State, feds won’t pursue $92M more in ’89 Exxon Valdez spill
The state and federal governments have decided not to pursue $92 million in additional damages from Exxon Mobil Corp., citing the recovery of ducks and sea otters in Alaska's Prince William Sound following a devastating oil spill more than two decades ago.
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Can the youth climate lawsuit go to trial? A federal appeals court will rule.
“The courts’ view of it is that the case is unusual enough and novel enough that it would be wise to resolve some of the legal uncertainty before trial rather than after,” said environmental law professor Sean Hecht.
Decades-old federal policy placed Newtok in the path of climate change
Some advocates say it’s largely because of federal policy that some of these villages are so vulnerable to climate change in the first place. Listen now
Campaign complaint filed against salmon ballot backers
Stand for Alaska claims Stand for Salmon, Yes for Salmon and the Alaska Center are improperly reporting how they are coordinating the campaign, underplaying the Alaska Center's role. Stand for Alaska also alleges they aren't properly disclosing campaign contribution sources. Stand for Alaska denies the allegations. Listen now
Oil and gas companies snap up North Slope leases on state and federal lands
State and federal oil and gas lease sales held Dec. 14 in Anchorage saw an unexpected surge of interest in the North Slope. Listen Now
Girls on Ice: an all-female science immersion course on top of a glacier
“I think it’s just so empowering, just that as women, alone, we can do this,” said glaciologist Jessica Mejia. “We can do great science, we could be on a glacier by ourselves, we could do anything.” Listen now
Feds say TAPS owners can’t raise rates to pay for over-budget upgrades
A federal commission says the oil companies that own the trans-Alaska pipeline can’t raise rates to cover cost overruns for an upgrade that went horribly over-budget.
Climate change hits Alaska’s rural water and sewer systems
For decades, Alaska has struggled to get running water and sewer systems to its rural communities. An estimated 3,000 households — or about 10,000 people — still lack both. Now, that job may be getting harder, as climate change exacerbates old problems and creates new ones. Listen now
How would the salmon ballot initiative impact development in Alaska?
If Alaskans are confused about what the ballot initiative would actually do, that's understandable. That's because both sides can't seem to agree on how it would affect future development in Alaska. Listen now
Wildfires crimp Alaska’s major transportation corridor, halting tourist operations, delaying groceries
Major wildfires that flared up in Southcentral Alaska over the weekend caused road closures and delays on some of the region's busiest road corridors, forcing re-routes and long delays for locals, buses filled with tourists and trucks trying to re-supply grocery stores.
Ask a Climatologist: La Nina could make winter feel like winter in Alaska
La Nina typically brings cooler and drier conditions to Alaska. And because of global warming, that may mean a more typical winter for much of the state. Listen now
Tourism, courts, pensions, oil tax credits: Where Alaska Gov. Dunleavy wants to spend more cash
Dunleavy is proposing to increase spending on a handful of projects and programs. They represent some of the governor's core priorities, like public safety and criminal justice, along with non-negotiable obligations, like the system that pays pensions to retired teachers and other public employees.
A stretch of the Denali Park Road sits atop a creeping landslide. And it’s picking up speed.
Officials at Denali National Park and Preserve are studying whether the existing path of the park’s 92-mile road can be spared from a creeping landslide, in what scientists say could be a preview of Denali’s future as its permafrost thaws.
Some Anchorage hotels are transforming from tourist havens to quarantine sites
Other hotels have decided to close, and many have laid off a bulk of their employees.
Alaska’s secret Cold War export? Shellfish toxin for the CIA.
In May 1960, Francis Gary Powers’ U-2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union during a high-altitude reconnaissance mission. In his pocket was a modified silver dollar containing a hidden needle loaded with a lethal dose of shellfish toxin.
About half of BP’s Alaska employees have accepted a job with Hilcorp
BP intends to sell its entire Alaska business to Hilcorp for $5.6 billion.
Opponents pack Anchorage hearing on salmon habitat ballot measure
A ballot initiative aimed at protecting salmon habitat is facing stiff opposition from industry groups, unions and Native corporations in Alaska. That opposition was on full display at an Anchorage hearing on the measure this week. Listen now
Alaska’s budget, easier to swallow with ice cream and beer
The Alaska legislature has a lot on its plate trying to fix the state’s multi-billion dollar budget deficit, and a couple of budget experts are adding to the menu. They’re inviting the public to weigh-in over ice cream and beer. Listen now
In Fairbanks, building a home on permafrost with an uncertain future
When Benesch bought this property back in 1999, he was pretty sure it had permafrost under it, though he didn’t know for certain. Listen now
Gustavus households offered safe drinking water after latest PFAS scare
It’s a growing national issue: A foam used to suppress oil fires can leach into the environment and contaminate groundwater. Listen now