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.

AK: An Artist On A Quest To Bring Otter To The Runway

This spring, Sitka artist Peter Williams took a trip to New York City, to show his work during fashion week. A designer and marine mammal hunter, Williams makes everything from hats to earrings from sea otter and sealskin. He's been trying to break into the lucrative fashion world for years, and he's got a larger goal in mind – bringing Alaska Native designs to luxury buyers worldwide. Williams says that one way to save a traditional art form, is to create a market for it. Download Audio

How Alaska schools can help students dealing with trauma

In January, the state put out a new resource designed to help schools support students who have experienced trauma. It contains 11 chapters full of stories and best practices, created with input from over 200 teachers, counselors and community members across the state.

Fairbanks City Council approves marijuana regulations that limit retail shops to 25

After a heated debate, the Fairbanks City Council approved an ordinance Monday that added regulations to the marijuana industry. Listen now

Getting to know a volcano, starting with its plume

A group of scientists from around the country are on a three-week expedition studying volcanoes in the Aleutian Islands. As part of that project, Tobias Fischer with the University of New Mexico is using instruments on helicopters to measure the gas composition of volcanic plumes. The work is aimed at improving volcano monitoring. Download Audio:

Across coastal Alaska, Recall Dunleavy campaign gets underway

A statewide effort got underway Thursday seeking to remove Gov. Mike Dunleavy from office. The first step for campaigners is to gather 28,501 signatures to start a recall petition.

Anchorage Assembly backs I/M testing

Anchorage's vehicle emissions test will continue. Last night in a split vote, the Anchorage assembly repealed an ordinance ending the program on December...

Cama-i Celebrates Tradition For All Generations

The Cama-i festival packed the Bethel Regional High School gym for a weekend of dancing, singing, and celebrating life in the YK Delta. Traditional and modern dance groups from the YK Delta and native performers from across the country came to Bethel to express in song and dance this year’s timeless theme: Generations Celebrating Through Dance. Download Audio

Begich stays in governor’s race, says ‘get used to it’

Both power brokers and conflicted voters have expressed concern that the Democratic Begich and independent Walker will compete for the same voters. Listen now
a polar bear

Study tracks Arctic animals’ exposure to disease better known in Interior Alaska: tularemia

A wide variety of Arctic animals including polar bears are being exposed to a tick-borne pathogen normally associated with rabbits and hares, a newly published study said.

Two lawsuits challenge NPR-A lease sale

Environmental groups filed separate lawsuits Friday challenging the federal government’s December lease sale in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. Listen now

NTSB Concludes Investigation of F/V Katmai Sinking

The investigation into the sinking of the Fishing Vessel Katmai is officially over. The National Transportation Safety Board released their report on the disaster, and it concluded that the boat had a number of stability problems that made it unable to withstand extreme storm conditions in the Bering Sea. As a result, seven lives were lost when the head-and-gut vessel flooded in 2008.

Palin names director of Alaska Energy Authority

A former CEO of Golden Valley Electric will take over the job of coming up with an energy strategy for the state and coordinating...

Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation lays off 13

The Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation is laying off 13 people and eliminating other positions due to hard economic times. Adam Kane, KDLG - Dillingham Download...

Mushing Explained Video: Genetic super-dogs

How exactly are sled dogs different from typical house dogs? Dr. Stuart Nelson, the Iditarod’s chief veterinarian, compares dogs to NFL players. On a pro team, the sled dogs would be the wide receivers. “They’re fast, they’re light on their feet. A lab would be more like a defensive tackle,” said Nelson.
A green school with metal siding and a walkway leading to the front door.

In wake of scandals, Y-K school district revamps protocols for sexually inappropriate behavior

The policy proposals identify specific examples of what “sexual grooming” behavior is, and it spells out how the district should respond to reports of such behavior, following the arrest in 2019 of a Bethel school principal on charges of sexual abuse.
The back of a police vehicle

Fort Wainwright soldier charged with murdering his wife

Spc. Endeavor Riley, 24, is charged with first-degree murder in 25-year-old Kayla Kugtsun's Sunday death, according to Fairbanks police.

A Bear Walks Into A Bar…

Throwing out visitors who overstay their welcome is a common late night practice in downtown bars. But one guest last night was particularly unwelcome at the Alaskan Hotel & Bar. Download Audio

Hungry Wolves Have Fish and Game Officials Working on Action Plan

Associated Press The presence of hungry wolves on the Alaska Peninsula has the state Fish and Game department working on an action plan.  The caribou...

Walker sacks DOC commissioner after scathing report

An investigation into the state's Department of Corrections finds numerous problems that have contributed to dozens of recent deaths within Alaska's prisons and jails. Download Audio

Amid uncertainty, Juneau schools still supporting families hurt by shutdown

During the shutdown, the Juneau School District saw an increase in families applying for free or reduced-price school meals.