Steve Heimel, APRN Contributor
sheimel (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.550.8454 | About Steve
On-Scene Coordinator Testifies On Kulluk
Wednesday, the federal on-scene coordinator of the Kulluk grounding incident testified to investigators that before the rig departed he was confident that Shell was doing a good job. Coast Guard Captain Paul Mehler said he wished he would have taken a closer look at the tug that was to tow the rig.
Download Audio
Motorcyclist Killed In Crash Near Dot Lake
A motorcyclist died Sunday when her vehicle hit the guardrail on the Alaska Highway near Dot Lake. Gail Erikcsen, of Delta Junction, was 48.
Child Killed In 4-Wheeler Crash Identified
The child who died in a four wheeler crash Monday near Chena Hot Springs Road has been identified as Robyn Blemke, 12, of Two Rivers. No identity disclosed for the second child who had minor injuries.
Child Killed In 4-Wheeler Crash Near Chena Hot Springs
A four wheeler being operated by a youngster flipped yesterday near Chena Hot Springs Road, and the child was killed.
Kulluk Hearing Resumes Tuesday
The Coast Guard probe of the grounding of the drilling rig Kulluk resumes tomorrow after running through last Saturday with questioning of a Shell executive, who explained the lines of authority during multiple over-lapping vacations in their Alaska office at the same time that a tax deadline was approaching and a critical marine operation was beginning.
Download Audio
Education
It is now up to Alaska again to leave no child behind. The federal government has turned education reform back to the state. We’ll learn more about what the state has promised in exchange for a waiver, on the next Talk of Alaska.
KSKA: Tuesday, 5/28 at 10:00am
Download Audio
Man In Charge Of Kulluk During Tow Testifies At Hearing
Wednesday, the man who was in charge of the Shell drilling rig Kulluk when it went aground New Year's Eve testified at a Coast Guard hearing that he had never done a winter tow in Alaska, but he thought they were prepared for the weather ahead when they left Dutch Harbor to cross the Gulf of Alaska.
Download Audio
Kulluk Hearing Continues In Anchorage
The hearings about the grounding of the drilling rig Kulluk continued today in Anchorage. In the morning, the investigators heard from the contractor who towed the rig up last summer without incident. In the afternoon, Shell emergency response executive Norman “buddy” Custard returned for more questioning.
Download Audio
Many Questions Remain As Coast Guard Probe Continues
Many questions remain after the first day of a week-long Coast Guard probe of the grounding of the drilling rig Kulluk last New Year's Eve on an island south of Kodiak.
Coast Guard Begins Kulluk Hearing
Monday, the U.S. Coast Guard began a week-long probe of the grounding of the drilling rig Kulluk last New Year’s Day on an island south of Kodiak. The rig was being towed to Seattle when it broke loose in bad weather and ended up going aground. APRN’s Steve Heimel was at the hearing today at the Anchorage Assembly chambers.
Download Audio
Joe Miller Ordered To Pay $85,000 In Alaska Dispatch Legal Fees
Former Republican U.S. Senate nominee Joe Miller has not yet said if he will appeal an award of court costs to an internet news organization that sued to get his personnel records in 2010.
Download Audio
Coast Guard Opens Kulluk Investigation Hearing
The Coast Guard opens an investigative hearing into January's grounding of the drilling rig Kulluk off Kodiak Island today.
The Cook Inlet Trek
Step by step an Alaska couple and their two children are making their way along the coast of Cook Inlet, from Seldovia, up and down Turnagain and Knik Arms, and down the west side. Reaching Anchorage, they’re connecting with you, on the next Talk of Alaska.
KSKA: Tuesday, May 21 at 10:00am Download Audio
KSKA: Tuesday, May 21 at 10:00am Download Audio
Body Discovered In Burning Van In Anchorage
A man's body was discovered in a van that was burning in the parking lot of a mid-town Anchorage restaurant Thursday night. Karl Leroy Cox. Junior, 28, was reportedly living in the van. The van was not street legal. Investigation continues.
Child Hospitalized After Big Lake Sled Dog Yard Attack
A child visiting a sled dog lot in Big Lake is hospitalized after a dog got loose and attacked her. The lot was Jake Berkowitz's but there were other dogs boarding there as well.
Tools and Writing About Them
Living in the wild is one of Alaska’s primary attractions, but just how wild do you want it? Many hunt and fish. Some go for extreme sports, or climb rocks and ice, and some guide others in wilderness adventure. But some choose seasonal hard work in the wild, leaving them time for other explorations. Explorations they will be sharing on the next Talk of Alaska.
KSKA: Tuesday, 5/14 at 10:00am
Download Audio
Alaska ACLU Head Leaving State For New Position
Alaska ACLU head Jeff Mittman is leaving the state for another post with the organization. An ACLU press release does not disclose what his new job will be, but says that an interim Executive Director will serve while a national search goes on.
More Lawsuits Filed Against Former State Probation Officer
More lawsuits have been filed by women against former state probation officer James R. Stanton, already convicted of charges related to allegations of sexually preying on his clients.
Arctic Scientists Take On ‘Emerging Research Questions’
Environmental changes from climate warming are hitting the Arctic harder and faster than anyone predicted. This week, top Arctic scientists have been meeting in Anchorage looking for better ways to investigate and even track the changes and what they could mean.
Download Audio
Polar Research Board Deliberate Emerging Climate Warming Issues
Thursday, a committee of the Polar Research Board deliberates in a closed session in Anchorage on what they heard from Arctic researchers from many different fields about emerging issues involving climate warming.