State’s biggest military training exercise takes off next week
The skies above the Interior and Southcentral Alaska will get a lot busier starting next week, when Northern Edge 2017 gets under way. It’ll be the biggest military-training exercise to be held this year in Alaska. Listen now
In public testimony, most support state income tax bill
The prospect of having a state income tax in Alaska for the first time in 37 years drew passionate responses both in favor and opposed during public testimony on Tuesday. Listen now
Two dead squid in two weeks: Coincidence?
The novelty of seeing a jumbo squid in Unalaska is not wearing off: a second one washed ashore Monday night. Listen now
Ask a Climatologist: Alaska’s lucky winter
Winter is more or less over in most of Alaska. And if you like that kind of thing — winter, that is — it was pretty decent in much of the state. But climatologist Brian Brettschneider, with our Ask a Climatologist segment said don’t get used to it. He said that “normal” winter was a sweet spot of cold in a much larger bubble of warm. Listen now
Senate majority not pleased with prospect of income tax as public testimony begins
Senators gave the proposed income tax a cool reception earlier today. Listen now
Former Goose Creek prison corrections officer sentenced in drug conspiracy
A former Department of Corrections officer convicted of smuggling drugs into Goose Creek Correctional Center was sentenced Tuesday to eight months in federal prison. Listen now
ACLU files lawsuit against city of Homer over proposed recalls
On Monday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska filed a suit against the City of Homer. The suit targets the proposed recall of three Homer City Council Members. Listen now
House, Senate wait for other to act on conference committees
The Legislature appears to be stuck. The House and Senate haven’t named members to the conference committees that would meet to resolve the two chambers’ differences. Until that happens, the fate of the state’s budget remains uncertain. Listen now
APD chief announces departure and his replacement
Chief Chris Tolley took over in October of 2015, and was tasked with expanding the size of the police force. He's handing the department over to Captain Justin Doll, a 20-year APD veteran coming from a community-facing role at the department. Listen now
State funding cuts to University of Alaska could deeply impact rural campuses
University of Alaska campuses are bracing for change as the University system faces up to $22 million in cuts from the state. University administration are entertaining several different long-term options to reduce the costs, which they are calling Strategic Pathways. Some of the options would could have profound effects on higher education in rural Alaska. Listen now
Two Washington climbers first to conquer Denali this year
The young climbing season on Denali has already yielded its first successful summit trip. Listen now
Two thousand people March for Science in Anchorage
About 2,000 people participated in the March for Science in Anchorage on Saturday. Participants carried signs talking about scientific contributions to medicine, such as “Got the Plague?! Ya, me neither! Thank a scientist!” Other signs addressed the impacts of climate change saying “There is no Planet B” and “The oceans are rising and so are we.” Listen now
Tugboat carrying over 300 gallons of oil sinks in Sitka
A tugboat with more than 300 gallons of oil aboard sank Thursday night in Sitka. Listen now
Cook Inlet gas leak sparks debate over Hilcorp’s Arctic drilling plans
Last week, Hilcorp was finally able to fix a fuel line in Cook Inlet that regulators say started leaking gas in December. But the oil and gas company and its allies are still struggling to contain another issue: environmental groups, which argue that Hilcorp’s problems in Cook Inlet disqualify the company from drilling for oil in the Arctic Ocean. Listen now
BP well that spewed oil and gas successfully plugged
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation today announced yesterday that a leaking oil and gas well on the North Slope was successfully plugged. Listen now
AK: How to be an Alaskan Ninja Warrior
What do you get when you mix reality television with an obstacle course? American Ninja Warrior. Now in it’s 9th season, the show is a glitzy display of human strength that one former competitor has decided to take off the road system. Cody Johnston operates a ninja-style training gym in Sitka that he practices at with his family. Listen now
Trial opens for couple accused of starting ’15 Willow wildfire
Did an Anchorage couple start the 2015 wildfire that devastated a big swath of Willow? That’s the question for a Palmer jury, which heard opening statements Thursday as the trial over what became known as the Sockeye Fire began. Listen now
Juneau boundary expansion could threaten subsistence living in Angoon
The City and Borough of Juneau is looking to expand its boundaries on Admiralty Island. That island is home to Angoon, a community of about 500 people, some of whom fear a nearby land annexation would threaten their subsistence lifestyle. Listen now
Russian bombers spotted outside Alaska…again
For the second time in two days, Russian long-range bombers flew past the coast of Alaska. It's a surprising development that comes after nearly two years without any similar incidents. But military officials in Alaska say it isn't cause for alarm.
All smiles for Rep. Young in Eagle River
In other states, Republican Congress members are dogged by anti-Trump protestors. But Alaska Congressman Don Young found a friendly crowd Wednesday in Eagle River. It was his only public event scheduled in the Anchorage area this recess.