Ask a Climatologist: Warm early winter topples century-old records
It's the first time in more than a century with no recorded snow -- not even a trace -- this late in October, as of Tuesday the 16th. On top of that, warm weather across the state is setting marks for the latest freeze date on record. We thought this called for an emergency installment of Ask a Climatologist and called our resident climatologist, UAF's Brian Brettschneider. He talked to Alaska Public Media’s Casey Grove. Listen now
This ice cream stand was constructed out of local wood. Here’s why that’s unique.
There are still questions about how to make the young growth timber industry viable in Southeast Alaska. But some customers are seeking out the material.
Unalaska revisits wind power, hoping for a renewable energy source
Residents are eager to find out if wind will be Unalaska's ticket to a greener future. Listen now
In the air with NASA: studying environmental change from 40,000 feet
There's a whole host of environmental changes the project is examining, like the severity and frequency of forest fires, insect activity and wildlife migration.
Even before leading John McPhee down the Salmon River, Pat Pourchot landed dream job
John McPhee’s book Coming into the Country starts with a river trip: six men, nine days- floating nearly the entire length of the Salmon river in northwest Alaska. The 26 year old leading the trip was Pat Pourchot, a recent Alaska transplant who had the job of a lifetime with the Interior Department. Listen now
North Slope village tribal government sues over ConocoPhillips’ drilling plans
Along with five environmental groups, the Native Village of Nuiqsut is challenging the Bureau of Land Management's approval of ConocoPhillips' exploratory drilling plans this winter in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.
Feds request public input on National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska oil leasing
The federal government is asking the public for input on this year's oil and gas lease sale in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A), an Indiana-sized area of land on the North Slope. Listen now
Invasive species haven’t made the Bering Sea their home… yet
The Bering Sea has kept invasives at bay for now, but warming waters look to make it a more welcoming environment in the future. Listen now
In the wake of Pebble Tapes, scrutiny for state involvement in wetlands mitigation plan
Pebble says it will meet the deadline for a plan to offset damages to wetlands in the Koktuli River watershed, but the "Pebble Tapes" have triggered additional scrutiny about the state’s apparent assistance with the plan.
Five rules for investment from Alaska’s Permanent Fund Corporation
Alaska’s Permanent Fund Corporation invests billions in private companies and risky startups around the world each year. It’s a relatively new and, so far, successful strategy, but how do they pick the next big winner? Listen now
Credit rating agencies watch as Alaska pivots toward a new budget
Right now, there’s a plan in place that kept the state’s credit outlook stable. But there a new governor, and his administration has a new plan for the state’s budget.
Reporters’ roundtable: the Alaska LNG project
The Alaska LNG special session came to a close last week. It was the third special session held this year. Zachariah Hughes hosts a reporter's roundtable diving into the complex issues surround the LNG project. What decisions came out of this session? And what exactly does this mean for Alaska?
Listen Now:
Alaskans weigh in on this year’s smaller dividend check
It’s PFD announcement day in Alaska — but it’s a little less exciting than usual. That’s because this year, for the first time in the program’s history, it’s been cut. Governor Bill Walker announced in a pre-recorded video on Friday exactly how much Alaskans would receive in this year’s Permanent Fund Dividend check: $1,022.
As administration pursues ANWR drilling, Trump official accuses federal employees of creating ‘road bumps’
In an interview last month, Balash describee what he called a “really difficult management challenge” with Fish and Wildlife Service employees. He said during a recent meeting with the agency in Alaska, he felt employees weren’t eager to carry out the new law. Listen now
New equipment helps scientists keep tabs on Bogoslof now and study it later
There aren't many volcanoes like Bogoslof. But with an improved monitoring network, scientists are relishing every last eruption. Listen now
Two lives that came together at the top of the world
"He does not remember meeting me," Nancy Grant says of her first encounter with her now-husband, Andrew Grant. "I do, too!" he insists. Listen now
Alaska’s draft climate action plan includes carbon tax on page 43
Governor Bill Walker’s Climate Action Leadership Team has been discussing a robust draft plan to tackle climate change. Listen now
State moves to update its petroleum spill guidelines
Alaska’s petroleum-based economy means there are many opportunities for toxic petroleum-based spills. At least 80 percent of the contaminated sites that the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation deals with have petroleum products in them. Now, the Department is making moves to update the decades-old protocols it uses when petrochemicals leak into the soil and water. Listen Now
As the Bering Sea warms, this skipper is chasing pollock to new places
“Across the board, everybody has a story about something that they haven’t seen before,” said Dan Martin, a 53-year-old captain of a Bering Sea pollock trawler. We took a fishing trip with Martin to find out what he’s experiencing as the Bering Sea heats up.
Investigation shows BP Alaska reckoning with multiple accidents and leaks
BP isn't disputing that the incidents took place. The company has already taken extreme steps to address the issue. Listen now