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.

Tacoma Climber Dies On Denali

Just days into climbing season, a mountaineer has died in an an accident high on Denali. Sylvia Montag, 39, of Tacoma Washington, became separated from her climbing partner around May 5th. Download Audio

Anchorage transportation plan to hold steady on money for bike routes

The city will not be increasing the $11.8 million they plan to use for non-motorized transport projects in the 2015 to 2018 Transportation Improvement Program. The Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions advisory committee took comments on the plan on Thursday. A dozen people spoke in favor of increasing the money used to mark bike lanes and improve the trail system.

Apache Selling Gulf Of Mexico Offshore Interests

The oil and gas company exploring the west side of Cook Inlet is getting a cash infusion. Apache is selling off some of its Gulf of Mexico offshore interests to a mining company - Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold - for $1.4 billion.

Alaska Edition May 9, 2014

Two state troopers killed in Tanana. The state Republican Party meets in Juneau. The Anchorage School District comes into extra money. Three motorcyclists killed on Glenn Highway. Anchorage water rates are perplexing - an explanation follows. Parnell cuts deal for pipeline taxes. Ammunition in short supply. Why? Sen. Fred Dyson has a bill that would remove from view court cases that do not lead to conviction. National Climate Assessment of climate change has warnings for Alaska. KSKA: Friday, May 9 at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 10 at 6:00 p.m. KAKM: Friday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 10 at 4:30 p.m. Download Audio

Parnell Signs Gasline Legislation

Parnell's gasline bill sets the state up as a partial owner of a major LNG project. The proposed natural gas project is seen as a lifeline for the state, as North Slope oil production declines and state revenue dwindles. Download Audio

Memo Underscores Confession In Fairbanks 4 Case

There’s new evidence challenging the long contested murder convictions of 4 Native men in Fairbanks. The information was provided to the court by the Alaska Innocence Project, in its effort to free the men known as “The Fairbanks 4”. Download Audio

Former-Gov. Palin Defends ACES

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin defended the oil tax structure she championed while in office, known as ACES. The system has been dismantled by state lawmakers and her successor Governor Sean Parnell. Download Audio

Skagway Ferry Service Will Resume Sunday

State ferry service to Skagway resumes on Sunday. Alaska Marine Highway ferries have not been running to Skagway since the ferry dock there sank on April 24th. The state was able to contract with a marine salvage and repair company out of Juneau for an emergency sole source contract, and the dock was re-floated a few days later. Download Audio

Unusual Quakes Send Seismologists Into Rapid Response

Aftershocks are continuing to rattle the western edge of the Brooks Range near communities like Noatak, and now seismologists are conducting a “rapid response” to capture these tremors. That’s after two earthquakes that came two weeks apart at magnitudes not recorded in the region in more than 30 years. Download Audio

UAA Student Breaks Ground With Yup’ik Spell Checker

A student at the University of Alaska in Anchorage has created software that can spell-check the Yup’ik language. Yup’ik language experts are excited about the possibilities even though the designer is not a fluent speaker. Download Audio

Alaska News Nightly: May 8, 2014

Gov. Parnell Signs Gasline Legislation; Former-Gov. Palin Defends ACES; Memo Underscores Confession In Fairbanks 4 Case; UAA, Willamette University Partner To Offer New Law School Opportunity; Education Bill Boosts Juneau Community Charter School; Skagway Ferry Service Will Resume Sunday; National Weather Service Issues El Niño Watch; Unusual Quakes Send Seismologists Into Rapid Response; UAA Student Breaks Ground With Yup’ik Spell Checker Download Audio

Sand Point Sees Progress In War On Drugs

A man allegedly carrying black tar heroin was arrested as he stepped off a plane in Sand Point last month. It’s the most recent development in the town’s fight against hard drugs. Download Audio

Education Bill Boosts Juneau Community Charter School

The Juneau Community Charter School is getting a 56 percent increase to its budget through an upcoming change in state law. New mandates in House Bill 278 give charter schools more parity with other public schools. Download Audio

National Weather Service Issues El Niño Watch

There could be more warm and cloudy weather on Alaska's coast and more wildfire danger in the Interior this summer if a temperature trend in the waters of the Pacific Ocean along the equator continues. Download Audio

Council Banishes 2 In Village Where Troopers Died

The tribal government in the village where two Alaska State Troopers were killed has voted to banish two men indirectly connected to the deaths.

Arctic May Not Be That Busy, Report Says

As the ice goes out in the Arctic, many people predict more ships will be drawn through the Bering Straits to take advantage of a shortcut between Asia and Europe. But, a recent government report suggests less ice may not mean more ships. Download Audio

Coast Guard Says Its Increased Arctic Presence Will Have ‘No Significant’ Environmental Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard has operated in the Arctic for more than a century, but as the maritime agency plans for an increased presence in the region, its taking stock of what its environmental impact will be in the Arctic in the years to come. Download Audio

Emergency Personnel Battle Unalaska Warehouse Fire

While the rest of the state is gearing up for wildfire season, Unalaska’s emergency responders spent Wednesday fighting an industrial fire inside a local longshore warehouse. The building appears to be a total loss. Download Audio

Agencies Emphasize Fire Prevention Awareness

The sunshine and warmer weather are bringing more Alaskans out to enjoy parks and trails. But that increase in recreation can also mean more accidental fires. Four agencies joined forces at a media event Tuesday to get the word out about fire prevention. Download Audio

Troopers Maintaining Presence In Tanana

Alaska State Troopers are maintaining a presence in the village of Tanana. Trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters says Troopers do not have a post in the village and the assignment of officers there is temporary. Download Audio