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.

a state ferry

State ferry Tustumena is offline for repairs for up to a week

Ferries have a life expectancy of about 30 years, but the Tustumena has been in operation for almost double that time.
refugees

Gaza residents flee their homes as Israeli military threats escalate

The evacuation order from Israel affecting 1 million people faced immediate objections, including from the U.N.
A picture of a beige building

New temporary homeless shelter in Anchorage to open by Nov. 1

The Assembly's action resolves the last major piece of the city’s winter shelter plan.
a bearded man listen from a podium to a man on a screen

Rabbis and Alaska politicians condemn attack on Israel, pledge support

About 200 people turned out for a solidarity event in Anchorage.
a child

A year after Typhoon Merbok, some coastal Alaskans struggle to find subsistence foods

A massive storm in 2022 brought flood waters to this part of Alaska, and the tundra was inundated with salt water for days.
Cans on shelves in a grocery store

The wait for food stamps in Alaska is improving, but applicants still face long delays

Many applicants still have to wait for up to three months to receive benefits.
A view of the tipping floor from the observation deck of waste services dumping waste onto the floor.

With new Anchorage waste center, city hopes to help residents minimize trash

The transfer station is a central point for the city’s garbage trucks and residents to dump trash, but also offers opportunities to divert landfill waste.
a ferry

After Facebook uproar, ferry managers say they’re committed to Prince Rupert route

The Alaska Department of Transportation says the state ferry route to Prince Rupert, B.C. isn’t going anywhere, after a false Facebook post.
totem poles

‘This is more than art’: Juneau’s waterfront totem poles get new descriptive signs

The Sealaska Heritage Institute put up storyboards to protect the poles installed this year, after summer images of their mistreatment by tourists.
a man

Unalaska hires new police chief, 10 months after former chief’s resignation

Kim Hankins moved to the Aleutians from Illinois, where he was recognized by state officials for his dedication to narcotics law enforcement.

Fairbanks council OKs more than doubling city’s tobacco tax to 20%

Tax advocates said the increase, approved Monday, leaves Fairbanks below Alaska's average local tobacco tax rate of 39%.
a search

Wave of Western Alaska boating incidents leaves 4 dead, 2 missing

Kelly Coopchiak, 25, and Alexander Henry, 31, remain missing after the four incidents. Four other boaters are dead, with two more rescued.
President Biden

Biden proposes a ban on ‘junk fees’ — from concert tickets to hotel rooms

"Folks are ... tired of being taken advantage of," President Biden said, announcing a federal push against added and surprise business fees.
A mirrored building.

Anchorage Assembly relaxes rules on marijuana testing

Now, most city workers will no longer be fired if they use marijuana off the clock.
a bear

An empty-nest mama bear just won Fat Bear Week

Like an ursine Sarah Connor, Grazer is one tough mother. She preemptively attacks huge males that might threaten her offspring.
Merbok debris

FEMA under investigation after ‘unintelligible’ Merbok relief information was sent to Alaska Native communities

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's work with Alaska’s Indigenous communities is being checked for possible systemic problems.
a ceremony

At water blessing ceremony, Klukwan residents speak out against planned mine

Thursday's gathering of about 150 people at the Klehini River near Haines also included protests against the proposed Palmer Project mine.
a sandhill crane

19 cases of avian flu identified in Dillingham

State Veterinarian Robert Gerlach spoke with KDLG about avian flu, its risk to the region and how to stay safe when hunting wild birds. 
Josiah Patkotak

State Rep. Josiah Patkotak resigns after winning North Slope mayor’s race

Patkotak’s resignation opens a vacancy in the Alaska House of Representatives, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy has 30 days to nominate someone to fill the seat.
humpback whales

Humpback whale calf found dead near Juneau was killed by a large boat, biologists say

The fatal injuries to Tango, found near Auke Bay this summer, included deep lacerations on the calf’s body and pectoral fin likely caused by a propeller.