Lawmakers invite Walker to discuss budget, primarily Permanent Fund drawings
Lawmakers are considering some of the most wide-ranging changes in the history of Alaska finances this year. That’s why the leaders of the House Finance Committee invited Governor Bill Walker and top state officials to talk about their budget plan – especially, the latest proposal to draw from Permanent Fund earnings. Download Audio
Fatal Birchwood plane crash currently under investigation
A plane crash near Birchwood takes four lives. Download Audio
How Murkowski crafted an energy bill that 80 senators have a stake in
The U.S. Senate is the final resting place for a lot of legislation, but today it passed a broad energy bill. It's passage is a political coup for its sponsor, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who says she had lots of co-authors. Download Audio
Legislature looks to draw funds from Power Cost Equalization fund
The state House and Senate are trying to work out their differences over a bill that would draw money from the Power Cost Equalization Endowment Fund. Download Audio
Man mauled by a grizzly bear near Denali Highway
A man was attacked by a bear near the Denali Highway over the weekend. Alaska State Trooper spokesman Tim DeSpain says 77-year-old Glenn Bohn of Wasilla was bear hunting Friday afternoon near mile 68, when he was mauled by a grizzly. Download Audio
Legislators go past the 90 day session to bring budget together
Lawmakers blew through their 90 day session end last night and are back at work today, trying to bring a budget together that all sides can agree to. APRN's Juneau correspondent Andrew Kitchenman joins me now to talk about about the big stumbling blocks are. Download Audio
With session past scheduled end, focus is on oil and gas tax credits
The Legislature didn’t finish its work in time for the scheduled end of the session Sunday, but it became clear that the largest stumbling block is how much and how quickly to scale back tax credits for the oil and gas industry.
Renewable Energy Fund, casualty of budget crunch, may get new lifeline
Since 2008, Alaska's Renewable Energy Fund has supported scores of projects around the state. But so far, it has not been included in this year's budget. Download Audio
Former Fairbanks Borough Mayor to serve on pipeline board
The Legislature Friday narrowly approved former Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Luke Hopkins to serve on the board responsible for developing the Alaska gas pipeline. Download Audio
Walker says he’d veto Anchorage legislative office purchase
Gov. Bill Walker says he would veto the purchase of a legislative office building in Anchorage if that item remains in the state infrastructure budget. Download Audio
Poorest Alaskans hit hardest by new proposed budget solutions
The Legislature is trying to close the four billion dollar budget deficit this week. But a new report says the burden of closing the gap will fall too heavily on the poorest Alaskans. Download Audio
Small capital budget keeps $32.5M for LIO purchase, no mega-projects or port
Though money is set aside for controversial building purchase, the Senate's version of the capital budget is more notable for what's left out. Download Audio
Senate Finance Permanent Fund bills could lower dividends, stabilize budget
The outlines of changes to the Permanent Fund became clearer today. Senate Finance Committee introduced a bill that would pay for much of the state government’s budget using the Fund’s earnings. It also would reduce residents’ Permanent Fund dividends, but make them more stable for the future. Download Audio
2 hikers rescued from Kenai Peninsula Glacier
Two hikers who were stranded on a glacier on the southern Kenai Peninsula since Friday night, were rescued by crews with the Alaska Air National Guard just after noon on Tuesday. Download Audio
Wrangell mourns victims of Friday’s plane crash
Wrangell residents are mourning the loss of three members of their community in Friday’s plane crash on Admiralty Island. Download Audio
Senate passes bill allowing firearms on UA campuses
The Senate passed a bill Thursday to allow people to carry concealed firearms on University of Alaska campuses. Download Audio
Offshore drilling plan draws protests
The tentative proposal would allow lease sales in the Arctic Ocean and Cook Inlet.
Liberals get edge in Anchorage elections, massive school bond fails
Upsets over financing for school capital projects and a tax-cap calculation will leave Administration with budget challenges, though more liberal-leaning Assembly. Download Audio
LIVEBLOG: 2016 Anchorage Municipal Election
Live coverage for the 2016 Anchorage Municipal Election from Alaska Public Media.
Rep. Olson bill would tax Permanent Fund dividends as budget stopgap
Representative Kurt Olson, a Soldotna Republican developed a plan to tax Permanent Fund dividends back in February. But he didn’t introduce it at the time, because he wanted to see how the debate over plans from Governor Bill Walker and others unfolded. Download Audio