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.

Troopers say body of missing Wisconsin man found in Alaska

The body of a 73-year-old Wisconsin man who was missing in Alaska for nine months has been found in a river.

Fishing vessel runs aground in Katmai National Park

The National Park Service says a fishing vessel abandoned after a fire last month has run aground at Katmai National Park.

With Foster Care Cases Up, Lawmakers Consider Funding Triage

The Walker administration is pushing for more funding for the Office of Children’s Services, in response to the growing number of foster children in the system. Listen now:

Lawmakers Seek Audit Of State Crime Lab

Sen. Berta Gardner, an Anchorage Democrat, filed a bill to audit the processing of rape kits in the state earlier this year, after a report by the Legislature’s research department was unable to get information on the number of untested kits. Listen now:

Prenatal Pot Use on the Rise in Alaska

About 1 in 14 Alaska women are using marijuana while pregnant, and that ratio appears to be going up, according to the results of a statewide survey. Listen now:

Two New Wolf Kills Add to Denali Population Decline

The recent killing of two Denali National Park wolves, has increased calls for protection of the animals on state land adjacent to the park, where hunting and trapping are legal. The animals were shot in the Stampede area near Healy, the same region where other park wolves have been trapped and killed.  AThe annual harvest is fairly low, but is garnering concern as the Park wolf population continues to decline. Listen now:

Hovercraft To Shuttle Cruise Tourists to Taku Glacier

The start of the cruise ship season brings a new excursion from one of the oldest tour outfits in Southeast. Allen Marine Tours is set to run hovercraft trips to the Taku Glacier starting this week. Listen now:

Alaska WWII Vet Enjoys Bird’s Eye View of D.C. Flyover

Alaska Bush pilot Urban Rahoi, a homesteader, lodge owner and Fairbanks businessman, had a ride in a World War II-era B-17 as it flew over the National Mall today. Nice day, he says, but he wanted to be at the controls. Download Audio:

Alaska News Nightly: Friday, May 8, 2015

With Foster Care Cases Up, Lawmakers Consider Funding Triage; Lawmakers Seek Audit of State Crime Lab; Prenatal Pot Use On The Rise in Alaska; Two New Wolf Kills Add to Denali Population Decline; Hovercraft To Shuttle Cruise Tourists to Taku Glacier; Alaska WWII Vet Enjoys Bird's Eye View of D.C. Flyover; 49 Voices: Michelle Troll; AK: Samurai Musher Download Audio:
(Photo via http://www.thesamuraimusher.com)

AK: Samurai Musher

If you didn't hear the rendition of the Alaska Flag Song by a Japanese choral ensemble last week at Anchorage's Alaska Performing Arts Center, you missed something special. The finale of the musical play, "Samurai Musher" brought the audience to its feet to sing along with the cast.  The play told the story of Japanese musher Jujiro Wada, and although the curtain has come down on the play, Wada's story is still unfolding. Download Audio

49 Voices: Michelle Troll of Ketchikan

This week we hear from Michelle Troll of Ketchikan, who moved to Alaska to work at the Ketchikan Daily News more than 30 years ago and never, ever intended to stay. Download Audio:

Skagway Welcomes Annual Tourism Gold Rush

Skagway’s modern gold rush – the cruise ship season – has begun. The town of around 1,000 people expects almost 800,000 cruise ship passengers this summer. And the first 2,000 of those passengers had the chance to explore town on Tuesday. The Celebrity Solstice sailed north from Vancouver, with stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway.

Legislative gridlock

The state is in a serious revenue shortfall. But lawmakers are far from agreement about how to address it. What's driving the stalemate? What can be done to bring all sides together to get the work done? The 90 day session is over, the special session is on and little has been accomplished to address the deficit. APRN: Tuesday, 5/12 at 10:00am Download Audio

Walker plans event on Alaska’s fiscal situation

Gov. Bill Walker's administration plans to reach out to Alaskans for their thoughts on the right size of state government and future revenue options.

Alaska lawmakers’ Capital City plans still unclear

Alaska lawmakers are due back in Juneau on Tuesday, but who actually comes and how long they stay is unclear.

How events unfolded inside Juneau schools after threatening phone calls

Juneau schools have received five phone calls threatening school shootings in the past two weeks. In each instance, nothing was found, but the threats had to be addressed. Here’s how schools and police responded to the incidents.

Police will investigate fire that killed Anchorage girl

Police say they are investigating the cause of a duplex fire that left a girl dead in south Anchorage.

Rural Alaska’s Water Issues

Today we’re discussing water. Specifically, the absence of adequate water and sewage systems in rural communities across Western Alaska. Though there has been a lot of progress building facilities in the last 20 years, the job isn’t done, leaving many with limited access to potable water. It’s not merely an issue of convenience. There are elevated health risks, economic consequences, as well as questions of fairness in resource allocation. And amid diminishing state revenues along with accelerating climate change, the problems are rapidly worsening. KSKA: Friday, May 8, at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 9, at 6:00 p.m. KAKM: Friday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 9, at 4:30 p.m. Download Audio:

Russian Fish Called ‘Alaska Pollock’: OK By FDA

If you’re in a supermarket and see a product labeled “Alaska Pollock,” it could well be Russian-caught pollock. And the FDA considers that perfectly legal. Listen now:

‘Buffer Zones’ Devised to Keep Protesters From Shell’s Fleet

Final approvals for Shell Oil’s exploration season in the Chukchi Sea are expected in the coming days. The Coast Guard in Alaska is proposing a set of navigational buffer zones for when fleet arrives. The buffer zones would keep people and ships 100 yards away from Shell’s vessels while they’re underway, and 25 yards away while they’re at anchor. Download Audio: