News

All news stories, regardless of topic (local, statewide + national news stories, as well as Talk of Alaska, Alaska News Nightly, Alaska Insight, Alaska Economic Report). Some news stories may also have other categories marked, which will also put them on a subpage. Not all news stories will fall into a subpage.

Air Force Confirms Delay Of HAARP Demolition

The U.S. Air Force is expected to slow down the demolition slated for Gakona’s HAARP facility. Wednesday, Air Force Research Lab public affairs representative Charles Gulick, emailed APRN saying, “Air Force Leadership is currently considering the option of deferring the dismantling for up to 10 months to allow time for a potential transfer to another entity.” Download Audio

Source of Shishmaref Sheen Remains Unknown, Locals Work to Absorb Substance

Despite precarious ice conditions, local responders in Shishmaref are working to absorb the oily sheen discovered off the island’s north coast last week. The source of the substance remains unknown. Download Audio

Groups Seek Decision On Status Of Southeast Wolves

Conservation groups filed a lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. seeking a decision on the status of wolf populations in Southeast Alaska.

Ketchikan Man Threatens To Shoot Pedestrians Forcing Road Closure

After receiving a phone call from a man threatening to shoot a pedestrian, Ketchikan police closed off a section of Schoenbar Road and evacuated the Recreation Center early Tuesday morning while trying to negotiate the man’s surrender.

HAARP Demolition Reportedly ‘Put On Hold’

The Gakona High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program may have been saved in the nick of time. Download Audio

Almost All Alaska Vets Seen Within 30 Days At Anchorage VA

Ninty-nine percent of veterans seeking medical appointments from the Anchorage VA are seen within 30 days. That's according to a Veterans Affairs audit released Monday.

Earthquakes Swarm the Brooks Range

An “earthquake swarm” is hitting the Brooks Range. Seismologists do not know why it is occurring or if it will continue. Friday night a 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck 20 miles northeast of Noatak. This is the third 5.5 quake that has struck the same area in the past two months.

Critics Question Sealaska Ballot

Four Sealaska board of directors candidates say the regional Native corporation’s balloting process violates a recent court ruling. Sealaska says it’s not a problem. The Alaska Supreme Court decision came in a case involving CIRI, the regional Native corporation for the Cook Inlet area.

Coast Guard Sector Juneau Gets New Leadership

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Juneau has a new commanding officer. Capt. Shannan Greene took over for Capt. Scott Bornemann in a ceremony Friday at Centennial Hall.

Local Researchers Find New Home As Japanese Agencies Leave

The University of Alaska Board of Regents gave their formal approval for a $4.4 million project to re-purpose the Syun-Ichi Akasofu Building on the campus of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks during a regular meeting last week. The project comes after two Japanese agencies vacated the buildings. Their absence means a loss of funding that would otherwise pay to maintain the building.

Federal Fisheries Money Heads to Senate

The U.S. Senate is poised to pass a spending bill that includes more than $150 million for federal programs important to Alaska’s fishing industry and marine navigation, including money for electronic monitoring on fishing boats. Download Audio

Kerttula Takes Ocean Policy Job In Obama Administration

Former Juneau Rep. Beth Kerttula has joined the Obama Administration as Director of the National Ocean Council Office. Download Audio

AEA Holds Public Meetings In Upper Valley, Anchorage

This week, the Alaska Energy Authority held public meetings in the Upper Valley and Anchorage to discuss the plans for the proposed Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project. In addition to AEA’s updates on the progress and plans for the megaproject, opponents to the dam expressed continuing concerns. Download Audio

Indignant JDHS Alum Rallies Stanford Campus Around Rape Case

Until this week, Leah Francis was probably best known as an Alaska distance running champ from her days at Juneau-Douglas High School. That all changed after she went public saying she was forcibly raped by a fellow Stanford University undergraduate while in Juneau. Download Audio

What Do The EPA’s New Carbon Rules Mean For Alaska?

Alaska utilities and policymakers are puzzling over President Obama’s proposal to cut carbon pollution from power plants and what the rules would mean for Alaska. Around the country, the proposal is viewed as a push to get states to clean up their coal plants, but that may not be the easiest way for Alaska to meet its target. Download Audio

Company Operating Red Dog Mine May have to pay Fine Over Wastewater Pipeline

The Canadian company that operates the Red Dog Mine in northwest Alaska says it won’t build a pipeline to carry wastewater away from the mine site to the Chukchi Sea. Now a court will decide if the company will have to pay a fine laid out in a 2008 lawsuit settlement. Download Audio

NPFMC Meets in Nome; Bering Sea Pollock Remains Flat, Chinook Bycatch Is Up

After days of scientific subcommittees, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council had its first round of meetings Wednesday in Nome. The Council heard reports from fisheries across the North Pacific. Download Audio

One Dead After Boat Refrigeration Leaks Chemicals

A refrigeration leak aboard a fishing vessel in Kodiak's St. Herman Harbor left one fisherman hospitalized and another dead on Wednesday.

King Cove Road Advocates Sue Federal Officials

Tribes, local governments, and residents from the King Cove region are suing federal officials for denying them the right to build a road through a wildlife refuge. Download Audio

Exxon Mobil Developing Point Thomson Into Natural Gas Field

The first natural gas targeted development project on the North Slope is expected to come on line as early as next year. The Pt. Thompson Field is being developed by Exxon Mobil, 60 miles east of Prudhoe Bay. Download Audio