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.

Federal Fisheries Money Heads to Senate

The U.S. Senate is poised to pass a spending bill that includes more than $150 million for federal programs important to Alaska’s fishing industry and marine navigation, including money for electronic monitoring on fishing boats. Download Audio

Kerttula Takes Ocean Policy Job In Obama Administration

Former Juneau Rep. Beth Kerttula has joined the Obama Administration as Director of the National Ocean Council Office. Download Audio

AEA Holds Public Meetings In Upper Valley, Anchorage

This week, the Alaska Energy Authority held public meetings in the Upper Valley and Anchorage to discuss the plans for the proposed Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project. In addition to AEA’s updates on the progress and plans for the megaproject, opponents to the dam expressed continuing concerns. Download Audio

Indignant JDHS Alum Rallies Stanford Campus Around Rape Case

Until this week, Leah Francis was probably best known as an Alaska distance running champ from her days at Juneau-Douglas High School. That all changed after she went public saying she was forcibly raped by a fellow Stanford University undergraduate while in Juneau. Download Audio

Volunteers Still Searching For Missing Juneau Hiker

Luke Holton doesn’t know 48-year-old Sharon Buis, but he’s helping to organize the volunteer search effort that started Wednesday, less than one week after Alaska State Troopers called off the official search. Download audio

Alaska News Nightly: June 6, 2014

Federal Fisheries Money Heads to Senate; Kerttula Takes Ocean Policy Job In Obama Administration; AEA Holds Public Meetings In Upper Valley, Anchorage; Indignant JDHS Alum Rallies Stanford Campus Around Rape Case; Volunteers Still Searching For Missing Juneau Hiker; Chitina Dip Net Salmon Fishery Opens At Midnight; Video Collars Provide Polar Bears' Point Of View; AK: Police Dogs; 300 Villages: Togiak Download Audio

Chitina Dip Net Salmon Fishery Opens At Midnight

The Chitina Subdistrict Dip Net Salmon Fishery opens at midnight. Dip netters can expect to see plenty of fish during the first opening. Download Audio

Video Collars Provide Polar Bears’ Point Of View

Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey are using new video collars to get a glimpse into the daily life of polar bears. Researchers have been using radio and GPS collars since the 1980s to track polar bears' movements along the Arctic sea ice. But, that data lacks a lot of contextual and observational information that allows for a better understanding of the bears. Download Audio

AK: Police Dogs

Dog owners know the challenges of dog training – first to get them housebroken, then to stop jumping on people or perhaps to pull on their harness on command. But police dogs have to meet a remarkable level of obedience. KNBA’s Joaqlin Estus recently met up with Aerie, a police dog with the Anchorage Police Department, and his handler in an Anchorage parking lot, and has this story. Download Audio

300 Villages: Togiak

This week, we’re heading to Togiak, on Bristol Bay. Daryl Thompson is city administrator for the city of Togiak. Download Audio

Proposition 1

Alaska’s budget is based on oil taxes, and the Legislature changed the oil tax structure last year to allow the industry more income when prices are high. In August Alaska’s voters are being asked whether they want to repeal that change. APRN: Tuesday, June 1, at 10:00 a.m. Download Audio

Court Says Alaska Must Translate Election Materials Into Alaska Native Languages

A federal judge says the constitutional right to vote requires the state of Alaska to translate all election materials into Native languages for voters lacking English proficiency. Download Audio

What Do The EPA’s New Carbon Rules Mean For Alaska?

Alaska utilities and policymakers are puzzling over President Obama’s proposal to cut carbon pollution from power plants and what the rules would mean for Alaska. Around the country, the proposal is viewed as a push to get states to clean up their coal plants, but that may not be the easiest way for Alaska to meet its target. Download Audio

Company Operating Red Dog Mine May have to pay Fine Over Wastewater Pipeline

The Canadian company that operates the Red Dog Mine in northwest Alaska says it won’t build a pipeline to carry wastewater away from the mine site to the Chukchi Sea. Now a court will decide if the company will have to pay a fine laid out in a 2008 lawsuit settlement. Download Audio

NPFMC Meets in Nome; Bering Sea Pollock Remains Flat, Chinook Bycatch Is Up

After days of scientific subcommittees, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council had its first round of meetings Wednesday in Nome. The Council heard reports from fisheries across the North Pacific. Download Audio

NPFMC Looking to Reduce Salmon Bycatch

This morning an advisory panel of the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council heard public testimony on proposed policy changes to salmon bycatch. The panel makes recommendations to the governing board of the council, which is meeting this week in Nome. Download Audio

Shipwrecks Take Long Path To Cleanup

An abandoned crab vessel will finally be pulled off the beach in Unalaska, more than seven months after it ran aground. But, the Arctic Hunter isn’t the only wreck that’s been waiting on a cleanup. Download Audio

Borough School District Seeks Pre-K Funds

The Matanuska Susistna School District's pre-school program is in jeopardy. "Widening the Net " brings pre-kindergarden education into selected district schools, but school funding reductions (this year) may force the district to shut down the innovative program in the fall. School district officials vow to continue the program on a reduced basis, if a state grant does not come through in time. Download Audio

Remembering The Internment Of 83 Alaska Natives During WWII

More than 70 years have passed since the U.S. government forced the people of Atka from their homes to an internment camp on Killisnoo Island in Southeast Alaska. To protect them from Japanese invasion during World War II, they were moved 1,600 miles from the Aleutian Islands to an old whaling and herring village across the water from Angoon on Admiralty Island. Download Audio

Alaska News Nightly: June 5, 2014

Court Says Alaska Must Translate Election Materials Into Alaska Native Languages; What Do The EPA’s New Carbon Rules Mean For Alaska?; Company Operating Red Dog Mine Opts For Fine Over Wastewater Pipeline; NPFMC Meets in Nome; Bering Sea Pollock Remains Flat, Chinook Bycatch Is Up; NPFMC Looking to Reduce Salmon Bycatch; Shipwrecks Take Long Path To Cleanup; Mat-Su School District Seeks Pre-K Funds; Remembering The Internment Of 83 Alaska Natives During WWII Download Audio