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.

New Business: Salmon Skin Wallets, Crab Shell Shirts For the Masses

A small Juneau business launched a Kickstarter campaign this week to crowdsource funds for a unique line of apparel and accessories. Tidal Vision is hoping it’s onto the next big thing: garments sewn from discarded salmon skin and crab shells. Download Audio:

Need to Get Away? Why Not Build An Airplane

Most of us are firming up our summer plans right about now. For one Seattle family, that means getting their home-built plane ready for their annual trip to the most isolated parts of Alaska. Download Audio:

Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, May 28, 2015

Fed. Jugde Hears Oral Arguments from EPA, Pebble Over Alleged FACA Violations; Coast Guard Adds Response Vessels in Anticipation of Shell's Arrival; Nome Judge Accused of Misconduct; Alaska LNG Wins Conditional Export Approval; Federal Officials to Meet With Forty-Mile Gold Miners; Heroin Hits Home: Small Airlines Are A Major Inroad; #StickFigureAK Uses Art To Spark Community; Salmon Skin Wallets and Crab Shell Shirts for the Masses; Need to Get Away? Why Not Build An Airplane Download Audio:

Borough Assembly Shoots Down Mayor’s Vetoes

Matanuska Susitna Borough mayor Larry DeVilbiss presented the Borough Assembly with a veto document on Wednesday.

We are Birch Tappers | INDIE ALASKA

In Alaska where birch trees are plentiful, locals are finding unique ways to use birch sap. Julie Cascio and Valerie Barber are two Alaskans who are exploring creative ways to utilize birch sap, whether it's making syrup or their most recent endeavor, birch soda. They're teaching residents of the Matanuska-Susitna region new tricks to live off their land and the value in doing so.

Obama Creates Arctic Steering Committee

President Obama discussed Alaska, climate change, and Arctic issues in a speech May 20. That came after an executive order in January creating an Arctic Executive Steering Committee to coordinate federal Arctic activities. These may be signs Arctic issues are gaining a higher profile.

All Aboard the Gravy Train: ‘The Magpie’ Serves Up The Goods In Anchorage

An Anchorage chef has a new food truck called The Magpie that serves breakfast and lunch with as many local ingredients as possible. Listen now:

House Republicans: Take It Or Leave It

After weeks of an impasse, House Republicans have a new message for Democrats: Take our latest budget package, or we’ll go around you. Download Audio:

Protests continue outside LIO over education funding and medicaid expansion

Alaskans express their frustration at the legislature about education funding through song. Download Audio:

Fairbanks Navigates Pot Legalization

The Fairbanks North Star Borough is holding a public meeting Wednesday on proposed rules for marijuana businesses. Download Audio:

Going Undercover With APD Vice’s Kathy Lacey

Busting drug dealers, sex traffickers and prostitutes is a tough job. Recently retired Sergeant Kathy Lacey did that dangerous work for 20 years as the head of Anchorage Police Department's undercover vice unit. Lacey says when she first started in law enforcement, prostitution and drug crimes were more visible, out on the street. Now though, she says trafficking is more covert. Download Audio:

Norwegian Monarch Visits Alaska, Urges Action on Climate Change

The King of Norway visited Anchorage on Wednesday bearing a message of goodwill, and the message that climate change is a priority for all Arctic nations. Download Audio:

Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, May 27, 2015

House Republicans: Take It Or Leave It; Protests Continue Over Education Funding, Medicaid Expansion; Heroin Hits Home: City of Bethel Forms Heroin Task Force; Fairbanks Navigates Pot Legalization; Going Undercover With APD Vice's Kathy Lacey; Norwegian Monarch Visits Alaska, Urges Action on Climate Change; Yup'ik Singer, Drummer Performs in WDC; Chemical Tags in Ear Bones Reveal Chinooks' Life Histories Download Audio:

Heroin Hits Home: City of Bethel Forms Heroin Task Force

Heroin use in Alaska is on the rise. This is the second in a series of three stories about the impacts of heroin in Bethel and how the community is fighting it. The City of Bethel is organizing a multi-agency heroin task force. Download Audio:

No one injured during police standoff in Ketchikan

No one was injured and no shots fired during a police standoff of more than three hours outside a Ketchikan home on Memorial Day.

Ten run for five Sealaska Corp. board seats

Five independent candidates are challenging five incumbents for seats on Sealaska’s board of directors. The election is quieter than last year’s, but not without controversy.

Alaska’s Orthodox Bishop Visits Unalaska

Alaska’s Orthodox Bishop, David Mahaffey was in Unalaska last week. He has held his post in Alaska for just over a year. He said in that time, he’s placed more focus on work with the Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor Training Program, or RADACT, to address issues of substance and alcohol abuse and domestic violence.
Lisa Unin of Chevak. -Photo courtesy of the Rasmuson Foundation

Chevak Artist Receives a Rasmuson Award

Lisa Unin, a resident of Chevak, has received an award from the Rasmuson Foundation for her traditional Cup’ik parkas. Using this money, Unin will make two full-sized parkas.

Mediation proposed for salmon sustainability certification squabble

The Marine Stewardship Council will facilitate mediation for the salmon processors who disagree about who can participate in the client group that has the council’s sustainability certification. Back in April, ten of Alaska’s major salmon buyers asked to rejoin the label they dropped in 2012, saying it will help them tap back into picky European markets.

Fairbanks man arrested on suspicion of attempted arson

A 52-year-old Fairbanks man has been taken into custody on suspicion of attempted arson and domestic assault.