Research Center to Monitor Acid Levels
Remotely operated vehicles will be plying Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska this summer, measuring acid levels. The float and glider vehicles are the latest technology deployed through a long running monitoring project overseen by University of Alaska Fairbanks Ocean Acidification Research Center Director Jeremy Mathis.
Golden Valley Electric Loses Biggest Customer
Golden Valley Electric Association is scheduled to lose one of its biggest customers this week – the Flint Hills Resources refinery in North Pole. But GVEA is working on plans to hook up another industrial customer next year that will buy nearly as much electricity as the refinery.
Alaska Farmers Eligible for USDA Transportation Help
Starting July 21, Alaska farmers can sign up for the US Department of Agriculture's Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program. Under the 2014 Farm Bill, farmers outside the contiguous US can now receive a portion of the costs of shipping their agricultural products over long distances.
Uncertainty Hovers Over Fishing Season
A few fishermen from the communities in the Kuskokwim caught king salmon before the scheduled closures last week. In a typical year the first catch is a time of joy but this year it's bringing uncertainty.
Yaakoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School Graduate Profile
High school graduation is an accomplishment worth celebrating for all students. But for some the achievement is that much sweeter, because of the obstacles they had to overcome. KTOO profiles profiles a graduate of Juneau’s Yaakoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School, who has been living on her own for about a year.
Bill Encourages Tribes to Work With State on Jurisdiction
The sponsor of the Safe Families and Villages Bill, U.S. Senator Mark Begich, said the bill encourages tribes to work with the state of Alaska to develop agreements on tribal court jurisdiction. But he said it also gives tribes a way to take on added responsibilities through an agreement with the federal government.
Evacuation Order Lifted for Funny River Road Residents
Residents of the Funny River Road community were allowed to start returning to their homes as state fire officials lifted the evacuation order at 9 am this morning. Although all evacuation orders have been suspended at this time, residents were cautioned that there is still an evacuation advisory in place which could result in another evacuation order should conditions change.
Quick Craft: Coffee Filter Flower
I stayed home sick today and I hate wasting my time in bed, so I decided to mildly craft out.
I really love tissue paper flowers but I don’t like spending a ton of time cutting out paper.
Read more. Tyonek Fire Almost Contained
The Tyonek fire, which started a week ago Monday, is currently burning at just over 1,900 acres. The blaze is between the villages of Tyonek and Beluga. Tyonek fire incident commander Bob Allbee reports the fire is now 85% contained with full containment expected by tomorrow, May 28th.
China Lifts Ban on AK Shellfish
China has lifted a five month-long ban on live shellfish from U.S. West Coast waters. U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) released a statement Friday saying the ban had been lifted. The ban had particularly affected the Washington and Alaska shellfish industry.
Feds Updating Development Scenarios for Chukchi
The federal government on Friday released a status update on the court ordered revision of an Environmental Impact Statement for Lease Sale 193 in the Chukchi Sea. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found in an April ruling that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) had underestimated how much oil may be recoverable in Arctic Ocean development.
New Fisheries Might Be Headed to Unalaska
Next year will likely bring new fisheries to the western Aleutian
Islands, now that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued its final report on the way commercial fishing affects an endangered populationof Steller sea lions.
Label Certifies Much of AK Salmon
The leading global seafood sustainability label currently certifies much of Alaska’s salmon harvest as sustainable. But only a few companies can use the label.
Crews Continue to Battle Funny River Fire; Rain Forecasted
Video by Sonya Wellman - Alaska Public Media
The Funny River Fire continued to burn the central Kenai Peninsula this week. As of Monday afternoon, it’s estimated to have burned more than 158,000 acres with 30% containment. Funny River Road from Mile 7 to the end was evacuated on Sunday afternoon. The Kenai Keys were put on evacuation alert.
Alaska News Nightly: May 26, 2014
Crews Battle Funny Fire, Anchorage Air Affected by Fires, Tyonek Fire Almost Contained, China Lifts Ban on AK Shellfish, Feds Updating Chukchi Scenarios; New Fisheries Possible for Unalaska, StoryCorps: Paratrooper
Anchorage Air Quality Affected by Funny River Fire
Smoke from the Kenai Peninsula wildfire drifted into Anchorage and Eagle River this weekend. The Anchorage Municipal air quality hot line reported Monday afternoon that conditions in Anchorage were considered moderate, but for Eagle River residents, the index was 110, which means the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Crews Fighting to Keep Funny River Fire Away from Homes
Firefighting crews battled to keep the Funny River fire from expanding toward homes and cabins on the Kenai Peninsula. People evacuated from about 1,000 households waited it out through Sunday night at shelters, and homes of friends and relatives. The fire has been spotted at times across the Kenai River.
Conditions Challenging As Funny River Fire Grows to More Than 140,000 Acres
Amid strong winds and dry conditions the Funny River fire has continued to advance through the weekend. State Fire Information officer Michelle Weston said this evening the fire has grown well past 140,000 acres although she did not have a new estimate.
Wild Alaska Devil’s Club Buds
We all have our quirks. Some wear an apron while they cook. Some still drink Shirley Temples when they're 36.
One quirk I embrace: I'm a forager, and I embrace my inner hunter & gatherer.
See the recipe.
Justin Connaher and John Pennell
Justin Hayward Connaher was named after the lead singer of the 1960s rock group, Moody Blues. At age 5, he knew he was going to be a paratrooper. At 38, he knows he's a survivor. As part of StoryCorps at JBER, Justin spoke with his friend John Pennell about one of his earliest jumps.
Listen now: