Mayowa Aina, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Gov. Mike Duleavy is preparing to release his budget for next year, but how much does that proposal matter? Plus: Brick-and-mortar business owners in Sitka remain hopeful despite Alaska's economic downturn and competition from online retailers.

A new deal between Hilcorp and Native Corporation Doyon will allow for oil and gas exploration in the Yukon Flats region. And, another project that is already in the advanced stages of exploration north of Haines faces some pushback. Plus, Christmas comes early for residents in Napakiak this year as Santa Claus delivers presents in a Black Hawk helicopter.

A looming state budget proposal deadline is challenged by a low revenue forecast. Plus: A new timber sale helps the school in Tok stay warm.

The company trying to get federal permits for the Pebble Mine is going to need a lot more money to keep up the pace. Plus: A group of young scientists are logging data to try to figure out how warmer water temperatures will affect future salmon returns. And, a service member sues an Anchorage car dealer over a so-called "yo-yo scam."

President Trump's nominee for the U.S. District Court vacancy in Anchorage appeared for his Senate confirmation hearing today. Plus: The Alaska Bar Association tries to address the "justice gap."

The state has already received more than $130 million in federal aid to help recover from the 2018 earthquake.

Under the Trump administration, a different take on selecting federal judges for Alaska. Plus, A Delta Junction High School senior becomes the first Delta athlete to be recruited to a Division One university. And, how cultural interpreters at the Sealaska Heritage Institute share Southeast Alaska Native culture with cruise ship tourists and visitors.

Arrests after weeks of waiting: Five people are charged in the murder of a 21-year-old Seward resident, whose body was found three months ago. Plus, a storm hits Western Alaska, knocking out power and phone service for some communities. And, Cable television network A&E is launching a new reality television series called “Alaska PD,” following law enforcement in Kodiak, Petersburg, Kotzebue and Fairbanks.

The group Recall Dunleavy reveals its legal arguments in favor of the application to recall the governor. Plus: A natural disaster has become a financial disaster for many Southcentral Alaskans who experienced last year's magnitude 7.1 earthquake.

The administration of Gov. Mike Dunleavy has settled a lawsuit seeking to declare the Alaska Hire law unconstitutional. Plus: Juneau cabin rentals are selling like hotcakes. Can new construction help meet the sizzling demand? And, a month of near-constant downpour has finally lifted the Ketchikan area out of drought, but all of that rain seems to have brought a new set of problems.

From ranked choice to earlier voter participation, some advocates hope to change the way Alaska votes. Plus, there have been mountain lion sightings near Delta, but the camera-shy cat - if it's real - hasn't left a trace. And, large snow storms are set to hit Western Alaska this week and they are likely to disrupt sea ice in the region, which is forming at a much slower rate due to an abnormally warm year.

The Dunleavy Administration is defending how it spent federal grant funds as it was working with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture to consider a rollback of the Roadless Rule in the Tongass after two Democratic members of Congress requested an investigation. Plus: Actor Mark Ruffalo draws attention to PFAS water contamination with a new film.

Congressional leaders struggle to agree on the best way to address the issue of domestic violence. Plus, Alaskans might notice more sales tax charges online, which could be good for local businesses.

A Senate Committee advances a bill to help improve how law enforcement handles cases of murdered and missing indigenous women. Plus: Some funny money is floating around the Southeast city of Wrangell.