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.

Keith Hackett Settles In As UAA’s Athletic Director

The University of Alaska Anchorage's new athletic director, Keith Hackett, wrapped up his first 100 days on the job last month. He's finished his first Great Alaska Shootout and watched the cross country running and volleyball seasons cap off successful seasons, but he says there is still work to be done. Download Audio

Dems Submit List Of Candidates For Kerttula Seat

Democrats in Southeast Alaska have named their list of finalists to fill the Alaska House seat vacated by Beth Kerttula last month.

Front Of The Pack Shapes Up On Yukon Quest Trail

A decided “front-of-the–pack” is beginning to shake out on the Yukon Quest Trail. A fast trail means mushers are looking for ways to hold back dog teams. Download Audio

The Saturday Market on the Tundra

Reyne Athanas runs the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center, which is home to a successful Saturday Market modeled after those found in major cities around the country. She is also a working artist.

Bill To Reject Pay Raises For Governor, Commissioners Moves Forward

A bill that would reject pay raises for the governor and his commissioners is on track to get a vote in the Senate. The Senate Finance Committee advanced the bill on Friday.

Students, Parents Organize to Fight Education Budget Cuts

Students and Parents are mobilizing in Anchorage to fight possible education cuts and legislation that proposes a constitutional amendment allowing public funds to go to private schools. Download Audio

Alaska Paratrooper Collapses, Dies After Jump

An Alaska-based paratrooper has died after collapsing following a jump. Download Audio

Desperate Renters Face Bugs, Damage

The Big Timber Motel in Anchorage has been in the news recently because of health and safety concerns – everything from fire code violations to an infestation of bedbugs, but it's not the only low income housing in Anchorage with problems. And city officials say it's difficult to address the issue. Download Audio

Alaskans Unhappy With Postal Service Changes

An increase in complaints from Alaskans about the U.S. Postal Service prompted Sen. Mark Begich to write the Postmaster General this week, demanding answers. Download Audio

Begich Reports Bringing In About $850K In 4Q

U.S. Senator Mark Begich reported bringing in nearly $850,000 toward his re-election effort during the final quarter of 2013. Download Audio

Prosecutors Dismiss Case Against Former Dillingham High School Assistant Wrestling Coach

State prosecutors today dismissed the case against a former Dillingham High School assistant wrestling coach who had been accused of having sexual contact with a 15-year-old female student. Download Audio

300 Villages: Lake Minchumina

This week we’re heading to the tiny community of Lake Minchumina in Interior Alaska. Charles Draper maintains the local runway and he volunteers at the village’s library. Download Audio

AK: Magic

For more than 20 years, people all over the world have been playing the strategic fantasy card game Magic: the Gathering. But the game has only recently found its way to Unalaska, where the island’s teenage boys have been going through a serious Magic phase for the past few months. Download Audio

Alaska News Nightly: January 31, 2014

Alaska Paratrooper Collapses, Dies After Jump; Desperate Renters Face Bugs, Damage; Alaskans Unhappy With Postal Service Changes; Begich Reports Bringing In About $850K In 4Q; Bill Rejecting Governor, Commissioner Pay Raises Likely To Get Senate Vote; With New Gasline Terms, TransCanada Role Evolves; Prosecutors Dismiss Case Against Former Dillingham High School Assistant Wrestling Coach; AK: Magic; 300 Villages: Lake Minchumina Download Audio

With New Gasline Terms, TransCanada Role Evolves

Under AGIA, TransCanada was licensed to basically advance a project on Alaska’s behalf. The Parnell administration is now pursuing what they’re describing as a more traditional commercial agreement, where the state and the North Slope producers are partners in a project with roughly similar ownership shares.

Art Enters the Dialogue about Marine Conservation

An exhibition of art made from trash that washed up on beaches is about to open, offering a creative perspective on a growing environmental problem. It’s part of a thrust by the Anchorage Museum to refresh the dialogue about the Arctic. And it opens in the nation’s only Arctic state. APRN: Tuesday, 2/4 at 10:00am Download Audio

Alaska Edition January 31, 2014

The Sullivan Administration labor law revision will be on the November ballot. The Richardson Highway avalanche continues to block road access to Valdez. HAARP may be history. Shell cancels its 2014 arctic drilling program. The Big Timber Motel in Anchorage may close. Gov. Parnell's gas-line proposal draws support and criticism. The emergency room is primary care for at least 6,500 Medicaid patients. Fairbanks expects to lay off up to 70 teachers during cuts to education funding. KSKA: Friday, 1/31 at 2PM & Saturday, 2/1 at 6PM. KAKM: Friday 1/31 at 7:30PM & Saturday. 2/1 at 4:30PM Download Audio

Shell Calls Off This Year’s Exploratory Drilling Plans For Alaska

Shell announced on Thursday that it has called off its plan to do exploratory oil and gas drilling in Arctic waters off Alaska this year – and what it will do in future years is not clear. Download Audio

Unalaska Copes With Shell’s Decision Not To Drill

At least one Alaska community was banking on Shell’s presence – and business – this summer. Download Audio

Murkowski Pushes To Lift Crude Oil Exports Ban

A campaign by Senator Lisa Murkowski to lift the decades-old ban on crude oil exports got its first hearing in Washington today. It’s been 25 years since Congress has formally considered the ban it adopted during the Arab oil embargo, but the recent energy boom in the Lower 48 is triggering new debates. Download Audio