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.

Lab Results Pending for ‘Oily’ Seals Harvested Off St. Lawrence Island

Two seals recently harvested off Gambell were found coated with a dark oily substance. While the hunters on St. Lawrence Island believe it was oil on the animals’ coats, testing done by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has not confirmed that.

Monofil Project On Hold, Again

A plan by Eklutna, Inc. to build a landfill in Chugiak has re-surfaced about a year after the Anchorage Planning Commission rejected the Alaska Native corporation's project. The Chugiak Community Council opposes the plan, but, a new wrinkle in the debate has opened the door to a pollution investigation.

Forrest Dunbar: The Millennial Who Aims to Unseat Don Young

The Alaska Congressman's Democratic challenger is a Yale-educated attorney, raised in Eagle and Cordova. Dunbar is a first-time candidate running a serious campaign on a relative shoestring. Listen now:

Studies Predict Peril for Alaska’s Feathered Migrants

America’s birds are in trouble. That’s according to two reports out earlier this month from the National Audubon Society and the Department of Interior. Both documents suggest climate change could have dire effects for many of the birds that migrate to Alaska each year. Listen now:

Pilot Program Helps Bethel Farm Ship Produce to Cordova Schools

Meyers Farm in Bethel recently shipped about 500 pounds of vegetables to the Cordova School District. The order was made possible through a program that reimburses Alaska school districts that buy food grown in state. Download Audio:

Petersburg Considers Changes to Senior Sales Tax Exemption

If you’re 65 or older, you don’t have to pay Petersburg’s 6 percent sales tax. Municipal Finance Director Jody Tow says that means local government is losing out on a lot of money. Listen now:

Alaska Power & Telephone Buys Gustavus Electric Co.

Alaska Power and Telephone has purchased the Gustavus Electric Co. The 32-year-old homespun utility is the life’s work of Gustavus local Dick Levitt and his wife Linda. Listen now:

Downtown Stores Called Upon to Keep Juneau Attractive

The last cruise ship to visit the capital city pulls out of Juneau at 9 p.m. Thursday. As stores in the tourist district pack up and shut down for the fall and winter season, the Juneau Economic Development Council wants to make sure downtown remains an inviting place to be. Listen now:

Rethinking The Asphalt Parking Spot

Imagine a parking spot. Typically a slab of asphalt waiting for the next vehicle to roll on by. Now imagine that spot transformed into a green oasis among the urban jungle for an entire day. That's what happened recently when the national event, Parking Day, came to Anchorage. Download Audio:

Alaska News Nightly: September 24, 2014

Forrest Dunbar: The Millennial Who Aims to Unseat Don Young; Studies Predict Peril for Alaska's Feathered Migrants; Pilot Program Helps Bethel Farm Ship Produce to Cordova Schools; Petersburg Considers Changes to Senior Sales Tax Exemption; Alaska Power & Telephone Buys Gustavus Electric Co.; Downtown Stores Called Upon to Keep Juneau Attractive Year-Round; Rethinking The Asphalt Parking Spot Download Audio:

Five Arrested in Connection With Medication Theft from Shishmaref Clinic

Five people, including two adults, have been arrested in connection to a break-in at the Shishmaref clinic and the theft of more than 100 painkillers—a theft Alaska State Troopers say was accomplished using tools the group stole earlier from the community school.

Assembly delays decision on Chugach Access Plan

After more than 40 people testified before the Anchorage Assembly, the body voted to postpone making a decision on the Chugach State Park Access Plan. Plan supporters say the community needs easier access. Dissenters took issue with some of the suggested points.

Anchorage Assembly says no to legalizing marijuana

The state’s largest city is publicly speaking out against Ballot Measure 2, which aims to legalize marijuana. But the Anchorage Assembly’s vote was not unanimous.

Murkowski Backs Sullivan in TV Spot

U.S. Senate candidate Dan Sullivan has a new campaign ad featuring the person he hopes to call a colleague: Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Download Audio:

Tribes Advance Self-Governance Initiative With Tax Bill

A bill that will exempt tribes from taxation on social welfare programs has made its way through Congress and is awaiting the president’s signature. The bill was introduced in response to the Internal Revenue Service’s increased auditing of tribes over the last few years and is part of a national initiative to give tribes the same tax status as local and state governments. Listen now:

Wasilla Clinic Owner Charged With Medicaid Fraud

The owner of a Wasilla disability clinic has been charged with Medicaid fraud. The Alaska Department of Law filed charges against Laura Sasseen, owner of the Mat Su Activity and Respite Center LLC on Monday, alleging falsification of business records and and misdemeanor medical assistance fraud. Download Audio:

Arctic Sea Ice Hits Minimum Extent, 6th Lowest On Record

The National Snow and Ice Data Center this week announced Arctic sea ice reached its minimum extent on September 17th. It’s the sixth lowest sea ice extent since scientists began keeping records back in 1979. Download Audio:

Jurors Reach Mixed Verdict in Unalaska Homicide Trial

Jurors have delivered a verdict on the most serious charges against two men who were accused of murdering a co-worker at an Unalaska fish plant. Download Audio:

Art is Big Business in Southeast

What are the arts worth to Southeast Alaska? A new economic study says painting, carving, theater, music and other creative pursuits generate at least $60 million a year in business. Download Audio:

Alaska News Nightly: September 23, 2014

Murkowski Backs Sullivan in TV Spot; Tribes Advance Self-Governance Initiative with Tax Bill; Wasilla Disability Clinic Owner Charged With Medicaid Fraud; Arctic Sea Ice Hits Minimum Extent, 6th Lowest on Record; Anchorage - A Climate Refuge?; Jurors Reach Mixed Verdict in Unalaska Homicide Trial; As Students Turn 18, Some Have Real Questions for Political Candidates; Art is Big Business in Southeast; Banned Books Week: ‘Captain Underpants’ Tops List Filled With Literary Classics Download Audio: