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.

Gas Spills From Broken Pipe On Kake Waterfront

Officials say an estimated 5,500 gallons of unleaded gasoline spilled into the water Saturday in the small Southeast community of Kake. Download Audio

Riversdale Puts Chickaloon Coal Prospect On Hold

Riversdale Alaska is mothballing its plan to mine coal in the Chickaloon area. The Australian-owned mining company is turning its sights on coal prospects in Alberta, Canada, instead. Download Audio

Thousands Of New Fish Specimens Double Museum’s Collection

The University of Alaska, Fairbanks Museum of the North recently acquired as many as 150,000 fish and marine specimens from the National Marine Fisheries Service.  The acquisition means the museum’s fish collection has doubled in size. Download Audio

What Would You Do With 9 Tons Of Salmon You Can’t Sell?

Juneau’s soup kitchen and shelter recently received a donation of salmon with an estimated retail value of more than $100,000. Download Audio

Fairbanks Discuss Solutions For Support Services Void

The bankruptcy of a Fairbanks primary mental health care provider earlier this fall, and the more recent closure of an assisted living facility, has resulted in a major void in support services in the area. A community forum held last week in Fairbanks brought people together to discuss solutions. Download Audio

Palmer Farmers’ Market Starts Up

Even though winter temperatures are sweeping the state, a local farmers’ market in Palmer is just starting up. It features some surprising products guaranteed to dispel the winter-time blahs. Download Audio

I Am The Gingerbread Village Builder

850 pounds of icing, 40 houses of gingerbread and chocolate - Joe Hickel has been creating Marina's Village in the lobby of The Hotel Captain Cook for 35 years. This year's creation took six days to build and features a new country scene.

Getting Crafty with an Old Holiday Sweater

Today we’re getting crafty for the holidays. Natasha Price has been making handmade gifts as far back as she can remember. She’s been sewing since she was three, knitting since she was six, and documenting her DIY projects on her blog for about four years. Price likes making creative gifts this time of year. So, together we're recycling my old Christmas sweater. Read more.

Oiled Birds Wash Ashore On St. Lawrence Island

Two dead, oil - covered seagulls have been found off the coast of St. Lawrence Island. In a release issued today [Friday], the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation says that the two freshly dead birds were discovered by off shore hunters on December 10.

Legislation Would Reject Pay Raise For Governor

House Democratic lawmakers plan to introduce legislation rejecting proposed pay raises for Alaska's governor and other top state officials.

Susitna Dam Funding Cut In Proposed Budget

Governor Parnell’s state budget totals $12.4 billion, and includes drawing $1.1 billion from reserves. Many capital projects saw significant cuts in the proposed budget, including the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project. Listen Now

Bethel Man Remembers Growing Up In Apartheid South Africa

Nelson Mandela’s funeral is Sunday. The well-known African leader passed away at 95. He fought Apartheid or racial segregation, which kept him in prison for decades by the country’s government, run by the white minority. One Bethel resident was deeply moved by his passing. Listen Now

Without Medicaid Expansion, Alaska’s Poorest Get Nothing From Health Law

For low income Alaskans who want to buy health insurance on the federal marketplace, there's a magic number to keep in mind: $14,350. That's the amount of yearly income they have to earn to qualify for a subsidy to purchase coverage. With the subsidy, they have to pay very little for health insurance. But below that mark, it's full price. Listen Now

Holiday Greetings Statewide

Many Alaskans make a point of listening to the radio on that very special Tuesday before Christmas when they can have the unique and uplifting experience of hearing holiday greetings from friends and relatives across the state on “Talk of Alaska.” It’s your chance to reach out to people near and far with your good wishes for the holiday and the new year. APRN: Tuesday, 12/12 at 10:00am Download Audio

AK: Ancient Shorelines

Most of us like to know something about our family history. And we might want to get some idea of who was here before us. Listen Now

300 Villages: Shaktoolik

This week we travel to the native village of Shaktoolik, a coastal village about 125 miles east of Nome on Norton Sound. Shaktoolik mayor Eugene Asicksik tells us more. Download Audio

Legislators Consider State Takeover Of School Health Plans To Lower Costs

School districts currently manage their own health insurance plans. They pick their own providers, they decide how much of the premium they want to cover, and their employees can bargain for better benefits. But now, a senator from the Mat-Su Borough is pushing for the state to take over management of school health plans, and a report commissioned by the Legislature backs that proposal up as a way of saving money. Listen Now

Presidential Adviser Pete Rouse Maintains Alaska Roots

One of President Obama’s closest advisers is leaving. Pete Rouse has been at Obama’s side since his first days in the Senate and at the White House, serving at times as chief of staff. But Rouse shuns the spotlight, so few people know of his Alaska roots, or the pull he’s had on the 49th state. Download Audio

Savoonga Whales Fulfill Musical Needs

Savoonga, a community on St. Lawrence Island, harvested two bowhead whales last week, both of them female. While the island is praising the immense intake of muktuk and meat amid an economic disaster, Theodore Kingeekuk, a drummer on the island, is celebrating another part of the anatomy — the uterus. Download Audio

Warming Arctic Likely Contributing To Erratic Worldwide Weather Patterns

A federal agency says the Arctic continued to warm in 2013 and may have entered a "new normal" of diminished sea ice and wilder swings in weather that affect lower latitudes. Download Audio