AK: Staying power: world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor comes to Sitka
In the world of martial arts, the name Gracie is a major heavyweight. The Gracie family is synonymous with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and brought the sport to the United States over 40 years ago. A student of the Gracie family brought his teachings from Brazil to a local gym in Sitka. Listen now
AK: Juneau shamanism retreat leader’s financial, cultural and spiritual legitimacy challenged
Sealaska Heritage Institute says the Dance of the Deer Foundation exploits shamanism. Listen now
AK: How an Arkansas duck tagger became a champion musher
The Iditarod is upon us, and those who follow the race know that dog mushing is home to many colorful characters. It might seem strange that one of Alaska's top mushers has a southern accent - but, when one reporter from Arkansas heard Allen Moore's southern drawl, she immediately recognized one of her own. Listen now
AK: Sitka students flex their performance muscles at state DDF tournament
While the Olympics come to a close in PyeongChang this weekend, another competition is underway at East Anchorage High School. That’s where over 100 students and their coaches have gathered for the state’s annual “Drama, Debate, and Forensics” Championship. Listen now
AK: Rising populations, threat of disease prompt renewed interest in bat research
Bats are a pretty low priority for most Alaskan biologists, but that could be changing due to a recent uptick in the creature’s population. Add to that a disease that’s been killing millions of bats in the lower 48, and Alaska might be taking note with the rest of the nation very soon. Listen now
AK: UAA’s Earthquake ’64 brings historic disaster to the stage
UAA's Earthquake '64 shows how the 1964 Alaska Earthquake affected ordinary citizens in Anchorage. It's not a traditional natural disaster play. Listen now
When homelessness is around the corner, even the helpers can become helpless
Dion Wynne was working full-time and preparing to open a therapeutic foster home. Then he fell ill and was hospitalized for over a month. Join him as he tries to save his home -- and his dreams.
AK: Mysterious pink pond prompts a question and a quest
A hydrologist’s marker dye is unlikely, but there are a variety of biological processes that could be responsible for discoloration of the pond that’s located about 4 miles down the Herbert Glacier trail. Listen now
AK: What’s it like to drive a 54,000 pound DOT plow truck?
It’s winter, and that usually means plenty of snow and ice. Or at least it did in November, when Adelyn Baxter had the chance to ride shotgun in a 54,000-pound plow truck to learn a little about how roads in Juneau are cleared. Listen now
Prince of Wales Island schools started growing food. Now 1st graders are binging on broccoli
One Southeast school district has been raising fruits and vegetables in greenhouses, because it’s easier to get kids to eat their greens if those children have grown those vegetables themselves. Listen now
AK: Leaving Alaska on the ferry
Alaska is a big place, but doesn’t have a lot of roads to show for it. It does have the Alaska Marine Highway System, and Alaskans travel all over the state on the ferry. Some people use the it to move to Alaska, and others when it’s time to leave. That latter group includes Alaska Public Media correspondent Vikram Patel, reporting from from somewhere between Haines, AK and Bellingham, WA, last November.
AK: Anchorage’s thriving skateboard scene retreats underground
Skateboarders in Anchorage are taking over parking garages with impromptu sessions and home-made ramps. Listen now
AK: Anchorage celebrates winter solstice with tour of trees
The event raises money for the local ski association and brings thousands of people together to tour the festive ski trails. Listen now
AK: How do you recruit more young Alaska Native nurses?
More and more programs have sprung up locally to familiarize students with trades and professions in the hopes of getting more Alaska Natives employed. That’s what the University of Alaska Anchorage did 20 years ago for Alaska Native nurses. The program is called RRANN: Recruiting and Retaining Alaska Natives into Nursing. Listen now
AK: In the industrial heart of Anchorage is a warehouse full of wild birds
Bird TLC is a non-profit that's somewhere in between a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, and zoo. Now, it's on the cusp of moving to a dramatically different new home. Listen now
AK: Talking Trash: Composting startup tackles Juneau’s green waste
A small Juneau start-up is proving that household composting works. Lisa Daugherty of Juneau Composts! is already receiving accolades for her subscription-based service that's keeping tons of green waste out of the landfill. Listen now
AK: Various looks at the controversial Alaska Day
The holidays are a time of tradition, but also reflection for why we celebrate the way we do. And in Sitka, no holiday is as much of a lightning rod for cultural debate as Alaska Day. Listen now
AK: “Kicking the sky with your feet,” four teams compete in Bethel’s NYO Invitational
Bethel’s Native Youth Olympic Invitational went on as scheduled. Teams arrived by boat and small planes through thick fog to compete in the traditional games of strength and endurance at Bethel’s Gladys Jung Elementary School. Listen now
AK: Practicing for a plane crash in Ketchikan
Every three years, always on a rainy day it seems, Ketchikan practices for a plane crash. The drill involves pretty much every emergency response agency, and a whole lot of volunteers. Listen now
AK: Anthropologists excavate 13,000-year-old secrets near Fort Greely
Anthropologists with the University of Alaska Fairbanks say a site they’re excavating near the Delta River west of Fort Greely was first inhabited by people some 13,000 years ago – not long after humanity crossed over a now-submerged land bridge that connected Asia and North America. Listen now