Anchorage cyclist wins Iditarod Trail Invitational
Anchorage cyclist Tim Berston has won the Iditarod Trail Invitational 350 mile human powered race between Knik and McGrath. Bernston peddled his fat bike into the Kuskokwim River village Monday afternoon, clocking a time of just under 2 days. Download Audio
Sitka revisiting idea of consolidating hospital services
For decades, the question of whether Sitka can afford two hospitals has percolated, with little success at consolidating services. That era may be coming to a close. Last week, the Assembly entertained a motion from Charles Clement, CEO of the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) to renew talks with Sitka Community Hospital about collaborating on medical services. This raised alarm bells for some citizens. Download Audio
Village awarded federal grant for river turbine design
The U.S. Department of Energy has picked a southwest Alaska village for funding to advance development of an underwater river turbine that could replace diesel power with clean energy.
BC officials introduce mine law changes in response to Mount Polley
British Columbia officials introduced law changes last week that would strengthen their ability to enforce mining laws in response to the Mount Polley tailings dam disaster of 2014. But critics in Alaska are not convinced the B.C. government would use those penalties to protect watersheds in Southeast. Under the new laws, British Columbia’s Ministry of Energy and Mines would be able to fine mining companies for safety violations without taking them to court.
A new generation walks for sobriety in Kwethluk
Tired of seeing families and children harmed from alcohol and drug use, a group from Kwethluk organized a march for sobriety through the streets of their community on Wednesday. Leading with a sign saying, “Enough is Enough,” new voices spread their message through the village. Download Audio
Rep. Foster fights proposed cuts to rural services, supports state income tax
With Alaska’s budget deficit nearing $4 billion, Representative Neal Foster (D-Nome) says cuts are coming and they’ll have major repercussions for the Bering Strait Region.
Borough pot tax on hold, for now
A Matanuska Susitna Borough Assembly advisory committee can't decide on how to tax marijuana products.
Alaska News Nightly: Monday, Feb. 29, 2016
Sullivan rips failure to disavow KKK plug as ‘idiotic’; Energy lobbyist denounces Walker’s oil and gas tax changes; New bill on sex education passes in Alaska Senate; Habitat for threatened polar bears found to be legal in federal court; Alaska Airlines flight struck by lightning, none harmed; Climate, costs, convenience drive mushing onto the road; Color of Justice strives to involve youth, rural voices with the justice system; Fur Rondy carnival celebrates 50 years with a Golden Carousel Download Audio
Sullivan: ‘Idiotic’ for candidate to accept KKK plug
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan wouldn’t tell reporters which presidential candidate he's voting for on Super Tuesday, but he did weigh in on a racism controversy enveloping front-runner Donald Trump. Sullivan was in Juneau for his annual speech to Alaska lawmakers, in which he stressed the importance of a strong military presence in the state.
Energy lobbyist denounces Walker’s oil and gas tax changes
The top energy industry lobbyist in Alaska denounced Governor Bill Walker’s proposed oil and gas tax changes on Monday. Alaska Oil and Gas Association President Kara Moriarty told the House Resources Committee that companies can’t afford higher costs when oil prices are low.
Habitat for threatened polar bears found to be legal in federal court
A federal appeals court says the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service followed the law when it designated more than 187,000 square miles as critical habitat for threatened polar bears.
New bill on sex education passes in Alaska Senate
A bill to give parents more authority over sex education in Alaska schools passed the Alaska Senate Friday.
Alaska Airlines flight struck by lightning, none harmed
An Alaska Airlines flight on its way to Ketchikan and Juneau was struck by lightning Sunday night. No one was hurt, but it shook people up.
Kwethluk community members march for sobriety
Tired of seeing families and children harmed from alcohol and drug use, a group from Kwethluk organized a march for sobriety through the streets of their community on Wednesday. Leading with a sign saying, “Enough is Enough,” new voices spread their message through the village. “No more drugs, no more alcohol,” chanted the crowd gathered in front of the Kwethluk Post Office.
Without ferry service, a Southeast village considers $18 gallon of milk
Three Southeast villages endured the longest ferry drought in recent memory. The LeConte didn’t arrive for more than a month, leaving communities such as Angoon to depend more on subsistence or the only grocery store in town. As lawmakers consider even deeper cuts to ferry services, some locals are already getting a taste of what that reality could be like. Download Audio
Early seal hunt highlights unseasonable weather, future uncertainty in Northwest Alaska
One of the warmest winters on record in Alaska means the spring season for bearded seals, or ugruk , has come nearly two months early for some hunters in Western Alaska. Warm weather makes the hunt a little easier, but locals are concerned about precarious sea ice and unpredictable weather. Listen now
Enstar identifies cause of gas explosions in Kenai
Enstar Natural Gas has identified the problem leading to gas explosions that destroyed two houses, and a fire that claimed two more, on Lilac Lane in Kenai following the magnitude 7.1 earthquake in January.
Fur Rondy carnival celebrates 50 years with a Golden Carousel
The Fur Rondy carnival is celebrating its 50th anniversary. To commemorate the event, Golden Wheel amusements, the family-owned company that runs the carnival, has introduced a new ride: The Golden Carousel. Download Audio
Iconic Rondy race run on 3 mile slush loop
Anchorage’s warm weather and terrible snow conditions severely hampered the sled-dog sprint races that have been a cornerstone of Fur Rondy celebrations for decades.
Alaska News Nightly: Friday, Feb. 26, 2016
Alaska Democrats announce finalists to fill Gruenberg seat; Hundreds of millions more in budget cuts recommended; Rep. Young wins lightning round on bears, feds, ANWR; AVCP Allanivik Hotel and Mud Hut shutting down; In rural Alaska, people power is as important as wind power; Iron Dog approaches its final stage: Johnson, Aklestad in lead; AK: Escape the room and save Talkeetna; 49 Voices: Robert Johnson of Anchorage Download Audio