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.

Bill to update Alaska Military Code of Justice advances

A bill that would update Alaska's Military Code of Justice and strengthen penalties for certain violations has advanced from the House Judiciary Committee.

Plans announced for new state Public Integrity Unit

Alaska Attorney General Craig Richards announced a plan for a new Public Integrity Unit aimed at improving trust in government. Download Audio
BlueCrest’s site north of Anchor Point.

BlueCrest’s construction phase nearing completion

BlueCrest Energy is continuing preparations to drill for oil in the Cosmopolitan Unit at its 37.5-acre site on the Cook Inlet bluff about 5.5 miles north of Anchor Point.

Unnerved but unharmed, Anchorage residents tidy up after 7.1 quake

In Anchorage, Portage and the Mat-Su Valley the earthquake knocked out power to thousands of homes. By midday Sunday, electricity had been restored to all but a handful of homes.

Kenai feels brunt of 7.1 earthquake

Updated. 1:12 p.m. The most extensive damage appears to be near Kenai. The 7.1 earthquake was centered about 50 miles west of Anchor Point in Cook Inlet. Kenai Police Chief Gus Sandahl said there are four structures on Lilac Lane that have been impacted by fire. Gas company Enstar has shut off service to Lilac Lane, Cook Inlet View Drive and Wells Way, but is working on a temporary line for homes not affected by fire. Sandahl said the area has been evacuated. In Anchorage, Portage and the Mat-Su Valley the earthquake knocked out power at thousands of homes. Electricity had been restored to all but a handful of homes by midday Sunday. Municipal Light and Power spokesperson Julie Harris said most of the outages occurred when fuses were blown by "overhead lines slapping together" during the shaking.

Marine Science Symposium – LIVEBLOG – Sunday

LIVEBLOG PREVIEW: This is the week when a whole lot happens in Arctic science. The latest results from last year's field season begin to go public, by way of hundreds of speeches, powerpoints and poster presentations before about 800 people in downtown Anchorage. It's more information than anyone could possibly absorb, but they'll try.

AK: Among wolverines, lynx and fox, a man finds his pack

About 30 miles north of Haines, there’s a sanctuary for abandoned wildlife, big and small. Steve Kroschel has owned and operated Kroschel’s Wildlife Center for decades. He’s been dubbed the wildlife whisperer. Even the wolverines – compact killing machines capable of handily taking down an adult moose – play with Kroschel like he’s one of the pack. Despite appearances, there's a method to his madness. Download Audio:

Sen. Gardner: Lawmakers need committee to vet budget bills

Senate Minority Leader Berta Gardner introduced legislation yesterday to create a permanent Ways and Means committee in the Senate. It's a companion to a bill introduced by Rep. Sam Kito, a Democrat from Juneau, in the House earlier this week. Download Audio

Gov. Walker on budget: ‘It’s time to fix the hole in the boat’

Governor Bill Walker called for the entire legislature to work together with him to close the state’s budget shortfall. The annual State of the State address last night reflected the state’s grave budget situation. Download Audio

Alaska News Nightly: Friday, Jan. 22, 2016

Sen. Gardner: Lawmakers need committee to vet budget bills; Gov. Walker on budget: 'It's time to fix the hole in the boat'; Mass seabird deaths prompt federal attention; On methane emissions, Alaska tells feds 'clean up your own act first'; Alaska soldiers weigh in on Bergdahl's desertion, radio fame; Buser dropped to last, dinged with 2 penalties; AK: Among wolverines, lynx and fox, a man finds his pack; 49 Voices: Davante Owens of Anchorage Download Audio
Common Murres, like the one held by Wildlife Biologist Leslie Slater on the beach along the Spit in Homer, are turning up along beaches all around the Kachemak Bay area.

Mass seabird deaths prompt federal attention

A federal agency is calling for more research into large-scale mortality of common murres and other seabirds off Alaska's coast. Download Audio

On methane, Alaska tells feds to clean up their act first

The Interior Department has proposed new rules aimed at reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. Download Audio

Alaska soldiers talk Bergdahl, Serial podcast

But what Alaska soldiers who served with Bergdahl are saying about the case and podcast depends on who you ask. Download Audio

Murkowski sees departures, promotions of top staff

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski today announced a slew of staff changes. Current and former employees say the timing of the multiple departures is coincidental. For those of you keeping score at home, sharpen your pencils: We'll take it from the top. Download Audio

Buser dropped to last, dinged with 2 penalties

Martin Buser has been dropped to last place and without prize money for this year’s Kuskokwim 300. The race committee made the decision yesterday after reviewing evidence of Buser committing two penalties: leaving the trail and receiving help to feed his dogs. Download Audio

Northern Lights 300 pack heads to Finger Lake

Mushers leave the chute at Big Lake in this year's Northern Lights 300.

49 Voices: Davante Owens of Anchorage

This week we’re hearing from Davante Owens, a UAA student who graduated high school in Anchorage and originally attended college and played football in Minnesota. He later came back to Anchorage to finish his studies after joining the Army. downloadaudio:

Alaska Marine Science Symposium

The climate changes that have swept through Alaska are now being reflected in our landscape and wildlife - avalanches, fires, species declines, the list goes on. APRN: Tuesday, 1/26 at 10:00am Listen now

Mental Health First Aid

Just as First Aid and CPR help teach people how to aid in a medical emergency, Mental Health First Aid teaches the skills needed to assist someone experiencing a mental health related crisis. Mental Health First Aid courses teach people about risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction, and teach strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-­crisis situations. We'll talk about how to help individuals experiencing these challenges. KSKA: Monday, January 25, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. LISTEN NOW

Looking ahead: the legislative session

The Legislative session started this week, and battles are already brewing over the budget, several pre-filed bills ranging in relevance. This week's Alaska Edition explores what's ahead this session and how it stacks up to previous years.