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.

Proposed increase to minimum enrollment threatens funding for dozens of small schools

Raising the school threshold to 20 could save an estimated $7 million, but rural districts and lawmakers say such a change will be a "death knell" for small communities.

Trooper shoots, kills driver during physical altercation in Sterling

Authorities say an Alaska State Trooper shot and killed a driver during an altercation in Sterling on Saturday night.

Protesters, lawmaker bring Fairbanks Four case to the Capitol

On the first day legislators were due back in Juneau for a special session, 20 protesters and one lawmaker brought the Fairbanks Four case to the Capitol.

State cuts could close one Sitka harbor

Sitka will have to close one of its five boat harbors if a state matching-grant program is eliminated. The 10-year-old program funds half the cost of local harbor replacement or repair.

Cost of Kenai bluff erosion study tops $1 million

The city of Kenai is paying almost twice as much as initially estimated for a bluff erosion study.

Gov. Walker releases $3.6M for Ambler Mining Road EIS

A proposed mining road through Interior Alaska that was shelved amid the state’s multi-billion dollar budget crisis has been authorized by the administration of Gov. Bill Walker to spend more than $3 million to start an environmental assessment.

Lawmakers relieved as Gov. Walker removes contentious gas reserves tax from agenda

Lawmakers are in Juneau this week for a special session on the state’s massive gas line project. The session may be a little less contentious - and a little shorter - than expected, after the Governor pulled one item on the agenda, at the last minute.

AK: Reflecting on an unexpected tragedy

Thousands travel from around the state to attend the Elders and Youth conference and the Alaska Federation of Natives convention every year. The week is considered by many as one of celebration — this year was different. Download Audio

What is Alaska LNG? Part 2: Meet the liquifaction plant

If it goes forward, the Alaska LNG project is expected to cost a whopping $45-$65 billion -- and roughly half of that cost would be a giant liquefaction plant. APRN's Rachel Waldholz visited an LNG plant, to find out what all the fuss is about.
Gov. Bill Walker at a press conference in the Capitol, Oct. 23, 2015. He announced that he was dropping a proposed natural gas reserves tax from the special session agenda. (Photo by Jeremy Hsieh/KTOO)

Gov pulls reserves tax from special session

Gov. Bill Walker has pulled a controversial reserves tax from consideration during the legislature’s special session, after receiving assurances from the state’s partners in the Alaska LNG project that should any one company pull out, it would not withhold its gas from the project.

Alaska News Nightly: Friday, Oct. 23, 2015

What is Alaska LNG? Part 2: Meet the liquifaction plant; Bill to combat illegal fishing awaits president's signature; Arctic Council concludes 1st meeting under US chairmanship; Polygraph results debated at Fairbanks 4 hearing; Victory for Sealaska Heritage underscores weakness in the law; State cuts could close Sitka harbor; AK: On scene at a suicide, and healing thereafter; 49 Voices: Moose-hunting adventure with Agatha Erickson Download Audio

Arctic Council concludes 1st meeting under US chairmanship

The Arctic Council wrapped up the first major meeting under U.S. chairmanship this week in Anchorage.

Polygraph results debated at Fairbanks Four hearing

One of the Fairbanks Four passed a polygraph. The results of the lie detector test taken by Marvin Roberts last year were shared during day 13 of an evidentiary hearing being held to consider whether the Fairbanks Four are innocent. Download Audio

Victory for Sealaska Heritage underscores weakness in the law

Federal investigators have found that the country’s oldest theological college broke the law regarding its Native art. Andover Newton Theological School planned to sell off 80 pieces in its collection, including a sacred Tlingit halibut hook. Now some tribal leaders are wondering if repatriation laws should be tougher. Download Audio

State cuts could close one Sitka harbor

Sitka will have to close one of its five boat harbors if a state matching-grant program is eliminated. Download Audio

49 Voices: Moose hunting adventures with Agatha Erickson

This week, we're hearing from Agatha Erickson who lives in Anchorage and recalls a moose hunting adventure outside of Nenana with her ex boyfriend a few years back.
Download Audio

Writer Nick Jans captivates audience with tales of Romeo the wolf

Writer Nick Jans calls the years between 2003 and 2009 “a magical and transformative time” in Juneau’s history. It was during those years that a wild black wolf, who came to be known as Romeo, lived in the community, played with dogs and interacted with residents.

Is the state finally ready for the gas line?

For decades, Alaska Governors have worked to sign a pipeline deal to sell gas from the North Slope. None have been able to come up with the right formula yet. Current Governor Bill Walker has pushed for gas line development for most of his professional life. Is the time finally right for this massive project? APRN: Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 10:00am Download Audio

Wasilla lawmaker: Keep education spending in check, cut rural schools

It started as a rumor. Democratic lawmakers and some education advocates have heard about it. That there are new ideas for changing how the state pays for education isn’t a surprise. That this cost-saving proposal could close 60 schools across the state is. Download Audio

Bill combating illegal fishing awaits president’s signature

Congress has passed a bill to combat pirate fishing. The bill, called the “Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act” now goes to the president of his signature. It puts in law the provisions of an international treaty aimed at denying illegal fishing vessels access to a country’s ports.