Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.

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Palin wows Republican National Convention
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage and Michael Carey, APRN - St. Paul, Minnesota
More than 40 million people watched last night as Governor Sarah Palin accepted the Republican nomination for Vice President in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the party’s convention in St. Paul. She attacked Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama, lavishly praised her running mate, John McCain, and defended the war in Iraq. Palin also talked about her small town roots and her political ideals:

National watchdog group attacks Palin over ethics
Libby Casey, APRN - Washington, DC
The watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or “CREW” is slamming Governor Sarah Palin over the firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan.  The group goes after government officials it believes are beholden to special interests or are breaching ethical standards.  “CREW” also recently applauded the Justice Department for indicting Alaska’s Senator Ted Stevens on counts of lying about receiving gifts.

He’s back - Ralph Nader on the presidential ballot in Alaska
Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO - Juneau
Ralph Nader will be on Alaska’s November general election ballot for U.S. president. The Alaska Division of Elections has certified more than 4900 signatures of Alaska voters. Nader needed 3145 signatures. He is now on the ballot in 45 states.  The 2008 election will be the fourth time Nader has run for president as a third-party candidate.

Denali Park road running up against usage limits
Steve Heimel, APRN - Anchorage
Denali National Park officials began the scoping process last night for a new plan for how the park’s one road ought to be used. Currently, the road has a limit of ten and a half thousand trips a year.  But visitor demand is projected to hit that limit within a couple of years.  Already park managers sometimes have to curtail their own staff’s movements to stay within the limit.  The process will lead to new contract terms for transportation providers to bid on.

Like clock work, Doctor serves rural community every six weeks
Lisa Phu, KSTK - Wrangell
For almost ten years, Wrangell doctor Dave McCandless has been holding rural clinics in communities on Prince of Wales Island that don’t have health providers. It started when Point baker and Port Protection asked Wrangell to send a visiting doctor. Since then, every six weeks throughout the year, Dr. McCandless pays a visit to the remote communities.

New study shows Native people twice as prone to alcohol-related deaths
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
Researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released a first of its kind study of alcohol attributable deaths and potential life lost among American Indians and Alaska Natives. The study says Native people are twice as likely to die from alcohol related causes than the general population and they lose more than six years of life per alcohol attributable death.

Anchorage looks to find strength in growing diversity
Len Anderson, KSKA - Anchorage
Anchorage has a highly diverse population.  And according to those taking part in the second Dialogue on Race in Diversity held last night, the big question is how well can the city take advantage of the situation.

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.

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Palin preparing for speech as national Republicans defending McCain’s choice
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
Governor Sarah Palin is preparing to accept the GOP vice presidential nomination at the party’s convention and will speak to convention goers — and the nation — tonight in St. Paul, Minnesota. Palin spent about 10 minutes this morning getting a run-through at the arena to discuss the setup for her speech.

Palin / Monegan / Wooten investigation hits a snag
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
The legislative investigation into the events leading up to the firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan is facing a setback. Senate Judiciary chairman Hollis French had established a goal of issuing a report on the investigation by the end of October. When the committee’s investigator began gathering facts, Governor Palin promised full cooperation from her administration. But French says some obstacles have come up since then.

Alaska’s teacher union now led by its first rural educator
Angela Denning Barnes, KYUK - Bethel
The state’s largest teacher’s union has chosen a rural Alaska educator to lead their group for the first time. A veteran Bethel teacher has been chosen as the new President of the National Education Association of Alaska.

Aleutian excavations revealing ancient homes housing up to 300 people
Anne Hillman, KIAL - Unalaska
People began populating the eastern Aleutians 9,000 years ago and continued heading west over the next 6,000 years. Remnants of their ancient — and not so ancient — village sites can still be seen in the Aleutians today, if you know what to look for.

University of Alaska accepting $1 million from Chevron
Mike Mason, KBBI - Homer
The University of Alaska (UA) announced yesterday that the oil company Chevron is giving the university $1 million in two $500,000 gifts.

UAF enrollment falling on fears of winter fuel costs
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
High energy costs and concern about the upcoming winter are affecting enrollment at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). Tim Barnett, Vice Chancellor for student enrollment services at UAF, says overall student numbers are down slightly and most of that seems to be in non-degree-seeking students who typically take a class or two to upgrade their employment status.

Alaska weatherization program facing backlog of applicants
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
An office set up in Fairbanks to provide information on state energy efficiency and assistance programs is getting heavy interest. The Portal on Retrofits, Training and Loans was established to help people take advantage of the state-funded assistance. Portal Program liaison Michael Berrie says there’s a backlog of people trying to take advantage of weatherization and rebate programs.

Beaufort Sea survey finding fish moving north to Arctic waters
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
Fisheries biologists are back from a month-long trip to study fish species in the Beaufort Sea. They were looking at what types of fish inhabit the Beaufort and how plentiful they are. Global warming is already forcing more and more animals, including fish, north to the Arctic Ocean. The only previous survey of fish species in the area took place in the 1970’s.

• Beaufort Sea survey program - NOAA

North Slope Alaskans on the lookout for growing walrus haul-out numbers
Annie Feidt, APRN - Anchorage
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking North Slope residents to be on the lookout for walrus hauling out on shore. At this time last year, as many as 6,000 walrus crowded along Alaska’s Chukchi Sea coast when they ran out of ice to forage from. Joel Garlic Miller is a walrus biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Anchorage. He says the sea ice this year has lingered around longer, but there isn’t much left.

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.

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Reports say FBI recorded more than 100 phone conversations with Ted Stevens
Associated Press/Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
Attorneys for Senator Ted Stevens say the FBI recorded more than 100 of the Republican lawmaker’s phone  conversations. Jurors could hear those calls later this month when Stevens stands trial on charges of lying about hundreds of thousands of dollars in home renovations and other gifts he received from an oil contractor.

