News

All news stories, regardless of topic (local, statewide + national news stories, as well as Talk of Alaska, Alaska News Nightly, Alaska Insight, Alaska Economic Report). Some news stories may also have other categories marked, which will also put them on a subpage. Not all news stories will fall into a subpage.

Gov’s Office Considers Suing Xerox Over Botched System Rollout

The Governor’s office may sue Xerox Corporation for the bungled rollout of a new system to process Medicaid claims. Download Audio

Ellis, Gara Ask DOT To Delay Demolition Of Two Anchorage Houses

A move by the state Department of Transportation to demolish two houses in an Anchorage neighborhood has become a political issue. Download Audio

Alaska Harnesses Power of Tides, Rivers, and Waves

While Alaska is known for its oil, it’s also home to another energy source: Hydrokinetic power, which uses turbines to harness energy from tides, rivers, and waves. Four separate test projects are underway this summer, and many more could be just around the corner. Why does Alaska lead the way in hydrokinetic power? And what’s driving growth in the industry? Download Audio

Preliminary Figures Show Dismal Walrus Harvest From Poor Weather

For the second year in a row, the number of walrus harvested for subsistence on St. Lawrence Island is far below normal. Download Audio

Rare Ribbon Seal Sighting In Prince William Sound

A federal wildlife technician got a rare treat in Prince William Sound yesterday (Weds). Marty Reedy was driving a boat for a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seabird and marine mammal survey when a colleague pointed out a seal that didn't look quite right. Reedy, who has also worked in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas knew immediately what the animal was- a ribbon seal. Download Audio

TODAY Show Live From Juneau

About 1,500 people showed up for an early morning live broadcast of the TODAY Show from Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier. They waved signs, cheered and waited hours for a chance to be on national TV for a few seconds. Download Audio

‘Finding Bigfoot’ in the Y-K Delta in Search of Miluquyuliq

The cast and crew of the Animal Planet TV show Finding Bigfoot is in Bethel to record eyewitness accounts of the creature known locally as “Hairy Man.” Download Audio

Alaska News Nightly: July 10, 2014

Sportsmen’s Bill Falls To Senate Gridlock; Mead Treadwell, 'Big-Picture Guy,' Runs for U.S. Senate; Gov’s Office Considers Suing Xerox Over Botched System Rollout; Ellis, Gara Ask DOT To Delay Demolition Of Two Anchorage Houses; Alaska Harnesses Power of Tides, Rivers, and Waves; Preliminary Figures Show Dismal Walrus Harvest From Poor Weather; Rare Ribbon Seal Sighting In Prince William Sound; TODAY Show Live From Juneau; ‘Finding Bigfoot’ in the Y-K Delta in Search of Miluquyuliq Download Audio

Begich Co-Sponsors Bill Responding To Hobby Lobby Decision

Senator Mark Begich today joined other Democrats in sponsoring a bill that would make it illegal for a company to deny employees certain health benefits, including birth control, if they are required to be covered by federal health care law. Download Audio

Legislators Authorize $500,000 For Anchorage LIO Furniture

A subcommittee concluded that the Anchorage LIO should be outfitted with surplus furniture from state agencies, with a cap of $100,000 for new furniture, but that recommendation was rejected. Download Audio

Two Properties Up For Demolition To Make Way For KABATA

The state Department of Transportation has announced plans to demolish two Anchorage properties to make way for Knik Arm Bridge construction. Download Audio

FAA Hazardous Material Fine Prompts Legislators To Redo Relocation Policy

Next session, state lawmakers will have to be a little more careful about what they ship down to Juneau. The Legislative Council has changed their moving reimbursement policy in response to the Federal Aviation Administration discovering hazardous materials in a representative's air freight.

Fairbanks Borough Pursuing Drone Park

The Fairbanks North Star Borough wants to set up a special area for companies to develop and test drone aircraft for the military. The project would capitalize on recent year’s state laws aimed at helping woo the defense industry and spur economic development. Download Audio

State’s 10 Most Endangered Historic Properties Announced

The Alaska Association for Historic Preservation on Tuesday released its list of the state’s 10 most endangered historic properties for 2014. Download Audio

The Alaska Marine Advisory Tracks The Effectiveness Of Whale Pingers

As commercial fishing fleets head out on the water in Southeast Alaska this summer, some could run into problems with an expanding whale population. Whales can destroy nets and even become entangled in them. But a device being used regionally aims to prevent that. Marine mammal specialists are trying to determine its effectiveness and troubleshoot problems. Download Audio

Big Rule Change Comes To Yukon Quest

The Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race will have a new set of rules in 2015. Overall rest time has been decreased by two hours, but mushers will be required to make more mandatory stops along the 1000 mile trail. Download Audio

Subsistence Fishermen Say Commercial Chum Fishing Is Too Early

As the Kuskokwim River king salmon run comes to an end, the Department of Fish and Game is looking toward a commercial chum opening in the lower river Friday. But in a year with unprecedented Chinook restrictions and increased reliance on chum salmon, many middle river fishermen say it’s too early. Download Audio

Foundation Hears Funding Aims of Bering Strait Communities

The Rasmuson Foundation awarded more than $30 million in grants in 2013. But in the last few years only about one percent of that money has gone for projects in the Bering Straits Region. Foundation members traveled to small communities in the region last week to see what kinds of programs residents would like to see funded. Download Audio

Alaska News Nightly: July 9, 2014

Begich Co-Sponsors Bill Responding To Hobby Lobby Decision; State To Spend $500,000 To Furnish New Anchorage Office; Two Properties Up For Demolition To Make Way For KABATA; Fairbanks Borough Pursuing Drone Park; State’s 10 Most Endangered Historic Properties Announced; The Alaska Marine Advisory Tracks The Effectiveness Of Whale Pingers; Big Rule Change Comes To Yukon Quest; Subsistence Fishermen Say Commercial Chum Fishing Is Too Early; Foundation Hears Funding Aims of Bering Strait Communities Download Audio

Fisherman Dies After Falling Overboard Near King Cove

A crew member aboard a commercial fishing vessel died after being swept overboard near King Cove last weekend.