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
Girdwood police vote undetermined
Girdwood voters are split on paying for local police protection. The unofficial outcome of Tuesday's municipal election indicates that about half of the community's voters are willing to pay additional property taxes to cover the costs of law enforcement, while the other half are not. Download Audio
North Slope voters recall Borough Mayor Charlotte Brower
North Slope Borough voters have voted in favor of recalling Borough Mayor Charlotte Brower.
Simulated train wreck brings out Mat Su responders
Hundreds of emergency workers and volunteers joined in a mass casualty exercise in Palmer over the weekend. The simulated train - school bus wreck tested the abilities of all public safety personnel in the Matanuska Susitna Borough.
Mat-Su map indicates little known streams
A mapping project in the Matanuska Susitna Borough indicates the area's watershed contains more miles of streams than previously known. Download Audio
Palmer’s Meat and Sausage fights to stay open
The state's Board of Agriculture and Conservation (BAC) today Thursday heard public comments on a new proposal that could keep Palmer's Mt. McKinley Meat and Sausage open
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State to tackle highway flood damage
The State Department of Transportation opened bids Friday for a project that will help protect the Glenn Highway from Matanuska River flooding.
Arctic submarine maneuvers test capability below the ice
Diminishing Arctic Ocean ice due to climate warming has been blamed for everything from changing weather patterns to the decline of animals that rely on frozen habitat. But submarines? Seriously, the US Navy has studied the Arctic ice for over half a century, using submarines to explore changes beneath the frozen surface. This invaluable data has a dual purpose. Download Audio
Climate uncertainty prompts questions on dam studies
In Anchorage this week, a panel of federal scientists is getting a look at progress on environmental studies for the Susitna-Watana Dam. It's all part of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's pre-licensing process, although, an earlier hold on the hydro project has caused a two year delay in work on the application, and now some are questioning whether the environmental studies are accurate.
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Knik Crossing loan denied
Opponents of the Knik Arm Crossing plan say denial of a loan for the project will kill the bridge, but promoters of the project say it's just a bump in the road. Download Audio
Officials meet in Anchorage to discuss Susitna Dam
State and federal officials are meeting in Anchorage this week on a study plan for the proposed Susitna Dam. Emily Ford, a spokesperson for the Alaska Energy Authority, says the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC must approve every aspect of the study plan before further action can be taken. Download Audio
Houston at the forefront of Mat-Su marijuana legislation
When Alaska voters approved legalization of recreational pot and retail sales of marijuana products in 2014, they also approved the right of local governments to ban commercial marijuana grow operations or pot sales within city limits. Two cities in the Matanuska Susitna Borough have opted to ban marijuana sales and grow operations. But Houston is aiming to bolster its city revenues with legal marijuana commerce. Download Audio
Borough money floats MV Susitna overhaul
Mat Su's ailing ferry, Susitna, could be sold to a humanitarian group by this summer.
Reporter’s roundtable: Super Tuesday
Republican voters in 12 states went to the polls to indicate which of the Republican candidates they want for the 2016 presidential race. On this week's Alaska Edition, we review the results of the Republican poll, and what impact Alaska's support may or may not have on a national level.
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Engine overhaul stalls ferry sale
Mat Su's troublesome ferry, Susitna awaits a slot in drydock, while the Borough Assembly argues over whether or not to spend money to repair the ship's engines.
Borough pot ordinance stuck on setbacks
Potential cannabis growers in the Valley are worried that a one hundred foot setback rule could quash business.
Borough pot tax on hold, for now
A Matanuska Susitna Borough Assembly advisory committee can't decide on how to tax marijuana products.
Alaska Grown!
This week the University of Alaska's annual sustainable agriculture conference brought together farmers, livestock producers and other major players in the agriculture community to discuss the future of the industry in Alaska. On this week's Alaska Edition, we'll look at some of the innovations in agriculture that have taken place in the state over the past few years as well as the opportunity for buying locally and food security throughout the state.
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Ferry sale on hold, for now
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough's unused ferry Susitna is approaching Seattle on the end of a tugboat's tow rope. The beleagured ship is close to being sold, but the Borough Assembly is holding off on approving more money for engine repairs. Download Audio
Reporter’s roundtable: Energy in Alaska
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On this week's Alaska Edition we discuss energy in Alaska, where bush residents have not seen prices drop for gasoline or diesel fuel, even though gas is a little more than $2 a gallon in Anchorage.
Feds charge Palmer man in heroin death
Overdose death leads to federal charges against a Palmer man. Download Audio