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.

Kuskokwim River Breakup Less Extreme Than Expected

Although dozens of people were evacuated, breakup on the Lower Kuskokwim River was a lot less eventful than what experts had expected.

Bethel Hold Breakup Bash

From an ice standpoint, the Lower Kuskokwim breakup may have been quick, but in the eyes of residents along the river, it was a long time coming. In Bethel dozens and dozens of people even gathered together for a riverside party.

AK: Climate Change

Alaska Natives living in some Arctic coastal communities became the nation’s first climate change refugees when the loss of protective ice, exposed them to huge waves and storm surges, making it too dangerous to remain in their homes. But inland villages are also feeling the affects of global warming. Melting permafrost is devastating the delta community of Selawik. To find out how residents are coping, Johanna Eurich visited the village, where the land is sinking and eroding.

300 Villages: Nenana

This week, we’re featuring Nenana, the interior village that’s home to the famous ice classic lottery. The community is located where the Nenana and Tanana rivers meet. Robin Campbell is Tribal Administrator in Nenana.

Chad Carpenter

He always loved drawing and cartooning, but never really thought that he would be able to make a living off of it. So, Chad Carpenter decided law enforcement was the path he would take, until he got a little encouragement from an instructor and he decided to leave the trooper academy and take up cartooning full time. After getting "Tundra" off the ground in Alaska and hustling state fairs, his passion started to take off, making it into over 500 newspapers nationwide so far. KAKM: Sun. 5/20 at 6:30 pm & Weds. 5/23 at 10:00 pm KSKA: Thurs. 5/24 at 1:00 pm

Alaska Unemployment Hits 6.9 Percent

Alaska's unemployment rate last month dropped to 6.9 percent, its lowest level since December 2008. The state labor department says the preliminary, seasonally adjusted rate is slightly lower than March, when unemployment stood at 7 percent. Unemployment in April 2011 stood at 7.5 percent.

Murkowski Wants Additional Review Of Fish

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski is proposing to have the environmental and economic impacts of genetically modified fish studied before the fish are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Great Performances at the Met: The Enchanted Island

Watch GP at the Met: The Enchanted Island on PBS. See more from Great Performances.

This extraordinary new work combines the world’s best singers, the glorious music of the Baroque masters, and a story drawn from Shakespeare. In “The Enchanted Island,” the lovers from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream are shipwrecked on the other-worldly island of The Tempest. Inspired by the musical pastiches and masques of the 18th century, the work showcases arias and ensembles by Handel, Vivaldi, Rameau and others, and a new libretto by Jeremy Sams. Eminent conductor William Christie leads an all-star cast featuring David Daniels, Joyce DiDonato, Danielle de Niese, Luca Pisaroni, Lisette Oropesa and Anthony Roth Costanzo, with special guest star Plácido Domingo. KAKM: Friday, 5/18 at 9:30pm

Federal Government Unprepared To Deal With Tsunami Debris

The federal government is woefully unprepared for the tsunami debris washing ashore. Government officials testified on Capitol Hill on Thursday, and complained their agencies are underfunded, under-staffed and haven’t done nearly enough research.

Native American Energy Act Passes Committee Vote

The House Natural Resources Committee Wednesday passed Alaskan Congressman Don Young’s Native American Energy Act. Among other actions, the bill establishes five Indian Energy Development Offices within the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Young says the legislation also hold plaintiffs, rather than defendants, liable when an energy development project on Indian or Alaska Native Corporation land is delayed by what he calls “frivolous” lawsuits.

Prosecution Presenting Evidence, Witnesses In Militia Trial

The trial of Peacemaker’s militia leader Schaeffer Cox and militia members Coleman Barney and Lonnie Vernon continued today in Anchorage. The prosecution is still presenting evidence and witnesses. Yesterday jurors heard from a former militia member who became alarmed at Cox’s behavior and another man who said he’d still take orders from Cox. Sam Friedman is a reporter for the Fairbanks Daily News Miner and has been covering the trial. He says Philip Clark’s testimony started with his recollection of meeting Schaeffer Cox in 2009.

Nearby Residents Won’t See Effects Of F-22 Flight Restrictions

The Air Force says people who live near F-22 bases shouldn’t see significant changes in how or where the aircraft are flying following new restrictions that will limit how far away from bases the stealth fighter jets can fly.

Fairbanks Soldiers Celebrate Return From Deployment

It’s been a busy week for soldiers that make up the First Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25thInfantry Division. Wednesday, the soldiers celebrated their return from Afghanistan after a after a year-long deployment.

Memorial Honors Fallen Ft. Wainwright Soldiers

A memorial service was held on Ft. Wainwright yesterday to honor soldiers killed during the Stryker Brigade’s deployment to Afghanistan.

St. Lawrence Island Elder Started Studying Climate Change Independently

In the annals of climate change, there’s a story that stands out. It’s about a hobby that created a scientific legacy. Leonard Apangalook has a masters in the traditional ways of his ancestors on the Bering Sea’s remote Saint Lawrence Island. He like other Native hunters noticed the climate was changing but he went further. He stared writing his observations down.

Herring Fishery Hampered By Weather, Unripe Fish

The largest herring fishery in Alaska has been hampered the last few days by weather and unripe fish.

‘Yarn Bomb’ Covers UAA Statue

When you hear here the word “graffiti,” you don’t necessarily associate it with something cozy. But if you’re looking at a yarn bomb, that’s essentially what you’ve got. Yarn bombing, also known as guerilla knitting, involves covering public structures or objects in a colorful, non-permanent way. And UAA just got tagged.

Change Of Command At Air Station Sitka

Cmdr. Ward Sandlin took over as commanding officer of Air Station Sitka on Wednesday. The top job changes over every two years. Sandlin replaces Cmdr. Doug Cameron, who will serve as Chief of Incident Management for a region stretching from New Jersey to North Carolina. Cameron’s time at the 120-person station was marked by a tragedy, but also by a strengthening of ties with the larger community.

Plea Hearing Set In Contracting Fraud Scheme

A plea hearing is set for a former Army Corps of Engineers manager charged in a $30 million bribery and kickback scheme. Kerry F. Khan is due Thursday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Washington.

Alyeska Announces Maintenance Shutdowns

The operator of the trans-Alaska pipeline plans five shutdowns this summer for maintenance work. Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. says the shutdowns are expected to last from eight- to 18 hours each, with the first planned for Friday.