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.

Two New Wolf Kills Add to Denali Population Decline

The recent killing of two Denali National Park wolves, has increased calls for protection of the animals on state land adjacent to the park, where hunting and trapping are legal. The animals were shot in the Stampede area near Healy, the same region where other park wolves have been trapped and killed.  AThe annual harvest is fairly low, but is garnering concern as the Park wolf population continues to decline. Listen now:

Hovercraft To Shuttle Cruise Tourists to Taku Glacier

The start of the cruise ship season brings a new excursion from one of the oldest tour outfits in Southeast. Allen Marine Tours is set to run hovercraft trips to the Taku Glacier starting this week. Listen now:

Alaska WWII Vet Enjoys Bird’s Eye View of D.C. Flyover

Alaska Bush pilot Urban Rahoi, a homesteader, lodge owner and Fairbanks businessman, had a ride in a World War II-era B-17 as it flew over the National Mall today. Nice day, he says, but he wanted to be at the controls. Download Audio:

Alaska lawmakers’ Capital City plans still unclear

Alaska lawmakers are due back in Juneau on Tuesday, but who actually comes and how long they stay is unclear.

How events unfolded inside Juneau schools after threatening phone calls

Juneau schools have received five phone calls threatening school shootings in the past two weeks. In each instance, nothing was found, but the threats had to be addressed. Here’s how schools and police responded to the incidents.

Russian Fish Called ‘Alaska Pollock’: OK By FDA

If you’re in a supermarket and see a product labeled “Alaska Pollock,” it could well be Russian-caught pollock. And the FDA considers that perfectly legal. Listen now:

‘Buffer Zones’ Devised to Keep Protesters From Shell’s Fleet

Final approvals for Shell Oil’s exploration season in the Chukchi Sea are expected in the coming days. The Coast Guard in Alaska is proposing a set of navigational buffer zones for when fleet arrives. The buffer zones would keep people and ships 100 yards away from Shell’s vessels while they’re underway, and 25 yards away while they’re at anchor. Download Audio:

Afognak Native Corp. Loses $3.8M In Cyber-Swindle

An Alaska Native village corporation in Kodiak was the victim of a multimillion dollar cyber-swindle last month. Download Audio:

Can Alaska Lawmakers Break The Gridlock?

While negotiation meetings have taken place between legislative leaders and the governor, there has not been a formal structure with a clear, mutually agreeable path to a resolution. Listen now:

Fairbanks Schools Among Those Fielding Threatening Calls

Fairbanks schools are among several in Alaska and the western Lower 48 that have received threatening phone calls. There’s been no actual violence, but the calls have prompted lock downs and law enforcement responses. Download Audio:

Tribal Fish Commission Seeks Management Role

The path to unified management of Kuskokwim salmon stocks is uncharted, but along the way, the newly established Kuskokwim River Inter Tribal Fisheries Commission wants involvement at each step. That begins with tribal consultation in preparations for another summer of sacrifice. The commission’s inaugural meeting concluded Wednesday in Bethel.

Yup’ik fishermen won’t appeal to Alaska Supreme Court

The Yup’ik fishermen who were cited for fishing during a closure on the lower Kuskokwim River will not appeal their case to the Alaska Supreme Court.

Sen. Sullivan Lashes Out At Refuge Management He Calls Illegal

Sen. Dan Sullivan pummels the head of U.S. Fish & Wildlife over management of the Arctic Refuge. Sullivan claims the feds are violating the law by managing areas as wilderness without congressional approval. Not so, says the refuge manager. Download Audio:

Seward Beach Trash Traced To Prison

One of Seward's city-owned sewage lagoon is currently drained and non-functioning, according to a city schedule for maintenance. And that has caused a problem. Listen now:

Crews Continue Working on Nikolaevsk Fire, Now Contained

The fire started just before 4 p.m. Monday in the Jim Howard Road area near Nikolaevsk. Anchor Point Assistant Fire Chief Doug Loshbough says the wildfire grew to about five acres before it was contained.

Berkowitz 59%, Demboski 41% In Anchorage Mayor’s Race

Mayoral candidate Ethan Berkowitz beat rival Amy Demboski. Turn out was nearly 30%.

Budget Cuts Mean Less Lawyers, Trying Fewer Cases

In an email Monday, the Department of Law told staff it is cutting 15 positions across the state to close a 6% budget gap.

Grizzly License Plates Ready For Issue

The Division of Motor Vehicles has brought back a 1976 license plate that was originally issued for the United States’ bicentennial. The updated plate features a grizzly reared up against a sunset backdrop.

Low Pollock Years Linked to Ice Retreat

The years 2002 through 2005 were bad for Bering Sea pollock. The biomass plunged during those years. In a presentation in Washington, D.C., a NOAA fisheries biologist said today ongoing research points to two suspects: ice and fat, in league with each other.

B.C. Promises Alaska A Larger Voice in Mine Permitting

British Columbia Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett proposes opening more of its permitting process to Alaska officials.