Stories are posted on the APRN news page. You can subscribe to APRN’s newsfeeds via email, podcast and RSS. Follow us on Facebook at alaskapublic.org and on Twitter @aprn
Interior Secretary signs order aiming to open more of the North Slope to oil leasing
Elizabeth Harball, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Anchorage
On Wednesday, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke ordered new studies on the oil and gas potential of federal land on the North Slope, including in the coastal plain of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
Alaska Highway 75th Anniversary: tribute to vets who helped build ‘road to civil rights’
Tim Ellis, KUAC – Fairbanks
Alaskans will celebrate the Alaska Highway’s 75th anniversary this year, and organizers of those celebrations plan to include tributes to the African-American soldiers who helped carve the road out of rugged wilderness.
Brown bear shot on Douglas Island — the first documented kill in decades
Jacob Resneck, KTOO – Juneau
A homeowner shot and killed a brown bear on Douglas Island last week. It’s the first brown bear documented on the island in more than 40 years.
AT&T rolls out 4G cellular in Nome
Davis Hovey, KNOM – Nome
AT&T provided its Nome customers with a 4G network at the beginning of this month, after years of preparation. Despite the improved coverage, more local support for AT&T customers won’t be included in the upgrade.
New ‘Five for Five’ effort pushes Alaska Grown in front of shoppers
Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
State officials want Alaskans to spend a little bit more money on products grown in state. To do it, they’re encouraging shoppers to spend $5 a week for the next five months.
Sitka homeowners appeal new flood map lines
Emily Kwong, KCAW – Sitka
Sitka has been involved with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1981. That qualifies homeowners for flood insurance, at the discretion of their lender, so long as the city maps out which areas are prone to flooding. With the appeal period for Sitka’s new maps now closed, both the city and a handful of citizens are contesting newly drawn flood lines.
Anchorage to receive EPA grant to clean distressed properties
Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage
The Municipality of Anchorage is getting a $300,000 grant to help clean up distressed properties. The money is part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownsfields Assessment Grants program, which aims to redevelop properties that are unoccupied or under-used.
Improving the lives of people and dogs in rural Alaska
Anna Rose MacArthur, KYUK – Bethel
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta has more dogs than it can care for. A veterinarian travels to Bethel once a month, but no such service exists in the villages. Unvaccinated and uncared for, stray dogs threaten a community’s well being. Now, two organizations have teamed up to work with Delta communities to fix the issue.
Unalaska sculptor wins art award as she continues 40-year career
Laura Kraegel, KUCB – Unalaska
The Rasmuson Foundation has recognized Unalaska’s Gert Svarny as its Distinguished Artist of 2017. The award comes with a $40,000 grant so the 87-year-old sculptor can continue developing her craft.
