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.

AFN: Alaskans share intimate ‘heroes’ stories online

This year's AFN theme is 'Heroes in our Homeland.' Some of the more touching hero stories are making their way through social media.

JBER on lockdown; Report of shooter untrue

The Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson was put on lockdown this afternoon as security responded to a report of a suspicious person with a firearm near the hospital.

George the Magpie

"George" is a crowd favorite at the Alaska Zoo. The magpie voluntarily came to the zoo years ago, and was eventually adopted. George now has his own Facebook page and is known for his ability to talk.

Climate change and Cook Inlet

Climate change has the potential to affect weather, water temperature and salmon numbers in Cook Inlet, as well as the biology of the lands of our region. On this edition of Hometown Alaska, experts explain the changes that have already happened in the Inlet at our front door, and make educated predictions about what the future might hold. KSKA: Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Download Audio:

Are big energy projects the solution for Alaska’s budget crisis?

What's the prognosis for big energy projects in Alaska? Shell's abandoned the Arctic and state lawmakers are about to duke it out over an expensive new natural gas line. We'll dig into fossil fuel projects. Is the proposed gas line a real solution for the state's budget crisis or CPR on a flailing economy? APRN: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015 at 10:00am Download Audio

YK Delta sex offender rehabilitation program enters 7th year

The Yukon Kuskokwim Delta has a program that focuses specifically on sex offenders. Unlike any other program in the state, it combines both Western and Yup’ik ways of rehabilitation.

State seeks feedback on pot regs

Last November, Alaska voters legalized limited pot possession, and directed the state to start writing the regulations for a commercial industry. Now the Marijuana Control Board is looking for feedback on what it hopes is the final version of those rules.

49 Voices: Martin Lee Woods of Kotzebue

This week we're at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention talking with Martin Lee Woods, from Kotzebue. He started learning to Eskimo Dance in 1975 and by the mid-80s he realized he needed to learn how to make drums. Download Audio

AK: Tlingit carver featured in small-town, large-scale Smithsonian project

Tlingit master carver Wayne Price has a relationship with the ocean and the tides that runs deeper than most. He carves dugout canoes in Haines and his work and words are set to hit the road in the spring as part of the Smithsonian’s Water/Ways exhibit. It’s a traveling show from the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street designed for rural museums. Download Audio

The current and future authority of Alaska’s tribal governments

The state and tribes have a relationship that is at times tense but there has been progress on some fronts. This week there was an announcement that the first joint tribal/state court would be starting up in Kenai as a partnership with the Kenaitze Indian tribe and the state. A tribal and state judge will sit side by side and preside together over a wellness court, dealing with substance-related criminal cases. KSKA: Fri., Oct. 16, at 2:00 p.m. & Sat., Oct. 17, at 6:00 p.m. KAKM: Fri., Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. & Sat., Oct. 17, at 6:00 p.m. Listen Now:

DOC group aims to reduce recidivism for Alaska Natives

The Department of Corrections is convening an Alaska Native Focus Group to develop solutions for reducing recidivism for Alaska Natives. Alaska’s recidivism rate is 63 percent for everyone leaving the prison system. For Alaska Natives, it’s 74 percent.

Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015

Hearing ends 26 years of litigation over Exxon Valdez oil spill; For Sen. Sullivan, Rep. Young - An easier AFN; FBX 4 witnesses recall aggressive police questioning; 'Fairbanks 4' suppers stage protest during Gov's AFN speech; AFN keynote, Haida master weaver talks on family, heritage; Utah housing expert who cut chronic homelessness 90% pitches Alaska solutions; Juneau campground closes for winter, displacing homeless; Hunting season opens for musk ox stranded on sea ice Download Audio

Hearing ends 26 years of litigation over Exxon Valdez oil spill

The state and federal governments have decided not to pursue a final $100-million from ExxonMobil over its 1989 oil spill in Prince William Sound. Download Audio

For Sen. Sullivan, Rep. Young an easier AFN

At its convention last year, AFN endorsed Dan Sullivan’s opponent in a tense campaign, and Congressman Don Young apologized to the audience for remarks he’d made about a teen’s suicide. What a difference a year makes. Sullivan today addressed the audience as their U.S. senator, and Young was all smiles. Download Audio

FBX 4 witnesses recall aggressive police questioning

People who say they were with the Fairbanks Four the night of John Hartman’s 1997 murder, recount aggressive questioning by police trying to build a case against the men.

‘Fairbanks 4’ supporters stage protest during Gov’s AFN speech

Fairbanks Four supporters protested during Governor Bill Walker’s address to the crowds during opening day at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage Thursday. People held up four fingers, and held a banner reading “Justice Fairbanks Four." Download Audio

AFN keynote, Haida master weaver talks on family, heritage

Alaska Natives from all over the state are in Anchorage for the annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, Oct. 15-17. The keynote speaker is Haida master weaver Delores Churchill and her grandson, Haida master carver Donald Varnell. This fall, Churchill was in Petersburg to hold a weaving workshop. Download Audio

Utah housing expert who cut chronic homelessness 90% pitches Alaska solutions

Gov. Bill Walker says he’d “love for Alaska to be the first state without homelessness.” With a little inspiration from the state of Utah, some are hopeful that could become reality. Download Audio

Hunting season opens for musk ox stranded on sea ice

The Dept. of Fish and Game has issued an emergency order, allowing hunting for musk oxen stranded on sea ice. Download Audio

Juneau campground closes for winter, displacing homeless

Several of Juneau’s homeless live at the city-run Thane Campground. For $25 a week, it may be the cheapest rent in town. Today, the campground closes for the winter, leaving some occupants wondering where to go. Download Audio