The Associated Press
Legislator propose changing age for school attendance
A state legislator from Nome wants to change the ages for compulsory school attendance in Alaska public schools. Rep. Neal Foster has proposed legislation calling for attendance by children from age 6 and until they turn 18.
Alaska’s credit downgraded from AAA to AA1
The Moody's credit rating agency has downgraded Alaska's credit rating, affecting more than $744 million of outstanding general obligation bond debt. Download Audio
Lack of snow shortens Iditarod start from 11 to 3 miles
A lack of snow in Alaska's largest city has led the world's most famous sled dog race to shorten its ceremonial start this weekend. Download Audio
Village awarded federal grant for river turbine design
The U.S. Department of Energy has picked a southwest Alaska village for funding to advance development of an underwater river turbine that could replace diesel power with clean energy.
Habitat for threatened polar bears found to be legal in federal court
A federal appeals court says the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service followed the law when it designated more than 187,000 square miles as critical habitat for threatened polar bears.
Alaska Democrats announce finalists to fill Gruenberg seat
Anchorage Democrats have announced three finalists to fill the vacancy left by the late state Rep. Max Gruenberg. Download audio
Bill would update laws to reflect same-sex marriage rights
State laws would be updated to replace terms like husband and wife with language reflecting the legalization of same-sex marriage under legislation introduced in the Alaska House.
Senate panel hears bill aimed at easing birth control access
Representatives from Planned Parenthood, a union of current and former sex workers, small business owners and others testified on a bill that would require insurance companies to pay claims for women to get up to one year's worth of contraception at a time.
Panel reassigns committee spots held by late representative
Ten days after the death of Anchorage state Rep. Max Gruenberg, legislators are moving to fill the gaps on committees that the House minority whip left behind.
Legislature to hear bill for Alaskan income tax
A legislative committee will hear a bill that would levy a personal income tax on Alaskans later than anticipated. The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee was to have heard the bill Tuesday afternoon, but testimony on another bill before the committee ran long.
State’s first wildfire burns open tundra
A lack of snow in interior Alaska helped the state's first wildfire of 2016 burn open tundra. The Alaska Division of Forestry says in a statement that the fire started and was extinguished Monday on military land about 10 miles south of Delta Junction. The agency says the fire was started by live-fire training. Firefighters from the Fort Greely Fire Department extinguished the fire.
Lack of snow, winds fuel Alaska’s first wildfire of 2016
A lack of snow in interior Alaska helped the state's first wildfire of 2016 to burn on open tundra. The Alaska Division of Forestry says in a statement that the fire started and was extinguished Monday on military land about 10 miles south of Delta Junction.
Calista announces record shareholder dividend
Calista Corp. is announcing a record dividend for shareholders of the regional Alaska Native corporation.
EPA penalizes 4 Alaska gas station for delayed leak tests
The Environmental Protection Agency has reached settlement agreements with four southcentral Alaska gas stations that violated federal law for underground tanks.
Alaska House renames committee room after late Gruenberg
With his family watching from the gallery, the Alaska House of Representatives approved naming the Capitol's House Judiciary Committee room after the late state Rep. Max Gruenberg. The Anchorage Democrat died Sunday at age 72. He served on the committee throughout his longtime tenure. Download Audio
Thompson: Panel working to get budget to floor by March 9
A co-chair of the House Finance Committee says the panel is working hard to get the state operating budget to the House floor by March 9.
Fishermen, lawmakers weigh in on proposed fish tax increase
Fishing industry and lawmakers puzzled over the origins of a proposed one percent tax increase in fisheries business taxes and fishery resource landing taxes.
Investigation continues into walrus deaths on Alaska shore
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the agency continues to investigate the deaths of 25 Pacific walrus found dead five months ago in northwest Alaska.
Several winter bear sightings reported in Anchorage
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game says more bears have been coming out of hibernation earlier than usual this year, with multiple bear sightings already reported in Anchorage.
Mallott rejects Democrats’ proposed primary change
Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has rejected a proposal by Alaska Democrats to allow candidates not affiliated with a political party to run in the Democratic primary.