A plea to DC: Save the Tongass plan
Congress recently learned it has the power to overturn the amended plan for the Tongass National Forest. A Juneau business owner flew to Washington, D.C. with a message for Alaska's Congressional delegation: "Don't." Listen now
Alaska House passes revision to criminal justice law
After a series of contentious votes on amendments, 32 House members voted for Senate Bill 54, while eight voted against it early Tuesday morning. Listen now
Suspect in Sitka shooting charged with assault
Editor's note attached.
Major climate report warns of rapid change, potential tipping points
One climate scientist says the report can be summarized in one sentence: "Climate is changing, humans are responsible, the risks are real, and the window of time to fix this thing is narrowing fast." Listen now
AK: Anthropologists excavate 13,000-year-old secrets near Fort Greely
Anthropologists with the University of Alaska Fairbanks say a site they’re excavating near the Delta River west of Fort Greely was first inhabited by people some 13,000 years ago – not long after humanity crossed over a now-submerged land bridge that connected Asia and North America. Listen now
Costs are uncertain on Alaska criminal justice bill
Department of Corrections officials estimate the new bill could cost between $1.6 million and just over $4.3 million dollars. Listen now
When US Senators listen to Arctic voices, only some resonate
Eleven Alaskans testified before the U.S. Senate Energy Committee Thursday, for and against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. While senators said they wanted to listen to the people of the Arctic, many seemed to hear selectively. Listen now
Papua New Guinea company to take over big North Slope oil play
Denver-based Armstrong Energy is selling off a significant chunk of its stake in the Nanushuk oil play to Oil Search, a company based in Papua New Guinea. Oil Search announced Wednesday that it will take over as operator next June. Listen now
Can Congress squeeze $1b from ANWR?
For decades, environmental groups warned Big Oil would plunder the Arctic Refuge if Congress opened the area to drilling. Now, ahead of a Senate hearing, the environmental argument has shifted. A new report claims drilling advocates are exaggerating industry's interest in the refuge. Listen now
Gov. Walker announces new climate change task force
The 15-person "Climate Action for Alaska Leadership Team" will be chaired by Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott, and will propose a climate change action plan. Those recommendations are due by September 2018. Listen now
Alaska sues OxyContin maker, alleging deception
With thousands of alleged violations, the total damages would be more than $50 million. Listen now
Nome’s Polaris Hotel on fire; blaze continues into afternoon
Nome residents awoke this morning to see the Polaris Hotel ablaze. 22 of the available 30 Nome firefighters are currently containing the blaze. Listen now
One Arctic species is listed, one isn’t. Did politics play a role?
Two of the Arctic’s most iconic animals, polar bears and walrus, face challenges with retreating sea ice. But they haven't been granted the same federal protections. Listen now
Gov. Walker announces public safety plan
Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth said reducing crime will take enhanced collaboration across different departments. Listen now
After BP leak report, state calls for review of all North Slope wells
The emergency order comes after BP blamed an April oil and gas spill on a piece of a flawed well design and melting permafrost. Listen now
Congress let CHIP expire; Denali KidCare OK for now
Funding for CHIP, the low-income children's health insurance program, has expired. Several states are close to running out of money. But the Alaska Division of Health Care Services says the state has enough money to continue funding its CHIP program, called Denali KidCare, until April. Listen now
Payroll tax and crime overhaul on the docket for fourth special legislative session
Today ends the first week of the Legislature’s fourth special session. Alaska Public Media's Zachariah Hughes spoke with KTOO’s Andrew Kitchenman about where things stand. Listen now
AK: The Birdman of Alcatraz’s grisly Juneau connection
In this spooky pre-Halloween edition of AK, we revisit the scene of the crime, the site of a cold-blooded murder over a hundred years ago in Juneau. KTOO’s Matt Miller spent this summer researching what happened when the Birdman of Alcatraz killed for the first time. Listen now
BP likely to plug thirteen at-risk wells after April accident
BP thinks the accident was caused by thawing permafrost deep below the surface, which put uneven stress on the well. Eventually, the well gave out, rising several feet out of the ground and colliding with the top of the building over the well. Listen now
Trump’s opioid disaster declaration could expand help to suffering Alaskans
Today, President Donald Trump took a major step in dealing with the opioid epidemic, laying out an ambitious vision of stamping out opioid addiction within a generation while treating those currently suffering. Listen now