced about a year after the Anchorage Planning Commission rejected the Alaska Native corporation's project. The Chugiak Community Council opposes the plan, but, a new wrinkle in the debate has opened the door to a pollution investigation.

Wasilla Clinic Owner Charged With Medicaid Fraud

The owner of a Wasilla disability clinic has been charged with Medicaid fraud. The Alaska Department of Law filed charges against Laura Sasseen, owner of the Mat Su Activity and Respite Center LLC on Monday, alleging falsification of business records and and misdemeanor medical assistance fraud. Download Audio:

Gas To Liquids Project Could Cut Oil Production Costs

An Alaska company wants to help reduce the cost of producing oil on the North Slope. Alaska Natural Gas to Liquids, based in Anchorage, is pitching a plan to construct a gas-to-liquids facility that could save the producers between $50 million and $100 million a year.

Borough Weighs Gravel Mine Application

A plan to vacate agricultural rights on a parcel of Matanuska-Susitna Borough land is running into opposition. At a Borough Assembly meeting Tuesday night, residents spoke out against an ordinance aimed at approving a gravel mine on farmland. Download Audio

USDA Rural Development Seeks Loan Applicants

USDA's Rural Development arm is offering millions of dollars in loans for community projects in rural areas. Download Audio

Valley Opponents Gather To Fight Prop Two

Many prominent Republican politicians turned out Wednesday night for a Matanuska Valley campaign kickoff event in support of Big Marijuana, Big Mistake.

State OKs Linc Energy’s Tyonek Coal Exploration Plan

The state has given the OK to a plan by Linc Energy to explore for coal in the Tyonek area. Last month, Linc submitted an application to drill at least five exploratory wells in an area about seven miles from Tyonek, on the West side of Cook Inlet. Download Audio

Mat Su Health Services Gains ACA Grant

The Mat Su Health Services, a clinic in Wasilla, is one of more than two dozen health clinics in Alaska that will benefit from 5 point 3 million dollars in federal health funds.

Wasilla Officer-Involved Shooting Leaves 1 Dead

Two Wasilla police officers are on paid administrative leave after a Monday shooting that left one man dead. The names of the officers have not been released, in line with police policy. Download Audio

Mexican Tall Ship Cuauhtemoc in Seward

The three masted tall ship Cuauhtemoc docked in Seward during a Monday morning downpour. The Mexican training ship was greeted by Seward city officials and by the Mexican consul in Alaska. It'll will be open to the public for viewing through Thursday. Download Audio