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.
Shayla Shaisnikoff and Karen Abel discuss internment and the military during Aleutian campaign
Today, we hear from Shayla Shaisnikoff and Karen Abel. One is the granddaughter of internment survivors, and the other is the granddaughter of a fighter pilot. Listen now
Paul Schaughency And Martin Aure reflect on evacuating Attu
Today, we hear from Martin Aure and U.S. Army veteran Paul Schaughency. Aure was sent to Seattle after the bombing of Dutch Harbor, and Schaughency spent parts of WWII on Adak. Listen now
Lt. Colonel Bob Brocklehurst and Tara Bourdukofsky reflect on the Battle of Attu
Today, we hear from Tara Bourdukofsky and retired Lieutenant Colonel Bob Brocklehurst. Her grandmother survived the internment, and he served as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Listen now
75 Years after the Battle of Attu, veterans reflect on the cost of reclaiming US soil
Seventy-five years ago, Japan and the United States were locked in one of the bloodiest battles fought on American soil: the Battle of Attu. Listen now
Finding local seafood is getting easier at America’s top fishing port
Unalaska may be the top fishing port in the country, but finding fresh, local fish is a challenge. Fishermen occasionally sell their catch from the docks and now some restaurants are making a point to serve fresh seafood whenever it’s available. Listen now
Scientists record volcanic thunder for the first time
The recordings are just the beginning of a treasure trove of clues scientists are exploring in the wake of Bogoslof’s nine month eruption. Listen now
The Cost of Cold: Keeping warm in Unalaska
For The Cost of Cold, we profile Unalaska resident Travis Swangel, who heats his small home on the island with a Toyo stove. Listen now
Japanese tsunami litters North American shores with 10 times the trash
Scientists estimate following the 2011 tsunami in Japan there were at least 10 times as much debris washing ashore than ever measured. Listen now
Scientists don’t know why ice seals are appearing in ice-free Unalaska
There are plenty of seals in Unalaska, but ringed seals -- who make their homes on the ice -- are rare. Listen now
Aleutians East Borough votes to join feds in battle over King Cove road
The Aleutians East Borough Assembly approved spending $61,875 to hire a law firm to help them join a lawsuit over the controversial road between King Cove and Cold Bay. Listen now
Scientists confirm traditional knowledge regarding seal pup migration
Scientists have confirmed what indigenous people have known for centuries -- the wind influences the travel of northern fur seal pups. Listen now
Scientists discover mysterious uranium particle above Aleutian Islands
The enriched uranium probably came from somewhere in Asia. But even using wind trajectories and particle dispersion models, researchers can’t pin it on a specific country. Listen now
Unalaska revisits wind power, hoping for a renewable energy source
Residents are eager to find out if wind will be Unalaska's ticket to a greener future. Listen now
Unalaska pays thousands to sink already sunk boat
The state scuttled the F/V Akutan last month with help from the U.S. Coast Guard, but they moved forward before collecting funds from the city. Listen now
Unalaskans want to follow other Alaska communities by banning plastic bags
This is not Unalaska’s first attempt to ban single use bags. In 2013 a petition asking the city council to “eliminate the use of plastic bags by Unalaska stores” circulated around the community, but went nowhere. Listen now
Invasive species haven’t made the Bering Sea their home… yet
The Bering Sea has kept invasives at bay for now, but warming waters look to make it a more welcoming environment in the future. Listen now
No proof required for Alaska recall elections
Currently, state law dictates city clerks evaluate recall petitions, but they do not have to prove the charges actually occurred. This means elected officials can be recalled simply because the voters don’t like them. Listen now
As Unalaska recall draws closer, no proof backing Kelty allegations
Unalaska’s mayor will face a recall election in March. Frank Kelty has been accused of backroom dealings regarding the city dock -- accusations he has repeatedly denied. Listen now
State sinks abandoned F/V Akutan after disastrous season
The state of Alaska took custody of the custom processor in mid-January. It was scuttled Thursday, but it is unclear how the state funded disposal of the vessel. Listen now
King Cove and feds reach deal on controversial road
The city of King Cove has reached a deal with the Trump administration to build a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, according to the city. Listen now