Governor Palin keeps a low profile at Republican convention
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage and Michael Carey, ARPN - St. Paul, Minnesota
Republican National Convention got into full swing in St. Paul, Minnesota today after being largely on hold yesterday as hurricane Gustav hit Louisiana. President George Bush was scheduled to address  delegates by video link up. Former Senator Fred Thompson and Independent Senator Joe Lieberman were also in the line up. But the big news continues to be Alaska Governor Sarah Palin - John McCain’s running mate.

29 Alaska delegates ready for Republican convention
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks and Annie Feidt, APRN - Anchorage
29 Alaskans are attending the Convention in St. Paul. Former State Legislator Nick Stepovich of Fairbanks is one of them.  Stepovich says the selection of Sarah Palin has made quite a splash at the convention.

Mixed reviews for Palin from fish country
Casey Kelly, KMXT - Kodiak
When she ran for Governor in 2006, Palin received broad support from the state’s fishing industry.  She touted herself as a commercial fisherman, having worked at her family’s setnet site in Bristol Bay. But reaction from Alaska fishermen to her new roll on the Republican ticket has been mixed.

Aleutian volcano makes dramatic topographical changes
Anne Hillman, KIAL - Unalaska
When Kasatochi volcano erupted last month, it did more than release massive clouds of ash and sulfur – it remade the face of the island.

Regulatory Commission of Alaska bucks Bush administration
Mike Mason, KBBI - Homer
State regulators last week declined to adopt the Bush administration’s system for allowing people who generate their own electricity to sell it back into the grid. But some sort of system is mandated by federal law, so the Regulatory Commission of Alaska will now have to come up with a system of its own.

Petersburg airport to close for reconstruction
Matt Lichtenstein, KFSK - Petersburg
Petersburg’s airport is set to shut down for up to a month next spring.  That will mean passengers and freight will have to travel to and from Wrangell to catch Alaska Airlines Flights. It’s part of a major project to reconstruct the runway with new safety improvements.

Alaska Natives speak out on statehood anniversary
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
The First Alaskans Institute, an Alaska Native advocacy organization is holding a series of statewide discussions on the impacts of statehood to Alaska Native people. The forums will be held in several communities over the next two months with the goal of providing a relaxed atmosphere for Native people to talk about how statehood has affected the lives of Alaska’s first people.

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.

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VP pick Palin announces daughter’s pregnancy, requests privacy
Annie Feidt, APRN - Anchorage
Governor Sarah Palin and her husband Todd announced today that their 17 year old daughter, Bristol, is five months pregnant. The McCain campaign says it knew about the pregnancy when Republican nominee John McCain picked Palin to be his running mate last week.

Republican convention delayed, Palin working on speech
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
The Republican National Convention got underway today in a shortened session as hurricane Gustav hit Louisiana. Tom Scheck is a reporter covering the convention in St. Paul for Minnesota Public Radio. He says Palin is in St. Paul, working on her convention speech. And he says for the most part, delegates don’t seem too concerned about Palin’s daughter’s pregnancy.

Palin hires lawyer to handle Monegan/Wooten investigation matters
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
Governor Palin has hired a private lawyer to defend her in the investigation over the firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan. The Legislature is investigating whether Palin dismissed Monegan after he refused to fire the State Trooper who divorced Palin’s sister.

Did Sarah Palin flip-flop on ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ for campaign gain?
Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - Juneau
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin briefly put a controversial Ketchikan bridge back into the national spotlight as she became the Republican vice presidential candidate Friday.

Alaska Air National Guard headed to hurricane Gustav area
Annie Feidt, APRN - Anchorage
About 30 Air National Guard members from Kulis Air Base in Anchorage are on their way to Mississippi to help in the aftermath of hurricane Gustav. The Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing is also deploying two Pave hawk helicopters to the region, at the request of the state of Louisiana.

Fuel costs top local government problem lists statewide
Lisa Phu, KSTK - Wrangell
The summer legislative meeting of the Alaska Municipal League brought together various city, municipal, and borough leaders from throughout the state. During two days in Wrangell last week, the group began to identify the most pressing needs to be brought to the upcoming legislative session.

FCC promotes Digital TV conversion in Alaska, only 168 days left
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
The Federal Communication’s Commission sent one of its members to Alaska last week to talk about the upcoming switch to digital television. As of February 17th 2009, all full power broadcast t.v. stations have to change from analog to digital transmission.

Tongass forest management plan moving ahead, rejecting appeals
Matt Lichtenstein, KFSK - Petersburg
The top leadership in the U.S. Forest Service is standing by the latest amendment to the management plan for the Tongass National Forest. Chief Gale Kimball’s decision to uphold the plan means rejection for a broad range of appeals filed by community, environmental, tribal and timber industry interests.

Alaska’s back in the national spotlight and will now be a big presence at next week’s Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. We’ve got wall-to-wall coverage of the announcement, including stunned reactions from across the state. Stay with the stations of the Alaska Public Radio Network for in-depth coverage.

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.

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John McCain taps Alaska’s governor as his Presidential running mate
Duncan Moon, APRN - Anchorage
John McCain strode onto the stage in Dayton, Ohio this morning with his choice for vice president in tow. For most Americans it was an unfamiliar face, but for Alaskans, the surprise was that it was someone they knew so well: Governor Sarah Palin.

What does a Palin VP run do to Alaskan politics, including embattled Republicans?
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
Larry Persily is the former editorial page editor of the Anchorage Daily News and also worked for a short time for the Palin Administration in Washington DC. He’s still living in DC and says, like everyone else, he was shocked by the decision.

Alaska Republicans pleased with Palin choice, despite past disagreements
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
The state Republican party welcomes the selection of Sarah Palin to run for vice president — although the governor has been at odds with party leaders in recent years. Palin unsuccessfully attempted to remove Party Chairman Randy Ruedrich from office during this year’s convention, yet party leaders and members are excited about Palin’s new role in the national Republican party.

