When the lights went out – Alaska’s great recession
Less than ten years after oil started flowing, Alaska’s economy cratered. The recession was quick and deep. Ten banks failed, real estate values plummeted and tens of thousands of people fled the state. It was Alaska’s great recession, 20 years before the rest of the country went through almost the same thing.
Ask a Climatologist: New satellite will improve forecasts, inform policy
"There's always something new and fascinating that you've never see before when there's a new generation satellite that's launched." Listen now
Ask a Climatologist: Winter weather makes a comeback at the Winter Olympics
You have to go back over twenty years to find a colder winter Olympics. Listen now
How do you keep developing rural energy projects in a fiscal drought? More loans.
Cady Lister, chief economist for the Alaska Energy Authority, says that communities and rural utilities need to rely less on grants and look more to loans. Listen now
Beavers are moving into the Arctic — you can see it from space
"If they were moving out of the Arctic, then you’d see a lot of ponds draining... But that’s not what we saw, we saw a lot of new ponds forming." Listen now
Donlin Gold says they can clean up their proposed mine, and pay for it too
Cleaning up a mine is an expensive and time-consuming endeavor. Listen now
Alaskans rally in support of youth climate lawsuit, currently in limbo
“This is no longer a scientific issue, it’s not a scientific question. It’s a moral and spiritual issue,” said Tom Baring of Fairbanks, the father of one of the plaintiffs. Listen now
State gasline corporation to miss key deadline with Chinese partners
Alaska Gasline Development Corporation is pushing for a six-month extension on negotiations with three Chinese partners interested in the Alaska LNG project.
Could there be seismic in the Arctic Refuge this winter after all?
During the final public meeting in Alaska on oil leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a top Interior official said there could be some seismic exploration there this winter, after all.
Groups say they will sue unless EPA renews effort to restrict oil spill dispersants
The plaintiffs say the federal Environmental Protection Agency is shirking its duty to update its rules so they reflect the latest science on how dispersants affect the environment.
Alaska lawmakers are trying to fight crime by toughening prison sentences. Not everyone agrees that will work.
People who work with released prisoners say the best way to combat crime is enhancing access to programs that target mental health problems and drug addiction -- not increasing prison terms.
In the Alaska village where ANWR is the backyard, many see drilling as an opportunity
Many of the Alaska Native residents of Kaktovik, the one small village inside the refuge, see oil development as an opportunity -- though some remain deeply skeptical.
About 300 BP union employees will keep their jobs — for now
According to Hilcorp, about 300 BP union workers at Prudhoe Bay will remain in their jobs, at least through the end of their current contract.
Alaska governor creates oversight committee for BP sale
“The purpose is to make sure the State of Alaska and its people are represented as this transaction moves forward,” said the governor’s office.
With no ferries to haul waste, Southeast Alaska’s septic tank problem could get messy
Not all rural communities have normal sanitation systems like city sewer and water treatment plants, instead they rely on septic systems that need to get pumped periodically. And while the Alaska Marine Highway is shut down, pump trucks cannot get to some small towns that rely on them.
There are new health rules for fishermen arriving in Bristol Bay, but critics say there are loopholes
The president of the regional health corporation and local tribes say the Dunleavy administration's plan is unrealistic considering the realities of the looming commercial fishing season.
Seafood Trade Relief Program offers help to fishermen hurt by U.S.-China trade war
USDA will provide cash to Alaska fishermen based on last year's catch: 16 cents a pound for salmon, 4 cents a pound for herring and a whopping 76 cents per pound for geoduck clams.
Ambler Metals will get back some of its $35M investment on access road, if project gets built
Last month, the state of Alaska’s investment authority agreed to put $35 million towards pre-development work on the Ambler Road project.
St. George takes steps to protect their marine environment
An island in the Pribilof’s is taking steps to protect the marine environment in their backyard. St. George's city council passed a resolution earlier this month that could establish a National Marine Sanctuary. Listen now
Alaska’s budget, easier to swallow with ice cream and beer
The Alaska legislature has a lot on its plate trying to fix the state’s multi-billion dollar budget deficit, and a couple of budget experts are adding to the menu. They’re inviting the public to weigh-in over ice cream and beer. Listen now