Breakup Creating Havoc For Ice Dredgers
The early break-up of sea ice has left winter gold-dredging operations scrambling to haul equipment back to shore – and not everyone has fared well so far.
Download Audio
How Can We Improve Our Food Security?
The reliability of the food supply is not something most communities devote much thought to. Agriculture, transportation, and grocery stores all work pretty well – even in relatively isolated parts of Alaska like Sitka. And depending on where you live, there can be abundant wild foods. But a recent report called “The Sitka Community Food Assessment” reveals that our food system is vulnerable – especially to the unpredictable costs of fuel. Lisa Sadleir-Hart coordinated the assessment about what Sitka – and communities like it – can do to become more food-secure.
Download Audio
First Mega Cruise Ship Docks In Ketchikan
About 850,000 cruise ship passengers are expected to visit Ketchikan this season. And the first mega ship of the year – Holland Cruise Line’s Volendam – docked in the city yesterday. The cruise started in Japan and Ketchikan was the final stop before the cruise ends in Vancouver.
Download Audio
Alaska News Nightly: April 29, 2014
Gov. Parnell Says He Took Immediate Action On Sexual Assault Allegation; Chamber Comes Out Anti-Begich – That’s The U.S. Chamber; Prudhoe Bay Flowline Springs Leak, Sprays Oil; Breakup Creating Havoc For Ice Dredgers; How Can We Improve Our Food Security?; First Mega Cruise Ship Docks In Ketchikan
Download Audio
Report Outlines Emerging Arctic Research Issues
A report is out today from the National Academy of Sciences outlining emerging Arctic research issues. The report says among other things that a refuge of Arctic sea ice is likely to remain in the summers into the foreseeable future, raising questions about shrinking rather than vanishing wildlife habitat.
Crews Work To Refloat Sunken Skagway Ferry Dock
The community of Skagway in northern Southeast remains cut off from ferry service as the state works to figure out why the dock sank late last week.
Download Audio
Wildfire Threat Increases As Snow Melts
As snow melts, wildfire is becoming a threat. Red Flag warnings are in effect for areas of South Central and Interior Alaska, including Fairbanks, Delta Junction and Tok.
Download Audio
River Watch Teams Prepare For Breakup
Teams are heading out to keep an eye on breakup conditions along Alaska's largest river systems. The National Weather Service is predicting below average flooding this year, but the state wants villages to be ready just in case.
Download Audio
Whale Earwax Offers Opportunity For Unique Insight
A biologist from Baylor University in Texas has discovered a unique way to determine changes in hormone and contaminant levels in baleen whales – through their ear wax. Stephen Trumble is a whale biologist who studied at UAF. He says museums have collected these earwax plugs for a century and the Smithsonian alone has more than 500. They are commonly used to determine a whales’ age – like tree rings.
Download Audio
Bethel’s Megan Leary Takes First Runner-Up At Miss Indian World
Bethel’s Megan Leary is the 2014 first runner up of the Miss Indian World competition, which concluded Saturday night at the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Download Audio
Forestry Trainees Brush Up On Essential Fire Suppression Skills
It’s only April, and already a dozen brush fires have erupted in the Matanuska Susitna area. State foresters are looking ahead to a busy fire season, and fire suppression trainees are brushing up on essential skills – including driving the fire truck.
Download Audio
Alaska News Nightly: April 28, 2014
Crews Work To Refloat Skagway Ferry Dock; Wildfire Threat Increases As Snow Melts; River Watch Teams Prepare For Breakup; Breaking Ice Pack Sets Kwigilngok Hunters' Snowmachines Adrift; Whale Earwax Offers Opportunity For Unique Insight; Bethel’s Megan Leary Takes First Runner-Up At Miss Indian World; Forestry Trainees Brush Up On Essential Fire Suppression Skills; Alaskan Brewing Co. Now Selling Beer In Cans
Download Audio
Alaskan Brewing Co. Now Selling Beer In Cans
Alaskan Brewing Co. is entering the growing canned microbrew market. Starting Monday, the Juneau-based beer maker will sell its flagship Amber Ale and its Freeride American Pale Ale in 12-ounce cans. In recent years, consumers have become more accepting of craft beer in cans. But is it as good as bottles?
Download Audio
Birch Syrup Season
Today we’re making birch syrup. Peter’s Creek resident Erik Johnson never misses a chance to harvest Alaska’s bounty, and recently he expanded his gatherings to birch sap.
Johnson says now is the perfect time to start.
Breaking Ice Pack Sets Kwigilngok Hunters’ Snowmachines Adrift
Thin ice caused a scare for many seal hunters from Kwigilngok when about a dozen snowmachines began floating into the Bering Sea after a large chunk of ice broke off and began drifting away.
Download Audio
I Am A Surfer
There isn't a whole lot of surfing going on in Alaska, but Homer based Scott Dickerson aims to change that.
http://youtu.be/6ziJN3lJ5Xs
Court Rules In Favor Of Same-Sex Couples In Property Tax Case
State Supreme Court on Friday justices decided in favor of two same sex couples in a property tax case that could have wider implications for the state.
Download Audio
Jury Convicts Alaska Man In Coast Guard Killings
A federal jury in Alaska has convicted a man of murder in the shooting deaths of two of his co-workers at a Coast Guard communications station on Kodiak Island.
Download Audio
Surprise Inspection Finds High Radiation Levels At Acuren Facility
A testing and inspection company with facilities in Kenai is in trouble with the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission. A surprise inspection of Acuren’s facility earlier this month revealed high levels of radiation outside the building.
Download Audio
Alaska Legislature Gavels Out
Friday, the Alaska State Legislature gaveled out, five days after they were supposed to. It’s the end to a grueling session that involved legislation on education and a major gasline project.
Download Audio