Alaska’s Congressional delegation reacts, predicts big things
Annie Feidt, APRN - Anchorage
Senator Lisa Murkowski says you can’t underestimate the importance of John McCain’s choice for Alaska. And she says if Palin does become Vice President, it would be enormously beneficial for Alaska’s Congressional delegation and for all Alaskans.

Palin administration in Juneau surprised, looking at succession complications
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
Surprise was the word of the day for Alaskans, including Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell, who said he found out this morning at 6:40 a.m., when staff asked him to fill in on a scheduled commencement speech this morning that Palin was slated to give. Palin’s spokesman Bill McAllister says he also was taken by surprise when national reporters started calling him at home soon after 5:00 a.m.

Attorney General Talis Colberg says Palin designated him as successor to the Lieutenant Governor should Palin go to the White House and Parnell move into the Governor’s position. Because Parnell is also running for national office, going up against Don Young in a still undecided primary campaign for Congress, Colberg would become Governor if both Parnell and Palin ended up in DC.

Alaskans offer their thoughts on the McCain-Palin announcement
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
APRN’s reporters fanned out across Alaska today and collected a few reactions to the big news. Surprised? Oh, yeah. But is a good thing? Does it change your vote?

National media reacts to Palin’s rising star
Steve Heimel, APRN - Anchorage
The choice of Sarah Palin to be John McCain’s running mate had reporters all across the country scrambling to find out more about her. But that didn’t stop opinion columnists and bloggers from quickly weighing in.

Obama supporters not phased by selection of Palin as Republican VP
Eli Menaker, APRN - Anchorage
The Obama campaign in Alaska says today’s announcement won’t change their plans for Alaska. Jeff Geirtz, communications director for the Obama campaign in Alaska says the news does not affect the possibility of Obama visiting the state. Geirtz also says support for Palin in Alaska does not necessarily translate into support for McCain.

Wasilla reacts to former mayor’s selection as Republican VP candidate
Ellen Lockyer, APRN - Wasilla
Sara Palin’s hometown of Wasilla was buzzing with the big news today. Down at the U.S. Post Office on Main Street, just around the corner from Wasilla’s City Hall, local residents in a hurry to pick up their mail stopped long enough to offer overwhelmingly positive comments.

Blogger that pushed for Palin as VP 16 months ago celebrating today
Jessica Cochran, APRN - Anchorage
A young man who only recently graduated from college is getting considerable credit for sparking interest in Governor Palin as potential vice presidential material. Adam Brickley first started pushing for Palin back in February 2007 with a blog called Draft Sarah Palin for Vice President. He told APRN this February that he stumbled across Palin’s name researching potential candidates. Today, Brickley’s blog reads an enthusiastic “WE DID IT!“

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.

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Alaskans fail to get ANWR drilling in Republican party platform
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
The Democratic National Convention wraps up tonight in Denver with a speech from Presidential nominee Barack Obama. In the meantime, Republican delegates are busy crafting their party’s platform for their convention next week in St. Paul,  Minnesota. Alaskans are helping in that effort but failed to insert a mention of support for drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in the 20,000-word document.

Begich says new approach needed in DC
Mark Begich says Alaska needs a new approach in dealing with new leadership in Washington DC if the state plans to continue receiving federal assistance for meeting local needs. The Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate said it’s important to present any state need as a partnership — not to count solely on federal gifts to solve problems.

Woman mauled by bear in Gates of the Artic National Park
Annie Feidt, APRN - Anchorage
A woman is being treated at a hospital in Fairbanks after being mauled by a grizzly bear early this morning in Gates of the Arctic National Park.

Democrat primary race in District 36 still not settled
Jay Barrett, KMXT - Kodiak
The Republican primary race between Don Young and Sean Parnell for Alaska’s U.S. House Seat isn’t the only contest that’s too close to call. The Democratic nomination for State House District 36 is also neck-and-neck.

Bristol Bay reeling from Prop 4 defeat
Eileen Goode, KDLG - Dillingham
Voters in Dillingham are still reeling from the defeat of ballot proposition 4 — which would have made it difficult to develop the proposed Pebble Mine. Many people in the region feel the mine will threaten the area’s rich salmon fishery.

Settlement reached for 2006 Parks Highway wild fire compensation
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
The state and other property owners affected by the 2006 Parks Highway wild fire will receive compensation. The state announced the $400,000 settlement with an insurance company yesterday.

Dungeness crab season strong in Southeast
Matt Lichtenstein, KFSK - Petersburg
Dungeness crabbers had a good summer in southeast Alaska.

EU commercial fishing gaining market share
Casey Kelly, KMXT - Kodiak
Recent data suggests that while Japan and other Asian markets continue to lead the way for importing Alaska seafood, the rest of the world is quickly catching up, especially the countries that make up the European Union.

Residents of St. Paul celebrate 25 years of freedom
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
From the late 1700s till 1983, the Aleut people of the Pribilof islands were in servitude to the fur seal business — first Russia controlled the trade and after the sale of Alaska to the U.S., the Aleuts were under the thumb of the federal government. Their transition to independence was not easy but 25 years after they were freed from fur seal industry bondage, the 450 residents of St. Paul island are celebrating and taking a week to relive various aspects of Aleut history.

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.

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Young/Parnell vote still too close to call
Lori Townsend, Dave Donaldson, Len Anderson, Steve Heimel, APRN - Anchorage
The Republican primary race for Alaska’s U-S House seat is still way too close to call. With only one precinct left to report, Don Young is leading Lt. Governor Sean Parnell by just 152 votes.   That’s out of more than 90 thousand ballots cast.  There are still several thousand absentee ballots and questioned ballots that need to be counted.

