Ask a Climatologist: For summer in Alaska, 70 is the magic number
Juneau has had very few days above 70 this summer. In contrast, Anchorage logged its warmest temperature of the year Sunday, 76 degrees. Listen now
Why is gas so expensive in Alaska?
Alaska has the lowest fuel tax yet some of the highest gas prices. We asked Larry Persily, former federal coordinator for Alaska natural gas projects: Why is it so expensive to fill up the tank in Alaska?
Fairbanks’ famously severe cold snaps are getting less cold and more rare
Over the last 80-some years, there’s been a noticeable change in Fairbanks: The more recent cold snaps haven’t been as cold, and they’re occurring less frequently than they used to.
Rag-tag group of scientists produces a paper on a 300-foot Alaska tsunami
Imagine a wave as tall as the ConocoPhillips building in downtown Anchorage. It happened just three years ago in Southeast Alaska. A new scientific paper makes the case that climate change could increase the likelihood of these events. Listen now
PFD cuts could mean big ripples in Alaska economy
Lawmakers facing a mammoth budget deficit are weighing cuts to the PFD. Experts say that will have ripple effects throughout the economy. Meanwhile, as Alaska considers scaling back the dividend, the rest of the world is warming to the idea. Download Audio
Trying to solve a moose-sized mystery in the tundra near Nome
There's been more snowfall than what was typical a few decades ago. Moose can handle heavy snow, but their environment appears to be changing. Listen now
International “range states” meet to discuss polar bear conservation
"The number one challenge is loss of polar bear habitat, meaning sea ice," says James Wilder, the polar bear program leader for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Listen now
Democratic presidential candidates spent seven hours talking climate change. Alaska wasn’t discussed.
In the first-ever prime-time presidential climate change forum, Democratics spent seven hours on the issue. But there was no substantive discussion of Alaska, even though the state is one of the most affected by global warming.
Two veterans of Alaska politics land contract jobs with Gov. Dunleavy
Two veterans of Alaska politics have signed contracts to work with GOP Gov. Mike Dunleavy, and one of them is maintaining ownership of her...
With some sci-fi tech, Kodiak has almost 100 percent renewable power
It's like a dance, or an orchestra: Each piece of the grid watches the rest and responds second by second, millisecond by millisecond. Listen now
New analysis adds to picture of how belugas are impacted by sea ice loss
Researchers have published a new paper that adds a little more to what we know about how beluga whales are navigating their changing habitat. Listen now
Federal researchers open formal investigation into gray whale deaths, including Alaska’s
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Friday that the 70 dead whales seen this year it constitutes an "unusual mortality event."
These Anchorage students skipped school to attend a climate protest. Here’s why, in their own words
Despite pouring rain, about 300 people of all ages gathered at a park in midtown Anchorage to take part in the global protest.
Cook Inlet oil and gas lease sale attracts just one company
The state offered 2.6 million acres, but just one company -- Hilcorp -- bid on 16,636 acres. Listen now
New analysis out on renewable energy costs in rural Alaska
"It shouldn't be used as a manual but it is a good place to start," lead researcher Erin Whitney said.
State demands Hilcorp monitor environmental impact of Cook Inlet gas leak
The state is asking oil and gas company Hilcorp to dramatically step up environmental monitoring near a natural gas leak in Cook Inlet. Listen now
First Y-K Delta tribe marches against Donlin Gold in Bethel
The mine would be built in a region where many residents practice subsistence and would be one of the biggest gold mines in the world. Listen now
Gov calls for permanent fund overhaul, income tax, cuts to PFD
Gov. Bill Walker released his plan for dealing with the state's mammoth budget deficit. It includes Alaska's first income tax since 1980, and a complete overhaul of the permanent fund -- effectively cutting PFD checks in half next year.
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Dunleavy urges calm as a volatile economy and tourism warnings add to Alaska coronavirus anxiety
As the coronavirus continued to cause havoc for the global economy Monday in ways that threaten the stability of Alaska's budget, the Permanent Fund and tourism, Governor Mike Dunleavy called a news conference to soothe Alaskans' anxiety.
Ask a Climatologist: Record cold at Iditarod start won’t last
It’s hard to talk about the Iditarod without mentioning weather and climate. And this year is no exception, with mushers and dogs enduring extreme cold in first part of the race. Climatologist Brian Brettschneider looks into how this year’s cold and snow stacks up to weather records from past races. He says the start Monday in Fairbanks was -19, by far the coldest in Iditarod history.Listen now