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.

Former UAF Shooters Compete At Olympic Games

Two former University of Alaska Fairbanks rifle team members are competing on the U.S. team at the London, Olympics. Matt Emmons is a two-time Olympian who won gold and silver at the games in 2004 and 2008. Jamie Beyerle Gray scored a 4th and 5th in 2008. Gray competed in the air rifle event Saturday, and finished 5th again, one spot behind Emmon’s wife Katerina, who shoots for the Czech Republic. Yi Siling of China won. Gray says the places in shooting are typically determined by shots just millimeters apart.

Two Kwethluk Men Drown In Separate Incidents

Two men from the Kuskokwim village of Kwethluk drowned in separate incidents within the past week.

FCC Officials Visit Rural Alaska

The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, Office of Native Affairs and Policy is visiting remote villages, hub communities, as well as Anchorage and Fairbanks to learn about the obstacles Alaska Natives face in accessing the Internet. The visiting officials also held a training session Friday in Anchorage.

Rapper Pitbull Visits Kodiak

A month after an online campaign started an effort to send Miami singer Pitbull to Kodiak, Mr. Worldwide finally touched down on the island this morning.

Outlook Bleak For Law of the Sea Ratification

The outlook for ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea this term in Congress is not good. Opponents have long said they worry about the treaty’s infringement on the nation’s sovereignty. Specifics to what that means are hard to come by.

Outdoor Vendor Highlights “Alaska Made”

Anchorage's street vendors are a hardy lot. Despite a blustery, wet summer, they are showing up at outdoor markets rain or shine. One familiar...

Market Warriors

Watch Market Warriors - First Look on PBS. See more from pbs.

In each episode, four pickers travel to different markets across the country to purchase items with a set amount of money, and use their knowledge and skills to see who can make the most profit at auction. Fred Willard (Best in Show, A Mighty Wind) is Market Warriors’ off-screen host, offering wry commentary throughout the show. Alaska Public Television. Monday, July 30. 8:00 pm

Masterpiece Mystery! Inspector Lewis Series V

Watch Inspector Lewis: The Indelible Stain Preview on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

An anti-racist extremist hurls a threat at the professor, and later that night, Yelland is discovered strangled to death with a noose made from his own tie. The investigation draws Inspector Lewis (Kevin Whately) and Hathaway (Laurence Fox) into a criminology department rife with murder suspects, many of them already guilty of lesser crimes. Alaska Public Television. Sunday, July 29. 8:00 pm

Making Waves

Through the personal experiences of several passionate rowers from diverse backgrounds, the documentary looks at the challenges facing this historically white, tradition bound sport in its efforts to increase diversity.

Alaska Public Television. Wednesday, July 28. 9:00 pm

Gov. Parnell Frustrated With Senate’s Bi-Partisan Majority

Governor Parnell has said he’d like to see the Senate bipartisan working group broken up and he’ll strive to help more Republicans get elected this fall. Part of the Governor’s frustration with the group centers around his failed efforts to get his oil tax reduction legislation HB110 passed. Parnell’s efforts are being challenged by members of the resurrected Backbone organization that is working to support the bipartisan group. But the Governor says the coalition is bipartisan in name only.

Shell Scales Back Drill Plan for 2012

Shell has modified plans for drilling in the Arctic this summer. Shell spokesman Curtis Smith says lingering sea ice and logistical challenges are shrinking their window for work.

Sen. French Asks State To Withdraw Proposed Abortion Payment Condition Regulations

Anchorage Democratic Senator Hollis French says he wants the state to withdraw proposed regulations for abortion payment conditions. French says the regulations may be unconstitutional, and are narrower than the current standard. French has requested a legal opinion on the regulations.

Avalanche, Injuries Prompts Denali Rescue

Three mountaineers were evacuated from the 17,200-foot camp on Denali’s West Buttress after an avalanche injured two in the party. They were the last climbers registered to climb this season, and were the only ones remaining on the mountain.

State Updates Management Plan For Large Portion Of Central Interior

The state is out with an updated plan for managing a large swath of the central interior. The draft Yukon Tanana area plan encompasses over 9 million acres from the Denali borough north to the village of Rampart and from Fairbanks west to Tanana. Department of Natural Resources planner Brandon McCuthcheon says the document accounts for changes since its last update in 1991.

Groups Go After Invasive Weed On Admiralty Island

There’s an effort underway to eradicate a Lower 48 weed that’s choking off plant life in part of Southeast Alaska.

AK: Libraries

A library is more than a collection of books. In a small town like Sutton in the Matanuska Valley, the library serves many functions. It’s a meeting place for people of all ages, a storehouse of information, and a door allowing a peek into the community’s past. Sutton residents have worked for years to raise funds for a new library, and last month, that dream became reality.

300 Villages: Fox

Now it’s time for 300 villages. This week, we’re visiting Fox, a community of about 500 people a short drive from Fairbanks. Gina Yensen manages the general store in Fox.

Havana, Havana!

Watch Summer Arts Festival Preview: Havana, Havana! on PBS. See more from PBS Arts.

Mirroring Cuba’s growing relationship with the world, Havana, Havana! highlights the evolution of the country’s musical expression in the 21st century. Alaska Public Television. Friday, July 27. 9:30 pm

Arctic Thunder Air Show Comes To Anchorage

Alaska is approaching its centennial anniversary for aviation. The first flight took off out of Fairbanks in 1913. Since then Alaska has maintained deep roots in air travel. And this Saturday, Anchorage will celebrate its history with the Arctic Thunder Air Show.

Fairbanks Soldier’s Court Martial Trial Enters Third Day

The court martial trial of a Ft. Wainwright based soldier is through a third day at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Sergeant Adam Holcomb is accused of physical and verbal abuse that drove a fellow soldier to suicide in Afghanistan last year. Holcomb of Youngstown, Ohio is charged with negligent homicide, assault and other offenses. He’s one of eight Fairbanks based soldiers charged in the death of Private Danny Chen.