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.

the Alaska State Capitol

Alaska governor to introduce sales tax bill amid several tax proposals to close budget gap

There are other tax bills filed, including a different sales tax proposal, an income tax proposal and two bills to change to how oil companies are taxed.

Anchorage police say they’re moving forward with body cameras, but there’s no specific timeline

“We always thought that the policy and the implementation had to be concurrent,” said APD chief Michael Kerle.
A woman rolls a marijuana cigarette in a weed cafe.

These Alaskans are using cannabis to heal humans and the planet | INDIE ALASKA

Alaska was the third U.S. state to legalize recreational marijuana use, but it recently became the first state to introduce an on-site consumption cafe.
two men near a podium

Anchorage Assembly to consider keeping Sullivan Arena shelter open in limited capacity

The extension is expected to be a last-minute addition to the Assembly’s agenda at its next regular meeting..
Nome City Hall

Nome city government, school district seeing increased insurance costs

Governmental bodies in the City of Nome are reporting they will see increases in property, fire and auto insurance rates this year.
northern fur seals

Proposed Bering Sea marine sanctuary draws pushback from fishing industry

A proposed marine sanctuary in the Pribilof Islands has drawn major pushback from the commercial fishing industry.
Unalaska Department of Public Safety

As Unalaska deaths rise this year, police cite drugs, mental health concerns

No foul play is suspected in the island community's five deaths so far this year, from a full-time population of fewer than 4,500 people.
Sam Schimmel

Indigenous leader recognized for sharing traditional values

Sam Schimmel, 23, is an Indigenous youth advocate who is Siberian Yupik and Kenaitze Indian.
yelloweye rockfish

As fishing guides diversify, rockfish feel the pressure

As state regulations on halibut and king salmon fishing have ramped up, charter guides have branched out into another species: rockfish.
a Starship rocket

SpaceX’s massive rocket Starship explodes 4 minutes after liftoff

SpaceX's Starship rocket failed to separate from its booster, exploding four minutes after liftoff during an inaugural test flight on Thursday.
a Kansas City police car

2 shootings at mistaken addresses have renewed the focus on ‘stand your ground’ laws

The shootings of a boy in Kansas City and a woman in rural New York have renewed concerns over controversial "stand your ground" self-defense laws.
cruise ship passengers in Juneau

City and cruise lines agree to future limits on tourism as first ship of the season docks in Juneau

Major cruise lines have agreed to a daily limit of five ships visiting Juneau starting next year — but some locals say that doesn't go far enough.
From across the street is the Anchorage Police Department, where an American and Alaskan Flag sit in front of a parking lot full of police cars.

City of Anchorage sued for not having body-worn cameras on police officers

Voters approved the cameras more than two years ago. In a lawsuit filed Wednesday, Alaska Black Caucus attorneys argue that the city and the police department are “thwarting the process by proffering one excuse after another, with no end in sight.”
Stanley Wright

Marijuana charges are leaving CourtView, and bill would pull them from background checks, too

Rep. Stanley Wright's House Bill 28 would remove marijuana convictions from the public record and some state background checks.
Stryker combat vehicles

Army sends 90 Stryker vehicles from Fort Wainwright to Ukraine

A few Stryker combat vehicles remain at Fort Wainwright, for training soldiers in facing weapons of mass destruction.
Charlie Pierce

Kenai Peninsula Borough settles Pierce harassment suit for $237K

Former borough mayor Charlie Pierce owes $31,250 in a settlement of then-assistant Pamela Wastell's sexual harassment claims against him.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy weighs a statewide sales tax amid broader push for fiscal plan

With four weeks left in the legislative session, the governor advocated quick action during closed-door meetings with legislators.

Anchorage Assembly heavily limits city use of facial recognition technology

The ordinance doesn’t ban the use of facial recognition technology indefinitely, however, if the city opts to purchase and use the technology, the Assembly must approve it, and there must be a public hearing.
an outdoor setting

Advocates make an economic-development case for improving Alaska’s outdoor trails

Funding decisions should consider trails’ role in an outdoor recreation sector that is a bright spot in the state’s troubled economy, they say.
three people behind a podium

Alaska House approves $6.4 billion state spending plan, sends it to Senate for further work

The proposal would cover state services for 12 months starting July 1 and includes a $2,700 PFD but is subject to further negotiation.