Jenny Neyman, KBBI - Homer
Do you dig it? Ninilchik beaches to see limited razor clam opener this summer
Sport and personal-use harvest of razor clams will open this summer on the east side of Cook Inlet for the first time since 2015.
Soldotna High School hockey captain suspended from play following racist tweets
A senior on the Soldotna High School hockey team was suspended from play over the weekend after posting racist comments on social media. Listen now
BlueCrest neighbors adjust to life near a bustling oil pad
Residents of a tiny Kenai Peninsula subdivision near Anchor Point thought they had a little slice of peace and quiet. But a tract of homestead land to the south held an oil test well. And now it’s home to 38 acres of an active oil well, processing train, natural gas flare, workers’ camp, truck filling station and a five-story rig that is about to start drilling 30
more wells.
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Kenai Assembly hears invocation from Satanic Temple
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly thought it put controversy about invocations to rest. But there seems to be no end in sight to debate about starting meetings with a prayer.
Set-netters get emergency opener
Commercial sockeye fishing in upper Cook Inlet will be decided on a day-by-day basis from here until the end of the season. Listen now
Federal health official praises Kenaitze programs
Alaska got a glowing report in a checkup from a top federal health care official. Though there are issues that need further treatment and support, communities showed a healthy dose of innovation in delivery and integration of care.
Marijuana Control Board Chair under fire for initiative to ban commercial pot on Peninsula
The chair of the Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Board is gathering signatures to have Kenai Peninsula Borough vote on outlawing commercial cannabis operations in areas of the borough outside cities. That isn’t sitting well with members of cannabis industry on the peninsula. Listen now
Senior tax exemption will go to Kenai Peninsula voters
Kenai Peninsula Borough voters will have their say on whether the borough’s optional senior property tax exemption will be phased out.
Anglers get more chance at Kenai sockeye
The Kenai River is seeing less sockeye in recent days but more fishing opportunity starting July 22.
Tesoro settlement resolves alleged Clean Air Act violations
As part of a settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice, the Tesoro refinery in Nikiski will spend millions of dollars to reduce emissions that are potentially harmful to public health and the environment.
Former hockey coach arrested for sexual abuse of minors
A former hockey coach at Kenai Central and Soldotna high schools has been arrested on charges of sexually abusing minors over a span of 14 years. So far, seven victims have been identified, according to Alaska State Troopers. Listen now
Historic boat finds new berth in Kenai
There’s a new piece of history outside the Kenai Historical Society’s office, in the Old Town section of Kenai. It casts back to a time in the state’s commercial fishing industry before small boats had engines, electronics or hydraulics, when everything was done by hand.
Dip-netting open on Kasilof, Kenai Rivers
The Kenai River personal-use dip net fishery opened Sunday on a high point. Not only was the weather sunny and warm, but unusually high numbers of sockeye salmon greeted participants of the resident-only fishery.
Soldotna track star Allie Ostrander shines at Olympic 5K trials
Soldotna’s Allie Ostrander has advanced to the finals in the U.S. Olympic Trials this week. If Ostrander places in the top three on Sunday, she’ll be off to Rio this summer. Even if she doesn’t, she’ll still consider the race a win. Listen now
Kenai Peninsula Borough considers lowering senior tax exemption
As the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly works its way through proposed changes to the tax codes, the idea to phase out the senior property tax exemption has garnered the most public comment. Listen now
Environmental group clashes with BlueCrest on fracking
The Center for Biological Diversity is calling for the National Marine Fisheries Service to stop BlueCrest Energy’s plans to conduct hydraulic fracturing of oil wells in Cook Inlet, citing concern for beluga whales.
Group cites concern for belugas in protest of Bluecrest
A national environmental group is challenging BlueCrest Energy's plans to conduct hydraulic fracturing in Cook Inlet, citing concerns for endangered beluga whales. Download Audio
15th annual Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference begins Friday
This year’s Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference has been celebrating the craft of writing through all means possible — gathering, reading, thinking, speaking, listening, even drawing
Bill would remove Cook Inlet tax credits
Since the mid-2000s, oil and gas activity in Cook Inlet stood to benefit from lucrative tax credits and incentives meant to boost exploration and development, and stabilize the natural gas supply. If Gov. Walker signs the Legislature’s compromise on oil and gas tax reform, those credits will come to an end.
Looking Back on the Buyback — Activists Remember Events That Protected Kachemak Bay
Recently, Cook Inletkeeper sponsored a panel discussion to commemorate the 40th anniversary the Kachemak Bay oil and gas lease buyback. The buyback prevented oil and gas development in the Bay and protected it as a critical habitat area. Download Audio Part One