Yup’ik language ballots a success
Shane Iverson, KYUK - Bethel
The State of Alaska provided unprecedented language assistance last night at the polls in Yup’ik regions.  The Division of Elections began preparing for the language assistance program shortly after a lawsuit was filed by several elders.  The Elders claimed that the State was not meeting minority language assistance requirements and a federal judge agreed.  Now, Yupik voters in Bethel say the ballots made more sense than ever before.

Exxon Mobil to pay partial EVOS damages
Casey Kelly, KMXT - Kodiak
Lawyers for plaintiffs in the Exxon Valdez oil spill case have reached an agreement with Exxon-Mobil to pay partial punitive damages for the 1989 spill. Lead plaintiffs’ attorney Dave Oesting says the company has agreed to pay about 383-million dollars of the 507.5-million dollar judgment made by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case.

Southeast fisherman struggle with high energy prices
Bonnie Sue Hitchcock, KCAW - Sitka
High fuel prices aren’t just affecting the big city driver. In Southeast Alaska, fishermen are looking at fuel saving measures to cut costs, or they risk staying tied to the dock.

Fairbanks Borough Mayor Jim Whitaker addresses Democratic National Convention
Libby Casey, APRN - Washington, DC
Whitaker spoke to a national audience from the stage of the Democratic National Convention last night.  He’s the only Alaskan to address the Convention, which runs through tomorrow (Thurs).  Whitaker was chosen by Barak Obama’s campaign staff to give a short speech – as a Republican who’s voting
for the Democratic candidate.

Hydropalooza making progress in Kachemak Bay
Emily Schwing, KBBI - Homer
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ships Rainier and Fairweather are back in Kachemak Bay.  After a month of tracking the tides, they are hard at work using multibeam sonar to update the nautical charts of the bay floor.

Thousands of migrating Geese and Sandhill Cranes take a break in Fairbanks
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
Thousands of birds are moving through the interior on their migration south from summer nesting areas on Alaska’s northern and western coasts. Creamers Refuge in Fairbanks is popular stopover point for Canada Geese, White fronted Geese and Sandhill cranes this time of year.

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.

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Lawmakers seek to kill off proposed Endangered Species Act changes
Libby Casey, APRN - Washington, DC
A group of Democratic U.S. Senators are speaking out against proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act. Earlier this month the Bush Administration announced plans to revise the law that protects America’s wildlife. It would be the biggest overhaul to the Act since 1986.

Kodiak utility wins $38 million, pursues renewable energy
Casey Kelly, KMXT- Kodiak
Kodiak Electric Association (KEA) received a big boost in its efforts to purchase the Terror Lake hydro plant from the Four Dam Pool. A $38 million loan from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utility Service will go a long way toward ensuring KEA will reach its goal of 95% renewable energy by the year 2020.

Fairbanks area forests subjected to illegal axes
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
The scramble to find dry firewood has some Fairbanks area residents poaching trees on public lands. Northern Area State Parks chief ranger Matt McClure says he’s seeing more illegal firewood harvesting than normal in the Chena River State Recreation area east of Fairbanks.

Poor Alaska Census results from 2000 driving advance planning for 2010
Mike Mason, KBBI - Homer
Though 2010 is more than a year away the planning efforts for the next U.S. Census are getting started in Alaska.

Anchorage schools will keep mid-August starts despite complaints
Len Anderson, KSKA - Anchorage
Last the night the Anchorage School Board approved the calendars for the next two years. And despite considerable protest, the district says the academic advantages of the August start outweigh the problems it causes some families.

Rising visitor rates at Denali driving review of Park road plans
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
The National Park Service is seeking input on the future of traffic on the road into Denali National Park. The agency is holding meetings this month as it develops options for addressing increased visitor demand.

Kodiak now launching pad for new Vaseline product
Mary Donaldson, KMXT - Kodiak
Vaseline brand lotion has chosen Kodiak as the main location to produce an ad campaign for its new product. One local will be the star of the campaign, but it will also include many more Kodiak residents.

‘Fairview Manor’ apartments undergoing transformation in Fairbanks
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
The long-planned replacement of the aging Fairview Manor Apartment Complex in Fairbanks is underway. Heavy equipment has demolished and is clearing away the first of three large U-shaped low income apartment buildings to make way for new units. The other Fairview buildings, which still have residents, will be taken down in later stages of the project.

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.

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Alaskan Democrats, and one Republican, converge on Denver
Libby Casey, KUAC - Fairbanks
Among the thousands of Americans gathering in Denver, Colorado for this week’s Democratic National Convention are more than 70 Alaskans. Twenty are voting delegates. One is a Republican.

Poverty rising, graduation low among Alaskan kids
Mike Mason, KBBI - Homer
The annual Kids Count Alaska data book has been released and it continues to show some alarming trends.

Alaska Trooper collared by colleagues on drug charges
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
Alaska State Troopers have busted one of their own. Trooper Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Enforcement in conjunction with the State Drug Enforcement Administration has charged Fairbanks-based trooper Scott Ide with forging prescriptions. Ide is accused of forging prescriptions for narcotic pain medication on 4 separate occasions last winter and spring. Ide has been a Trooper since 2004. He served in Palmer prior to transferring to Fairbanks in January of this year.

Alaska Quarter arrives this week, next to last in 50-state series
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
The U.S. Mint began circulating the Alaska state quarter today. The coin has an image of a grizzly with a salmon in its jaws, along with the saying, “The Great Land.” 500 million of the quarters will be minted over the next ten weeks. It’s part of a 10-year program to commemorate each state in the order they entered the union. Alaska’s quarter will have a ceremonial kick-off this Friday at the State Fair in Palmer. U.S. Mint deputy director Andy Brunhart will be on hand for the celebration starting at 1:00 p.m.

