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.

Sheir covers WEIO events for Only a Game

During the recent World Eskimo-Indian Olympics in Anchorage, AK's Rebecca Sheir took camera and microphone to the events and captured a story for Only...

Chemical tags in ear bones reveal Chinooks’ life histories

New research on the Nushagak River – one of the largest Chinook salmon runs in the world – used chemical tags in a fish’s ear bones to tell where it was born and raised. Sean Brennan is a post-doc at the University of Washington’s School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences. He and his team hope the study research will help managers better understand how their fisheries work. Download Audio:

Unofficial Election Returns Point to Marijuana Legalization

Although absentee and questioned ballots yet to be counted could change the outcome, it is likely that Proposition 2, which legalizes recreational marijuana use in Alaska, has gained voter approval.

Debate for the State: U.S. House

Photos by Josh Edge, APRN - Anchorage Incumbent Republican candidate Don Young and Democratic nominee Harry Crawford came to the KAKM studios for...

Belleque Family Farms pivots, selling produce to subscribers instead of grocery stores

Belleque Family Farms began selling "shares of the harvest" last week, a weekly subscription to their hydroponic greens.
Two men counting voter ballots

Watch our special election coverage on Alaska News Nightly

The hour-long special aired at 6 p.m. Wednesday following the first full run of Alaska’s new ranked choice voting system.

Rural Alaska Communities Struggle To Keep Water And Sewer Systems Running

Even rural communities that have raised the money to build modern sanitation systems face the threat of their ultimate failure due to the lack of funding for operations and maintenance, wiping away whatever health gains were achieved.

Chief Justice Stresses Need For Rural Presence

With lawmakers reviewing the state budget for cuts, Chief Justice Dana Fabe made the case for preserving the judicial branch’s funding in her annual speech to the Legislature on Wednesday. Download Audio

The future of the military in Alaska

Russian fighters have flown near Alaska's coast 5 times in recent weeks. U.S. military officials stress the flights and intercepts are within the realm of normal, a Russia expert says it's a test of American readiness. Where do these incidents fit within the current and future role of security in the region? Senator Dan Sullivan will discuss it on the next Talk of Alaska. Listen Now

State to Get $4 Million in Stimulus funds for Forest Projects

Alaska is in line for about $4 million in federal funds for forest service projects. The money is from the stimulus package, and is in...

Funding for new Craig harbor will have to wait

A bill on its way to the president's desk authorizes most of the money needed to build a new boat harbor in Craig. But the funding itself will wait for future congressional action. Listen Now

Far-ranging education bill fails in House

A wide-ranging education bill emphasizing local and parental control has died after a vote in the state House on Wednesday.

Alaska reports another COVID-19 death and 80 new infections

The Anchorage man was in his 70s. He’s the 25th Alaskan whose death is linked to the infectious disease.
A mother and children sit at the National Guard Armory in Bethel, AK.

People who fled the lower Yukon River tundra fires are asking when they can return home

People who left communities threatened by the East Fork Fire on the lower Yukon River are asking when they will be able to return home.
A cruise ship with a mountain in the background.

New from the CDC: Even if you’re vaccinated, you should avoid cruise ship travel

There are almost 100 ships with COVID-19 on board that the CDC is currently investigating.
the Tongass National Forest

U.S. Forest Service awards grants to boost Tongass logging

The two Alaska grants are aimed at retooling mills to harvest young growth timber in the Tongass National Forest rather than old growth.

Class of 2020 teaching graduates feel just as prepared for fall as previous classes, research shows

Despite missing some student teaching hours, the pandemic did not have any significant impact on new Alaska teacher's preparedness.

300 Villages: Two Rivers

For 300 villages this week, we continue the snow sports theme with a visit to Two Rivers, a community near Fairbanks known as a sled dog paradise with help from Iditarod musher Aliy Zirkle.
A man poses for a photograph outside, with a folder in hand.

Unalaska doctor nationally recognized for bringing emergency training to rural Alaska

Dr. Murray Buttner, a family medicine doctor in Unalaska, Buttner, a family medicine doctor and co-medical director of the island’s Iliuliuk Family and Health Services clinic, was named a 2021 Community Star by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health. The award went to one health care provider in each U.S. state.

Rural Legislators Wary Of Change To School Funding Formula

With the Alaska House of Representatives set to vote on an omnibus education bill Monday night, rural legislators are prepared to fight a change to the funding formula included in the legislation.