Zoë Sobel, Alaska's Energy Desk - Unalaska
Zoe Sobel is a reporter with Alaska's Energy Desk based in Unalaska. As a high schooler in Portland, Maine, Zoë Sobel got her first taste of public radio at NPR’s easternmost station. From there, she moved to Boston where she studied at Wellesley College and worked at WBUR, covering sports for Only A Game and the trial of convicted Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.
NTSB investigation into fatal Unalaska plane crash reveals mechanical problem
The NTSB report also described company culture within RavnAir group that discouraged pilots from speaking out about safety concerns.
With 20 ships scheduled, Unalaska expects record-setting cruise season
While tourism demand is growing in Unalaska, Carlin Enlow of the Unalaska Visitors Bureau doesn’t see the small fishing community becoming a major cruise ship destination like Ketchikan or Juneau.
Sand Point man sentenced to 12 months in prison for meth and heroin distribution
A Sand Point man was sentenced Monday for distributing drugs and other crimes committed on bail.
King Cove basketball team flies out last minute to play Unalaska after previous opponents cancelled
Unalaska's girls' basketball team (1-6) expected to host Sand Point over the weekend. But when the Eagles canceled their trip Friday morning – just hours before the game – the home contests were thrown into doubt.
Pollock ‘A’ season starts amid federal shutdown
The partial federal government shutdown has caused some hiccups for the pollock fishery, but it still started as scheduled Jan. 20.
Expensive groceries and health care contribute to Unalaska’s high cost of living
Through the national questionnaire from the Council for Community and Economic Research, Unalaska’s cost of living index was 7th overall – behind Manhattan; Nantucket, MA; San Francisco; Honolulu; Brooklyn; and Washington DC.
Single-use plastic bag ban takes effect in Unalaska
As of Tuesday, single-use plastic bags are no longer allowed in Unalaska.
St. Paul Island fears losing air service in Ravn purchase
A statement from Ravn said they found out Dec. 13 that the Saab 340 they planned to lease from former PenAir CEO Danny Seybert to fly to St. Paul will not be available, but they are working to get their aircraft certified to fly to the island as soon as possible.
Dutch Harbor remains nation’s top port for 21st consecutive year
For the 21st consecutive year, Dutch Harbor is America’s largest fishing port.
Atka school in danger of shutting down
To get full funding, schools need at least 10 students. But at the Yakov E. Netsvetov school in Atka, there are only six. Listen now
St. Paul rat evades team of eradication experts
A rat is still on the loose on St. Paul Island, having evaded the community’s decades-old prevention program for more than seven weeks. A fish plant worker nearly caught it on Sunday, but it slipped out of his hands. Listen now
Wildlife officials race to trap rogue rat on St. Paul Island
For more than two decades, the Pribilof Islands have had a rat prevention program to keep the island rat-free. During that time, six rats have been killed near the docks, but now one is at large. Listen now
Arctic explorer harasses eagle during stop in Unalaska
Nico Edwards joked it would be good publicity if one of his crewmembers was attacked by an eagle in Unalaska. Then he posted an Instagram video or himself trying to touch a raptor perched on a dumpster. That type of interaction with an eagle is illegal. Listen now
Descendants, feds explore possibility of continuing trips to Attu Island
Descendants of the Native people of Attu want permanent access to their ancestral home that they’ve been separated from their homeland since World War II. Listen now
Hundreds of dying seabirds found in Bering and Chukchi seas
Since May, hundreds of dead and dying seabirds have been found across the northern Bering and southern Chukchi Seas. Listen now
Unalaskans express overwhelming support for ban on plastic bags
As it stands, the proposed ordinance would put the burden on retailers. Starting Jan. 1, businesses would receive $100 fines for providing customers with a disposable shopping bag. Listen now
49 Voices: Marin Lee of Homer
This week we're hearing from Marin Lee in Adak. Lee grew up fishing in Homer and is a deckhand on the research vessel Tiglax. Listen now
Three Unalaska residents to be honored for rescuing trapped child on Portage Glacier
Three Unalaska residents will be honored by the Anchorage Municipal Assembly for helping rescue a child from a crevasse on Portage Glacier. Listen now
American and Japanese descendants unite after 75 years to ensure Attu occupation is remembered
It’s been 75 years since thousands of young soldiers lost their lives fighting over the westernmost point of the United States. Seventy-five years since the Alaska Native people of Attu were taken from their homes never to return again. Listen now
AK: After 75 years, a bittersweet homecoming for Attu descendants
Seventy-five years after Japan invaded the furthest tip of the Aleutian chain, Attuans are returning home. Listen now