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.

Senate Work on Immigration ‘Dead on Arrival’ in House

As the Senate readies its bill reforming the nation's immigration system, people are paying more attention to whether anything can pass the House. Download Audio

Lightning Strikes Ignite More Wildfires

The Alaska Interagency Fire Coordination Center is reporting dozens of new wildfires in the state. Download Audio

Parnell Signs Bills, Resolutions Supporting Gun Rights

Governor Sean Parnell signed a package of bills and resolutions today supporting gun rights. The signing took place at the Matanuska Valley Sportsman’s Shooting Range, near Palmer. Parnell says he wants to send message. Download Audio

Anchorage Pediatricians Quietly Protest High Hospital Charge

Patients have a difficult time getting information on hospital costs. And the doctors who work in those hospitals are no different. They rarely know the hospital charges they generate for patients when they perform procedures. But last year, two of the largest pediatric groups in Anchorage discovered what Alaska Regional Hospital is charging for a simple infant procedure. And they decided to take a quiet stand against a fee they feel is unreasonably high. Download Audio

Traditional Foods Program Hosts Gathering In Wrangell

The Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium Traditional Foods Program is hosting a gathering this week in Wrangell. Download Audio

Artist Making Masks Representing Top-10 Diseases In Alaska

On a recent sunny afternoon, Alaska Native mask carver Drew Michael puts the finishing touches on an enormous mask under a canopy in his backyard in east Anchorage. Michael is creating three foot by five foot wooden masks that will be painted by artist Elizabeth Ellis to represent the cells of the top ten diseases in Alaska for a show called Aggravated Organizms. Download Audio

Man Dies After Moose, Motorcycle Collision

A motorcycle collision with a moose on the Glenn Highway left a man dead and his passenger in critical condition. Driver Ryan Beachy, 29, of Sutton was southbound at Mile 92.5 Tuesday night, when the moose went into the road and got hit. Beacy and the moose were dead at the scene. Injured was Tracy Bushnell, 25, of Indian.

USCG Suspends Search For Missing Fisherman

The Coast Guard suspended its search late Tuesday night for a fisherman who went overboard from a boat north of Hoonah.

Murkowski Endorses Gay Marriage

Senator Lisa Murkowski becomes the third Republican senator to announce support for same sex marriage. Download Audio

Alaska Couples Await Supreme Court Decision On DOMA, Prop 8

With only two decision days left for the Supreme Court, rulings that could impact same sex marriage could come as early as tomorrow. But for same sex couples in Alaska right now, the only option is to head out of state if they want to get married and some say that’s not likely to change anytime soon. Download Audio

State To Receive Brief Relief From Heat Wave

Some relief from the heat is in the forecast, followed by even hotter weather. National Weather Service forecaster Carey Freeman in Fairbanks says high pressure that’s brought record warmth to mainland Alaska this week will be briefly interrupted this weekend. Download Audio

House Passes Bill Restricting Abortions

The United States House passed a restrictive abortion measure last night that has no chance in the Senate.

Crewman Missing From Vessel In Icy Strait

The Coast Guard is searching the waters near Hoonah for a crewman who went overboard from the fishing vessel “Swift” late Monday night. The 34-foot boat is reportedly based in Juneau, but state records show it registered to a Sitka captain.

Treadwell to Run For Senate

Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell opted to run for Senate in 2014 instead of seeking reelection. Download Audio

Proposal To Make Petition Signatures Confidential Raises Questions Over Privacy, Transparency

A state lawmaker is raising privacy concerns about signing petitions, but signature gatherers are calling it a scare tactic that could affect next year's ballot. Download Audio

Sealaska Lands Bill Passes Senate Committee

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski’s version of the Sealaska lands bill has passed out of its only committee of referral. That’s a major step toward a Senate floor vote. But there’s no guarantee it will move any further in Congress. Its best chance is as part of a package of lands legislation. Download Audio

Wildfire Near Chena Hot Springs Road Prompts Massive Response

A wildfire east of Fairbanks is drawing a massive air and ground response. The Kanuti fire started in a neighborhood off Chena Hot Springs Road, near Mile 17. Download Audio

Reid Promises Senate Will Pass Background Check Bill

Six months after the mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid promised to renew the background check debate. Download Audio

State Emergency Management Team To Leave Galena This Week

Governor Sean Parnell has requested a federal disaster declaration for Galena and other communities damaged by spring flooding. And most of the State of Alaska Emergency Management Team that’s been in Galena to assist with flood relief is scheduled to leave this week. The team has been in the city since shortly after the May 27 incident to assist in coordinating rebuilding efforts. Download Audio

Heat Wave Sets Records Across State

New record-high temperatures are being recorded in many places around the state Monday, with Talkeetna topping the charts at 94 degrees. It’s their second-straight day of record-high heat. Download Audio