Phillip Manning, KTNA - Talkeetna

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Mat-Su sales tax ordinance postponed indefinitely

After hearing from more than forty people in a packed chamber, the Mat-Su Borough Assembly has indefinitely postponed an ordinance to place a two-percent sales tax before borough voters. Listen now

Entomologist tracks the year in Alaska bugs

Bugs of various shapes and sizes are part of life in Alaska, and it can be easy for them to escape notice. Listen now

‘Mayor’ Stubbs the Cat passes away at 20

Stubbs the cat passed away in the overnight hours between Thursday and Friday, according to his owners. Listen now

Senator David Wilson says he’s not running for Lt. Governor, he filed by accident

On Wednesday, State Senator David Wilson filed a letter of intent to run for lieutenant governor. Later the same day, he amended that filing, saying he is not running. Listen now

Senator David Wilson files for lieutenant governor race

A second Mat-Su Valley Republican senator has filed for statewide office on Wednesday. Listen now

Talkeetna’s inaugural Pride celebration draws a crowd

What began as an idea between two friends turned into a LGBTQ+ Pride event that drew hundreds of people in Talkeetna on Sunday. Listen now

Borough Assembly approves funding for Port Mac repairs

On Tuesday, the Mat-Su Borough Assembly approved the transfer of over half-a-million dollars from existing funds to pay for repairs to the Port Mackenzie barge dock, although some expressed reservations about the port’s continuing costs. Listen now

AK: Feeding the hungry Susitna Valley residents

The Upper Susitna Food Pantry, with locations in Talkeetna and Trapper Creek, provides food assistance to hundreds of Susitna Valley residents. While many volunteers work together to help in that process, there is one person without whom the pantry could not function as it does. Listen now
A man speaks on the floor of a chamber around other men at wooden desks

Rep. Eastman stands by controversial abortion statements, attacks media

Last week, Representative David Eastman made national news by claiming that there are women in Alaska villages who are “glad” to become pregnant in order to travel to Seattle or Anchorage for an abortion – paid for by Medicaid. Eastman is now blaming the press for the furor over the comments. Listen now

Mat-Su Borough Assembly asked for more school funding

On Thursday night, the Mat-Su Borough Assembly held it’s third and final public hearing on its annual budget at a special meeting in Willow. Listen now

Two Washington climbers first to conquer Denali this year

The young climbing season on Denali has already yielded its first successful summit trip. Listen now

Small aircraft crashes near Mile 90 of Parks Highway

Saturday afternoon, a Cessna 182 crashed near Mile 90 of the Parks Highway.
Alaska News Nightly by Alaska Public Media

Federal judge rules against Wishbone Hill Mine

A federal judge has ruled against Usibelli Coal in a case involving the proposed Wishbone Hill Mine east of Palmer.

Mat-Su School District Superintendent abruptly resigns

After a sudden resignation, Alaska’s second largest school district finds itself in need of a superintendent for the second time in under a year. Listen now
Alaska News Nightly by Alaska Public Media

Future of Wishbone Hill coalmine uncertain as permit is examined

An Alaska Native tribal council and environmental groups are applauding the decision by a federal agency to inspect the permit for a planned coalmine near Palmer. The decision from the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement comes after a federal judge ruled the mine’s permit invalid last summer. Listen now

Problems with Mat-Su code could lead to pot shop in Talkeetna

An oversight in Mat-Su Borough code could allow a marijuana store to open on Talkeetna’s Main Street without a conditional use permit from the borough. At public meetings this week, some Talkeetnans expressed their concerns and asked the Mat-Su Borough Assembly to step in. Listen Now

AK: The agony and the ecstasy of Pokemon in Alaska

The rapid rise of "Pokemon Go" raises interesting issues about technology, discipline, and internet access across huge swaths of the state. Listen now

Walker shuts down mega-projects in wake of budgetary woes

In addition to discussing vetoed items in the state budget, Governor Bill Walker used this Wednesday morning’s press conference to announce that he is shutting down two mega-projects in the Mat-Su: the Knik Arm bridge, and the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project. Download Audio
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AK: Escape the room and save Talkeetna

Under most circumstances, being trapped in a small room with a countdown clock would be a bit nerve-wracking, but a new business in Talkeetna aims to make it fun. Trapped in Talkeetna is a live escape room experience, where a team of players has one hour to solve a puzzle in order to escape. KTNA’s Phillip Manning and his team tried their hand at solving the puzzle – and talked with the owners about why they decided to open Alaska’s first escape room. Download audio

“Hero dog” dies after battle with cancer

Buddy, the “hero dog” that led an Alaska State Trooper to a structure fire in the spring of 2010 has died after a battle with cancer.