Alaska city, borough, village managers meeting to plan lobbying
Lisa Phu, KSTK - Wrangell
The Alaska Municipal League legislative committee and the Alaska Conference of Mayors are holding their summer meeting in Wrangell this Wednesday and Thursday, August 27 and 28. Up to 65 people from throughout the state are expected to attend.

Statewide life jacket program claims 15th and 16th saved kids
Robert Woolsey, KCAW - Sitka
Two young boys who capsized a canoe in chilly ocean waters near Angoon earlier this month are doing fine. Injury-prevention specialists credit a pair of loaner life jackets from the statewide Kids Don’t Float program for saving the boys’ lives.

Alaska’s newest park offers nature trails and WWII history
Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock, KCAW - Sitka
The Fort Rosseau Causeway State Historical Park was recently dedicated in Sitka, becoming the newest state park in the Alaska system in 11 years. The park will appeal not only to those interested in Sitka’s trail system, but also in its history dating back to World War II.

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.

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700-pound brown bear struck by vehicle on busy Anchorage street
AP/Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchoragae
State wildlife officials say a brown bear was hit and injured by a vehicle on the edge of downtown Anchorage early this morning. Anchorage police shot and killed the 700 pound bear.

Wood stove sales take off in Fairbanks
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
The shift from oil to wood heat has spiked demand for stoves, and heightened pollution concerns.  John Crouch with the Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association says there’s a national shortage of pellet fired stoves and boilers and some cord wood models - and that’s hitting hard in places where winter comes early, like Alaska.

Sale of firewood on the rise as summer winds down
Emily Schwing, KBBI - Homer
In Homer, the sale of wood is also increasing as more people order and install woodstoves.

Hydrokinetic electricity generation gets a look in the bush
Adam Kane, KDLG - Dillingham
Rural Alaska is on its way to having a new form of electricity. Hydrokinetic Generation is similar to Southeast Alaska’s hydro power, but without the dams. A Texas-based energy company is working towards obtaining permits to install their generators into many sites around the state.

The Republic race for US Senate is not just about Ted Stevens and Dave Cuddy
Eli Menaker, APRN - Anchorage
While most eyes are on the republican battle between Senator Ted Stevens, and Dave Cuddy in this Tuesday’s primary, they aren’t the only candidates vying for the once uncontestable senate seat.

Demcorats vie to represent party in House District 2
Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - Juneau
One of Alaska’s busiest legislative primaries is in Southeast Alaska.  Two Democrats and two Republicans are seeking to represent Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell and several smaller communities in House District 2.

Republicans fight in House District 2 primary
Matt Lichtenstein, KFSK - Petersburg
The two Republicans vying for the house seat representing Petersburg, Wrangell and Sitka are basing their campaigns on residency and experience.

Democratic primary winner in Bethel will be uncontested in general election
Shane Iverson, KYUK - Bethel
The August 26th Primary Election will have a special significance in Bethel and the Lower Kuskokwim. Democratic Representative Mary Nelson is not running for re-election after a decade of service. Three candidates are now vying to take her place and all are running as democrats. That means the primary winner will go uncontested in the General Election.

Obama campaign staff travels to Barrow
Janelle Everett, KRBW - Barrow
The alaska campaign staff of senator Barack Obama spent yesterday in Barrow talking to residents and meeting local leaders.

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.

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Kachemak Bay otter population on the rise
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
A new survey shows the Kachemak Bay sea otter population has increased dramatically since 2002. The U-S Fish and Wildlife Service has been paying close attention to the otters in recent years, because hundreds in the area have died of a heart infection called valvular endocarditis. Biologists are still trying to figure out how the bacteria is infecting the otters.

Fairbanks struggles with aftermath of flooding
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
Areas hard hit by flooding earlier this month are still struggling to recover.  The highest water on the Tanana River in 41 years flooded homes in parts of Salcha and Fairbanks, and Nenena, where nearly the entire town was inundated.

Berkowitz vs. Benson
Steve Heimel, APRN - Anchorage
The two Democrats running for Alaska’s lone seat in the U-S House of Representatives are already setting their sights on Washington.  Incumbent Republican Don Young’s ethics troubles have left him vulnerable, and both Ethan Berkowitz and Diane Benson believe they can defeat either him, or whichever of his opponents might win the  Republican Primary.

Ballot Measure 2 puts aerial wolf control back in front of voters
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
The state’s predator-control program would be changed if on Tuesday voters approve Ballot Measure Two. The initiative is the latest in the back-and-forth battle between urban and rural views of big game.

APOC dismisses complaint against the state
Mike Mason, KBBI - Homer
The Alaska Public Offices Commission has dismissed a complaint filed against the state of Alaska related to the education materials they have released outlining the state’s predator control program.

Agreement clears the way for Chichagof Island timber sale
Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - Juneau
An agreement between the Forest Service and two environmental groups has cleared the way for a timber sale on Southeast’s Chichagof Island. Those involved expect the logs will go to a small, locally owned mill in Hoonah.

Renovations get underway for Y-K Village Public Saftety buildings
Alice Criswell, KYUK - Bethel
Renovations have been underway to several Village Public Safety buildings in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.  The newer buildings are already having a positive impact on one of the region’s toughest job.

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.

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Ted Stevens to be tried in Washington, DC
Libby Casey, APRN - Washington, DC
A Washington, DC jury will sit in judgment on Senator Ted Stevens. Stevens lost his bid today to move his federal trial to Alaska. He faces criminal charges of lying on his Senate Financial Disclosure forms to hide gifts worth over $250,000. The decision is a blow to Stevens’ defense.

