Shaylon Cochran, KDLL - Kenai
Shaylon Cochran is a host and reporter at KDLL in Kenai. He’s reported on fishing, energy, agriculture and local politics since coming to Alaska in 2011. He has worked at KDLL/KBBI on the Kenai Peninsula, where he picked up lots of new hobbies, like smoking salmon, raising chickens, skiing and counting RV’s. He holds a bachelors degree in Journalism from Iowa State University.
Ice jams create minor flooding on Kenai River
In early January, state, borough and city crews all convened on the bank of the Kenai River off Big Eddy Road, where ice jams had caused some minor flooding.
Kenai Peninsula Borough extends disaster declaration in wake of winter storms
Most of the damage occurred on the southern peninsula, where rains washed out sections of borough and state roads.
Kenai murder suspect has prior violent crime convictions
The Kenai police have identified a suspect in an alleged double homicide that happened early Sunday morning.
Seward prepares for emergency declaration as flooding continues
The city of Seward is prepared to make an emergency declaration following several days of heavy rainfall and flooding. The city council will meet Friday to vote on the formal declaration. Listen now
Hilcorp reports another spill in Cook Inlet
Hilcorp has reported another spill this week. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation confirmed the spill happened Monday on the Steelhead platform the company operates in the Trading Bay oil field in Cook Inlet. Listen now
Kenai assembly member charged with DUI after early morning four-wheeler ride
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Jill Schaefer was arrested this week.
AK: The simple (subsistence) life
Locals around Bristol Bay know the importance of subsistence fishing and the broader subsistence lifestyle. KDLG's Shaylon Cochran, having spent several years in Kenai, was somewhat familiar with what subsistence means. But has found this summer that the actual experience means a lot more once you’ve lived it. Listen now
Dillingham takes part in spill drill
In small clusters of shipping containers peppered across the state, you’ll find the front line defense for oil spills. They’re placed and stocked by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. Listen now
Researchers find new whale species in Western Alaska
Researchers think they’ve found a new species of whale in Western Alaska. A new study published in Marine Mammal Science is identifying the find as a relative of the Baird’s beaked whale. Listen now
Early numbers show strong brown bear hunt
Final numbers haven’t been tallied yet, but the spring bear hunt in the Bristol Bay region looks to have been a solid one.
Study highlights habitat concerns on Kenai River
A new report from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game suggests that heavier human traffic along the Kenai River could be detrimental to salmon habitat.
Strong Upper Cook Inlet sockeye run expected in 2016
Managers with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game are expecting a bigger year in 2016 than 2015 for parts of Upper Cook Inlet. Area commercial fisheries manager Pat Shields says sockeye runs on the Kenai river will be up slightly, while the Kasilof run is expected to be down just a tick.
NTSB: Unbalanced weight caused 2013 crash that killed 10
The National Transportation Safety Board has released the results of an investigation into a 2013 airplane crash in Soldotna that killed 10 people.
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Communities learn how much money they might receive for hosting LNG line
Municipal leaders from across the state came to a preliminary agreement with partners in the Alaska LNG Project on local payouts last week. The project will make 800 million dollars available to communities facing impacts from the 800-mile long LNG pipeline, with billions more slated for future tax payments. But how much each community will be entitled to is still up in the air.
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Evacuation Notices Lifted Near Card Street Fire
Update: Saturday, June 20, 1:15 pm
Governor Bill Walker issued a state disaster declaration on Friday for the damage resulting from the multiple fires burning on the Kenai Peninsula. The Card Street fire is still considered zero percent contained.
Small Part of Card Street Fire Under Control
A very small portion of the Card Street Fire on the Kenai Peninsula is under control, and the evacuation notice for a couple neighborhoods has been lifted. The fires continue to move east, into the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and away from residential areas.
Card Street Fire Grows to 9,000 Acres; Moves Away from Residential Areas Along River
Update: Thursday, June 18th, 10:45 am.
Now at 9,000 acres, the Card Street fire on the Kenai Peninsula has been pegged as the number one fire priority in the nation. The fire continues pushing south and east, into the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. More than 800 structures in residential areas are still under threat and 11 have been destroyed.
Card Street Fire Grows to 9,000 Acres; Moves Away from Residential Areas Along River
Update: Thursday, June 18th. 9:00 am.
The Card Street Fire on the Kenai Peninsula has grown to more than 9,000 acres.
More ground and support personnel are arriving, and the fire has pushed east into the Skilak Lake area. The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge ordered an evacuation of all the campgrounds along Skilak Lake Road.
Card Street Fire Now Estimated at 2,000 Acres; Homes Being Evacuated
The Community Center in Sterling continues to be the hub for relief efforts. Residents are sharing updates, along with food, clothes, phone chargers, everything. I was just opening my laptop to pull up the latest evacuation maps when a man who had just left the fire zone came over.
Hot Shot Fire Crews Expected in Kenai Tonight
Five Hot Shot crews are expected in Kenai tonight to assist with the Card Street Fire in Sterling. Division of Forestry spokesperson Terry Anderson says the fire slowed down a bit in the early morning hours after rapidly growing to more than 1,200 acres.