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.

COVID-19 outbreak at Juneau’s Kensington Mine grows to 19

Coeur Alaska’s Kensington Mine reported Wednesday that number of employees testing positive for the coronavirus had risen to 19. And that number could still rise. Juneau city officials say tests for 94 of the 210 workers at the mine are still pending.

With Representation On Decline, Voting Rights Decision Worries Native Districts

Most states that had been covered under the Voting Rights Act won't feel the full impact of the Supreme Court's ruling until 2020, when the next redistricting cycle starts up. But Alaska, along with Texas, will experience the effects straight away. Here, political lines still haven't been finalized, and today's decision could shape the way boundaries are drawn. Download Audio
Lawmakers seated in a committee room at the Alaska State Capitol

Alaska House committee proposes funding schools a year ahead using money from rising oil prices

If the plan becomes law, that would mean there’s enough money budgeted to cover the state share of school costs through June 2024.

First Iron Dog Racers Reach Nome

The first team of snowmobile racers has reached Nome in the 2,000-mile Iron Dog race. Marc McKenna and Dusty VanMeter arrived Tuesday afternoon. For being the first to reach the race’s half-way point, they pocket $10,000.

Former head prison doctor replaces Anne Zink as Alaska’s chief medical officer

Dr. Robert Lawrence is a family medicine doctor who got his start in rural Alaska.

Murkowski Digging in for Fight to Keep Seat

Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage Senator Lisa Murkowski is positioning for a fight to keep her lead in this year’s Senate race.  The incumbent...

UA officials react to proposed Trump Title IX changes

Universities across the country are reviewing Trump administration proposed changes to rules governing how the institutions handle sexual assault and harassment cases, under Federal Title IX law.

ShoreZone Program Almost Completed

The Juneau-based ShoreZone program is nearly done photographing Southeast Alaska’s shoreline. The images and information are going into an online database for use...

Former State Biologist Suggests Voluntarily Not Fishing To Boost Chinook Escapement

Chinook salmon runs are poor all over the state, but especially so in the Matanuska Susitna Borough, where sports fishing restrictions have been in place most of the season. Now a former state fisheries biologist says fishermen could help boost Chinook escapement by voluntarily not fishing at all. Download Audio

Large Gap Present Between Alaska Native, Non-Native Home Ownership

Joaqlin Estus, KNBA – Anchorage Alaska is second only to Oklahoma in the use of a U.S. Housing and Urban Development program designed to...

Pebble Partnership Files Suit To Stop EPA’s Halt On Development

The Pebble Limited Partnership filed suit Wednesday in Federal Court seeking to halt to the process underway by the EPA to stop development of the proposed Pebble Mine. Download Audio
a cash-only sign at a store

‘Like night and day’: Fiber-optic cables aim to make Y-K Delta internet faster, cheaper

Two subsea cables being deployed with $100 million in federal funding will bring fiber-optic internet service to Bethel and many other Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta communities.
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.

Ahmaogak Contesting North Slope Election Results

George Ahmaogak is contesting the outcome of the special run-off election for North Slope Borough Mayor. Charlotte Brower won the election, the final tally was 1,022 to 960.

Fish and Game Expects Low Yukon Chinook Run

The run size for Yukon River Chinook, or king salmon, is likely to be lower than last year’s. Fishermen saw the lowest run of kings on record in 2013. Download Audio

In-State Gas Line Remains On Legislators’ Radar

The only item remaining on the Governor’s proclamation for a special session is a bill that would take huge steps toward the construction of an in-state natural gas pipeline from the North Slope to Southcentral Alaska. It was sponsored by House Speaker Mike Chenault (R-Nikiski).

Alaskans Win Snow Sculpting Contest

Last weekend’s International Snow Sculpture Championships in Colorado left behind a garden of 12 foot tall cold, white sculptures for the people of Breckenridge...

Access Alaska Gets New Accessible Building

A non-profit that serves Alaska's seniors and people with disabilities has a new home that is universally accessible - that means anybody with any disability can work at or visit their office. Download Audio

Five Accused of Embezzling $500,000 from Trident in Kodiak

Five people have been indicted on charges of embezzling almost a half-million dollars from the Trident Seafoods plant in Kodiak. U.S. Attorney Aunnie Steward says the nearly $500,000 discrepancy was discovered some time after bookkeeper Isa Wolfe was fired two years ago.
Petersburg elementary students

Petersburg schools scramble to pay for new Alaska READS Act requirements

Alaska schools are preparing to meet requirements of the READS Act this fall — a costly mandate amid flat state education funding.