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.

Ravn Investigating Cause Of St. Mary’s Crash

The NTSB is investigating the Era commuter plane that crashed and killed four people and injured six outside St. Mary’s. The government’s full report is many months away, but in the meantime, Era, now known as Ravn and others are digging into the cause of the crash. Download Audio

Lawmakers File Dozens Of Bills In Advance Of Session

State lawmakers have pre-filed more than 50 bills in advance of the legislative session. Download Audio

Alaska Health Officials Concerned About Measles Due To Philippine Outbreak

Alaska public health officials are keeping an eye out for cases of measles, especially in residents who travel to and from the Philippines. That country’s health department this week declared an outbreak of the disease in parts of Manila, the capital.

Police Find Deceased Akiachak Man In Bethel

Police on Wednesday afternoon found a deceased man who was partially frozen to the ground. He was identified as 37-year-old Marvin Paine of Akiachak. Andre Achee is the Bethel Police Lieutenant. He says police took a call about a body at the 150 block of Akakeek street in a cul-de-sac.

State Considers Closing Kusko Salmon Fishing For Most Of June

Subsistence salmon fishing on the Kuskokwim will likely be very different this coming summer. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is proposing closing subsistence salmon fishing for most of June to protect the King salmon run. State biologists are presenting their plan in a two-day meeting of the Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group in Bethel.

State Goes On Charm Offensive Against Wal-Mart Over Salmon Dispute

For months, Wal-Mart and state officials have gone back and forth on whether Alaska salmon should be sold in their stores. The dispute is over a tiny blue sustainability label from the Marine Stewardship Council, which Wal-Mart requires for their seafood. A trip by Wal-Mart executives to Juneau has left state officials optimistic for a resolution. Download Audio

Army Corp Of Engineers Finalizes Deep-Water Port Recommendations

As the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers finalizes details of its deep-water port recommendations the agency is anticipating continued heavy development in Northern and Western Alaska. The plan expects not only increased vessel traffic in the Bering Straits region, but offshore drilling in the Chukchi Sea and graphite production at a fledgling mining claim on the Seward Peninsula. Download Audio

High PSP Levels Close Southeast Alaska Geoduck Clam Fishery

Southeast Alaska's geoduck clam dive fishery did not open this week because high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning were found.

Army Cuts Will Be Small For Alaska Military

Alaska will lose less than 400 soldiers from U.S. Army Alaska operations and the announcement is being portrayed as good news from military officials in the state. Download Audio

Marijuana Initiative Sponsors Submit Petition To Division Of Elections

Sponsors of an initiative to legalize marijuana in Alaska turned in their petition Wednesday to the Lieutenant Governor's office. More than 45,000 Alaskans signed the petition. Download Audio

Researchers Say Ocean Acidification Could Make Fish Anxious, Impact Fisheries

Scientists have been saying for years that more carbon dioxide in the oceans is hurting sea life. But a new study says the impact goes beyond the physical. It says ocean acidification is changing behavior in fish. That could be a problem throughout the ecosystem – including for fisheries in Alaska. Download Audio

Danish Shipper Plans More Arctic Trips

The company that made the first commercial transit of the Northwest Passage plans to increase its shipments through the legendary waterway next year, suggesting such traffic is coming sooner than anyone anticipated.

Judge Sen Tan To Retire

In a brief letter sent yesterday, the Anchorage Superior Court judge informed Gov. Sean Parnell that his retirement would be effective on July 1. Tan did not give a specific reason for leaving his post or supply information on his future plans.

Polar Star Called Off After Ice-Bound Ships Get Free

The Coast Guard icebreaker Polar Star is standing down from a rescue mission in Antarctica on Tuesday after the vessels it was going to assist broke free on their own. Download Audio

Murkowski Calls For End To Crude Export Ban

Sen. Lisa Murkowski today called for lifting the decades-old ban on crude exports. In a speech to the Brookings Institution, she said the oil boom in North Dakota and elsewhere in the Lower 48 calls for a wholesale review of the energy export rules. Download Audio

Era Alaska Changes Name To Ravn Alaska

The umbrella brand Era Alaska brought together Hageland Aviation, Era Aviation, and Frontier Flying Service five years ago. That’s history now. Download Audio

Scholarships Offered To Sealaska Shareholders

The Sealaska Heritage Institute is once again offering scholarships to students attending college, graduate school or vocational-technical programs. Only Sealaska shareholders and their lineal descendents are eligible.

Treadwell Rejects Setnetting Initiative

Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell rejected a proposed ballot initiative aimed at banning commercial setnetting throughout most of the state on Monday. The language in the initiative didn’t agree with a previous Alaska court ruling.

Coast Guard Icebreaker Heads for Antarctica to Free Two Ships

A newly refurbished Coast Guard icebreaker is en route to Antarctica to free two vessels stuck in ice. The stuck ships are a Russian research vessel and a Chinese icebreaker, according to Allyson Conroy, the Coast Guard’s chief warrant officer for the Pacific Area. The Russian ship has been stranded since before Christmas. The Chinese vessel got stuck when it tried to help.

Ahtna Traditional First Chief Ben Neeley Dies

Ahtna Traditional First Chief Ben Neeley passed away Saturday at his home in Gulkana. He was 99.