Ted Stevens moves to set up legal defense fund
Libby Casey, APRN - Washington, DC
Senator Stevens’ Washington office announced today he’s setting up a legal defense fund. Stevens’ attorneys are in the process of seeking approval from the Senate Ethics Committee to start such a fund, which allows members to raise money to help pay legal fees. Once it’s established, they’ll have to file regular reports listing all contributors and expenses. Lobbyists, corporations and unions cannot contribute to legal defense funds and the money cannot be spent on anything other than Stevens’ personal legal fees. Alaska’s Congressman, Don Young, also has a legal fund, which he started in January.

PFD to come early this year
Diana Boro, KHNS - Haines
Governor Sarah Palin announced today the first round of Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) checks will be deposited September 12. The checks will include an extra $1,200 state lawmakers approved to help offset the high cost of fuel.

Coast Guard suspends search for Brian and Brandon Andrews
Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO - Juneau
The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for deputy Revenue commissioner Brian Andrews and his 24-year-old son Brandon, both of Juneau. The men disappeared August 9 in the process of shuttling camping gear between Young Lake on Admiralty Island and Juneau.

The Coast Guard deployed a helicopter that evening, and since then the search effort has included the military, state, Civil Air Patrol, commercial pilots and Good Samaritans. The Coast Guard Cutter Liberty, a fish and game research vessel, and volunteer boaters have been on the water. And rescue teams and volunteer hikers are working on the ground.

But so far, they have found nothing. The Coast Guard says it will resume the search when there are new developments, but volunteers will keep searching.

Mark Begich vs. Ray Metcalfe
Annie Feidt, APRN - Anchorage
National news media and local pollsters are already talking about a general election match-up between Ted Stevens and Anchorage mayor Mark Begich in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race. But first Begich has to make it through next week’s Democratic Primary where he faces anti-corruption crusader Ray Metcalfe.

Ocean Rangers getting better access to cruise ships
Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - Juneau
The state’s environmental monitors are getting better access to the inside workings of cruise ships.

• State of Alaska’s Cruise Ship Program
• Ocean Ranger Access Survey Report - July 2008 (PDF)

Jeff King’s fate in the hands of a judge
Duncan Moon, APRN - Anchorage
The decision about whether 4-time Iditarod champ Jeff King illegally killed a moose in Denali National Park now rests with a judge.  The 2-day trial wrapped up yesterday with King taking the stand in his own defense. If convicted he faces up to a year in prison and a $10,000 fine.

JAL to continue direct flights to Alaska
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
Japan Airlines (JAL) is maintaining its commitment to Alaska despite tough times for air carriers and a recession in Japan. The airline recently announced plans for at least 17 flights to Alaska this fall and winter, adding to its 15 summer flights. The airline flies 300 passenger 747’s to Alaska. During the winter, most JAL planes fly into Fairbanks, where Japanese visitors come to see the Northern Lights.

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.

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Investigation into Monegan firing gets underway
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
The legislative investigation into the circumstances surrounding the firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan is focusing on complaints Governor Sarah Palin and her staff made about State Trooper Mike Wooten – who had been involved in a divorce case with the Governor’s sister. Senate Judiciary Chairman Hollis French says the investigator, Steve Branchflower, is looking at whether attempts to get Wooten fired effected the Monegan dismissal.

Ted Stevens faces tough Republican primary
Libby Casey, APRN - Washington, DC
Senator Ted Stevens is so well known in Alaska that the state’s biggest airport is named for him, and he was declared the Alaskan of the 20th Century (by the Alaskan of the Year Committee)  But now after serving in the U-S Senate for forty years, he’s in the toughest battle of his political life.  His main opponent in next week’s Republican primary election is real-estate developer Dave Cuddy.

Ballot Measure 1: “The gambling initiative”
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
The first initiative that voters will see on the primary ballot next week asks them to decide the future of gambling in Alaska.  The measure as written will only clean up some long-standing confusion in regulating the charitable gaming industry. But opponents point to other doors the bill would open.

Uranium sought at Bokan Mountain site
Deanna Garrison, KRBD - Ketchikan
Exploratory drilling is under way at the Bokan Mountain mining site on the south end of Prince of Wales Island. Landmark Alaska is hoping to reopen the 50-year-old mine, which it hopes contains sizeable amounts of uranium and rare earth elements.

Studying the decline of the Kittlitz’s Murrelets
Mary Donaldson, KMXT - Kodiak
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey are teaming up to fund a research project aimed at studying a rare coastal bird in Alaska - Kittlitz’s Murrelets.

Solar car zips through Alaska
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
The vehicle, built and driven by Marcelo da Luz (LOOZ) of Toronto is headed south after stopping in Fairbanks last week. The journey journey began in Buffalo, New York, 2 months ago.  Since then, DaLuz and his “Power of One” team have covered nearly 6 thousand miles in an effort to break the solar-power distance record of more than 8 thousand miles.

Photographing the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
Anne Hillman, KIAL - Unalaska
The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge stretches from islands in the Gulf of Alaska to the end of the Aleutian chain. It’s managed as a resource for Alaskans, though most won’t get to experience it—until now.

Alaskan prepares to meet Presidential candidate Obama
Jenny Canfield, KNBA - Anchorage
An Alaskan is preparing for the rare opportunity to talk to a major presidential candidate. Holly Stebing was studying abroad in Chile when she first heard of Barack Obama. She was inspired to start making small monthly donations to his campaign because of speeches she watched on YouTube.

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.

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Methane tanker crash vents explosive gas, snarls Mat-Su traffic
Ellen Lockyer, APRN - Matanuska-Susitna Borough
A tanker rollover at mile 179 on the Parks Highway has stalled north and southbound traffic all day. The tanker, carrying 9,000 gallons of liquid methane, is currently venting the gas and emergency personnel have secured the area.

