Arctic Ocean Sea Ice Hits Seasonal Low
As cold weather dips down into Southcentral Alaska, word comes that the Arctic Ocean has begun freezing up. The sea ice low was hit on Friday the 13th of September, according to a press release today from the National Snow and Ice Data Center.
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AK: Salvage
For more than 30 years, Dan Magone has run around Alaska bailing out vessels in distress. In the process, he’s developed a multimillion-dollar marine salvage business – and a reputation. Magone is a daredevil to some, and a savior to others. But now, he’s the one being saved. Facing rising debt, Magone is selling his shop in Unalaska to a larger company. It’s enough to keep the lights on, but it’s going to be a big adjustment for the man at the center of Alaska’s salvage industry.
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Thousands Of Dinosaur Tracks Discovered Along Yukon River
A trip down the Yukon River this summer yielded big results for one University of Alaska paleontologist.
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Thalattosaur Fossil Discovered Near Kake May Be New Species
The fossil of a Thalattosaur discovered near Kake two years ago is a complete specimen, the first to be found in the western hemisphere. Scientists speculate it could be a new species of the prehistoric marine reptile.
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2013 Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend Checks Will Be $900
The 2013 Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend will be $900, according to acting Revenue Commissioner Angela Rodell.
Minnesota Man Completes 5,000 Canoe Trek
Minnesotan Bob Vollhaber has just accomplished what many Alaskans said wasn’t possible. He paddled a canoe, 5000 in 5 months, alone, through Alaska. He left the Washington coast in March and arrived in West Chester Lagoon in Anchorage on Sunday.
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Initiative Repealing Labor Law Could be Heading for Ballot Box
In Anchorage, it looks like supporters of a ballot measure that would repeal a controversial labor ordinance passed by the Anchorage Assembly earlier this year have gathered the signatures needed to put the issue before voters.
AVTEC To Offer Nation’s First Ice Navigation Course
Recent federal and state focus on Alaska's role in Arctic Ocean shipping has raised concerns over regulations, safety and oil spill response, among other issues. But, one teaching institution in our state is already dealing with the most basic question: who's going to be driving the boats? Seward's Alaska Vocational Technical Center plans to start the nation's first ice navigation training course next spring.
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Photo Collection Sheds Light On Denali Explorer Belmore Brown
A collection of photographs by turn of century Denali explorer Belmore Brown is on display in Fairbanks. The exhibit at the Fairbanks Community Museum was put together by longtime Talkeetna climbing guide Brian Okonek, whose describes Brown as a multi talented pioneer.
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Denali Loses A Few Feet, Remains North America’s Tallest Peak
The tallest peak in North America is not as tall as previously thought. That’s according to new data from a federal and state effort to provide more detailed topographical maps of Alaska. Denali was measured at 20,237 feet – 83 feet shorter than maps indicate today.
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Ongoing Fixes Delay Arrival Of UAF’s New Arctic Research Ship
Next month marks a year since the launch of the National Science Foundation’s new Arctic research vessel Sikuliaq. The 261-foot ice class ship, to be operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, remains at dock at a shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin.
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Budding Local Market For Local Blooms
The local food market in Alaska is well established. But there’s a quieter movement gaining momentum in Alaska agriculture: flowers. Peonies make up the largest share of flower farming in the state, and they’re exported around the world. And at Anchorage farmers markets zinnias, sunflowers and dahlias have moved in alongside the kale and potatoes.
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Talkeetna ‘Mayor’ Begins Recovery After Dog Attack
Talkeetna’s honorary mayor is recuperating after a dog attack over the holiday weekend. Stubbs the cat gained worldwide notoriety last summer when his story went viral on a number of news agencies. He is currently recovering from surgery to repair a punctured lung, but has numerous other injuries that still need to be treated.
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Jewell Considers Human Safety, Wildlife Trade-Off For Izembek Road
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell has a difficult decision ahead of her. She was in King Cove Friday to visit with residents about a road they want to build through the heart of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. Residents say the road is necessary to access emergency medical treatment, but a road has never been built through a wilderness area and environmental groups say it would set a bad precedent.
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Alaska Fire Crews Heading South
More Alaska crews are heading south to help battle wildfires in the western lower 48, including the Rim Fire near Yosemite, California. Alaska Fire Service spokesman Mel Slater is tracking the state and federal fire fighter deployments.
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UAF Career Services Office Will Close
Students are returning to the University of Alaska, Fairbanks campus for classes beginning this week. But this will be the last year they will have the opportunity to seek career advice from staff. The office of Career Services will close in December 2014 as part of what the University calls a “budgetary pullback.”
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Dillingham Residents Talk Pebble Mine With EPA Administrator
Political, business and tribal leaders from the Bristol Bay region welcomed the new EPA Administrator to Dillingham Tuesday. They called on the EPA to step in and stop development of the proposed Pebble Mine. KDLG’s Mike Mason has the story.
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Two Months Later, Tender Is Still Grounded
The 78-foot sunken fishing tender Lone Star is still stuck in the mud in the Igushik River as responders try and figure out a new way to recover the vessel. The vessel grounded on June 30th while taking fish from the local fishermen for processing by Trident Seafoods.
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Nature Conservancy Will Review Susitna Dam Studies
A worldwide environmental conservation group is becoming more involved in the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project. This summer, contractors working under the Alaska Energy Authority have been conducting 58 studies to assess the environmental impact of the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric project.
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Juneau Clinic Will Close
The Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium plans to close Front Street Clinic on October 1, according to SEARHC COO Dan Neumeister. The decision by the board of directors comes after two days of meetings last week.
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