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.

Kikkan Randall and Jessie Diggins Make History at World Championships

It’s been an incredible 24 hours for nordic skiers Kikkan Randall, from Anchorage and her Minnesota teammate Jessie Diggins. The pair made history in Italy Sunday, Feb. 24, winning the first World Championship gold medal in cross country skiing for the U.S. They dominated the skate sprint event from the beginning, but had to recover from a mishap late in the race.

Begich, NOAA Chief Take Questions On Halibut Plan

It’s no secret that Homer charter captains are upset about NOAA’s new halibut catch-sharing proposal, which would mean a one-fish-per-angler rule in the Gulf of Alaska under most circumstances.

Murkowski declares ANWR wilderness bill ‘dead on arrival’

A pair of Democratic senators have introduced a bill to designate parts of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a permanent wilderness area, prompting outrage from Alaska Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski.

Alaska News Nightly: July 10, 2014

Sportsmen’s Bill Falls To Senate Gridlock; Mead Treadwell, 'Big-Picture Guy,' Runs for U.S. Senate; Gov’s Office Considers Suing Xerox Over Botched System Rollout; Ellis, Gara Ask DOT To Delay Demolition Of Two Anchorage Houses; Alaska Harnesses Power of Tides, Rivers, and Waves; Preliminary Figures Show Dismal Walrus Harvest From Poor Weather; Rare Ribbon Seal Sighting In Prince William Sound; TODAY Show Live From Juneau; ‘Finding Bigfoot’ in the Y-K Delta in Search of Miluquyuliq Download Audio
A woman sits outside in a t-shirt holding a baby.

Alaskans wait for vital records as state health department gets back online after cyberattack

It’s been three months since a cyberattack crippled the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services’ online systems. And for Alaskans who need vital records — things like birth, death and marriage certificates — that has put things on hold.

Governor’s climate change task force adds science education to draft plan

Governor Bill Walker’s climate change task force has been working this summer to nail down some clear draft policy objectives. Listen now

Hatchery salmon returns may offset low wild fish quotas in 2008

Southeast fishermen disappointed by low Chinook quotas and bag limits in the coming season will be glad to hear this: hatchery returns of king...
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How to cope with SAD or seasonal affective disorder

Experts say seasonal affective disorder has three main causes: genetic vulnerability, lack of light and stress. Here are some steps that can help.

AK: Young ‘Bio Blitzers’ explore and examine the Arctic environment

Last week a group of scientists traveled to a small village in the Arctic to find as many different species as they could. It was happening all over the country in celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the National Park Service. But it had special meaning in Anaktuvuk Pass, where the local Inupiaq people live a subsistence lifestyle inside of a national park. Download Audio

Anchorage advances purchase plan for Conoco gas leases

As state officials ready for a special session, Anchorage is moving one step closer to expanding ownership over nearby gas fields in upper Cook Inlet. Download Audio

Scientists Still Hopeful About Raising King Crab in Hatcheries

With an eye toward the possibility of someday rebuilding depleted stocks, scientists are continuing to study how to raise larval king crab in...

Mountains Plus Mystery Equals Good Adventure

Dylan Taylor climbs above the Middle Fork Glacier toward the Chisana Glacier on Day 4 of a 100-mile ski/hike from Skolai Pass to McCarthy,...

Paying Dividends: A podcast from Alaska’s Energy Desk

Alaskans have been getting Permanent Fund dividends for 37 years. But for the last few years those checks have been cut, because lawmakers want...

Air Plan Deadline Extension Draws Critics

There’s push back on the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed extension of time for states to develop plans to reduce fine particulate pollution. Clean air advocates are opposed to potential delay in improving air quality in communities suffering with air pollution, like Fairbanks. Download Audio
A cannabis plant grows indoors.

Alaska hemp producers sue state, saying new ban on products is illegal

Alaska recently banned hemp products with intoxicating THC. The hemp industry says its products are protected under federal law.
a trial

After Brian Smith’s Anchorage murder conviction, MMIP advocates hope for change

Family members and advocates for Kathleen Henry and Veronica Abouchuk attended every day of Brian Smith's horrific trial in their deaths.

Mountaineer Dies After 2,000 Foot Fall Down Denali

A Finnish man died from injuries he received Wednesday skiing down Mount McKinley in Denali National Park. Ilkka Uusitalo fell while on the area known as the Orient Express – a 40-45 degree slope just below the 18,000 foot level. Maureen McLaughlin, Public Information Officer for the Talkeetna Ranger Station says his fall ended about 2,000 feet lower at the bottom of a 60 foot crevasse.
Fighter jets land on a runway

Alaska gains residents for the first time in four years

“It was just  0.1 percent,” said David Howell, the state demographer. “But still, it broke our trend of population losses that we’ve been seeing.”
A man sits on a bench with a cane

New program funds veterans-choice caretakers in Alaska ‘they can hire and fire and train whoever they’d like’

Interested veterans need to enroll in VA Health Care and meet the criteria for nursing-home level care. Then the VA will give them a monthly budget. 

Anchorage Schools raising school lunch prices, may be first of many

The Anchorage School District will likely be raising the price of its school lunches. And even a proposed $0.25 increase may not be enough...