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.

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Ranked-choice voting that has rocked Alaska politics faces November tests across the nation

Alaska’s new electoral system has been a model for voters frustrated by political polarization and a sense that they lack real choice at the ballot box.
the kenai courthouse

Appeals court approves involuntarily medicating Nikiski man for murder trial

River Aspelund, accused of killing his mother in 2022, had challenged his antipsychotic medication by Alaska Psychiatric Institute staff.
a store

State prosecutors sue Ketchikan jeweler over sale of fake gold

The state is seeking to bar Soni, Inc. from selling fraudulent or misrepresented items, after staff allegedly made false claims about them.
two buildings

Judicial Council recommends Alaskans keep all judges, including jurist behind correspondence ruling

Adolf Zeman is only one of 19 judges that will be on the November general election ballot, but he’s received the lion’s share of attention.

Anchorage voters have until May 29 to ‘cure’ their mayoral runoff ballots

There aren’t enough rejected ballots to impact Suzanne LaFrance’s election victory over incumbent Mayor Dave Bronson, but officials say people should still cure their ballots.
Photo of Kotzebue. (Photo by Neal Herbert/National Park Service, Alaska Region)

Kotzebue police sergeant resigns after racist Facebook comments

Former Sgt. David "Mike" Cox's Facebook comments were made about Black murder suspects in South Carolina, according to local police.
A sign with an arrow pointing right toward Nesbett Courthouse and an arrow pointing left toward Boney Courthouse.

25 Years of Therapeutic Courts | Talk of Alaska

How well have therapeutic courts like mental health and DUI courts performed in the last 25 years and what will the next 25 look like?
a teacher

Visa programs draw foreign teachers to Alaska’s rural school districts

“I consider this already as my family, the community here, the kids here," said Filpino special education teacher Dale Ebcas in Upper Kalskag.
the Alaska Supreme Court

Alaska Supreme Court confirms: ‘Hoverboard dentist’ is banned from dentistry in Alaska

In a separate criminal case, former dentist Seth Lookhart was sentenced to 20 years in prison with eight suspended.
a sperm whale

Alaska fisherman pleads guilty to federal charges after ordering crew to shoot whale

It isn't clear whether the whale survived the encounter, which federal prosecutors have labeled a misdemeanor.
an interchange

When driving on the wrong side of the road is the right way to speed up traffic

An unconventional design known as the diverging diamond interchange can be both safer and more efficient than conventional left turn lanes.
a flag

Denali National Park draws dispute over alleged takedown of American flag

Sen. Dan Sullivan said that park staff caused a flag's removal from a construction vehicle. But the park called that account "false" a day later.

1 dead in Mountain View house fire

The fatal blaze happened Friday afternoon on North Price Street, firefighters said. The cause remains under investigation.
Rep. Cathy Tilton speaks to Lori Townsend, while both sit at a desk. Sen. Gary Stevens appears on a TV monitor next to the two.

Recapping the 33rd Legislature | Alaska Insight

Lori Townsend speaks with legislative leaders about the work they accomplished, and what went unfinished, at the end of the 33rd legislature.
A red salmon as seen from underwater

Many Alaska king salmon stocks up for Endangered Species Act review after group’s petition

The National Marine Fisheries Service said Thursday that listing the chinook stocks might be necessary to save the species.
a man in a suit with black glasses on at his trial in court.

Anthony Pisano sentenced to 300 years in Spenard triple homicide

Prosecutors say Pisano's sentencing Thursday saw evidence unveiled that he tried "to take a hit out" on their star witness against him.
A man looks on while a woman touches a big machine.

ANTHC launches first in-state lab for cervical cancer screening

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium started a new program in May to test for human papillomavirus, or HPV, in its own lab.
a woman in a pink bike jersey

Homer cyclist nabs national title in road race championship

Kristen Faulkner finished the 127-kilometer race in under three and a half hours, beating the next racer by almost a minute.
an easel in a childhood classroom

Alaska lawmakers pass child care legislation to buoy sector ‘in crisis’

The policy changes are accompanied by $7.5 million for child care center grants.
a fox in a field

Federal bill would add veterinary care to IHS duties to address rabies, other risks in rural Alaska

Veterinarians are scarce in Indigenous communities but the need is great, given the diseases circulating in wildlife that can spread to pets and people.