Proposed Initiative Targets Union Dues
Members of the Anchorage Tea Party and Libertarian groups have filed an application to put a ballot measure before voters that would prevent the municipality from deducting union dues directly from employee paychecks.
Download Audio
Despite Fewer Small Plane Crashes, 2013 Yields More Fatalities
A rash of small plane crashes late this summer in Alaska has pushed the number of crash related fatalities past last year’s total, according to National Transportation Safety Board Alaska Region chief Clint Johnson.
Download Audio
Chukchi Polar Bear Population Remains Healthy As Ice Coverage Lessens
The Chukchi Sea has one of the highest rates of sea ice loss in the Arctic, but the polar bears there don’t appear to be suffering as a result. A new study from the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service shows the Chukchi Sea bears are just as healthy as they were 20 years ago. The bears still face a grim long term future, but the new research shows there will be a lot of nuance along the way in how climate change plays out for polar bears in the Arctic.
Download Audio
Former State Senator Bill Ray Dies
Former state senator Bill Ray has died. He was 91. Ray represented Juneau in the Alaska Legislature for more than 20 years, during a time when a number of landmark projects were built in the capital city, including the State Office Building and Egan Drive. Ray helped secure a downtown facility for the University of Alaska Southeast, and the university named it in his honor.
Download Audio
Contracting Issues Delay Cleanup Work At Reserve
A U.S. Bureau of Land Management spokeswoman says contracting issues have delayed the start of cleanup work around abandoned wells in the Alaska Arctic.
Download Audio
Alaska Airlines Showcases Q-400
Alaska Airlines is showing off an aircraft it plans to start using in the state next year. The Bombardier Q-400 is scheduled for use on Fairbanks-Anchorage and Kodiak- Anchorage routes, where the 76-seat twin prop plane will replace or augment current service with larger 737 jets.
Download Audio
Huna Totem May Build Own Dock Without City Grant
Hoonah’s village Native corporation may build its own cruise-ship dock, bypassing a city effort funded by the Legislature.
Download Audio
Talkeetna’s Feline Mayor Returns Home
Talkeetna’s honorary mayor is recovering in his hometown after a dog attack on Labor Day weekend sent him to the hospital. The attack left Mayor Stubbs, a 16-year-old yellow tabby, with a punctured lung, broken sternum, and a four inch gash in his side, as well as other injuries.
Download Audio
Pilot Killed In Big Lake-Area Crash
A home-built airplane crashed Monday north of Big Lake. The pilot of the plane was killed; he's identified as Kenneth Whedbee, 66, of Big Lake.
Search Continues For Missing Plane Near Yakutat
The Air Force and the Coast Guard continue looking for a plane that went missing Monday on a flight from Yakutat to Anchorage. The pilot is reported to be Alan Foster, 47, of Eagle River.
Anchorage School Board Approves Teacher Contract
The Anchorage School Board unanimously approved a new contract for teachers on Monday night. The district saved money in two ways, by not providing benefits for some part-time teachers and by issuing bonuses that do not count toward benefits for other teachers instead of increasing their salaries.
Big Feat, Little Feat Creative Challenge
If you have artistic tendencies, visions of unicorns, love performing or simply want to explore what feats you're capable of, don't miss out on this adventure!
Learn more.
Schools Struggle With Heating Bills, But No Takers For Loan Program
Every year, the state spends $100 million on school districts' utility bills. Back in 2010, the legislature established a loan program to help bring down those costs. The loans would cover energy upgrades to public buildings, and they would be paid back with the money saved on heating fuel. But even though rising energy costs continue to be problem for districts, schools haven't used the funds as a fix.
Download Audio
Ongoing Fixes Delay Arrival Of UAF’s New Arctic Research Ship
Next month marks a year since the launch of the National Science Foundation’s new Arctic research vessel Sikuliaq. The 261-foot ice class ship, to be operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, remains at dock at a shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin.
Download Audio
Extent Of Tribal Court Authority Questioned In Minto Trial
The state has intervened in a case on the side of a man convicted of attempted murder, kidnapping, and assault of the mother of his children. At issue is the authority of a tribal court over a non-tribal member and tribal court procedures.
Download Audio
Interior Tourism Officials Expect Average Summer Numbers
The Interior is coming off what’s likely to be a flat tourism season. Official numbers are not in yet, but Fairbanks Convention and visitors Bureau president and CEO Deb Hickock doesn’t expect anything surprising.
Download Audio
Holland America Halts Dawson City Bus Tours
As the summer tourism season wraps up, Interior operators are already looking to next year – and worrying how they’ll deal with a move by a major industry player.
Download Audio
Emergency Dispatch Consolidation Plan For Mat Su
Two emergency dispatch centers in the Matanuska Susitna Borough are one too many, according to findings of a feasibility study released to the Borough Assembly at its last meeting. As Although a plan to consolidate Palmer and Wasilla's 911 emergency call centers is gaining favor in the Borough, critics say the merger will only hamper state law enforcement capabilities.
Download Audio
Low Enrollment Pushes Juneau, North Pole Football Teams To Southeast Conference
The Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears and North Pole Patriots football teams are playing in the medium schools football division this year. The two used to compete against Alaska’s largest high schools. Now they’re part of the small Southeast Conference.
Download Audio
Alaska Tribes Celebrate Heritage On Homer Beach
Every two years, a special ceremony is held on the beach in Homer to celebrate the heritage of Alaska tribes living in the region. KBBI’s Peter Sheppard attended this year, as the final installment of our series looking at culture in Alaska.
Download Audio