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.

Extremely high winds imperil travel on Parks, Richardson Hwys

Strong winds are blowing over the Alaska Range. National Weather Service meteorologist Bob Fisher reported gusts to 70 miles an hour along the Richardson Highway and in the 60 mile an hour range along the Parks Highway on Monday morning. Download Audio

Strong El Nino, ‘Blob effect’ may mean more winter precipitation

The Chinook pattern is one characteristic of El Nino winters. National Weather Service climatologist Rick Thoman describes the warm Pacific Ocean waters of El Nino as raging across the equatorial region. Download Audio

Murre die-off around Kachemak Bay in the thousands

Die-offs of common murres have been taking place across Alaska since summer and the latest report is from Kachemak Bay, according to biologists with the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge in Homer. Download Audio

After 15 years of closure, Interior village school seeks teacher

The village of Rampart is looking for a teacher. The school re-opened earlier this year after 15 years of being shuttered. Download Audio

On the edge: Shedding light on Juneau murder victim Robbie Meireis

Robert Meireis had a tough life that included a history of violence, years in prison, even tattoos tying him to white supremacist groups. He lived a violent life on the edge of society. That he met a violent end in a double murder discovered last month in West Juneau wasn’t necessarily a surprise to some people who knew him. And yet, he also had people that cared about him and were stunned when the news broke.

City council considers ‘Nome Grown’ marijuana

In last year’s statewide elections, 53 percent of voters approved the Alaska Marijuana Legalization ballot. People 21 or older can now possess up to one ounce of marijuana and up to six plants.
(Photo from alaskaair.com)

Cargo-passenger “combi” jets out from Alaska Airlines lineup in 2017

Alaska Airlines will be phasing out its combination cargo and passenger planes used in Southeast Alaska and elsewhere around the state.

Truck crashes into patrol vehicle, temporarily traps trooper

A trooper was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries after a truck crashed into the back of his stopped vehicle on Seward Highway.

North Pole seeks funding for wastewater problem

The water utility in North Pole, a city just south of Fairbanks, is looking to secure state funding for a $4 million wastewater problem that was discovered nearly a decade ago.

State, municipal leaders discuss pension system debts

State and municipal leaders are in talks to change Alaska's multi-billion-dollar pension system.

Kodiak stripper boat owner guilty of sewage dumping

The owner of the Wild Alaskan, a night club aboard a converted Bering Sea crabber that had been anchored in Kodiak, was found guilty in federal court Wednesday of illegal dumping of sewage and lying to federal authorities about it.

Correcting the Department of Corrections

Prisoner treatment has been a national topic of discussion and a recent report on the Alaska Department of Corrections found numerous problems in the state's system. Governor Bill Walker called the system broken, fired the commissioner and put long time Alaska law man Walt Monegan in charge of making changes at DOC. APRN: Tuesday, 12/29 at 10:00am Listen now

Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015

Kodiak ordered to comply with records request; students develop survival packs; new health center opens in Sutton; third person charged in ANC murders; NCAA hits UAF: skiers want OK to ski on roads; halfway house helps with treatments; NORAD tracking Santa; Juneau gets lit up. Download Audio 

Judge orders Kodiak to comply with public records request

A Superior Court judge this week sided with Kodiak Public Broadcasting Corporation and ordered the City of Kodiak to immediately comply with the state's public records act in a case of alleged excessive use of force by three Kodiak police officers. Download Audio

Kasigluk students creating winter survival packs

A sad story re-tells itself every winter in rural Alaska—people go out on the tundra and they don’t come back. A group of Kasigluk students are working to change that story by creating affordable winter survival packs for their community. The packs could save lives and win thousands of dollars in prizes for their school. Download Audio

New health center opens in Sutton

More than a hundred people turned out last Thursday for a ribbon-cutting at a community health center in Sutton, a town on the Glenn Highway 60 miles northeast of Anchorage. The center will serve residents from Palmer to Eureka. And although the Indian Health Service contributed funding, and the Chickaloon Native Village Council manages the center, it will be open to Natives and non-Natives alike. Download Audio

Third person charged with murder in ANC shooting deaths

A third person has been charged with murder in the shooting deaths Monday of two Anchorage men following a failed drug transaction. Anchorage police say 23-year-old Solomon Brown Tavita is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one of drug misconduct in the deaths of 22-year-old Jeramyha Talauega and 33-year-old Robin Porter. Download Audio

NCAA hits UAF with sanctions

University of Alaska Fairbanks women swimmers and basketball players are barred from participating in post-season NCAA events this year. UAF officials say, the NCAA Infraction Appeals committee denied the school's challenge to the bans. Download Audio

Kuskokwim library expecting to shrink staff, hours from budget cuts

With the state budget expected to shrink, the Kuskokwim Consortium Library is preparing for a downturn on its ability to provide services starting this summer.
(Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control)

Kenai Peninsula doctor calls for needle exchange program

One of the dangers tied to drug abuse is the risk of transmitting disease through needle sharing. Dirty needles are a common vehicle for HIV, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and other serious infections. A proven solution is providing access to clean needles and a safe place to dispose of dirty ones. A local doctor wants to start Homer’s first syringe exchange program.