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.

Alaska teens, tweens steer peers away from vaping and smoking

Teenagers from rural Alaska were in Anchorage at the end of May, learning from other high schoolers about nicotine addiction.
Trump supporters

As Trump wins Iowa Republican caucuses, 5 takeaways

Donald Trump received more than half the vote in Monday's caucuses, as the GOP base remains committed to him despite his criminal indictments.
A man in a blue vest

Gov. Dunleavy urges Alaskans to get vaccinated, his most forceful message yet

“I strongly urge folks to get a vaccine — strongly urge them to do that,” said Gov. Dunleavy.

What medieval calligraphy taught this Eagle River lawyer | INDIE ALASKA

https://youtu.be/3z-Fs-TxsCw In this Indie Alaska feature from @PBS and @pbsdigitalstudios hear how Greg Henrikson, a lawyer in Eagle River, became fascinated with Medieval History and delved into medieval calligraphy...

Facebook says Ketchikan is indeed in Alaska

After almost a year of complaints, Facebook has fixed a glitch that listed updates geotagged to Ketchikan as "Ketchikan, Washington." A similar problem occurred on Wikipedia. Download Audio

Two More Groups Join Lawsuit to Exclude Alaska from ‘Roadless Rule’

Two resource development groups have filed to join a lawsuit that would exclude Alaska national forests from the roadless rule.

Climate uncertainty prompts questions on dam studies

In Anchorage this week, a panel of federal scientists is getting a look at progress on environmental studies for the Susitna-Watana Dam. It's all part of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's pre-licensing process, although, an earlier hold on the hydro project has caused a two year delay in work on the application, and now some are questioning whether the environmental studies are accurate. Download Audio

Healthcare Opportunity in Alaska Erased in Fiscal Cliff Deal

A group of health reform advocates went through heroic efforts to meet the deadline for applying for an innovative program under the Affordable Care Act. They were hoping to start what's called a health cooperative in Alaska- an organization that would offer an alternative to buying insurance from the major carriers. But a day after the application was submitted, the fiscal cliff deal in Washington erased all new funding for the program.
a snowy Airport Heights street

Overnight snow leaves Southcentral roads slick

The National Weather Service reports West Anchorage received 4.2 inches of snow overnight, with 10 inches recorded in Soldotna.

SEARHC Recovering From $4 Million Loss Last Year

Big changes are in the works at Southeast Alaska’s largest private employer. The Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, or SEARHC, has a hospital in Sitka, doctors in Juneau, a variety of clinics, and roughly 1,000 employees. The organization is working to recover from a $4 million loss in the last year. That has meant changes to benefits, and a hiring slow-down, among other things.

Bristol Bay Sockeye: A Run on the Brink?

Alaska’s largest sockeye fishery is predicted to have a near record return this summer, but so far the reds have only trickled into Bristol Bay’s rivers. Download Audio
A baby swaddled in a blanket

More babies are being born too early in Alaska, health department says

In 2019, almost 1 in 10 births in Alaska was preterm. That’s as high as it’s been in the last two decades. Preterm birth and low birth weight can cause infant death or developmental problems.
A man and a woman in business clothes sit next to microphones.

As Anchorage School Board prepares to approve budget, lawmakers consider increasing state education funding

While the Anchorage School Board follows its timeline for approving its budget — big uncertainty still looms. 
an F-35

DOD releases plan for Interior basing of F-35s

The Fairbanks-North Pole area is at the start of a mini-boom, as the region prepares for the basing of two squadrons of F-35 fighter jets at Eielson Air Force Base. Listen now

Chief Justice Dana Fabe Prepares For Third Term

Justice Dana Fabe is preparing for her third term as Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court. She was recently voted into the position by her colleagues on the bench. She says she’s thrilled about the appointment and says she’ll make it a priority to strengthen the relationship between state courts and tribal courts.

“Partial Ruling” Against State In Alaska Native Language Ballot Case

A federal district court judge has sided with plaintiffs who say the state is not doing enough to help non-English-speaking voters. A "partial decision" Wednesday in a case against the state division of elections is aimed at protecting the voting rights of Alaska Natives. Download Audio 

Oiled Birds Wash Ashore On St. Lawrence Island

Two dead, oil - covered seagulls have been found off the coast of St. Lawrence Island. In a release issued today [Friday], the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation says that the two freshly dead birds were discovered by off shore hunters on December 10.
a dog

CDC’s new rules for dogs entering the U.S. will have unique impacts in Alaska

The new border rules include a ban on bringing any dog under six months old into the U.S.
A path leads through a dense forest.

Biden administration begins Roadless Rule do-over for Tongass

The Biden administration is expected to roll out its plan for bringing back the Roadless Rule on Tuesday.

Meg Mackey Band: Spenard’s New Indie Darlings

You don't hear the glockenspiel much in modern music. But Alaska singer-song writer Meg Mackey weaves it, along with acoustic and electric guitar, accordion, banjo and foot stomps onto her new Album 'Eat Your Heart Out'. KSKA's Daysha Eaton reports that, although she'll soon be playing at the 'World Cafe Live' in Philadelphia, you can still hear Mackey at small venues around Anchorage. Read More...