New map shows the potential future of permafrost on the North Slope
"We hope that this tool will be useful for engineers who [are] doing some projects in this area, for government thinking about what they should expect, and also for any people who live in Alaska," Vladimir Romanovsky said. Listen now
After pushback, public comment period on Pebble Mine extended
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will take public comment on its initial scoping for an environmental permit through June. Listen now
Kodiak moves toward electric heat with planned hydro expansion
The Kodiak Electric Association is expanding hydropower capacity, and offering an incentive to the borough to make the shift to electric heat. Listen now
Ask a Climatologist: Snow melt around the state is right on schedule
An early melt-out date can make for an especially bad wildfire season, but this year, it’s right on schedule for much of the state. Listen now
Meet the Fairbanks teen who’s suing the U.S. government over climate change
“I saw the lawsuit as kind of a last-ditch effort to give my generation a seat at the table,” Nathan Baring said. Listen now
Walker asks legislature to divert funds from studying ANWR into public safety
Walker also wants to split $1.5 million between the Department of Revenue and the Department of Natural Resources to do legal and financial work on the Alaska LNG project. Listen now
Finding local seafood is getting easier at America’s top fishing port
Unalaska may be the top fishing port in the country, but finding fresh, local fish is a challenge. Fishermen occasionally sell their catch from the docks and now some restaurants are making a point to serve fresh seafood whenever it’s available. Listen now
As Sitkans wait for roe, news of sickness from herring eggs in Canada
Typically, cholera is associated with tropical destinations. But recently, the bacteria that can cause the disease was found in subsistence herring eggs in British Columbia. Listen now
Walker admin says Corps moving too fast on Pebble
The proposed gold and copper mine would sit upstream from Bristol Bay. Gov. Bill Walker has said he doesn’t support the mine and believes the priority should be on the region’s salmon.
The Cost of Cold: Staying warm in Nome
As the Bering Strait becomes more accessible, the mayor of Nome says there’s an upside to less sea ice. Listen now
Why a Papua New Guinea company is taking over one of Alaska’s biggest oil fields
An oil project in the Arctic may seem like an odd leap for a company from an island nation in the South Pacific. But in a recent interview, the newly-minted president of Oil Search Alaska, Keiran Wulff, said the company is serious about its new venture. Listen now
BOEM seeks input on Beaufort leasing; plan still pending
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is beginning work on a lease sale next year in Arctic waters, even though the larger plan for offshore leasing is still a draft proposal. Listen now
Newtok to Congress: thank you for saving our village
The $15 million in this year’s spending bill is just a fraction of what Newtok needs to fund its relocation. But village leaders say it’s crucial seed money that will make everything else possible. Listen now
Scientists record volcanic thunder for the first time
The recordings are just the beginning of a treasure trove of clues scientists are exploring in the wake of Bogoslof’s nine month eruption. Listen now
The Cost of Cold: Staying warm near Fairbanks
“It’s something that you kind of hand down… I did it with my parents and… my grandfather. And… I guess I’m passing the torch as you would say to them,” Jeremy Eberhardt said. Listen now
Juneau schools leave room for debate in climate change curriculum
New science standards being considered don’t shy away from attributing it to an increase of human activity. But how that’s taught in the classroom could be up to interpretation. Listen now
The Cost of Cold: Staying warm in Bethel
Jeff Sanders exclusively heats his 3,000 square foot home in Bethel with wood he scavenges around town. He says he hasn't used heating fuel since 1974. Listen now
Feds take key step toward approving another Conoco development in NPR-A
If it goes forward, the project would be ConocoPhillips's third oil development inside the boundaries of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. Listen now
Congress poised to approve $15M for village relocation in Alaska
The spending bill would double the budget of the Denali Commission, which funds infrastructure in rural Alaska. The commission says virtually all the new money will go to relocating the eroding village of Newtok. Listen now
Cost of Cold: Staying warm in Homer
In Homer heating oil is an expensive alternative to natural gas. That forces some residents to consider less conventional options, like coal. Listen now