Ballot Measure 4 hottest political topic, most expensive issue
John Ryan, KTOO - Juneau
For most elections, the state of Alaska caps campaign contributions at $500 from individuals and $1,000 from political action committees. But on ballot measures, money is treated as a form of free speech, so the sky’s the limit. Spending on one measure dwarfs everything else on Alaska’s August 26 primary ballot. One side calls it a clean water initiative, the other calls it an anti-mining measure. The mining industry, environmental groups, and at least one mystery donor have poured more than $8 million into the initiative.

Pogo gold mine pouring profits after years of trouble
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
The Pogo Mine has overcome early operational setbacks and is turning a profit. The State’s second-largest gold mine poured it first gold in early 2006 after construction costs ran $50 million over budget. The underground mining operation went on to suffer a major electrical fire, problems with ore processing equipment and trouble filling key jobs.

Republican primary for U.S. House busiest in years
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
In the lead up to the Congressional primary election next week, Don Young is facing his most serious reelection challenge in many years. Today we have more on the 3-way Republican primary race for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Analog TV goes dead in 6 months; is largely-rural Alaska ready?
Libby Casey, APRN - Anchorage
In six months, television viewers who aren’t ready for the conversion to digital will be out of luck — unable to watch broadcast TV. Federal law requires TV stations to switch over to a digital signal on February 17, 2009. The FCC estimates that 20% of Americans still don’t know about the change-over, so they’re ramping up public education efforts in the coming weeks.

Falling birth rate means Petersburg may cancel local baby delivery services
Matt Lichtenstein, KFSK - Petersburg
Petersburg’s hospital may stop delivering babies on a routine basis next year. Physicians are recommending the change due to a substantial decline in the number of local births.

Salmon habitat in forgotten streams under study
Emily Schwing, KBBI - Homer
This summer, biologists on the Lower Kenai Peninsula have been studying some unlikely juvenile salmon habitat.

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.

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Prosecutors make fresh allegations against Senator Stevens
Libby Casey, APRN - Washington, DC
Government prosecutors preparing to try Senator Ted Stevens have made fresh allegations about gifts they say he covered up.  Yesterday was the deadline to file motions in the case, which charges Stevens with 7 federal counts of lying on his Senate Financial Disclosure Forms. The government is trying to tighten its case against Alaska’s senior Senator.

60 year-old mystery solved
Ellen Lockyer, APRN - Anchorage
A real life Alaska cold case has been solved. Officials have positively identified the remains of a  victim of a plane crash in the remote Wrangell Mountains more than half a century ago.

Alaska summers could be cold and wet for decades
Duncan Moon, APRN - Anchorage
The cool and rainy weather across the state this summer could be the start of a trend in the years ahead. Climatologists are blaming it on a shift in a decades-long cycle that brings below average temperatures, cloudy weather and weak salmon runs.

Clean elections ballot proposition in voters’ hands
Mike Mason, KBBI - Homer
On August 26, Voters will decide the fate of a ballot measure that would provide public funding for
campaigns in Alaska.

Alaska Native Cultural Charter School finds its back against the wall
Len Anderson, KSKA - Anchorage
For the organizers of the Anchorage’s new Alaska Native Cultural Charter School, this August was to be
the realization of a long, worked-for goal.  Instead, the Kindergarten through sixth grade school currently finds itself trying to fend off closure.

New Sitka farmers market set to open
Bonnie Sue Hitchcock, KCAW - Sitka
While many Sitka residents have long known the value of eating local seafood or wild edible plants,  organizers of the town’s first farmers market are hoping to raise the community’s ability to “eat
locally” even higher. The farmer’s market is slated to run for three consecutive Saturdays, beginning
this weekend.

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.

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Steven’s lawyers move to dismiss charges against him
Libby Casey, APRN - Washington, DC
Lawyers for Senator Ted Stevens filed a handful of motions today to dismiss the charges against him.  Stevens faces seven counts of lying on his Financial Disclosure Forms to cover up $250,000 worth of gifts from the oil field services company VECO.  He’s scheduled to go on trial in Washington, D-C next month. The accelerated schedule Stevens’ lawyers requested means the motions are coming all at once.

Alaska lobbyist charged with failure to report his business activities
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
One of Alaska’s most influential lobbyists. Ashley Reed,  faces criminal charges on seven counts of failure to report his business activities to the Alaska Public Offices Commission during this year’s legislative session.

Governor gives Kopp a hefty severance package
Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO - Juneau
The Palin administration gave former public safety commissioner Chuck Kopp a $10,000  severance package for his two weeks on the job.

A new polar-bear study examines results of receding sea ice
Duncan Moon, APRN - Anchorage
A study underway near Deadhorse is looking at how polar bears cope when they’re forced to spend more time on land because of limited sea ice in the Southern Beaufort Sea.  The bears need good ice that’s near enough to the shore to allow them to hunt their main prey - seals. The study is led by the University of Wyoming in collaboration with federal agencies.

Belugas in the Kuskokwim
Shane Iverson, KYUK - Bethel
Kuskokwim Villages are seeing some large and unfamiliar animals in the river.  Residents are reporting at least one Belugua whale headed upriver.

Canadian legislator calls for shared energy vision with U.S.
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
A Canadian legislator has shared a vision for the future of energy in North America at the Conference of Arctic Parliamentarians in Fairbanks.  Robert Mills, who chairs the Canadian Parliament’s Environment Committee, said there needs to be a fundamental shift in our perspective on climate change and energy.

Pink returns disappointing in Southeast
Matt Lichtenstein, KFSK - Petersburg
With a total catch of around 5 million fish so far, pink salmon returns remain poor in much of Southeast Alaska. The Commercial Pink Salmon Fishery typically peaks around this time. About 200 seine boats have been fishing and catches have improved, but many areas are closed to let more pinks escape up stream. So area management biologist William Bergman believes the total seine harvest will end up pretty short of pre-season expectations.

