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.

Anchorage Bike to Work Day participation soars

More than 4,250 bikers turned out for Bike to Work Day in Anchorage today. That's more than double the participants for last year's snowy event, when low numbers were blamed on the cold, wet weather. In 2012, about 3,800 bikers took to the streets and trails.

Juneau Man Solves Mystery Of Governor’s Mansion Photo

The mystery of a picture found in the attic of the Alaska Governor’s Mansion has been solved, thanks to a Juneau resident. Terry VanLeuven owns the original black and white picture of the late President John F. Kennedy shaking hands with a smartly dressed little boy.

Anchorage ranks among nation’s top bike commuting cities

Anchorage is celebrating it's 10th annual Bike to Work Day on Wednesday -- an event aimed at promoting bike commuting in Anchorage. But Bike to Work Day isn't the only time cyclists are on the road in the city. Data from the American Community Survey says that bike commuting in Anchorage is up 151 percent since 1990. It's one of the top cities in the nation for bike commuters.

Ketchikan Gateway Borough, State Argue Education Funding

Judge William Carey heard oral arguments in Ketchikan Superior Court on Monday morning in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough’s lawsuit against the state over education funding. Download Audio

Pavlof Volcano Eruption Sends Ash Toward Cold Bay

Pavlof Volcano is erupting on the Alaska Peninsula, sending a haze of ash out above nearby towns. The volcano’s ash plume is up to 18,000 to 20,000 feet Tuesday. That’s put local airlines on alert. Download Audio

Unusual Seismic Activity Continues Near Noatak

Strong earthquake activity continues near Noatak, with a strong aftershock recorded last week that has become the third powerful temblor in what is now a series of strong quakes and potent aftershocks in just the last two months. Download Audio

Property Thefts Linked To Drug Use

A jump in property thefts in Matanuska Valley communities spurred the Alaska State Troopers to start a new Crime Suppression Unit in Palmer this year. Property crimes in the Valley may be linked to the increased use of drugs, like heroin, and the trend upward - of both drug use and burglaries, has social costs that have yet to be tallied

Kobuk Meeting on State-backed Ambler Mining Road Weighs Promise of Jobs against Local Concerns

Yesterday evening residents from Kobuk, Shugnak and Ambler gathered in the Kobuk community school for meetings about the status of a state-backed industrial road that would pass through the region. Download Audio

Shipyard Program Sets Students On Career Path

There have been some young faces in recent weeks at the Ketchikan shipyard. This spring, Vigor Industrial started a new job training course for high schoolers. Three Ketchikan High School students have stuck with the program. For one of them, working at the shipyard has been especially meaningful. Download Audio

Anchorage Assembly considers labor law options

Anchorage Assembly members met Tuesday to continue the conversation about the municipality’s controversial labor law, AO-37. The labor subcommittee and community members debated Assembly Member Jennifer Johnston’s proposed revisions of the municipality’s old labor laws.

Alaska News Nightly: June 3, 2014

Ketchikan Gateway Borough, State Argue Education Funding; Pavlof Volcano Eruption Sends Ash Toward Cold Bay; Unusual Seismic Activity Continues Near Noatak; Increased Mat-Su Property Crimes May Be Linked To Increased Drug Use; Kobuk Meeting on State-backed Ambler Mining Road Weighs Promise of Jobs against Local Concerns; Anchorage Ranks Among Nation’s Top Bike Commuting Cities; Shipyard Program Sets Students On Career Path Download Audio

Bethel City Council Investigation Sent to District Attorney’s Office

Officials are not speaking about the recent referral of the Bethel City Council’s investigation into contracts, nepotism, and personnel issues to the District Attorney’s office.

No Primary, Only General Election Contest For Juneau Legislators

All three Juneau legislators will be challenged in the November general election, but not in the August primary. The candidate filing deadline was 5 p.m. Monday.

Low-Level Eruption Of Pavlof Volcano Escalating

Alaska Volcano Observatory spokesmen say a low-level eruption of a volcano about 625 miles southwest of Anchorage is escalating, with pilots reporting that ash clouds are getting bigger.

Baby Jams

Today we’re surviving children’s music. While some children’s music is better than others, most of it can drive you crazy after multiple listens. To find out how to keep our musical sanity after children, we turn to Townsquare 49 contributor, local DJ, and brand new father Spencer Shroyer.

Bergdahl Release Ignites Political Controversy

Former Fort Richardson soldier Bowe Bergdahl was released over the weekend from nearly five years in captivity in Afghanistan. Both of Alaska’s U.S. senators issued warm statements welcoming the news, but in Washington, the price paid for Bergdahl’s release and questions about how he became separated from his unit are igniting a political firestorm. Download Audio

New EPA Carbon-Pollution Rules Will Spark Rate Hikes In Fairbanks

Golden Valley Electric Association customers can expect a rate hike to pay for new federally required pollution controls. The EPA’s emissions control requirements announced today, will be phased in over coming years in an effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Download Audio

Crews Discover Years-Old Human Remains On Kenai Peninsula

Firefighters on the Kenai Peninsula made a disturbing discovery over the weekend. Alaska State Troopers say human remains have been found near Sterling. Download Audio

Prescribed Interior Burn Extends To Over 6,000 Acres

On the Kenai Peninsula, rain over the weekend helped further knock down the Funny River fire, but in Interior Alaska, a wild fire in the Delta Junction area gained major acreage over the weekend. The 100 Mile Creek Fire, sparked by an earlier prescribed burn on military land, went from about 700 acres to more than 6,000, as high winds fanned flames. Download Audio

McGuire Dropping Out Of Lt. Governor Race

KTUU channel two news is reporting state senator Lesil McGuire says she will not run for Lieutenant Governor. McGuire says she would be "more effective" remaining a policy maker. Download Audio