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.

Kotzebue Child Killed By Loose Dog

In Kotzebue, a child was killed Saturday night by loose dogs, or possibly just one dog. Download Audio

Anglo American Pulls Out Of Pebble Partnership

International mining giant Anglo American announced Monday in London that it is pulling out of the Pebble Partnership. Anglo will book a $300 million loss and leave the project in the hands of Northern Dynasty.

Industry, Agencies Probe Aging Cook Inlet Infrastructure

Leaders from the oil and gas industry and state regulatory agencies met in Anchorage Monday for a work session to begin the conversation about what to do with aging infrastructure in Cook Inlet. One of the biggest questions to answer: who will be responsible?

Soggy Anchorage Matches Rain Record

Forecaster Dave Snider, with the National Weather Service, said rain is normal this time of year, but no break in the rainfall is unusual. "Today [Friday] is the 18th consecutive day of measurable rain since August the 27th," he said. So that ties the record that was set back in 1919. It's been a long time since it's rained this much for this long."

Enviro Group Wants EPA Clampdown on Smoke Emissions

A Lower 48 environmental group is trying to force the Environmental Protection Agency to clamp down on fine particulate pollution in nine states, including Alaska. The Center for Biological Diversity has filed formal notice of intent to sue the E.P.A. for failing to enforce the Clean Air Act.

New Recovery Plan for Tender in the Works

The new plan to recover the sunken fishing tender Lone Star has been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. The vessel has been sitting in the middle of one of the major sockeye salmon producing rivers in Bristol Bay since late June.

Two Hunters Rescued Near Talkeetna After Boat Capsizes

Two Mat-Su Valley men were rescued by Alaska State Troopers yesterday after their boat capsized during a hunting trip.

AVTEC To Offer Nation’s First Ice Navigation Course

Recent federal and state focus on Alaska's role in Arctic Ocean shipping has raised concerns over regulations, safety and oil spill response, among other issues.  But, one teaching institution in our state is already dealing with the most basic question: who's going to be driving the boats? Seward's Alaska Vocational Technical Center plans to start the nation's first ice navigation training course next spring. Download Audio

Sullivan Steps Down As Commissioner As Senate Race Heats Up

Natural Resources Commissioner Dan Sullivan is stepping down from his post amid talk that he's planning a run for U.S. Senate. Republicans see incumbent Mark Begich's seat as one of the keys to taking control of Congress, and the race is already getting heated.

Ethics Infractions Cost Former State Legislator $18,000

A former legislator from Nenana is being fined $18,000 for breaking state ethics rules. An investigation found that Alan Dick, a Republican who served one term in the house, had charged the state and his campaign account for the same travel expenses and that he let family members live in his legislative office. Download Audio

Obama Asks Congress To Delay Vote On Syria

The debate over whether to attack Syria is extremely fluid right now. President Barack Obama, in a national address Tuesday night, called on Congress to delay a vote authorizing the use of force. Alaska’s delegation has all weighed in against that action. Download Audio

New Agreement Bolsters Alaska’s LNG Commercialization Efforts

The State has committed to a formal working relationship with a major Japanese financial institution that wants to develop natural gas projects. Download Audio

State To Review Old Statutes Delaying Renewable Energy Projects

It may become easier for independent energy producers to provide power to the grid. The Regulatory Commission of Alaska has agreed to review out-of-date statutes that some say are holding up renewable energy projects. Download Audio

UAA Names Keith Hackett New Athletic Director

The University of Alaska Anchorage has a new athletic director, naming Keith Hackett to lead the department. Download Audio

Despite Fewer Small Plane Crashes, 2013 Yields More Fatalities

A rash of small plane crashes late this summer in Alaska has pushed the number of crash related fatalities past last year’s total, according to National Transportation Safety Board Alaska Region chief Clint Johnson. Download Audio

Former State Senator Bill Ray Dies

Former state senator Bill Ray has died.  He was 91. Ray represented Juneau in the Alaska Legislature for more than 20 years, during a time when a number of landmark projects were built in the capital city, including the State Office Building and Egan Drive.  Ray helped secure a downtown facility for the University of Alaska Southeast, and the university named it in his honor. Download Audio

Pilot Killed In Big Lake-Area Crash

A home-built airplane crashed Monday north of Big Lake. The pilot of the plane was killed; he's identified as Kenneth Whedbee, 66, of Big Lake.

Search Continues For Missing Plane Near Yakutat

The Air Force and the Coast Guard continue looking for a plane that went missing Monday on a flight from Yakutat to Anchorage. The pilot is reported to be Alan Foster, 47, of Eagle River.

Schools Struggle With Heating Bills, But No Takers For Loan Program

Every year, the state spends $100 million on school districts' utility bills. Back in 2010, the legislature established a loan program to help bring down those costs. The loans would cover energy upgrades to public buildings, and they would be paid back with the money saved on heating fuel. But even though rising energy costs continue to be problem for districts, schools haven't used the funds as a fix. Download Audio

Ongoing Fixes Delay Arrival Of UAF’s New Arctic Research Ship

Next month marks a year since the launch of the National Science Foundation’s new Arctic research vessel Sikuliaq. The 261-foot ice class ship, to be operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, remains at dock at a shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin. Download Audio