This halibut hook is an innovation for the past, present and future
Few people still use the hand-carved halibut hook. But there’s a push to make sure the tradition sticks around. Listen now
This winter, a major oil exploration effort is happening in a familiar place: Prudhoe Bay
BP is undertaking a massive effort to get the clearest picture yet of what the Prudhoe Bay oil field looks like. The idea is that, after all these years, there’s more oil at Prudhoe Bay to drill, but it’s in smaller, harder-to-find pockets.
Permanent Fund Corporation to study ethical and sustainable investing
An Alaska-based coalition wants the Permanent Fund Corporation to drop all of its fossil fuel holdings. Listen now
Lawmakers grill Alaska’s gasline corporation on its budget
The Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC), which is charged with taking the lead on the massive Alaska liquid natural gas project, is again having its finances questioned. On Tuesday (Feb. 14), members of the Senate Finance committee pressed the corporation’s president Keith Meyer for detailed information about his budget. Listen now
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.
Should Alaskans fear diseases frozen in the permafrost?
Russian officials say warming permafrost could be linked to a deadly anthrax outbreak in Siberia this month. Permafrost can be found almost everywhere in Alaska — from the Arctic coast to Anchorage. But at least one expert isn’t alarmed about the potential for thawing ground to bring old diseases back to life. Listen now
State proposes fine for safety violations at Ahtna-owned gas exploration well
The state is proposing a $380,000 fine for Alaska Native corporation Ahtna, Inc., for safety violations at a gas well near Glennallen. 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
Forest service gives go ahead for Kuiu Island timber sale
An old growth timber sale recently announced in a Ketchikan newspaper has one conservation group scratching its head. That’s because this type of harvest — near valuable salmon streams — won’t be allowed in the future. Listen now
Melting ice is disrupting daily life in the Y-K Delta in the worst possible way
This spring has seen record-breaking warm temperatures across Alaska. In the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, the Kuskokwim River is melting early — with devastating consequences.
Unalaska pays thousands to sink already sunk boat
The state scuttled the F/V Akutan last month with help from the U.S. Coast Guard, but they moved forward before collecting funds from the city. Listen now
Newtok asks: Can the U.S. deal with slow-motion climate disasters?
The village of Newtok has requested a federal disaster declaration from President Barack Obama to address ongoing erosion and thawing permafrost. It’s one of the first tests of whether the nation’s disaster relief laws can be used to deal with the slow-moving impacts of climate change. Listen now
Ask the Energy Desk: What about wave and tidal energy in Alaska?
When you think about renewable energy in Alaska, what comes to mind? Probably wind, which contributes to about 3 percent of the state’s power generation. And maybe solar panels, which are starting to gain momentum. But there’s also the potential for what lies along 6,500 miles of coastline. Listen now
Tribal members shouldn’t need state permits to fish in Metlakatla’s traditional waters, lawsuit argues
Attorneys for Metlakatla point to a Supreme Court case from 1918 that says the reservation included deep waters around the islands.
As climate change looms large for the oil industry, what could that mean for Alaska?
In Alaska, oil companies are already seeing the consequences of climate change. But the industry is also grappling with the issue on a much higher level — in a way that could eventually affect whether or not they pursue projects in the Arctic. Listen now
US-Russian exchange discusses spring breakup flooding solutions
A delegation from Russia recently visited Galena, as part of a state department-funded cultural exchange. The program allowed civic leaders from two riverside villages to share ideas about how to prepare for, respond to, and maybe even prevent, spring breakup flooding.
Interior Energy Project finalists pitch their plans
The Interior Energy Project is moving forward. Wednesday night finalists for an effort to bring natural gas to Fairbanks made public presentations at Pioneer Park.
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Native corporations maintaining Alaska forests find a carbon credit buyer: oil company BP
BP Alaska is one of the biggest oil companies in the state. To help address climate change, it's paying to keep forests standing on land managed by two Alaska Native corporations.
Biggest-ever earthquake recorded on North Slope
A large earthquake was recorded on the North Slope, 52 miles southwest of Kaktovik, at around 7 a.m. Sunday morning. 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