Long-Time Rural Supporter, Advocate Al Adams Passes Away
Former state Senator Al Adams Senior passed away this morning in Anchorage after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Adams was known for his tireless support and advocacy for rural and Alaska Native issues.
Icicle Settles EPA Complaint for Refrigerant Leaks
Icicle Seafoods has agreed to pay a fine over refrigerant leaks at some of the company’s seafood processing vessels and plants.
Following in the Footsteps of Ricketts and Calvin
Nearly 80 years ago, the tide pools around Sitka inspired a pair of naturalists – Ed Ricketts and Jack Calvin – who went on to transform the way we think about marine biology. Last week, a new set of researchers arrived in the community to explore the same beaches, and remind Sitka of its place in the history of science.
Chuathbaluk Youths Build Relationships At Summer Camp
Kids in Chuathbaluk on the Middle Kuskokwim recently got together for a three week long summer camp full of team building and swimming in the chilly late summer waters.
‘Bettles Bush Bash’ Hosts Alaska Musicians, Bands
The tiny community of Bettles on the Koyukuk River, just south of the Brooks Range, may have become Alaska’s farthest north concert venue over the weekend. A handful of musicians and two Alaska bands flew north of the Arctic Circle for the First Bettles Bush Bash.
State: Despite Mile-Long Sheen, Amount Of Oil ‘Very Small’
A response team is in Slocum Arm, north of Sitka, tending to oil leaking from a seine boat. The 50-foot Evening Star sank while fishing on August 2nd. The vessel is about 40 miles northwest of Sitka, along the southwestern part of Chichagof Island. The vessel reportedly had 1,000 gallons of diesel aboard.
Judge Orders Separate Trials In Thornton Case; Will Rule On Motions To Suppress Evidence
Three Arkansas teenagers charged with the death of Kevin Thornton of Juneau will be tried individually. Hot Spring County Circuit Court Judge Ed Koon has ordered the case be severed. Kevin Thornton was visiting the Malvern area in July 2011, when he was allegedly assaulted by the boys, then ages 16 and 17. He died of his injuries a week later.
UAA Women’s Basketball Coach Resigns
The University of Alaska-Anchorage's women's basketball team is once again without a coach. Unspecified professional misconduct allegations were cited as the reason for Nathan Altenhofen's departure. He had been on the job less than three months, replacing Tim Moser. Athletic Director Steve Cobb says he'll go back to his list of finalists for the job.
Airman Found Dead on JBER
An airman was found dead at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Saturday. Security found Senior Airman Brandon Cox, 22, near Six Mile Lake. Cox was an explosive ordinance disposal technician.
Man Dies In Prince of Wales Island Logging Accident
A man died last week in a logging accident on Prince of Wales Island. Billy Worley, 36, of Klawock, died when a log fell on him at a camp near Nutkwa Lagoon. State Troopers were notified Saturday morning.
Market Warriors
Watch Market Warriors - First Look on PBS. See more from pbs.
In each episode, four pickers travel to different markets across the country to purchase items with a set amount of money, and use their knowledge and skills to see who can make the most profit at auction. Fred Willard (Best in Show, A Mighty Wind) is Market Warriors’ off-screen host, offering wry commentary throughout the show. Alaska Public Television. Monday, 8/13. 8:00 pm
Helen of Troy
Acclaimed presenter of historic documentaries, Bettany Hughes, embarks on a journey across the eastern Mediterranean to discover the truth about Helen of Troy, the woman blamed for causing the Trojan War. Following weapons experts, the film shows how the conflict in Helen's name would have been fought, unraveling the reality from the myths and putting flesh on "the face that launched a thousand ships."
Alaska Public Television. Sunday, August 12. 8:00 pm
Pacific Heartbeat
Pacific Heartbeat is a new anthology series that provides viewers a glimpse of the real Pacific—its people, cultures, languages, music, and contemporary issues. From revealing exposés to rousing musical performances, the series features a diverse array of programs that will draw viewers into the heart and soul of Pacific Island culture.
Alaska Public Television. Saturday, August 11. 7:00 pm
Firefighters Fighting Lower 48 Blazes
Alaska firefighters are helping battle blazes in the Lower 48 again. Alaska Fire Service spokesman Mel Slater says a total of 200 firefighters headed south this week. The deployment includes village and regional crews managed by the State, Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.
Fairbanks Catholic Diocese Celebrates 50th Anniversary
The Fairbanks Catholic Diocese is marking its 50th anniversary this weekend. Events including a Sunday mass, will recognize the roles, good and bad, the church has played in communities across a large area of the state.
Hikers Troubled By Problem Bears Along Popular Fairbanks Area Trail
Two bears continue to be a problem along a popular Fairbanks area hiking trail. One of the young grizzly siblings stalked a group of 3 hikers and their dog on the Granite Tors Trail in the Chena River State Recreation Area last month.
AK: Summer Camp
Kids can learn to be an astronaut at Space Camp. For song and dance, maybe it’s off to Broadway camp. Fish science? For that, there’s no better place than Bristol Bay Salmon Camp. Nine high schoolers from around Alaska learned aquatic science skills as they studied the ecosystem of spawning salmon in Wood TikChik State Park recently.
300 Villages: Butte
This week, we’re heading to the community of Butte, located at the foot of Bodenberg Butte in the Matanuska Susitna Valley. It’s home to about 3000 residents. Brit Lively is a longtime resident of Butte. She lives there with her domestic partner, five horses and a mule.
Akutan Annexes Surrounding Areas
The state has signed off on a proposal from the City of Akutan to annex nearby lands. The new city boundaries encompass an additional 130 square miles, including the new airport on Akun Island and the city’s geothermal project. In a press release, the Department of Commerce noted that the annexation gives the city greater authority over administration of those projects.
Magnitude 6.2 Earthquake Hits Eastern Aleutians
A large earthquake hit near Nikolski around 10:30 Friday morning. “Nikolski is located about 75 miles from the epicenter and I would expect that at this distance a 6.2 would be felt by most people," says Alaska Earthquake Information Center seismologist Natasha Ruppert. "But when we called and asked people, nobody actually felt it.”