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.

Former ADN Executive Editor Pat Dougherty Speaks On Newspaper’s Sale

It’s been a little more than two weeks since the Alaska Dispatch took ownership of the Anchorage Daily News. Pat Dougherty was the Executive Editor of the Daily News and had been with the paper for 34 years. He’s speaking publicly about the sale for the first time. He says he retired from that position when the sale became final because he and Dispatch founder Tony Hopfinger wouldn’t have been able to work together. Dougherty says he was surprised when he first heard that Alaska Dispatch publisher Alice Rogoff was buying the paper. And he says there’s one thing about the sale he wants the community to understand. Download Audio

Crews Work To Contain Wildfire Near Tyonek

State fire crews are scrambling to contain a wildfire near Tyonek on the west side of Cook Inlet. Download Audio

Assemblywoman Proposes Anchorage Labor Law Changes

An Anchorage assemblywoman is rolling out a proposal to repeal Mayor Dan Sullivan’s labor law changes. Download Audio

Alaska Democratic Party Holds Convention In Nome

The Alaska Democratic Party ended its weekend convention in Nome on Sunday with resolutions on issues ranging from Alaska Native rights to same-sex marriage and came away with a full lineup of candidates for key November races. Download Audio

State Finds No Health Impacts From Aurora Energy Plant

An analysis by the state finds no health impacts from coal ash and dust from the downtown Fairbanks Aurora Energy Plant. Particulates from the facility drift onto properties in the surrounding neighborhood, but the state report dispels health concerns. Download Audio

Remembering Harvey B. Marvin

Tlingit elder Harvey B. Marvin has died at the age of 81. Marvin grew up in Hoonah, worked for the public health service in Sitka and was the state of Alaska’s first Native auditor. Download Audio

Alaska News Nightly: May 19, 2014

Report Says U.S. Participation In Arctic Council Lacks Coordination, Follow-Through; Former Executive Editor Pat Dougherty Speaks On ADN Sale; Crews Work To Contain Wildfire Near Tyonek; Assemblywoman Proposes Anchorage Labor Law Changes; Democrats Leave Nome With Updated Platform, Candidate Endorsements; State Finds No Health Impacts From Aurora Energy Plant; Bethel Novelist Wins Rasmuson Grant; Remembering Harvey B. Marvin Download Audio

Spring Absence and Renewal with Art

Gardner Museum Courtyard. This spring husband Dave and I flew to Boston College for the christening of our newest grandchildren, Spencer and Finn. Sinking in to our seats on the red eye to Seattle, we realized we’d forgotten all the wiring to the computer, phones and camera. Read more.

State Files Fairbanks 4 Response

The state has filed a response to petitions for post conviction relief for the Fairbanks four. The four men, George Frese, Kevin Pease, Marvin Roberts and Eugene Vent were convicted of the 1997 beating death of John Hartman, but continue to profess their innocence. Last fall the Alaska Innocence Project filed new information in the case that points to others being responsible for the killing. The state response indicates it so far is not convinced, but it has requested an evidentiary hearing. Download Audio

Ravn Outlines Safety Improvements As NTSB Pushes For Investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board took the unusual move last month of asking the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate the Ravn family of companies. A report says Hageland failed to achieve safety outcomes, at the time losing operational control and launching flights without proper oversight. The company’s CEO says the report does not reflect the changes Ravn has made in recent months. Download Audio
Insurance will give SEARHC members more flexibility in health care and generate revenue for the Native medical organization. (Photo by Lisa Phu/KTOO)

Trial Program Aims To Increase Number Of Insured Alaska Natives

A tribal health organization in Southeast Alaska is encouraging members to enroll for health insurance. Through a new program, some Alaska Natives will have an opportunity to get it at no cost. Download Audio

Special Exhibit Offers Hands-On Glimpse Of University’s New Research Vessel

A new exhibit opens at the University of Alaska Museum of the North over the weekend. The year-long installation is called “Arctic Odyssey: Voyages of the R/V Sikuliaq.” It offers a first-hand look the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ state-of-the-art new research vessel, slated to sail in Arctic waters next year. Download Audio

300 Villages: Point Lay

This week, we’re headed to Point Lay on the Chukchi Sea. Dorothy Henry lives in Point Lay. Download Audio

Alaska News Nightly: May 16, 2014

State Files Fairbanks 4 Response; Ravn Outlines Safety Improvements As NTSB Pushes For Investigation; Trial Program Aims To Increase Number Of Insured Alaska Natives; Special Exhibit Offers Hands-On Glimpse Of University’s New Research Vessel; AK: Rusty Blackbirds; 300 Villages: Point Lay Download Audio

Anchorage School District releases proposed budget amendments

The Anchorage School District released their suggestions for adjusting next year’s budget on Friday. Under the superintendent’s proposal, the district would cut 57 classroom teachers instead of 143. The proposal does not add back in more than 48 support staff positions that were cut in the initial budget.

AK: 2014 Rusty Blackbird Blitz

Rusty Blackbirds are beginning to show up in Alaska for their annual migration to breeding grounds in our boreal wetlands. But researchers are worried that the once abundant bird is disappearing, and they don't know why. Download Audio

Earthquake Awareness: State of the Art

The earth is restless in Alaska, with more earthquakes than all the other states combined - plus volcanoes and tidal waves. The Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964 was critically important scientifically, and that science has made remarkable advances in recent years. APRN: Tuesday, 5/20 at 10:00am Download Audio

F/V Arctic Hunter Removal Plan Nearly Done

It’s been more than six months since the F/V Arctic Hunter went aground outside Unalaska. Now, the boat's insurance company is almost ready to drag it off the rocks.

Native Leader Facing Summer Jury Trial

An August 4th trial date has been set for a former Sealaska corporation executive accused of stealing money from a subsistence fund. A ‘not guilty’ plea was entered on behalf of Robert ‘Bob’ Loescher, 66, who appeared in Juneau Superior Court on Wednesday in a wheelchair.

Inter-Tribal Fish Commissions to Meet in Bethel and St. Marys

Just weeks before the salmon run begins in earnest, discussions are underway to form two inter-tribal fish commissions, one each for the Kuskokwim and Yukon Rivers.