News

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected to release a feasibility study on an Arctic port in early March, according to Corps spokeswoman Lorraine Cordova. Download Audio

With 2014 underway, we now entered an election year. Alaskans will be choosing a governor, a lieutenant governor and as always, deciding whether to re-elect Alaska Congressman Don Young. But national attention, and money, is already focused on the U.S. Senate race. Download Audio

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development predicts that the state’s economy will grow only a little this year, with just 1,500 jobs added. Download Audio

In the last two months, the Center for Disease Control has seen a rising trend in reports of acute respiratory illness in young and middle-age patients across the country. In Alaska, hundreds of cases of flu have been reported and the state is urging residents to get the flu vaccine, continuing their fee waiver to entice more participation. Download Audio

This weekend wraps up the 114th Christmas Bird Count. Around 50 communities in Alaska participated in the annual event, adding to decades of data collection. Nome completed its count at sundown on New Year’s Eve. Download Audio

The bird count in the Aleutians was also aided by mild weather. Winter is running late in Unalaska this year – and that was good news for those helping with the annual count last Saturday. Such mild weather meant the counters were able to tally the island’s birds in places they usually can’t get to. Download Audio

In December, Juneau writer and English professor, Ernestine Hayes, released her new book Juneau from Arcadia Publishing. The book tells the history of the capitol city through pictures with elaborate captions. It’s a departure from her usual writing style. But the book builds on her effort to clarify the history of Native people. Download Audio

This week, we’re heading to the community of Tununak, on Nelson Island. James James is the tribal administrator for the Native Villages of Tununak. Download Audio

Arctic Port Feasibility Study Expected In March; Election Year Ramps Up; Slow to Moderate Job Growth Forecasted This Year In Alaska; State Urges Residents To Get Flu Vaccine; Nome Completes Annual Bird Count; Mild Weather Helps Unalaska’s Christmas Bird Count Expand; AK: History; 300 Villages: Tununak Download Audio

A regional air carrier in Alaska is undergoing a name change. Era Alaska says in a Thursday release that it will rename itself Ravn Alaska.

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell rejects the Izembek Road - again. The primary election is eight months away but the advertising has begun. The Anchorage School District may have to cut 200 teachers, 400 support staff. The Legislature faces big issues in '14. State lawmakers are getting and expanded home in downtown Anchorage - and criticism comes with it. Alaska law enforcement gets tough on the drug spice. Gov. Sean Parnell talks about addressing energy concerns in southeast Alaska. Gov. Parnell says it is time to changing the funding plan for the Knik Arm Crossing. KSKA: Friday, 1/3 at 2PM & Saturday, 1/4 at 6PM. KAKM: Friday 1/3 at 7:30PM & Saturday. 1/4 at 4:30PM Download Audio

In Washington, at both the White House and in Congress, 2014 brings changes to the politics of energy that are likely to affect Alaska. Download Audio

A new Alaska State Trooper crime unit in the Matanuska Susitna Borough area has already nabbed its first criminals. In mid December, Troopers announced a new property crimes unit, to start work on January first of this year. Download Audio

A recent draft report prepared by the Fairbanks-based company Northern Land Use Research Alaska found what is likely about a hundred unmarked graves in Nome’s cemetery. The company conducted a Ground Penetrating Radar Analysis of the areas around Nome’s existent graveyard as part of a planned expansion for the grounds. Josie Bahnke is Nome’s city manager and says the cemetery expansion is steadily moving forward. Download Audio

The Alaska Air National Guard was called to Bristol Bay Wednesday night to help look for an overdue snowmachiner from Koliganek. Download Audio

Climate change and increased Arctic activity are projected to offset declines in toxic human emissions. A recent study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology predicts warmer temperatures will cause contaminants stored in the earth to re-emit back into the atmosphere. In addition, increases in Arctic vessel traffic and oil and gas drilling will multiply pollutant concentrations. Download Audio

Matanuska – Susitna Borough drivers run down hundreds of moose each year on their travels to and from Anchorage. Now a special hunt, called a “targeted hunt” allows winter hunting to reduce the number of moose near roadways. The hunt was established by the state Board of Game in 2011. Download Audio

As fish managers attempted preserve the Yukon River king salmon last summer, commercial chum fisherman tried out some new gear. They used dip nets and beach seine gear by emergency order during the many king salmon closures. They brought in nearly 200,000 fish, but some say that’s not enough for their income, or for the future of the fishery. Download Audio