Adelyn Baxter, KTOO - Juneau
Appeals court upholds decision not to test DNA evidence from 1982 murder
The Alaska Court of Appeals affirmed a superior court ruling Friday and will not test DNA evidence in a 36-year-old double murder case in Juneau. Newton Lambert was convicted of the murder of Anne Benolken in 1982 but acquitted in the killing of her husband, James Benolken.
Juneau seasonal cold weather emergency shelter begins operations Thursday
This is the second winter the City and Borough of Juneau will operate the shelter. The facility in the old state public safety building on Whittier Street sleeps up to 28 people and operates from 11 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. through April 15.
UAS sees increase in first-year students, career and technical education enrollment
Enrollment is down across the University of Alaska system. But at the Southeast campus, enrollment is actually up for first-year students and students enrolled in career and technical programs. Listen now
Vote early to get one of Juneau artist Pat Race’s ‘I voted’ stickers
Early voting began Monday at locations across the state. This year, Alaskans will get an extra prize for voting early: one of Juneau artist Pat Race’s custom-designed stickers. Listen now
Division of Elections says absentee ballots cast for Walker are final
The Alaska Division of Elections has received several thousand absentee ballots for the Nov. 6 general election. Those voters would not have known that incumbent Gov. Bill Walker was ending his re-election campaign. Listen now
Cruise season ends as industry looks to see even more visitors next year
With the departure of the Westerdam and the Norwegian Pearl, Juneau’s 2018 cruise season has come to an end. Some in the local tour industry are already concerned about the growing number of visitors each year. Listen now
Governor declares emergency for Alaska Native languages
Gov. Walker’s order directs the state to use traditional place names on state signs and to promote indigenous languages in public education. Listen now
UA regents to meet in Juneau this week
The meeting agenda includes updates on the university’s compliance with federal requirements for handling sexual discrimination, harassment and assault. It also includes progress on Strategic Pathways, the university’s comprehensive cost-cutting plan now in its third and final phase.
Alaska Native organizations receive federal grant for safe and healthy housing
The Organized Village of Kake and the Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority each received $1 million and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium won almost $870,000. They hope to use the money for home repairs, education and to deal with mold and mildew issues. Listen now
Alaska Airlines union workers picket for better wages
In Juneau, clerical workers, ramp staff and customer service agents sported neon green t-shirts that said “Show us the money!” as they waved signs on the plaza across from the airport’s drop off area. Listen now
New Alaska College of Education prepares to step up teacher recruitment and retention
Among the College of Education’s new initiatives is hiring a full-time recruiter based in Juneau and expanding its role in a new teacher mentorship program. Listen now
49 Voices: Ralph Watkins on Hoonah
This week we're hearing from Ralph Watkins in Hoonah. Watkins is the superintendent of Hoonah city schools and was involved in the annual ḵu.éex’ festival, which celebrates the cities Tlingit culture and heritage. Listen now
Juneau teens rap about Tlingit culture in new bilingual music video
The song features rhymes about picking blueberries, Southeast Alaska and smoking "a fat pound of salmon." Listen now
Lemon Creek inmates study Latin etymology and epic poems behind bars
Taking GED or vocational classes in prison is not unusual. But at Juneau’s Lemon Creek Correctional Center, a small group is studying Latin, a language that’s been dead for centuries. Listen now
Juneau seeks community help with $1 million endowment for Alaska College of Education
The City and Borough of Juneau is looking to the community for help meeting the remainder of its $1 million commitment to the University of Alaska’s new education college. Listen now
Elders look on with pride as younger generations step up at Celebration 2018
What began 36 years ago as an attempt to save Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures from extinction has become a vibrant reminder that Alaska Native traditions are alive and thriving. Listen now
49 Voices: Nellie Vale of Yakutat
This week we're hearing from Nellie Vale who arrived to Celebration 2018 in the Yakutat canoe. 10-year-old Vale decided to introduce herself with her Tlingit name. Listen now
Savikko Park totem pole represents long-delayed healing for descendants of Douglas Indian Village
Members of the T’aaḵú Ḵwáan gathered Tuesday at Savikko Park in Douglas for the raising of the Yanyeidì Gooch kootéeyaa, or Wolf totem pole.
Newest megaship docks in Juneau for the first time
The newest megaship to ply Alaska waters arrived in Juneau Tuesday for the first time. The 4,000-passenger Norwegian Bliss was specially designed for sailing in Alaska and will be making weekly stops in Juneau through the season. Listen now
Juneau’s child care providers concerned by proposed licensing changes
Proposed regulations may make it harder for child care facilities statewide to do business. In Juneau, some daycare directors say the new rules would reduce capacity and worsen the shortage of affordable child care. Listen now