Wrangell boater found dead
A missing Wrangell boater was found dead Wednesday afternoon, according to a dispatch from the Alaska State Troopers.
Dangerous form of heroin enters Juneau
The Juneau Police Department recently received an anonymous tip that a dangerous form of heroin has entered the city. Lt. Kris Sell said it’s called “China white,” and the police have been told it may be laced with fentanyl, a prescription drug used for pain management.
Alaska working on rules for legalized pot industry
The state of Alaska is working to finalize rules that will help govern its legal marijuana trade. But some industry supporters say a proposed ban on on-site consumption flies in the face of an initiative approved by voters last year.
U.S. Senate bill could cut Alaska ferry funding
A federal funding battle could affect the future of the Alaska Marine Highway System. Ferry chief Mike Neussl says formula changes in the U.S. Senate’s version of a transportation bill would reduce the amount of money available to fix Alaska ships.
Fall outlook shows slight uptick in sockeye sales
According to the McDowell group, this past summer’s sockeye is selling a little faster than it did in 2014.
FDA approves genetically engineered salmon
In a blow to Alaska’s salmon industry, the Food and Drug Administration announced this morning it has approved genetically modified salmon, finding it is as safe to eat as natural salmon. It's the first GM animal approved for human consumption in this country.
Conoco advances project in NPR-A; Independents snap up North Slope leases
ConocoPhillips announced today (Nov. 18) that it will move ahead with construction of a $900 million project in the North Slope's National Petroleum Reserve. And small independent companies collectively spent $9.5 million for the right to drill on state land on the North Slope.
Judge tosses Pebble subpoenas for some individuals, groups
A federal judge in Anchorage has quashed some subpoenas issued to opponents of the Pebble mine. In a 14-page ruling issued Wednesday, Judge H. Russel Holland said Pebble was "pushing the envelope" as it seeks information from third parties about EPA's efforts to preemptively block development of the proposed mine.
Download Audio
Alaska News Nightly: Weds., Nov. 18, 2015
Conoco advances NPR development on Slope; Judge tosses Pebble subpoenas for some individuals, groups; State Forester: Feds should ease certification for fire aircraft; AFD overruns budget, points to 7% uptick in calls; As APD struggles to recruit, diversity goals fall to wayside; Chanlyut helps men restart, learn to 'live life on life's terms'; Alaska drafts transboundary mine agreement with BC; Sitkans gather for edible celebration at Wild Foods Potluck
Download Audio
State Forester: Feds should ease certification for fire aircraft
After Alaska’s second worst fire season on record, the state forester told a U.S. Senate committee the government should stop practices that he says needlessly sideline firefighting aircraft.
Download Audio
AFD overruns budget, points to 7% uptick in calls
The Anchorage Fire Department is expecting a substantial budget shortfall.
Download Audio
Diversity recruitment falters as APD struggles drawing applicants
As city leaders work to increase the size of the Anchorage Police Department, they're also beginning efforts to boost diversity within the force. But it's off to a lukewarm start, bumping up to a familiar problem: Enticing enough new recruits to fill an Academy.
Chanlyut helps men restart, learn to ‘live life on life’s terms’
Sometimes starting over means hitting reset and relearning how to "live life on life's terms." A free, two-year intensive residential program in Anchorage run by Cook Inlet Tribal Council is helping men do just that.
Download Audio
Alaska drafts transboundary mine agreement with BC
Alaska officials have drafted an agreement with British Columbia aimed at protecting transboundary waters. They say it will address concerns about pollution from mines on rivers that flow into Alaska. But critics say it may not make any difference, because it has no teeth.
Download Audio
Sitkans gather for edible celebration at Wild Foods Potluck
Every year, the Sitka Conservation Society hosts a Wild Foods Potluck. It’s an edible celebration of all that can be picked, plucked, hunted, fished, grown, and gathered in Sitka. This year, over 150 people attended and brought dishes.
Download Audio
PSP levels in Haines area at all-time high, report says
A new study says the levels of toxins responsible for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning taken from samples around Haines this summer are all well above the Food and Drug Administration’s limit.
‘Companion’ Christmas trees from Tongass en route to DC
This year’s National Christmas Tree is a 74-foot spruce from Alaska’s Chugach National Forest. The tree is traveling across the U.S. on its way to Washington, D.C., and as of Sunday, was in Indiana.
Talkeetna Airport sees busy tourist season, but short of past projections
After a busy summer, the Talkeetna State Airport has returned to its quiet, off-season state. Local air services say they saw increases in traffic this summer.
Strong Upper Cook Inlet sockeye run expected in 2016
Managers with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game are expecting a bigger year in 2016 than 2015 for parts of Upper Cook Inlet. Area commercial fisheries manager Pat Shields says sockeye runs on the Kenai river will be up slightly, while the Kasilof run is expected to be down just a tick.
Unalaska hears on community-driven brownfield reclamation
Out of more than 7,400 contaminated sites around Alaska, a hundred are in Unalaska and Dutch Harbor. That's among the highest concentration of contaminated sites in the state, besides Adak.