News

Negotiators reach deal on excess power program earnings; political intrigue at the Alaska Republican Convention; Anchorage narrows its superintendent search to two; House science committee grills McLerran on EPA's effort to block Pebble; former Alaska Senator Gravel to speak at UAA, Federal Board closes caribou hunting to non-locals in the Northwest Arctic, hooligan make strong return to Chilkoot and Chilkat Download Audio

EPA Region 10 Administrator Dennis McLerran testified in front of a House oversight committee Thursday. It was McLerran who decided to move forward with a Clean Water Act 404c determination in the Bristol Bay watershed, following an ecological risk assessment done by EPA. The House committee has been investigating whether or not that was fair to Pebble Mine and proper for EPA. Download Audio

The state Republican Convention started this afternoon in Fairbanks. We sent APRN reporter Liz Ruskin to check it out. Download Audio

Former Alaska U.S. Senator Mike Gravel is in Alaska this week. The outspoken Democrat is known for being fiercely independent, famously reading the Pentagon papers on the floor of the Senate in 1971 at a time when President Richard Nixon refused to release them to reporters. He also attempted a run for President in 2008. Download Audio

House and Senate negotiators have reached agreement for use of any excess earnings from a fund set up to help rural areas faced with high electricity costs. Download Audio

In the Northwest Arctic, caribou hunting has been contentious for years. Alaska’s largest herd continues to decline, while tensions have emerged between rural subsistence users and outside hunters. Download Audio

The hooligan are back. After last year’s disappointing runs in the Chilkoot and Chilkat rivers, Haines and Klukwan subsistence fishermen are excited that this spring’s return has been abundant. Area biologists don’t know why the runs fluctuate so much. But they’re trying to bolster research to understand the traditionally important fish a little better. Download Audio

Alaska’s larger cities could see a drop in state funding as Community Revenue Sharing is scaled down. Anchorage takes the biggest hit. Juneau could lose over a million dollars in the next few years. Meanwhile, some rural communities could receive more. But as legislators squabble about how to fill the state’s budget void, the uncertainty has some municipalities wondering if they’ll be fine, or have to close entirely.

Walker, industry leader have separate concerns on oil, gas bill; Republicans converge on Fairbanks, with eyes for Cleveland; report indicates plane flew low before fatal Birchwood crash; ice jam raises water levels in Eagle; new bill would replace misdemeanor charges for underage drinking with fine; Yup'ik Alaskan one of 10 to receive national award for justice advocacy; Fish and Wildlife consider ban on predator hunting in refuge lands; biologists project lower harvests of pink salmon this season Download Audio

If Donald Trump doesn’t have the presidential nomination in the bag by July, the Republican National Convention could be the most exciting in decades. Twenty-eight Alaskans get to participate, and this week Alaska Republicans will choose who gets to go to Cleveland. Download Audio

The types of oil and gas companies that would benefit from state tax credits would change, under a bill the House Rules Committee unveiled Tuesday. Governor Bill Walker says he’s concerned about these changes. The bill also received a cool reception from industry. But it may be the best chance to resolve one of the thorniest issues facing the state. Download Audio

Only 10 people from across the country are getting an award on April 27, 2016 for their work to get a second chance for people with a criminal record. One of them is a Yup’ik Alaskan. Download Audio

The National Park Service implemented a series of changes at the beginning of this year which ban various types of predator hunting on Park Service land. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering similar changes for refuge lands across Alaska. Download Audio

An ice jam on the Yukon River has raised water levels at Eagle. A few low lying areas of the river side community were reported flooded Wednesday morning from the jam about 9 miles downstream. National Weather Service hydrologist Ed Plumb said conditions are not conducive to serious flooding. Download Audio

Federal fishery biologists expect only 30-million pink salmon, or humpies, will be harvested in Southeast Alaska 2016. That’s well short of 2015's disappointing harvest of 34 million fish and 2013’s record catch of 95-million pinks. Download Audio

A plane that crashed near Anchorage killing all four aboard on April 20 was engaged in aerial photography over Birchwood at the time of the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board Wednesday released the first of three reports on the incident. Download Audio

Underage kids caught drinking alcohol won’t rack up a permanent charge on their record under a bill that passed the legislature last week. Download Audio

The total price-tag on Anchorage's 2016 operating budget is about $488 million, up slightly, with uncertainties lingering from extended legislative session.

In a year with a controversial new personal conduct rule, 24-year-old musher with a conviction and open assault charge was allowed to compete.

Latest oil and gas tax credit aimed at gaining majority; musher assault case raises questions over Iditarod handling; Togiak herring season starts out rough; hydropower brought to Bristol Bay village of Igiugig; early breakup occurs along Yukon River; new assistant Sitka DA serves in stride; Sitka cruises to bring passengers to shore; Yupik Spelling Bee helps spread Yupik literacy; commercial fishing to be opened for Stikine River kings Download Audio