Crews Fighting to Keep Funny River Fire Away from Homes
Firefighting crews battled to keep the Funny River fire from expanding toward homes and cabins on the Kenai Peninsula. People evacuated from about 1,000 households waited it out through Sunday night at shelters, and homes of friends and relatives. The fire has been spotted at times across the Kenai River.
Conditions Challenging As Funny River Fire Grows to More Than 140,000 Acres
Amid strong winds and dry conditions the Funny River fire has continued to advance through the weekend. State Fire Information officer Michelle Weston said this evening the fire has grown well past 140,000 acres although she did not have a new estimate.
Wild Alaska Devil’s Club Buds
We all have our quirks. Some wear an apron while they cook. Some still drink Shirley Temples when they're 36.
One quirk I embrace: I'm a forager, and I embrace my inner hunter & gatherer.
See the recipe.
Justin Connaher and John Pennell
Justin Hayward Connaher was named after the lead singer of the 1960s rock group, Moody Blues. At age 5, he knew he was going to be a paratrooper. At 38, he knows he's a survivor. As part of StoryCorps at JBER, Justin spoke with his friend John Pennell about one of his earliest jumps.
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DNA sample leads to arrests for sexual assault in 2003 cold case
The Anchorage Police Department arraigned two suspects on Thursday in a sexual assault case from 2003. They say they re-opened the case after a DNA sample from one of the suspects matched the sample taken from the victim nearly 11 years ago when she reported the crime soon after it happened.
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Funny River Fire Hits 67,000 Acres
The Funny River fire on the Kenai Peninsula has topped 67,000 acres. The combination of Memorial Day weekend and extreme fire conditions have firefighters concerned.
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Tyonek Fire Holds At 1,800 Acres
The Tyonek fire on the western side of Cook Inlet is holding steady at just over 1,800 acres. Sam Harrel, a public information officer with the Alaska Division of Forestry, says winds Thursday pushed the fire back onto itself.
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Ousted GOP Leader Plans Run For Governor
Russ Millette, who was ousted as leader of the state Republican party following a contentious election, plans to run for governor.
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Union Leader Files Complaint Against Anchorage Mayor Sullivan
The head of the state’s biggest labor union has filed a complaint against Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan, who is running for lieutenant governor.
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Pebble Partnership Files Suit To Stop EPA’s Halt On Development
The Pebble Limited Partnership filed suit Wednesday in Federal Court seeking to halt to the process underway by the EPA to stop development of the proposed Pebble Mine.
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Discretionary Voting Before Sealaska Shareholders
A measure before Sealaska shareholders could alter the way board elections are held. And that could bring leadership changes.
The measure comes as 13 shareholders compete for four board seats in the Southeast Alaska regional Native corporation’s annual election.
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Kito: Will There Be Enough Return On Juneau Access To Justify Investment?
The draft supplemental environmental impact statement for a road out of Juneau is now under review by the Federal Highway Administration. That’s the last step in the process before federal highways names a preferred route and issues a Record of Decision.
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AK: Scavenger Hunt
Small towns like Unalaska can be pretty close-knit. Grown-ups take care of kids who aren’t their own, and teenagers have adults to turn to when they need them.
One local high schooler wanted to make those relationships stronger. So she planned something special: She put students and adults into teams, and sent them on a town-wide scavenger hunt.
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300 Villages: Kobuk
This week, we’re heading to Kobuk in northwest Alaska. The village of about 200 people is steadily growing, nearly doubling in size since 2000. A resident says that’s in part due to reliable seasonal work and efforts to mesh traditional lifestyles with modern ones. Beatrice Barr is a tribal clerk in Kobuk.
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Alaska News Nightly: May 23, 2014
Anchorage Police Arraign 2 In 2003 Sexual Assault Case; Funny River Fire Tops 67,000 Acres; Tyonek Fire Holds Steady At 1,800 Acres; Ousted GOP Leader Plans Run For Governor; Union Leader Files Complaint Against Anchorage Mayor Sullivan; Pebble Partnership Files Suit To Stop EPA’s Halt On Development; Discretionary Voting Before Sealaska Shareholders; Kito: Will There Be Enough Return On Juneau Access To Justify Investment?; AK: Scavenger Hunt; 300 Villages: Kobuk
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Solar Energy from the Ocean
Solar energy technology has greatly improved over the last few years, but who would have thought that the ocean could be used as a solar collector? And who would have installed the technology to do so? That’s what’s now being done at the Seward Sea Life Center. And now they’re seeking to spread the energy.
APRN: Tuesday, 5/27 at 10:00am
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StoryCorps with Alaska’s military: Nancy Lee Baker & Susan Grace
At StoryCorps, 92-year-old Nancy Baker tells her friend, Susan Grace, what it was like to fly. Nancy flew in a female auxiliary pilot group called the WASP. They flew military aircraft during World War II to free up male pilots for combat. Nancy and other WASP pilots were recently awarded a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon civilians by Congress.
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Alaska Edition: May 23, 2014
Forest fires fill Southcentral Alaska with smoke. Providence Hospital is opposing MLP's proposed rate increase. The Anchorage School Board has passed a budget that would restore some teaching positions. More and more farmers markets are accepting food stamps. The Native village of Eklutna has received regulatory help from the Anchorage Assembly. Senate candidate Joe Miller raises global warming as a primary issue. Promoters of the legalization of marijuana hold a seminar on how to get into the business if legalized. People bike to work in Anchorage - but just how many. There's a lot of negative advertising on TV this political season. How do voters find out what is accurate?
KSKA: Friday, May 23 at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 24 at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Friday, May 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 24 at 4:30 p.m.
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Frost protection in the garden
Spring has arrived early this year, and although most of us have experienced snowfall in May, we all seem to be having a difficult time refraining from planting the entire garden now!
Now is a great time to start your garden, with a few simple precautions.
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With Senate Change, State House Feels Ripple Effects
When the Bipartisan Coalition lost control of the State Senate in 2012, it was a given that its Democratic members would see a big drop in the number of bills they got through. But that loss of clout also affected Democrats in the House.
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