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.

Troopers Detain Man After Standoff in Selawik

Alaska State Troopers have taken a man into custody after he barricaded himself inside a home in the village of Selawik. One person was found dead outside the residence. Download Audio

Couple Missing From Denali Highway Found Dead

Alaska State Troopers say a man and woman reported missing from a campsite off the Denali Highway have been found dead. Download Audio

Juneau’s state flags display receives attention as nation debates Confederate flag

Some locals are calling for the removal of the Mississippi state flag flying on the main street into downtown Juneau because it prominently features the Confederate stars and bars. Download Audio

Governor Walker Renames Wade Hampton Census Area

The western Alaska census district named for a confederate slave owner and Civil War general has a new name. Governor Bill Walker wrote Thursday to the Census Bureau to begin the process of changing the name from the Wade Hampton Census District to Kusilvak (KOOSH-lee-vak) Census District.

Engine Failure Forces USCG Cutter to Return to Dutch Harbor

The Coast Guard Cutter Sherman had to return to Dutch Harbor a few days early this week. The cutter and its crew were forced to turn back from a regular patrol in the Bering Sea when one of the ship’s diesel engines malfunctioned.

Computer Models Aid Firefighters

The wildfires around Nulato and Ruby on the Yukon River have been burning slowly but steadily this week. The Nulato Fire has covered more than 26 thousand acres, while a series of fires around Ruby have burned close to 65 thousand acres.
Erin Merryn, a victim of sexual abuse as a child, testified last year in the House Education Committee on House Bill 233, also known as Erin’s Law. Rep. Geran Tarr is the bill sponsor. (Photo by Skip Gray/Gavel Alaska)

Federal bill introduced to fund Erin’s Law

Three U.S. senators have introduced a bill that would fund the implementation of Erin’s Law in states where it’s been adopted.

Cross-Border Salmon Dispute Puts A Damper on Summer Troll Opener

Harbors emptied throughout Southeast this week as fishermen headed out for the beginning of the summer troll season. July 1 marks the annual start of the summer’s first king salmon opener -- the most lucrative time of the year for many trollers. Download Audio

Anchorage’s 2014-2015 snowfall levels lowest on record

As July begins and the National Weather Service resets their annual snowfall totals to zero, it's official -- Anchorage's snowfall levels last winter are the lowest on record. Download Audio

Alaska’s shoreline erosion rate among highest worldwide

Alaska has some of the most aggressive rates of shoreline erosion in the world. These findings are part of a new study released Wednesday by the U.S. Geological Survey. Download Audio

Walker Delays Payment On Oil Tax Credits

Gov. Bill Walker is delaying payment of $200 million worth of oil tax credits. The veto is the most significant change the governor made to the state budget. Download Audio

$8.5M In Cuts to Troopers Spread A Thin Force Event Thinner

Rural residents already complain that state troopers are slow to respond to serious crimes and dangerous situations. But as of July first, 30 state trooper positions have been eliminated. With more lay-offs coming, it's going to get worse -- in both urban and rural Alaska. Download Audio

Polar Pioneer: An Economic Boon For Dutch Harbor

Billions of dollars worth of drilling equipment and support vessels operated by Royal Dutch Shell are sitting out in the Bay in front of Dutch Harbor this week. The company has plans to take most of that equipment north for exploratory drilling operations later this summer. Many of the local businesses benefit from the oil giant’s presence. Download Audio

Sand Point Post Office Burglars Sentenced

Two men have been sentenced in U.S. District Court to serve 21 months in federal prison for burglarizing the post office in Sand Point. Download Audio

Citizens Asked To Weigh In On A Proposed Liquor Store in Bethel

An application for Bethel’s first liquor store in four decades is still alive. Download Audio

Opening of Houston fireworks stands ‘highly unlikely’

The Sockeye Fire is nearly contained, and fires continue to burn throughout the state. Now, many are questioning whether or not fireworks will be available and legal for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The state has lifted its fireworks ban, with the exception of Western Alaska. Many municipal and borough restrictions are still in place, however.
The green squares are Shell leases.

Shell Gets Federal Approval to Head North, With Some Stipulations

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a Letter of Authorization on Tuesday to Shell. The authorization allows the oil company to “take small numbers of Polar bears and Pacific walrus incidental to activities occurring during its ‘Outer Continental Shelf 2015’ exploration drilling program in the Chukchi Sea” this summer. Download Audio

State Lifts Burn Ban, OKs Fireworks Before the 4th

State officials lifted bans today on open burning and use of fireworks for most of Alaska. They cited a decrease in fire danger due to recent cool and rainy weather and requests by members of the public to allow cookouts, campfires and pyrotechnics for this weekend’s July 4th celebrations. Download Audio

Study: Kings Are Smaller Than They Used To Be

After fishermen pointed out what they thought was a change in the size of king salmon returning to the Copper River, researchers from Fish and Game looked at data from 10 Alaska rivers. Download Audio

A Dark View of Geopolitics in the Arctic

World leaders speak of the Arctic as a "zone of peace and co-operation." But continued tranquility is just one forecast for the region. A much darker scenario came today from a Canadian policy scholar with an insider's view of Russia. Download Audio: