News

As Arctic sea ice has retreated north during the last decade, walruses have adapted by changing their haul-outs to take advantage of better resources and food. That's good for the walruses... but it's a problem for some Russian indigenous communities on the Chokotkan coast. Download Audio

Fishermen, Alaska Native tribal members and clean water advocates are criticizing Gov. Bill Walker's administration over its handling of fisheries and water issues. Download Audio

Kodiak's Alutiiq Museum recently acquired a quiver that is a rare example of Alutiiq craftsmanship. Sven Haakanson is Curator of Native American Anthropology at the Burke Museum and recently passed the quiver – and the arrow that comes with it - along to the Alutiiq Museum. Download Audio

In Sitka, a Citizen’s Task Force has been meeting for several months to come up with a strategy for keeping the community’s basic services, while adjusting the tax structure. The Task Force is ready to reveal their plan called “The Grand Bargain.” Download Audio

A bill to revise oil and gas tax credits from the House Resources Committee includes only a fraction of the savings Governor Bill Walker proposed. Download Audio

The preliminary budget passed totals $768,401726, a decline of $4,935,000 from what was approved last year.

Supreme Court sides with Sturgeon in case challenging NPS authority; cancelled troop cut at JBER contrary to cuts in Lower 48; plan to replace tanker escort in Prince William Sound raises concerns in Valdez; legislature proposes dipping into PFD; Knik Crossing loan denied; officials meet in Anchorage to discuss Susitna Dam; Haines Freeride 2016: ‘It’s been a powerful competition’; Blessing of Herring Rock: A yearly ceremony to bring fish to Sitka Download Audio

Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., which runs the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, is splitting with its longtime provider of oil spill prevention and response services in Prince William Sound. Download Audio

Extreme skiers and snowboarders sped down Haines mountains Monday in the fourth stop of the Freeride World Tour. The international alpine sports tournament made the long trek back to Haines after its Alaska debut last year. It hasn’t been totally smooth sailing – Haines poses challenges athletically and logistically. Download Audio

A proposal to allow state government to dip into Permanent Fund earnings is advancing in the Legislature. The Senate Finance Committee heard details Tuesday from Anchorage Republican Senator Lesil McGuire. Download Audio

While commercial fishermen were on the water anxiously awaiting the next herring opening in Sitka, some residents gathered on land for a traditional Tlingit ceremony. The Blessing of Herring Rock happens every year to get the fish to come back to the Sound to spawn. Download Audio

The Army’s decision this week not to proceed with a planned troop cut at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson is unusual. A Brookings Institution analyst credits the Alaska congressional delegation, saying they had a good argument to make and they made it. Download Audio

In a decision released Tuesday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court sided unanimously with moose hunter John Sturgeon in his case against the National Park Service, overturning a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision. Download Audio

Never in Iditarod history have as many teams finished the 1000 mile race in under nine days, but this year, eight of the top ten teams did just that. Some of the mushers who crossed the finish line faced enormous adversity on their way to Nome. But without any major weather events most of the mushing that took place was simply the fastest in the race’s history. Download Audio

JBER cuts put on hold; low oil prices not ideal for state budget; tax credits reduced for oil and gas companies; irreversibility of climate change discussed at Arctic Science Summit; new mariculture initiative to help boost shellfish farming; Zita Air adds passenger service to Bristol Bay communities; Emmonak fire destroys five buildings; some of the fastest teams ever among top ten Iditarod finishers Download Audio

The House Resources Committee unveiled its version of an overhaul of the state’s oil and gas tax credits. Download Audio

Cuts to Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson's 4-2-5 infantry brigade combat team in Anchorage have officially been put on hold. Alaska's congressional delegation is celebrating today's announcement by the army. Download Audio

The Department of Revenue released a forecast today showing the state will bring in 800 million dollars less in oil revenue this year and next than the department projected in the fall. Download Audio