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.

‘Justice Beyond Borders’ highlights stories of local immigrants

One man who grew up in Alaska but was undocumented as a child was barred from returning home from Russia for seven years. Download Audio

Invasive species may have stowed on Homer drill-rig from Singapore

The Randolph Yost, a drill-rig came to Homer from Singapore. A Homer environmental group is worried the Yost, now docked in the Homer port, could have brought invasive species into Alaska waters. The group is criticizing the Department of Fish and Game for not checking the rig before it docked in Kachemak Bay. 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

Bill fixing alcohol and marijuana laws sails toward passage

Both Minor Consuming Alcohol laws and criminal background checks for commercial cannabis applications subject to change under bill. Download Audio

Walt Monegan reappointed as Commissioner for Department of Public Safety

Walt Monegan is, again, the Commissioner for the Department of Public Safety. Download Audio

Mallott, Murkowski try to put human face on King Cove road

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallottt was in Washington, D.C. this morning to make another plea for a road between King Cove and the all-weather airport in Cold Bay. Congressman Don Young threatened to build the road himself. Download Audio

Bill strengthening Alaska’s Code of Military Justice passes out of one committee into another

House Bill 126, aimed at strengthening the dated Alaska Code of Military Justice, passed out of the Senate State Affairs Committee Thursday morning and now moves on to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Download Audio

Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, Apr. 13, 2016

Oil and gas tax credit debate rages ahead of legislative session end; industry calls Senate oil tax credit bill "bad for Alaska"; skiers survive four days on Kenai Peninsula Glacier, credit GPS locator beacon for rescue; Chugiak Sen. Stolze announces he won't run for reelection; Bethel City Council authorizes reimbursements for overcharged property owners; Legislature tries again to let voters choose state AG; ban on Planned Parenthood from teaching sex ed fails in House Committee; warm weather to lead to mellow breakup, experts say; Sitka broadens commitment to assessing landslide risk Download Audio

Warm weather to lead to mellow breakup, experts say

Warm weather and early snow melt, are conducive to a mellow break up. That was the message of forecasters during a teleconference Tuesday morning. Alaska River Forecast Center Senior hydrologist Crane Johnson anticipates more of a mush out. Download Audio
Alaska News Nightly by Alaska Public Media

Sitka broadens commitment to assessing landslide risk

At their meeting last night, the Sitka Assembly broadened the city’s commitment to landslide risk assessment. They approved a community-wide mapping project and an analysis of the Gary Paxton Industrial Park. And if their deliberations had a central question, it was this: Given the land shortage in Sitka, does establishing “risk zones” hamper future development? Basically, how much is too much when it comes to landslide research? Download Audio

Industry calls Senate oil tax credit bill “bad for Alaska”

As the Alaska House continues its marathon debate on the oil and gas tax credit bill, the Senate is moving its own version forward, hoping to beat the clock with just four days left. Download Audio

Skiers survive four days on Kenai Peninsula Glacier, credit GPS locator beacon for rescue

Two skiers were whisked off a glacier on the southern Kenai Peninsula Tuesday by an Alaska an Air National Guard helicopter. Crews found the pair after they became stranded for four days. Download Audio

Chugiak Sen. Stoltze announces he won’t run for reelection

Senator Bill Stoltze announced on the Senate floor today that he will not seek re-election. The Chugiak Republican cited health concerns, although he clarified that he was not dealing with an immediate health threat. Download Audio

Oil and gas tax credit debate rages ahead of legislative session end

The House spent six hours debating oil and gas tax credits Tuesday night. And they’re not done yet – lawmakers will pick up the bill again Wednesday. Download Audio
Alaska News Nightly by Alaska Public Media

Bethel City Council authorizes reimbursements for overcharged property owners

Bethel City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Tuesday to authorize reimbursements to Bethel property owners who the city overcharged on real estate taxes for more than a decade, because of an error in the city’s tax code. Download Audio

1,500 outstanding ballots could tip three Anchorage races

Results on Girdwood police, school bond, and race for school board seat are all liable to change in days ahead.

Port expenses rattle Mat Su taxpayers

Matanuska Susitna Borough taxpayers question how much of their money is being spent to fund Port MacKenzie operations. Download Audio

Legislature tries again to let voters choose state AG

Proposals to make the state attorney general an elected position have appeared year after year in the Alaska Legislature. This time the measure, sponsored by Rep. Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak, has moved through three committees and is pending in Senate Rules. Both sides of this debate -- pro and con -- say they want to keep politics out of the AG’s office. Download Audio

Ban on Planned Parenthood from teaching sex ed fails in House Committee

A bill to ban organizations like Planned Parenthood from teaching sex education in public schools failed in a House Committee Tuesday. Download Audio

Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, Apr. 12, 2016

Senate Finance Permanent Fund bills could lower dividends, stabilize budget; 2 hikers rescued from Kenai Peninsula Glacier; growing a modern workforce in Ketchikan; small capital budget keeps $32.5 for LIO purchase, no mega-projects or port; Delta cuts Juneau back to seasonal service; empty missile containers discovered near Southeast; Kenaitze Indian Tribe opens new elder center, expands campus in Old Town Kenai; Togiak tribe banishes Dillingham man for 10 years; Tustumena ferry sailings cancelled in May due to repairs Download Audio