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Much of the federal government is now shutdown because of Congress’s failure to pass a funding bill. Huge sections of the government – the costliest ones, like Social Security, Medicare, veterans’ benefits and war-fighting efforts – remain open. But the shutdown could have huge affects in Alaska, the state with the third highest percentage of federal employees. Download Audio

This morning, hundreds of workers trickled out of Juneau's federal office carrying boxes of personal items, plants, and even pet fish -- basically, any personal items they might want during their furlough. They won't be allowed back to their desk until Congress agrees to fund the federal government. APRN's Alexandra Gutierrez caught up with some of these workers Tuesday and brings us their voices on dealing with the shutdown. Download Audio

A shutdown of federal government was triggered Monday night, after House Republicans tried to use a funding resolution to stop implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Alaska's two senators came out against the tactic, and both let a clean resolution without the health care rider move forward. But what would the Republican Senate candidates who are challenging Begich have done if they had been in office instead?

In just a few hours, we’ll find out whether the federal government will stay open. For days, Congress has struggled to pass a budget, because a bloc of Republicans want to cut out funding for the Affordable Care Act. If Congress doesn’t reach a resolution, it’ll be the first shutdown in nearly 20 years. APRN’s Alexandra Gutierrez explains what that means for Alaskans, laying out the five biggest impacts. Download Audio

Sequestration federal funding cuts are across the board unless an exemption is made by Congress. The Indian Health Service has not been exempted and non-profit corporations all over the state, like the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation based in Bethel, are feeling the hit. Download Audio

This is the last day that the tsunami warning center in Palmer, Alaska will be the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center. Tomorrow, Oct. 1, the center’s new name will be the national Tsunami Warning Center. Download Audio

The federal co chair of Alaska's Denali Commission was taken by surprise early this morning when a Washington Post reporter called for reaction to a letter sent to Congress that advocated for dissolving the commission. It was surprising because the letter came from an employee, Mike Marsh- the commission's Inspector General. I spoke with commission co-chair Joel Niemeyer is his office in downtown Anchorage this afternoon. He said Marsh's letter is damaging to the organization. Download Audio

Alaska occasionally gets caught in federal rules that may work in Ohio, but not in Ozinkie. One such national policy that has been confounding airport managers and pilots may be close to at least a temporary fix for Alaska. Download Audio

More areas of the Chukchi Sea may open up for oil and gas exploration in 2016, but the decision has not been made yet. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is calling for comments on a proposed lease sale in the area. But this time they are doing things differently. Download Audio

The State Department of law says it’s just beginning to review post conviction relief applications filed on behalf of the “Fairbanks 4.” The applications center on sworn statements from two individuals tying the 1997 murder of John Hartman to people other than the men jailed for the crime. The state and local criminal justice officials are proceeding cautiously. Download Audio

The Senate passed a measure advancing a government funding bill yesterday that zeroes out money for the Affordable Care Act. Both Senators Murkowski and Begich supported the measure. And Congressman Don Young supported it in the House last week. Download Audio

An effort is underway to allow Village Public Safety Officers in Alaska to carry guns. VPSO’s are currently precluded from being armed but the shooting death of a VPSO officer in the Bristol Bay region earlier this year has resulted in an effort to change the rules. Download Audio

A 58-year-old Hoonah man mauled by a brown bear Wednesday night has been medevac’d to Sitka with non-life threatening injuries.

A ballot initiative to lower Wrangell’s city sales tax by 1.5 percent is up for a vote of the public in the Oct. 1 general elections.

The Talkeetna Ranger Station has a new name. President Obama has signed the Denali National Park Improvement Act, which officially renames the Park Service building to the Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station in honor of the Athabascan climber who was the first person to set foot on the summit of Denali in 1913.

Hundreds of Alaska Natives gathered outside the state court house in Fairbanks Wednesday afternoon to hear news about a murder case that’s long raised questions about whether justice was served. Four Fairbanks men, three of whom are Alaska Native, are serving long sentences for the 1997 stomping death of local teen John Hartman. The case of “the Fairbanks Four” lacked physical evidence and has been reexamined in recent years by local Native advocates and the Alaska Innocence Project. The groups say new evidence shows the jailed men are innocent. Download Audio

Alaska State Troopers are investigating what appears to be at least two deaths from a boating incident near Alakanuk. Download Audio

Alaskans will be paying some of the highest premiums in the country for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Download Audio