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.

Adult Learning Center Helps Dropouts Earn Diplomas

As the traditional strains of Pomp and Circumstance rang out of a boombox at Anchorage's Wilda Marston Theater recently, thirty black- robed and square- hatted high school graduates paraded down the aisle. February is not the usual month for such a ceremony, but what makes this graduation really different -- the grads are not teenagers, and they hail from as far away as the Congo. Download Audio

Opponents Of New Oil Tax Law Offer Their Alternatives

While the proposals take different approaches, both seek to raise the tax rate at higher oil prices. Download Audio

Measure Calls For Tongass Timber Transfer

Legislation urging the state to take over some Tongass National Forest lands is bringing questions and opposition. Sitka Republican Senator Bert Stedman’s resolution calls for the governor to seek transfer of Tongass timberlands. Download Audio

Former Trooper Arrested For Sexual Abuse Of Minor

A former Alaska State Trooper has been arrested for sexual abuse of a minor. Troopers say Warren Tanner of North Pole was picked up Friday following a report received the previous day that the 75-year-old had been abusing a 14 year old girl, over several years. Tanner was taken into custody with the assistance of U.S. Marshals and jailed in Fairbanks. Tanner commanded the Fairbanks Trooper detachment for 2 years, before retiring in 1999. He served as a provost Marshall on Ft. Wainwright in the 1970’s before becoming a Trooper. Download Audio

Anchorage Daily News Launches Project Examining Effects Of Alcohol On Alaskans

The Anchorage Daily News is undertaking a year-long examination of the affects of alcohol on Alaskan lives. Kyle Hopkins is reporting the series with photojournalist Marc Lester. On Sunday, the reporters introduced four mothers who have kids with fetal alcohol disorders. Hopkins says they wanted to tell the stories of the birth mothers and their kids. Download Audio

Legislation Introduced To Protect ‘Public Interest Litigants’

Three Democrats in the Alaska Senate introduced legislation Wednesday that seeks to protect the rights of those who sue the state about issues in the public interest. The proposed Pebble Mine is at the heart of the proposed legislation. Download Audio

Fairbanks UAV Testing Center Ramps Up

The University of Alaska Fairbanks is ramping up its unmanned aerial vehicle testing center. The university was one of 6 entities around the country selected by the Federal Aviation Administration in December to undertake the task of integrating UAV’s into U.S. airspace. Download Audio

French Introduces Measure To Strike Gay Marriage Ban

In 1998, Alaska became the first state to put a ban on same-sex marriage into its constitution. Now, the minority leader in the State Senate wants to get rid of that ban.

Alaska News Nightly: February 24, 2014

New Oil Tax Opponents Offer Alternatives; Alaska Army National Guard Sexual Misconduct Investigation Results In Administrative Charges; Hollis French Pushing To Nix Same-Sex Marriage Ban; Adult Learning Center Offers Educational Opportunities; Measure Calls For Tongass Timber Transfer; Former Trooper Arrested For Sexual Abuse Of Minor; Anchorage Daily News Launches Project Examining Effects Of Alcohol On Alaskans; Legislation Introduced To Protect ‘Public Interest Litigants’; Fairbanks UAV Testing Center Ramps Up Download Audio

Touring an Iconic Anchorage Bar

Today we’re looking back at the 40 plus years of the iconic Anchorage bar Chilkoot Charlie's. Mike Gordon has owned Koots since its humble beginning in 1970, and he says the experience has been a roller coaster. So much so, that the bar itself touts the title “World Famous Chilkoot Charlies.”

Sam Kito III Named As New Juneau Representative

Governor Sean Parnell on Friday morning named Sam Kito III as the new District 32 representative to the Legislature for downtown Juneau and Douglas. Download Audio

Report Focuses On Potential NPR-A Development

An analysis of what would be the first commercial development in the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska is the subject of a report issued by the Bureau of Land Management. Download Audio

‘Arctic Ambassador’ Position Draws Mixed Reaction From Alaska Delegation

Secretary of State John Kerry announced last week that he’s creating a new position called Special Representative for the Arctic Region. It’s been referred to as an “Arctic Ambassador” in some reports, but it’s not exactly that, and the reaction of Alaska’s two U.S. senators has been mixed. Download Audio

Municipal League Supports Pension Infusion Plan

Alaska’s mayors and other local officials are worried their governments may be asked to pay more toward public employees’ retirement. The lobbying group Alaska Municipal League is backing Governor Sean Parnell’s proposal to use $3 billion in savings to reduce an estimated $12 billion shortfall in state pension funds. Download Audio

Mekoryuk Residents Seek More Musk Oxen For Local

Residents of Mekoryuk on Nunivak Island are seeking more involvement, and more musk oxen harvest. This is happening as the 20-year-old agreement that guides management is set to undergo changes. Download Audio

AK: Rural Recycling

The city of Nome just bought a new recycling shed online. It’s another step towards diverting more waste from the landfill, and either re-purposing it or shipping it out of Alaska. Rural recycling presents some unique challenges for environmental management. And the city is finding some unique solutions. Downlaod Audio

300 Villages: Tazlina

This week we’re headed to Tazlina, a small community off the Glennallen Highway near Wrangell Saint Elias National Park. Sheila Hay owns The Aurora Borealis Bed and Breakfast in Tazlina. Download Audio

ASD Board Taps Saving to Pass Budget

After weeks of number crunching, the Anchorage School Board unanimously passed a budget on Thursday night. It cuts $23 million and 200 positions. More than a dozen people testified about the cuts. Then the board made small changes that will make a big difference to the community. Download Audio

Alaska News Nightly: February 21, 2014

Sam Kito III Named As New Juneau Representative; Report Focuses On Potential NPR-A Development; ASD Board Taps Reserves to Pass Budget; ‘Arctic Ambassador’ Position Draws Mixed Reaction From Alaska Delegation; Municipal League Supports Pension Infusion Plan; Mekoryuk Residents Seek More Musk Oxen For Local; AK: Rural Recycling; 300 Villages: Tazlina Download Audio

It’s About The Dogs

The top sled dog teams in the Iditarod have become so competitive that the slightest edge can make a critical difference. And that means that mushers want to know everything they can about what their dogs can do. APRN: Tuesday, 2/21 at 10:00am Download Audio