Federal Budget Deal Might Include Higher Air Travel Taxes
Brace yourselves for higher airline ticket fees, maybe. In Congress, budget negotiators are trying to craft a deal that would keep the government running and avoid automatic spending cuts without raising taxes. But lawmakers say the deal may include higher user fees, among them, a doubling of the security fee air passengers pay - from $2.50 per flight segment to $5.
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Can you hold for a minute? State replaces default music with songs by Alaska artists
Five songs by Alaska artists will now cycle through the state's hold music, thanks to a new effort called the Alaska Music On Hold Project.
Focus shifts to childcare needs in wake of earthquake
Childcare options in Anchorage are limited for families facing a week with no school.
Federal Government Proposes Taking Humpback Whales Off Endangered Species List
The federal government is proposing to remove most humpback whales from the endangered species list. Forty-five years after the whales were first listed, federal scientists say that most humpback populations - including those common in Alaska - are stable and growing.
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DHSS Fully Cooperating in Child Abuse Case
Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
The State Department of Health and Social Service is cooperating fully into the investigation of an Anchorage woman...
Alaska Community Foundation raises $100M to support statewide nonprofits
The $100 million Alaska Fund was created by private donations from more than 1,600 Alaskans — all the way from a $25 contribution from a 7-year-old boy to large multi-million dollar estate contributions.
Kidney transplant driving Legislative ethics rule changes
The House Judiciary Committee said today it doesn't need a hearing on a bill that would change the state's ethics laws to increase the...
Exxon Files Plan For Point Thompson
Exxon Mobil has filed a plan of operations for Pt. Thomson. The action follows a recent legal settlement with the state, and nearly 5 decades of work delays on Alaska’s largest undeveloped oil and gas field. Meanwhile, a lawsuit filed earlier this month could stall things again.
Lawmakers seek competitive contract to run psychiatric institute
Rep. Ivy Spohnholz said the department didn’t provide enough information to Chief Procurement Officer Jason Soza for him to be able to adequately review the contract, which would pay Wellpath $225 million over five years.
Charter Owners Promoting More Halibut Reductions on Commercial Fishing
Charter owners are floating a pair of proposals that would further reduce the commercial halibut catch. Longliners say the plans would put them...
Atka Searches for Funds to Replace Aging Health Clinic
Atka is home to just 71 people. But that’s about to change. The city’s processing plant wants to quadruple its workforce -- and with that, the community is ramping up a campaign to replace its dilapidated clinic.
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‘Baked Alaska,’ far-right troll charged in Capitol riots, avoids house arrest
A federal magistrate on Friday declined to order house arrest for a far-right internet troll charged in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol after court officials raised concerns about his recent encounters with police officers in Arizona.
Alaska inmate dies with COVID-19; cases still on the rise ahead of the holidays
The number Alaskans diagnosed with the coronavirus grew by almost 1,200 over the weekend and the state reported its first inmate death linked to the virus, as the surge of infection in the state continues.
Young Voters Expected to Make Big Difference
Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
There are over 8,000 first time voters in Alaska heading into the November general election. That’s nearly 2 percent...
Anchorage Schools pass budget, look to Juneau for funds
In a special session yesterday, the Anchorage School Board unanimously approved its proposed budget for 2008-2009. The board and administration's next step involves making...
More — but not all — Alaska small businesses to become eligible for grants
Changes loosened the rules, but some businesses still won't qualify for state funding because they received federal funds.
Former State Senator John Cowdery Dies
Former state Senator John Cowdery of Anchorage is dead. Cowdery was first elected to the legislature in 1982.
Unalaska approves plastic bag ban, to take effect Jan. 1
Starting next year, Unalaska retailers won't be allowed to distribute single-use plastic bags to their customers. If they do, they'll be hit with $100 fines each time. Listen now
Hometown Alaska: StoryCorps’ Military Voices Initiative comes to Anchorage
StoryCorps’ mission is to share and preserve humanity’s stories to build empathy and a more compassionate world. As part of their Military Voices Initiative, StoryCorps partnered with us at Alaska Public Media to record veterans, active members of the armed forces or their families to document their stories. On this episode of Hometown Alaska, producer Ammon Swenson discusses the Military Voices project with the CEO of StoryCorps and learns about the women's veteran organization Operation Mary Louise.
To help state budget, legislator proposes income tax: $20 for most Alaskans, more for those with upper incomes
House Bill 156 would tax Alaskans 2% of any annual income above $200,000. If someone makes less than that amount, they’d pay $20.