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.

A panel of people in business attire.

Anchorage superintendent reflects on his first year at the helm of the state’s largest school district

Jharrett Bryantt had a tumultuous first year as the superintendent of the Anchorage School District. There was the bus driver shortage, an unprecedented string of snow days and a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. But, he noted, there were many bright spots, too.
Robert Sundown funeral

Bethel remembers the life of renowned aviator Robert Sundown

Sundown, who died unexpectedly at age 53 during an April moose hunt, was with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for more than 22 years.
the Ketchikan Public Library

Ketchikan council upholds manager’s decision against holding drag queen story time

Ketchikan’s City Council upheld the city manager’s decision to not hold a drag queen story time at the public library this year.
Yak Timber logging

Yak Timber files for bankruptcy after its parent village corporation is sued for $13M

A timber company owned by Yakutat’s village corporation has filed for bankruptcy after a bank sued over $13 million in outstanding debts.
two kids hold signs that call for more education funding

Alaska school officials say one-time funding boost leaves budgets unpredictable

School district leaders and many legislators were hopeful that the state's base student allocation to schools would increase significantly this year.
underwater grasses in a tundra pond, with a boardwalk

Alaska Gov. Dunleavy says court decision limiting federal regulation of wetlands aids ‘responsible development’

The U.S. Supreme Court trimmed the EPA's authority. Implications for the Pebble Mine are unclear.

Alaska’s heavy dependence on federal dollars could mean big impacts from debt default

Alaska Beacon reporter James Brooks wrote about the potential impacts to Alaska from a debt default recently.
a person shopping

3 ways to protect your money if the U.S. defaults on its debt

From social security payments to interest rates, a lot hinges on a debt-ceiling deal. Personal finance experts say you should prepare for a possible debt default as you would a recession.

Man charged with selling bootleg alcohol to Anchorage homeless residents

Investigators say Brandon Reed sold thousands of dollars' worth of vodka to people at the Sullivan Arena and other places frequented by the homeless.
a police officer in a black uniform

Anchorage police department and union reach agreement on body-worn camera policy, 2 years after approved by voters

Even with the agreement, the timeline for when the cameras will actually be on officers is still unknown. 
the U.S. Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has narrowed the scope of the Clean Water Act

A test upheld 5-4 holds that only wetlands with a continuous surface connection to a body of water are covered by the Clean Water Act.
three people stand outside of a yellow van

Campsites around Midtown Anchorage park will be cleared starting June 6

It's the first major camp abatement of the year in Anchorage. Many questions remain about where and when people can set up camps with shelter space full.
a possum

Homer police take Grubby the opossum into custody

Homer police confirmed the Wednesday capture of the “wanted fugitive and somewhat local celebrity” on Facebook.
a man at a meeting desk

Alaska Legislature passes bill to exempt veterinarians from opioid reporting

Veterinarians in the state are currently required to report scheduled substances to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
people in line at a crowded airport

A record number of Americans may fly this summer. Here’s everything you need to know.

Memorial Day weekend kicks off the busy summer air travel season and this may be the busiest ever. But some worry it could be another summer of delays and cancellations after a "pretty rocky" 2022.
the state ferry Hubbard

After long wait, state ferry Hubbard begins Southeast Alaska service

On Tuesday morning the Hubbard, which can carry up to 300 passengers, sailed up Lynn Canal with about 70 aboard.
the U.S. Capitol

What happens in Alaska if the United States defaults on its debt next month?

Social Security checks, pensions, government paychecks and many basic services could be affected, and that’s before any economic recession.
the trans-Alaska pipeline

Energy leaders in Anchorage make the case for Alaska LNG pipeline — again

U.S. officials say the proposed 800-mile pipeline, long plagued by its high cost, could be a “strategic tool” for the country.
halibut

Fishing guides at a Petersburg lodge charged with over 50 violations

State and federal officers were involved in the investigations, including undercover officers posing as fishing clients.
a boat in the harbor

Troopers to crack down on ‘performance-enhancing’ add-ons to Bristol Bay fishing boats

Commercial drift gillnet boats must measure 32 feet or less to fish in the bay. And the fleet got a finger-wagging from the Alaska Wildlife Troopers earlier this year.