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.

Proposition 2: To Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol

Should Alaska join the other states that have decided to decriminalize marijuana? Proponents argue that it’s already a big business here and bringing it out into the open would allow it to be taxed and provide a source of revenue. Proponents argue it’s too risky and would make our existing substance abuse problems even worse. APRN: Tuesday, 9/16 at 10:00am Download Audio

Champion Distance Musher Jeff King Plans a Return to the Yukon Quest

Champion distance musher Jeff King of Denali plans to return to the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race next February. It’s been a quarter century since he’s run that race. In 2015, he’ll face a three-time defending champion, a rule change regarding rest times and mandatory stops and number of young, upcoming mushers.

Alaska Delegation Critical Of President’s ISIS Plan

President Obama outlined a plan Wednesday to defeat the terror group known as the Islamic State, or ISIS. He is calling for airstrikes, as well as for the U.S. to support the Iraqi military and Syrian fighters attacking ISIS on the ground. Download Audio

Anchorage Courthouse Evacuated for Bomb Threat, Nothing Found

The Anchorage Police Department responded to a bomb threat at the Nesbett Courthouse this afternoon. The courthouse was evacuated around 1 pm and the building was searched. They did not find anything. Police also evacuated Boney Courthouse and closed a few downtown streets as a precaution. The area was declared safe by 3 pm, though the Nesbett Courthouse remained closed. The investigation is on going and no other information is available at this time. Download Audio

National Guard Sexual Assault Survivor Speaks Out

A survivor of sexual assault in the military stepped forward Thursday at the urging of an Anchorage women's political action group. Download Audio

Sheraton workers continue rallying for contracts six years into negotiations

Labor organizers say they're ramping up the protest against the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Anchorage, where workers have been in contentious contract negotiations with the Texas-based company since 2009. Download Audio

Extra-Tropical System Makes Way Up Alaska’s Southwest Coast

The storm system making its way up the southwestern coast of Alaska is bringing rain and high winds. Download Audio

Testimony Begins In Unalaska Murder Trial

Testimony began Wednesday in Unalaska in the trial of two men accused of beating a coworker to death outside a bunkhouse in 2012. Download Audio
Delta Air Lines performs a test flight into Juneau. (Photo by Doug Wahto)

Juneau Remains Part of ‘Battle for Seattle’ Between Delta, Alaska

Delta Air Lines ended their summer run between Juneau and Seattle on August 31. An airline official says the season went well, and Delta will be back next year. Download Audio

Alaska News Nightly: September 11, 2014

Alaska Delegation Critical Of President’s ISIS Plan; Anchorage Courthouse Evacuated for Bomb Threat, Nothing Found; Alaska National Guard Sexual Assault Victim Steps Forward; Sheraton Workers Continue Rallying For Contracts 6 Years Into Negotiations; Extra-Tropical System Makes Way Up Alaska’s Southwest Coast; Marijuana Coalition To Court Conservative Voters Despite GOP Opposition To Measure; Testimony Begins In Unalaska Murder Trial; Statistics Show Downward Trend In Alaska Drug Arrests; Juneau Remains Part of ‘Battle for Seattle’ Between Delta, Alaska Download Audio

Marijuana Coalition To Court Conservative Voters Despite GOP Opposition To Measure

This spring, the Alaska Republican Party came out against an initiative that would regulate marijuana like alcohol. Now, some conservatives are formally declaring their support for Proposition 2, without the backing of the party’s official organizations. Download Audio

Russia Builds Military Bases in Arctic

Russian news outlets report ships have unloaded pre-fabricated buildings to create military installations on Russia’s Wrangel Island and Cape Schmidt. Both are about 300 miles from Alaska’s Point Hope. Download Audio

Bill Aims To Create Arctic Port on Bering Sea Coast

A U.S. House subcommittee today considered a bill aimed at creating a deepwater dock at Point Spencer, a narrow curlicue of land on the Bering Strait, just south of the Arctic Circle. Alaska Congressman Don Young says his bill would divide the 2,000 acre spit among the Coast Guard, the state and the Bering Strait Native Corp., creating a partnership to build a port. Download Audio

Extra-Tropical System To Bring Rain, Some Wind to Coastal AK

A tropical storm is making its way from Asia to Alaska. It’s expected to reach the Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound later this week. Download Audio

ADEC Estimates 1,640 Gallons of Diesel Spilled by NOAA Ship

An oily sheen in Women’s Bay has been traced to the NOAA research ship Rainier docked at Nyman Peninsula on the Kodiak Coast Guard base. Download Audio

EPA, Flint Hills Reach Settlement Over Alleged Hazardous Waste Violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached a settlement with Flint Hills Resources. Download Audio

Transportation Grant For Alaska Railroad’s Seward Dock

The city of Seward will benefit from a two point five million dollar federal grant that was announced on Tuesday. Download Audio

UAA Receives Grant For FASD Prevention Work

As part of a national effort to curb risky drinking habits and prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, the Center for Disease Control awarded grants to six universities across the country - including the University of Alaska Anchorage. Download Audio

Can The Tongass Support Sustainable Logging?

A regional committee tasked with advising the National Forest Service on how to manage logging in the Tongass began three days of meetings in Juneau Wednesday. Download Audio

Juneau School District Receives Praise, Criticism For How It Handled Hazing

Members of the public criticized how the Juneau School District handled a hazing incident in May that involved seven seniors paddling six incoming freshmen. During Tuesday’s school board meeting, they said the perceived punishment of the offenders wasn’t harsh enough. Meanwhile, a state education official commended the district for trying to change the culture of hazing. Download Audio