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.

With Votes Still Coming In, Elections Division Prepares For Count

After a week of collecting and reviewing absentee and questioned ballots, the Division of Elections will start counting votes on Tuesday.

Lawsuit Claims Chukchi Rules Fail to Protect Walrus

A coalition of environmental groups filed a lawsuit today against the Fish and Wildlife Service, saying its rule allowing the oil industry to disturb or harm Pacific walrus in the Chukchi Sea violates the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Download Audio

Alaska News Nightly: November 10, 2014

Division of Elections To Start Counting Absentee, Questioned Ballots Tomorrow; Lawsuit Claims Chukchi Rules Fail to Protect Walrus; Appeals Court Revives Alaska Suit On Roadless Rule; 7 Escape Kenai Juvenile Detention Facility, 5 Apprehended Over Weekend; Some Communities Investigating Local Option To Ban Marijuana; Team Documents Elders’ Memories of Colder Winters; Settlement Signed In Sitka Gender Equity Dispute; One Option To Avoid High Housing Costs In Juneau: Live On a Boat Download Audio

Appeals Court Revives Alaska Suit On Roadless Rule

Alaska will continue its court battle against a U.S. Forest Service policy that blocks logging in undeveloped areas of national forests. Download Audio

5 Escape Juvenile Detention Facility, Apprehended Over Weekend

Seven teenagers were involved in an attack on unarmed guards at a Kenai Peninsula juvenile detention facility Friday night. Five escaped the facility and were apprehended over the weekend. Download Audio

Some Communities Investigating Local Option To Ban Marijuana

Though the final count is still pending, unofficial results show Alaskans voting “yes” to legalizing marijuana in last week’s election. But the road to a legal and regulated marijuana market is months away, and communities who still want to keep the divisive drug out are looking at doing so the same way many currently ban alcohol: the local option. Download Audio

Team Documents Elders’ Memories of Colder Winters

Multimedia producers are in Alaska gathering audio for a project called ‘Winters Past’. Their first stop was in Bethel where they’re talking with elders about how they’ve seen the climate change in their lifetime. Download Audio

Settlement Signed In Sitka Gender Equity Dispute

The Sitka School District has reached a settlement in a gender equity dispute over the community’s new ball field. Download Audio

One Option To Avoid High Housing Costs In Juneau: Live On a Boat

Juneau has some of the highest housing prices in Alaska. According to the state Department of Labor, the average single family home costs $349,000 dollars in the capital city. A typical rental unit is more than a thousand dollars a month. Download Audio

Y-K Delta Representative Bob Herron Named Majority Whip

Y-K Delta House Representative Bob Herron will be the Whip for the Majority Caucus this January. Herron and the Republican-led caucus just finished two days of organization meetings. As Majority Whip, the District 38 Democrat is charged with making sure there is effective communication in the caucus.

Worst of Bering Sea Storm Over for Aleutian Island Residents

A potent low-pressure system is quickly losing power over the Bering Sea. From the western Aleutian Islands to the Pribilofs, National Weather Service meteorologist Shaun Baines says "everybody has seen the worst of it."

Trial Begins For Man Charged With Killing VPSO Thomas Madole

After a lengthy four days to select a jury, opening statements were made this morning in the murder trial of Leroy Dick Jr. at the courthouse in Dillingham. Download Audio

Bering Sea Storm Expected To Lose Power Quickly

After a week of warnings, a heavy-duty storm washed into the Bering Sea early this morning. Hurricane-force winds smacked the far western Aleutian Islands. And while the storm has disturbed life at sea, it’s expected to start losing power fast. Download Audio

How Will Legal Marijuana Work In Rural Alaska?

Early next year, Alaskans will be able to legally buy, transport, and use small amounts of marijuana. The initiative will not be law until three months after the vote is certified, and the state has more time to come up with rules for marijuana sales. Download Audio

Alaska Miners Association Convention Held In Anchorage

The Alaska Miner's Association annual convention has been going on all week in Anchorage. Coinciding with the AMA's 75th year, is the 25th anniversary of Kotzebue's Red Dog Mine. Download Audio

Chenault Extends Record As House Speaker

Nikiski Republican Mike Chenault will serve his fourth term as House Speaker in the Alaska State Legislature. That will make him the longest serving speaker in legislative history. Download Audio

UA President Warns Regents About Budget

The University of Alaska Board of Regents has passed a budget for next year, but there’s concern about state funding. Download Audio

Crews Troubleshoot Bethel’s Pool Sprinkler System

There’s no timeline for reopening the $24 million Bethel pool, which closed right after the grand opening this past Saturday due to a sprinkler system issue. Download Audio

Alaska News Nightly: November 7, 2014

Trial Begins For Man Charged With Killing VPSO Thomas Madole; Bering Sea Storm Hits Aleutian Islands; How Will Legal Marijuana Work In Rural Alaska?; Alaska Miners Association Convention Held In Anchorage; Rep. Mike Chenault Tapped For 4th Term As House Speaker; UA President Warns Regents About Budget; Crews Troubleshoot Bethel's Pool Sprinkler System; Ferry System Limits Solo Travel By Kids, Teenagers; AK: High Tech Surgery; 300 Villages: Kivalina Download Audio

Ferry System Limits Solo Travel By Kids, Teenagers

The Alaska Marine Highway System will no longer allow children and teenagers under 18 to travel solo. Download Audio