Craig residents debate fluoridated water
Jay Marble, KRBD - Craig
Fluoridated water has been a controversial subject in Juneau recently. Now residents and council members in the town of Craig, on Prince of Wales Island are taking a look at the issue. On the October municipal ballot, voters there will  tell the Council whether they agree or disagree with the decision to take fluoride out of the water.

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.

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Palin releases evidence of pressure on Public Safety surrounding Wooten / Monegan
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
Governor Palin today made public some of the documents the Department of Law has accumulated during its internal investigation of the firing of former Public Safety commissioner Walt Monegan. The Department is investigating the firing to determine if there was undue pressure on Monegan and others in his department to fire state Trooper Mike Wooten. Palin says some of her staff’s contacts with Monegan could have been taken as coming at her direction — although, she says, she did not authorize them.

Murkowski opens Arctic conference, focuses on climate and energy
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
Representatives from Arctic nations are gathered in Fairbanks for a conference to discuss health, climate change and energy in the region. Alaska U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski opened the 8th Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic yesterday at the University of Alaska Fairbanks by stressing the United States’ changing perspective on the Arctic.

Kodiak Natives capture grant for cancer screenings
Mary Donaldson, KMXT - Kodiak
A federal grant is helping the Native association in Kodiak offer more cancer screenings for patients.

Alaska hires first Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor
Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO - Juneau
The crimes committed when people are behind a steering wheel are the impetus for a new state position, called a Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor. Deputy Attorney General Rick Svobodny says more than half the states already have a traffic prosecutors and the number of traffic-related prosecutions warrants the job. Nationwide, an average of 43,000 people die each year in traffic crashes of all kinds.

Seashell beds high above Southeast Alaska waters suggest new prehistory for Natives
Robert Woolsey, KCAW - Sitka
Researchers looking for evidence of early human migration along Alaska’s Southeastern coast probably have been looking in the wrong place. Recent geological studies suggest that the islands, coves, and beaches that later became home to contemporary Native cultures likely did not exist when the forebears of those cultures first moved into North America from Asia around 30,000 years ago.

Fort Knox mine begins building gold leaching facility
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
The Ft. Knox mine has begun construction of a heap leach facility. The state’s largest gold mine received state and federal permits for the operation a year ago. It involves percolating a cyanide solution through massive piles of low grade ore, to liberate gold. The grant is one of 25 awarded to rural communities across the U.S. to provide broadband service where none had previously existed.

USDA grant will put Tatitlek onto Internet fast lane
Ellen Lockyer, APRN - Anchorage
Tiny Tatitlek in Price William Sound will benefit from high speed telecommunications and internet service thanks to a $1 million “Community Connect” grant from USDA Rural Development.

Summer 2009 ferry schedule released for review, comment
Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - Juneau
The summer ferry schedule is out for review… that’s NEXT summer’s ferry schedule. Officials say the early release should help passengers and tour groups plan for next year’s busy season.

Alaskan fiddler tirelessly touring with latest CD, book
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
Alaska fiddle musician, poet and author Ken Waldman is back in the state after an east coast tour promoting the simultaneous release of his 7th CD and his 7th book. Although the prolific writer has mainly published collections of poetry in the past, his new book — Are You Famous? Touring America with Alaska’s Fiddling Poet — is autobiographical in nature.

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.

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US Supreme Court declines to rule on Exxon Valdez punitive damage interest
Casey Kelly, KMXT - Kodiak
The US Supreme Court today (Tuesday) declined to rule on the issue of whether plaintiffs in the Exxon Valdez oil spill case should receive interest on top of their already reduced punitive damages from the 1989 spill that fouled thousands of miles of Alaska’s coastline from Prince William Sound to Kodiak and beyond.

Increase in electricity bills shock residents in Bethel
Angela Denning-Barnes, KYUK - Bethel
Bethel residents and local businesses are in shock at the increase in their electric bills this month. Most have doubled and some have gone even higher. With gas prices at $6 a gallon, residents are fearing for their futures.

Prosecutors argue Stevens trial should stay in DC
Libby Casey - APRN - Washington, DC
The prosecutors in the case against Senator Ted Stevens say his trial should not be moved to Alaska.  In documents filed yesterday in US District Court, the government made its case to keep the trial in Washington, D-C.  Alaska’s Senior Senator faces seven felony counts of lying on his financial disclosure statements about gifts he allegedly received from oil services company Veco.

Big week for search and rescue squads around the state
Bonnie Sue Hitchcock, KCAW - Sitka
The Sitka Mountain Rescue squad has had four missions in the last five days, the most recent was recovery of the victims from a plane crash on Sunday night. It’s a big week for missing aircraft in other parts of the state as well.

Early Yukon Quest entries promise competitive race
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
The slate of early entries for next winter’s running of the Yukon Quest is already making for a competitive race.  22 teams signed
up this past Saturday to run the thousand mile international sled dog race.  Quest Canadian Director Stephen Reynolds says 13 veterans and 9 rookies took advantage of the early sign up opportunity. Reynolds says the field includes the Quest’s 4 time defending champion, as well as a 4 time Iditarod winner.

Bering-Sea shellfish may be in for a long journey
John Ryan, KTOO - Juneau
An ice-free Arctic will help shellfish as well as cargo ships travel across the top of the world. Clams and snails from the Bering Sea could even invade the North Atlantic. That’s according to a paper published last week in the journal Science.

No Ice Worms found in Denali
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
A group of  biologists searching for ice worms last week on the lower glaciers of Denali National park, came back empty handed. Dan Shane of Rutgers University led the quest with APU’s Roman Dial. On their ten day grueling expedition they traversed several glaciers, hiked over high passes, suffered crevasse falls and  bushwacked  through dense brush.

5,000 miles from Barrow
Earl Finkler, KBRW
After a five-week, five thousand mile road trip from Alaska to the midwest, former Barrow commentator Earl Finkler, his wife Chris and two panting Greenland Huskies