Robert Hannon, KUAC - Fairbanks

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Remembering Frank Soos, former Alaska Writer Laureate and creative writing teacher

Frank Soos died last Wednesday following a biking accident in Maine.
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Bike shortage keeps Alaskan cyclists from hitting the road

Disruptions from factory closures in China and high demand for bicycles means that new bicycles are hard to come by.
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Beloved historian and UAF professor Terrence Cole dies at 67

Cole was known for his infectious humor and wit, as well as his serious works on Alaska's history. He battled with stomach cancer in the final years of his life.

Final lecture from beloved UAF history professor Terrence Cole to be held tonight

A long-time and popular University of Alaska Fairbanks professor gives his final lecture this evening. Terrence Cole has taught history at UAF for 30 years. Cole is retiring to concentrate on his health and finish a book. Listen now

Tribal Governance Symposium kicks off this week at UAF

Organizers anticipate some 200 participants will gather at University of Alaska Fairbanks this week for a three-day symposium on tribal governance. The event comes on the heels of a decision by Alaska’s Attorney General in October recognizing tribal sovereignty. Listen now

Walter Harper, the first person to summit Denali, subject of panel discussion

A panel discussion tonight in Fairbanks examines the short life of the first person to summit Denali. Walter Harper was an Athabascan guide and mountaineer who played a critical role in the 1913 expedition that climbed to the top of North America’s tallest peak. Listen now

On-site pot consumption resolution voted down in Fairbanks Assembly

A resolution supporting on-site consumption of marijuana at licensed establishments was voted down by the Fairbanks Borough Assembly at a meeting Thursday night. A majority of assembly members thought the resolution was going too far, too fast. Listen now

Strategic Pathways on the docket of UA Board of Regents meeting

The University Of Alaska Board Of Regents meets in Juneau Thursday and Friday. Today’s agenda includes an update from UA President Jim Johnsen on the university’s Strategic Pathways, downsizing initiative. Listen now
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University of Alaska receives grant to address Native suicides in villages

University of Alaska researchers are planning new strategies to address suicide in Alaskan Native Communities. An over $4 million federal grant is funding creation of a clearing house of successful strategies drawn from villages and regions across the state. Listen now

Fairbanks Borough air quality letters yield single citation

The Fairbanks North Star Borough toughened its air regulations in advance of this spring’s EPA re-designation of much of the borough as a serious non-attainment area for fine-particulate pollution. The borough issued more than 170 air quality violation warning letters, but only one citation followed. Listen now

UAF’s chancellor faces tough decisions in new position

The University of Alaska Fairbanks has a new chancellor. Thursday, University of Alaska President Jim Johnson announced that Daniel White would lead the University. Listen now

In first townhall in Interior Alaska, crowd engages with Sullivan

Senator Dan Sullivan said he’s looking forward to being briefed on the firing of FBI Chief James Comey this week. Sullivan said the Assistant Attorney General will talk with the entire Senate. Sullivan’s remarks were made at his first Town Hall meeting in interior Alaska Friday. Listen now

Secretary Tillerson to attend Arctic Council meeting in Fairbanks

United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will be in Fairbanks next month during the Week of the Arctic. Fairbanks Borough Mayor Special Assistant Jeff Stepp broke the news at a Borough Assembly meeting Thursday night. Listen now

Fairbanks City Council ponders Polaris building

The fate of the Polaris building drew public testimony at a Fairbanks City Council last night, as an ordinance to keep the long vacant downtown high rise under city control was considered. Many who addressed the council spoke against plans to demolish the neglected former hotel. Listen now

Fairbanks police officer won’t be charged for fatal summer shooting

A Fairbanks police officer will not be charged for fatally shooting a man last summer. On Friday, Fairbanks Police Chief Eric Jewkes announced the findings of an Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions investigation of the downtown shooting. The report said Sgt. Gregory Foster took reasonable actions. Listen now

Fairbanks School District eliminates graduate tests

Fairbanks High School seniors scheduled to graduate this spring won’t need to take a college entrance exam. At its meeting last night, the Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board revamped its graduation requirements. The board also heard from some educators unhappy with the district’s new personalized learning model. Listen now

North Star School Board reconsiders banned sex ed websites

Websites previously banned by the Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board as resources for sex education, have been reinstated. On Jan. 17, the school board reversed itself after hearing from the public. Most of the objections centered on Planned Parenthood. Listen now
Alaska News Nightly by Alaska Public Media

Fairbanks Assembly backs code enforcement

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor has a green light actively enforce land use ordinances. The Assembly passed a resolution targeting neighborhood junk yards. The resolution sparked intense assembly debate. Listen now
Alaska News Nightly by Alaska Public Media

Fairbanks Interior Gas utility close to merging with Fairbanks Natural Gas

Fairbanks’ Interior Gas Utility is moving closer to inking a memorandum of understanding with the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority to acquire and merge operations with Fairbanks Natural Gas. The North Star borough formed IGU is gathering public feedback on the deal, which would also expand the local distribution network. Listen now
Alaska News Nightly by Alaska Public Media

Eric Jewkes to become new Fairbanks police chief

Fairbanks will get a new police chief next week. Last night the Fairbanks City Council unanimously endorsed Mayor Jim Matherly’s recommendation for Deputy Chief Eric Jewkes to become the city’s top cop. But, the council also vote down any immediate resolution to an ongoing police contract dispute. Listen Now