DEC Seeking Innovative Rural Water, Sewer System Ideas
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is hoping a new challenge will help put an end to the honey bucket in rural Alaska. Over 6,000 homes in the bush don’t have running water and sewer service. And the state and federal government can’t afford to install expensive centralized systems that are difficult to maintain in those small villages. So the state wants to encourage innovators to form teams to design a new type of system that could work. Bill Griffith, with DEC, came up with the idea for the challenge.
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Initiative Repealing Labor Law Could be Heading for Ballot Box
In Anchorage, it looks like supporters of a ballot measure that would repeal a controversial labor ordinance passed by the Anchorage Assembly earlier this year have gathered the signatures needed to put the issue before voters.
Welcoming the Fall with Local Food
Today we’re welcoming the fall season with food. The leaves are dropping, there's a chill in the air and Alaska's edible bounty is changing. Local food blogger Heidi Drygas knows just how to embrace that change, and she's starting at the Sears Mall farmers market.
Drygas writes the food blog Chena Girl Cooks, and her newest recipe entry is going to capture all that is fall.
Anglo American Pulls Out Of Pebble Partnership
International mining giant Anglo American announced Monday in London that it is pulling out of the Pebble Partnership. Anglo will book a $300 million loss and leave the project in the hands of Northern Dynasty.
I Am A Mushroom Hunter
Each fall, mushroom enthusiasts flock to rainy Girdwood to pick all the choice edibles they can eat. But some hunters would prefer their favorite mushroom patches be kept quiet.
Kate Mohatt is an ecologist and one of Girdwood's local mushroom experts. She shares tips on how to avoid poisonous mushrooms on a fungai hunt, and how to enjoy one of the northern-most mushrooming destinations in the world.
http://youtu.be/tRyN4MieBBQ
Wild Alaska Salmon with Chimichurri & Roasted Root Vegetables
I'm a bit salmon obsessed of late, and for good reason. You see, after an extremely successful fishing trip in Valdez's Prince William Sound, I'm a bit salmon-heavy at my house. And frankly, that's putting it lightly.
It comes down to this: if I don't eat all this salmon, I can't fit anything else in my freezer.
See the recipe. Industry, Agencies Probe Aging Cook Inlet Infrastructure
Leaders from the oil and gas industry and state regulatory agencies met in Anchorage Monday for a work session to begin the conversation about what to do with aging infrastructure in Cook Inlet. One of the biggest questions to answer: who will be responsible?
Catholic Social Services Bracing for Winter
As fall temperatures begin to slide toward lows that could be dangerous for the homeless population in Anchorage, Catholic Social Services has the funds to staff their overflow shelter. Catholic Social Services Executive Director Susan Bomalaski says a grant from the Fred Meyer employee giving fund and money from the municipality of Anchorage will get them through this winter. But Bomalaski said this Band-Aid-approach is not a good long term solution.
Soggy Anchorage Matches Rain Record
Forecaster Dave Snider, with the National Weather Service, said rain is normal this time of year, but no break in the rainfall is unusual. "Today [Friday] is the 18th consecutive day of measurable rain since August the 27th," he said. So that ties the record that was set back in 1919. It's been a long time since it's rained this much for this long."
Enviro Group Wants EPA Clampdown on Smoke Emissions
A Lower 48 environmental group is trying to force the Environmental Protection Agency to clamp down on fine particulate pollution in nine states, including Alaska. The Center for Biological Diversity has filed formal notice of intent to sue the E.P.A. for failing to enforce the Clean Air Act.
UAF To Develop an APP for Energy Efficiency
The University of Alaska Fairbanks wants to develop a mobile app around energy efficiency research at its Sustainable Village student housing project. The university will use a $40,000 donation from Verizon to run a contest for ideas and develop the app.
Sailing is Thriving in Juneau
Sailing is thriving in the capital city through a club called Southeast Alaska Sailing, also known as SEAS. The mission of the group is to promote an appreciation of sailing. That’s done through organized races in the spring and summer as well as a weekly event called Get Out The Boat. KTOO's Lisa Phu was on board the sailboat Surprise for the 3-day Labor Day Regatta to Taku Harbor.
Supreme Court to Hear Healy Gas License
The Alaska Supreme Court is scheduled to hear an appeal of a Healy area natural gas license. The high court will consider the appeal filed by the Denali Citizens Council Wednesday September 18th.
Washington Company to Study Hydro Idea at Thomas Bay
Another company out of Washington just won permission to study the potential development of a new hydro-electric plant at a mountaintop lake within the Petersburg Borough.
Fairbanks Behavioral Health Center to Reorganize
Financially troubled Fairbanks Community Behavioral Health Center will close Monday and Tuesday and reopen Wednesday under a new name and operator.
New Recovery Plan for Tender in the Works
The new plan to recover the sunken fishing tender Lone Star has been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. The vessel has been sitting in the middle of one of the major sockeye salmon producing rivers in Bristol Bay since late June.
The American Criminal Justice System through the Lens of the Trial of Jesus
There are plenty of fans for crime shows, so maybe it’s no surprise that there’s a book that frames the trial of Jesus in terms of the modern justice system. But maybe its more surprising how little has changed in more than 2,000 years. The author of the fascinating book “Jesus on Death Row” will be taking your calls on the next Talk of Alaska.
APRN: Tuesday, 9/17 at 10:00am
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AK: Football
It’s football season in Alaska. The sport continues to gain popularity in the 49th state, where the first official high school football championship game was played less than 25 years ago. But in Alaska and nationally concerns over football’s safety have grown, and more and more parents are refusing to let their children play youth football because of the risk of injury. Football officials at all levels have responded by trying to make the game safer.
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300 Villages: Nelchina
This week, we're heading to Nelchina, a small and spread out community on the Glenn Highway. Roxanne Farmer is a life-long resident of Nelchina.
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Two Hunters Rescued Near Talkeetna After Boat Capsizes
Two Mat-Su Valley men were rescued by Alaska State Troopers yesterday after their boat capsized during a hunting trip.