Alaska bears go viral after raiding doughnut van: ‘I’m still getting phone calls,’ store manager says
Shelly Deano says bears are common near the store she manages. But after a pair raided a doughnut delivery van, reporters worldwide are calling.
Mat-Su library committee recommends removing 4 books from schools
The books include “It’s Perfectly Normal” by Robbie Harris and “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison.
Anchorage IT director resigns after Assembly pressures mayor for more information on scheme to challenge election
Weeks after an investigator’s report laid out inappropriate behavior, the mayor said he asked for the resignation.
Opioid overdose reversal drugs are now available over-the-counter in Alaska
The opioid overdose treatment Narcan became available over the counter in pharmacies throughout Alaska last week. The treatments will cost $45 for a box of two.
In new challenges to Alaska forest’s ‘Roadless Rule,’ pro-logging arguments have disappeared
Prior versions of the rule have been repeatedly upheld by federal courts, but new U.S. Supreme Court rulings may give opponents new ammunition.
Biden is unveiling the American Climate Corps, a program with echoes of the New Deal
The American Climate Corps is modeled after a program that put millions to work during the Great Depression.
New ‘berry booklets’ for Alaska pickers combine traditional knowledge and science
The first booklet, focused on cloudberries, is part of a larger project that digs into the future of Alaska’s wild berries as the climate warms.
NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer wraps up Alaska expedition
The expedition surveyed maritime regions throughout the state, including the Gulf of Alaska, the Aleutian Trench and the Kodiak-Bowie Seamount chain.
Juneau Assembly considers repealing 1980s-era development rules, hazard maps
The new proposal departs from previous attempts to adopt new, more precise hazard maps that would expand downtown homes' land use restrictions.
Alaska marijuana industry says baked-in taxes are too high
Alaska Beacon reporter James Brooks says industry representatives are seeking lower taxes and a shift from taxing cultivation to retail sales.
Anchorage’s costs for outside counsel rise amid city attorney shortage
Mayor Dave Bronson said the city is struggling to hire attorneys because of competition from the state and private sector.
Anchorage mayor names permanent CFO and announces OMB director’s departure
Mayor Dave Bronson has named Alden Thern as the city’s chief fiscal officer and says Courtney Petersen will leave her job as OMB director next month.
Northern Alaska cable break repaired after 14 weeks of internet outages
GCI announced the repairs in an email to customers Monday, more than three months after the cable was cut in an ice scouring event near Prudhoe Bay.
Schools across Alaska receive emailed bomb threats
Anchorage school officials described the threat as "broad in nature" and said it "lacks specific information."
Talk of Alaska: Preparing for Fall storms and other disasters
It has been a year of global extremes, with record breaking heat, severe drought, and unprecedented flooding. The switch to the weather pattern known as El Niño generally signals a turn toward more warming and NOAA reports that warmer than average sea surface temperatures will likely continue and may strengthen by mid winter. What might this mean for Alaska’s fall and winter storm season? We discuss the outlook and preparations on this Talk of Alaska.
Mount Shishaldin simmers down after explosive eruption
This was the stratovolcano’s latest eruption in a summer of increased activity.
Alaska DMV considers eliminating license plate stickers
The DMV is also considering self-service kiosks, a mobile app to renew licenses and registration, and an AI chatbot to answer online questions.
Sitkans push for vote on cruise visitor limits
A group of Sitkans is calling for a cap on the number of cruise passengers next year, asking that the question be put before local voters this winter.
Southeast Alaska harvest data shows moose moving to new areas
Frank Robbins, the state wildlife biologist for the area, says moose are being harvested where they’ve never been before.
North to the future? Alaska’s ranked choice voting system is praised and criticized nationally
The system is seen by advocates in the Lower 48 as a model for advancing civility and moderation, but it is vulnerable to repeal at home.