Scientists discover mysterious uranium particle above Aleutian Islands
The enriched uranium probably came from somewhere in Asia. But even using wind trajectories and particle dispersion models, researchers can’t pin it on a specific country. Listen now
ConocoPhillips looks west, to the National Petroleum Reserve
Despite oil prices hovering around $30 a barrel, ConocoPhillips is plowing ahead with projects in the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska. The company invited Alaska journalists on a tour this week of CD5, its newest drill site -- the first to produce oil from the NPRA and, the company hopes, the gateway to more development. Download Audio
Job losses in nearly every sector expected for 2017
Thousands of Alaskans lost their jobs in 2016, and in the forecast for 2017, it doesn’t look like the economy is going to stop shrinking anytime soon. Listen now
Alaska Gov. Dunleavy’s red veto pen looms over this year’s budget debate
In Alaska, the governor wields line-item veto power stronger than in all 49 other states. And the high bar to override such vetoes, combined with Mike Dunleavy’s desire for spending cuts, is drawing new attention this year to the constitutional power.
Marine debris won’t stop, but neither will those cleaning it up
On many Alaska beaches, plastic washes up faster than it can be picked up. The remote locations and mountains of plastic make Chris Pallister’s clean up work incredibly expensive. 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
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
Alaska hatches plan for vast road network across the Arctic
Alaska's capital budget this year includes $7.3 million to plan the construction of an Arctic road system. Listen now
Teaching the next crop of whale entanglement responders
Unalaska has experienced three entangled whales in the last two years. There used to be only one person on the island who could respond to the incidents. But thanks to a recent training, a new response team is in place. Listen now
As summer ends, daily high temperature records fall around the state
In climate terms, Wednesday marks the official end of summer. That’s because June, July and August are the hottest months of the year. And in Alaska, it was really hot this summer. Listen now
Nowhere to turn, Wrangell e-waste event dumps electronics properly
In Wrangell, recycling isn’t as simple as wheeling a plastic container out to the curb each week. That service doesn’t exist in most communities in Southeast Alaska. Not to mention trying to get rid of large items like old TVs, computers and printers. In order to prevent these items from ending up in a landfill, they need to be sorted by hand and shipped off the island. Listen now
Alaska Supreme Court weighs legality of Yes for Salmon ballot initiative
Yes for Salmon’s backers want Alaska to toughen the permitting process for mines, dams and other projects in salmon habitat. But during oral arguments, the state argued it goes against the state constitution because it forces the legislature to prioritize salmon habitat over other uses. Listen now
About 120 to leave gas line team as state takes charge of project
At a meeting of the state Gasline Development Corporation board today, corporation Vice President Frank Richards said staff are winding up the project’s first phase, which includes early design and engineering work — called preliminary front-end engineering and design, or pre-FEED. Listen Now
Why does a barrel of Alaska oil cost less than a pizza?
Economists at the state’s Department of Revenue were working to identify what drove the price down and what they could expect going forward.
Y-K Delta tribes protest Donlin Gold in letter to mining company Novagold
In the letter, ten tribes ask investors to withdraw their support of the project, which they say doesn't have support of the region.
Seeking investment, Alaska goes open source with oil & gas data
Alaska’s Oil and Gas division is releasing valuable oil exploration data from leases on the North Slope and Cook Inlet. Listen now
How a small, Arctic village found itself in the middle of Alaska’s new oil boom
Alaska is on the verge of a new oil boom -- and the village of Nuiqsut is right in the middle. Now the village faces tough choices. How do you maintain a way of life when the oil industry is knocking on your door?
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
Work starts on oil exploration project in Arctic federal waters
It’s the first oil exploration project to take place in Arctic federal waters since Shell discontinued their efforts in 2015. Listen now
In a warming Arctic, October in Utqiaġvik presents an especially striking picture
Billy Adams, a hunter in his 50s, says that when he was growing up in Utqiagvik, there was almost always ice attached to the shore by now. Listen now