Both chambers of Alaska Congress prepare to vote on budget
The path to setting Alaska’s state government budget enters a new phase this week, as both legislative chambers prepare to vote on different versions of the spending plan. As the House heads into a debate on the budget Thursday, it’s eyeing a proposal that includes a 280 million-dollar reduction from last year. Download Audio
Senators pan Arctic agreement as Canadian leader visits U.S.
When a U.S. president and a Canadian prime minister meet, it’s not a given that the Arctic will be on the agenda. But this morning, on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s first official visit to Washington, D.C. the two leaders released an agreement on the Arctic, energy and climate. Alaska’s senators aren’t happy with it. Download Audio
Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, Mar. 10, 2016
Senators pan Arctic agreement as Canadian leader visits U.S.; both chambers of Alaska Congress prepare to vote on budget; a King’s march to the mighty Yukon River; Alaska Republicans holding conventions this month; Aging Southeast: Seniors find purpose, friendship at The Bridge; Bethel school finds new home in vacated grocery store Download Audio
Borough money floats MV Susitna overhaul
Mat Su's ailing ferry, Susitna, could be sold to a humanitarian group by this summer.
Walker requires state agencies to improve efficiency
Governor Bill Walker is seeking to streamline state agencies responsible for financing economic development, housing, and renewable energy. He signed an administrative order Thursday requiring the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, Alaska Energy Authority, and Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority to find opportunities to become more efficient or consolidate. Download Audio
Iditarod adjusts Robert Redington’s rest schedule after mistaken early release
Iditarod officials are adding 50 minutes to Wasilla musher Robert Redington’s Yukon River layover after he was inadvertently allowed to leave the Nikolai checkpoint...
Trail Mix: McGrath’s Iditarod auction
Iditarod is far more than dog racing. Small Alaska communities celebrate the arrival of longer days and the people in the community. McGrath hosts an auction fundraiser each year when the Iditarod rolls through to raise money for a local organization and a family in need.
KNOM’s Emily Schwing stopped into the bar Tuesday night to get a first hand look at what the auction is all about.
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Benja scratches in McGrath
Charley Bejna has scratched from the 2016 Iditarod. The veteran from Addison, IL pulled out of the race at 11:50 a.m. Thursday at the...
Jeff King rolls into Yukon River checkpoint of Ruby
Four-time Iditarod champion Jeff King has arrived at the Yukon River checkpoint of Ruby. He pulled in just after 1:00 Thursday afternoon. He told...
Brent Sass arrives in Cripple, then takes off toward Ruby
Eureka musher Brent Sass has made it to the Cripple. Sass checked in shortly after noon Thursday, making him the first musher who has taken the mandatory 24-hour layover.
Thursday’s Three to Read: catch up on Iditarod 44
Halfway to Nome, teams’ locations on the map are just dots, or perhaps more appropriately, asterisks. The question this morning is not “where are...
Trudeau, Obama issue joint statement on Arctic, climate, energy
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is visiting Washington Thursday. He and President Barack Obama this morning issued a joint statement on Arctic leadership, climate and energy.
Some Iditarod leaders pushing race pace
Mushers seem to be pushing their dogs a little farther down the trail this year before they opt to take their mandatory 24-hour rest. It’s a move Jeff King predicted at the ceremonial start of the race in Anchorage.
Jeff King takes Iditarod lead mushing toward Ruby
Denali musher Jeff King, so far, is the lone musher to push through Cripple toward the Ruby. The 4-time Iditarod champion spent four hours in the Cripple checkpoint, before heading down the trail at 3:05 a.m. today.
Iditarod race plans take shape as mushers take 24-hour layovers
Long before the race ever starts, mushers pack their drop bags with gear and food to so that they have options for where and when to take their 24-hour mandatory rest along the Iditarod Trail. This year, some of them tried something new, while others are doing what they know. It’s only a matter of time before it becomes clear who has the winning strategy now that dog teams are starting to come off their long rest.
Trail Mix: At an Iditarod checkpoint, the snowbank is the studio
Trail Mix is Alaska Public Media's trail reporters inside look at covering the Iditarod sled dog race.
Emily Schwing knows a lot more than I...
PFD cuts could mean big ripples in Alaska economy
Lawmakers facing a mammoth budget deficit are weighing cuts to the PFD. Experts say that will have ripple effects throughout the economy. Meanwhile, as Alaska considers scaling back the dividend, the rest of the world is warming to the idea. Download Audio
Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, Mar. 9, 2016
Cuts to PFD could ripple across the economy; budget proposal sent to House floor; proposed criminal justice reform bill under scrutiny; Sullivan says JBER troop cut not reversed yet; Dallas Seavey leads Iditarod pack into Cripple; Arctic Science Summit gets underway at UAF; Aging Southeast: Bunking with the family in Petersburg Download Audio
Proposed criminal justice reform bill under scrutiny
Senators are working on a bill that would overhaul Alaska’s criminal justice system. The measure would reduce arrests and prison time for nonviolent offenses. It also would help prisoners re-enter society. But victim’s rights advocates and some legislators have raised concerns about the legislation. Download Audio