AK: Underground
North America’s only Permafrost Research tunnel is pretty nondescript from the outside. But a small brown building built into a hillside by the Army Corps of Engineers in the late 1960’s is actually the gateway to nearly 40-thousand years-worth of geology, ice and history. Few Alaskans know it exists, but that might change this weekend when, the Corps hosts the first ever Permafrost Tunnel Open House.
300 Villages: Kenny Lake
Now it’s time for 300 villages. This week, we’re off to the community of Kenny Lake in the Copper River Valley to celebrate the annual Kenny Lake Fair which promises “moose-chevious fun,” where we talk with Kim Morse at the Kenny Lake Fair.
Alaska Primary Election: August 28, 2012
Voting day is Tuesday, August 28 in Alaska's Primary Election. Polling places are open 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM.
Besides the U.S. House and legislative races, voters also will be deciding two ballot measures. One would re-establish a coastal management program in Alaska. The other would allow a city or borough to raise the property tax exemption on a residence from $20,000 to up to $50,000.
Voter Resources:
State of Alaska: Primary Election
Find My Polling Place
Amended Proclamation Plan by the Alaska Redistricting Board
District Maps
State Will Accept $20 Million for Transportation Projects
The U.S. Department of Transportation found hundreds of millions dollars which went unspent over three years. Alaska will receive more than $20 million of previously allocated money for transportation projects.
Izembek Road Proposal Garners 72,000 Comments
For years, King Cove residents have clashed with environmental activists over their plan to build a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. Locals say it could save lives by making medevacs easier, but activists argue that it would ruin ecosystems.
Ballot Measure 2
Alaska voters are being asked to enact a law restoring the Coastal Zone Management program with Ballot Measure Two. Critics say the law is poorly drafted and would halt development. Advocates say it simply restores a local voice. Decision time is approaching for Ballot Measure Two, and that’s why it’s the topic on the next Talk of Alaska.
KSKA: Tuesday, 8/21 at 10:00am
Republican and Democratic Convention Coverage
(Updated Mon. 8/7)
The Republican National Convention will take place in Tampa, Florida from Tuesday, August 28 through Thursday, August 30.
The Democratic National Convention will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina from Tuesday, September 4 through Thursday, September 6.
Watch or listen to convention coverage on Alaska Public TV or KSKA FM. Broadcast details HERE.
Gov. Parnell Requests Federal Disaster Declaration For Kenai Kings
Thursday, Governor Parnell requested a federal fisheries disaster declaration for the Kenai River King Salmon. This is in addition to the disaster request for the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, any fisheries disaster money is subject to congressional appropriation.
Mat-Su House Slowly Sinking Into River
A home that was flooded by the Matanuska River two weeks ago is slowly sinking over the riverbank now, after an effort to protect it from riverbank erosion with sandbags failed. The swollen Matanuska is undermining it and Matanuska Susitna Borough emergency official Casey Cook says the structure is disintegrating.
Golden Game: Minor League
This program provides a unique glimpse into the lives of minor league baseball players at various stages of their careers. We take a rare look inside the clubhouse, dugout, team bus and their homes to see what life is really like chasing the dream to the big leagues.
Alaska Public Television. Friday, August 17. 9:30 p.m
Environmental Groups Ask For Further Study Of Chukchi Sea Coral
Environmental groups are asking the Interior Department to take a closer look at the abundant corals found on the Chukchi Sea floor. The soft, pink coral is one of the most common species in the area where Shell is planning to begin exploratory drilling later this year. But Shell and the Interior Department say the coral has already been well documented and no further study is needed.
New State Forest Proposed In Susitna Valley
The state division of forestry is proposing the creation of a new state forest in the Susitna Valley, mostly on the West side of the Susitna River. State forestry officials outlined the idea at an informal presentation in Palmer.
Alaska Schools Waiting To Be Excused From ‘No Child Left Behind’
The state of Alaska next month will ask the federal government to approve new education standards to replace the so-called No Child Left Behind program. The state has requested a waiver from the federal law, which has vexed educators for a decade. State education officials are now in the process of adopting new assessments to replace Adequate Yearly Progress.
Robots Offer New Medical Care Options In Remote Communities
The next evolution of telemedicine is employing robots. A project presented at last week’s International Conference on Circumpolar health in Fairbanks showed how a remote control robot is helping patients in the Canadian arctic. Rosie the robot offers a new option for medical care in isolated communities.
Voice of ‘Pocahontas’ Launching Film Production Company In Anchorage
Inupiaq Yup’ik actress Irene Bedard, best known as the voice of Pocahontas in Disney’s animated classics series, is returning to Anchorage, where she grew up, and launching a film production company.
Berries, Trash Blamed For Bear Problems On Popular Fairbanks Trail
Berries and trash are blamed for bears that have approached hikers on the Granite Tors Trail near Fairbanks. The popular 15 mile loop in Chena River State Recreation Area has been the location of 4 bear human runs ins this summer, including an incident this past weekend in which a black bear ripped a hole in a tent.
Forest Service Seeks Information About Stolen Cedar Planks For Trail Project
The U.S. Forest Service is asking for the public’s help in solving the mystery of the stolen cedar planks. In March, the Forest Service and Juneau Snowmobile Club stashed five caches of rough cut, yellow cedar along Douglas Island’s Dan Moller Trail. The lumber was to be used for a plank replacement project starting this month.
Artist In Residence Sets Gates of the Arctic to Music
America’s National Parks Serve as a back drop for some of the United States’ best known artwork. Much of that work was created long before the National Park Service established an ‘Artist in Residence’ program. One man has just completed his fourth residency in Alaska and his ninth in the United States. KUAC’s Emily Schwing caught up with Stephen Lias in Bettles to find out how he turns a backpacking trip on the arctic tundra into a classical music composition.
POV: Steam of Life
Watch Steam of Life - Trailer on PBS. See more from POV.
Beautifully and hauntingly shot, the acclaimed film provides a surprising glimpse into the lives of Finnish men and a remarkable depiction of the troubled and often reticent hearts of contemporary Western men. Alaska Public Television. Thursday, August 16. 9:00 p.mMurkowski Moderates Forum on the Affordable Care Act
Senator Lisa Murkowski moderated a forum Wednesday morning in Anchorage on how the Affordable Care Act is affecting Alaska. The small panel of speakers all voiced opposition to President Obama’s new health care law. But audience members had good things to say about how the new law is benefiting them.