Mental Health Trust investments in legal “ambiguity”
The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority board met on Thursday to discuss the legality of its investment policy. The board’s decisions to independently invest $39 million of the Trust’s principal funds in real estate have recently been called into question. State statue reads the Trust’s principal is to be invested by the Permanent Fund Corporation, but the board and its legal counsel previously interpreted other statues and regulations to provide more leeway for investments. Listen now
A SE Alaska village thinks reneweable hydropower should be implemented
A multimillion dollar dam in Kake would make it easier to bring renewable energy to the village, which currently runs off diesel. But the definition of “renewable” isn’t the same in everyone’s book. Federal grants for hydro projects can be limited — compared to what’s available for wind and solar. Listen now
At hacking hearing, Sullivan steers clear of Russia
Sen. Dan Sullivan often warns colleagues about Russia's military threat. But at a hearing on Russia's pre-election hacking, Sullivan didn’t discuss Russia at all. Listen now
King Cove continues push for road to Cold Bay
When Alaska Congressman Don Young was sworn in for his 23rd term in the House of Representatives Tuesday, he quickly introduced 38 pieces of legislation. Among them was a bill to build the King Cove road. Listen now
Alaska celebrates 58th year as a state
On this day, 58 years ago, Alaska officially became the nation's 49th state. On January third, 1959 -- six months after President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Alaska Statehood Act -- the Last Frontier officially became part of the union. Listen now
State monitoring spill at Tesoro pipeline facility near Cook Inlet
Workers at a Tesoro facility on the Kenai Peninsula are cleaning up contaminated soil and snow after more than 120 gallons of oily water spilled out of a pipeline near Cook Inlet. The company notified the state of the spill at its Kenai Pipeline Facility on Dec. 18. Listen Now
State delays renewal of Pebble land use permit
Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources has delayed renewing a two-year land use permit for the Pebble Limited Partnership to give state regulators more time to review an “extensive” number of public comments. Listen Now
In Southeast Alaska, the holiday spirit is diesel-powered
Diesel is running about $2.71 per gallon in Southeast Alaska, but in places that depend on diesel for electricity, there are still households that won’t let the cost dampen the holiday spirit. Listen Now
Aleutian volcano erupts
A volcano in the eastern Aleutians erupted suddenly Tuesday afternoon. The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) said several pilots reported seeing an ash cloud about 34,000 feet above Bogoslof volcano. Listen Now
Sullivan finds traction, moves up in Senate
When new members of Congress take the oath of office on Jan. 3, Sen. Dan Sullivan will give up an unsought distinction: The Alaska Republican will no longer be last in Senate seniority, No. 100 out of 100. Sullivan, counting his gains, says being on the bottom rung didn’t bother him. Listen Now
Former Anchorage man indicted in Iranian money laundering scheme
An indictment in a bizarre international money laundering scheme was released from the U.S. Attorney's office in Anchorage today. $1 billion that was being held in Seoul South Korea, was spirited out of the country through a scheme perpetrated by a former Anchorage man. Listen Now
Governor Walker’s proposed budget leaves gap of almost $900 million
Walker’s proposed spending plan totals $10 billion for the coming year, but much of that is federal funding. The budget includes $4.3 billion for the part of the budget directly controlled by the Legislature. Listen Now
Lawmakers call for audit of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation
The state corporation charged with taking over the massive Alaska LNG project is going to have its finances scrutinized. The legislators who called for the investigation say they want to know what the corporation has done with the $600 million given to it by the state over the last several years. Listen Now
Environmentalists ready for ANWR fight, with vets in their camp
Alaska’s congressional delegation sees a chance to finally open the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. The environmental lobby is ready for the fight. And they’ve got some new, patriotic allies on their side: military veterans.
Guitar maker opts for more sustainable Sitka spruce
A little piece of Alaska has helped create some of the music industry’s biggest hits. Sitka spruce is a prized “tonewood” used to make guitars and violins. But one guitar company is pushing back and asking the feds and music insiders to reconsider clear cut logging in the Tongass National Forest. Listen Now
Exxon’s Tillerson, Trump’s choice for State Dept., has history in Alaska
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as his nominee for secretary of state. National attention has focused on Tillerson’s close ties to Russia, but he – and his company – also has a long history in Alaska. Listen Now
Anchorage pushing for port, more flexible finances from Legislature
In a departure from big wish lists of the past, Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz's legislative request has only one capital budget project, coupled with a number of law changes designed to give local governments more financial flexibility. Listen Now
Beth Kerttula returns to Juneau with message: Time to plan for ocean’s future
Former Juneau state Rep. Beth Kerttula returned to Alaska this summer after two years serving the White House as director of the National Ocean Council. Listen Now
Lake Clark search-and-recovery for missing plane stalled by ice fog
Boat operations have been suspended and aircraft grounded by bad weather with no more signs of a single-engine plane presumed to have crashed in southwest Alaska. Listen Now
Washington congresswoman will likely lead Trump’s Interior Department
Multiple national news outlets are reporting President-elect Donald Trump is set to pick Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican congresswoman from Washington state to lead the Department of Interior. She’s seen as friendly to industry, drawing criticism from some environmentalists. But others think she’s a relatively moderate pick. Listen Now