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.

Anchorage Family’s 50-Year-Old Secret Revealed

This is the time for big family gatherings. And for Bill Popp’s family in Anchorage, those celebrations will be even sweeter this year. Last fall, Popp found out he had a younger sister, who his mom had given up for adoption in 1961. Yesterday, we heard how that family secret was revealed after 50 years. Today, Julia O’Malley tells part two of the story – why Bill’s mom Mary Lou had to put the baby up for adoption.

49 Voices: Karen Paul of Kwigillingok

This week we're hearing from Karen Paul in Kwigillingok. Paul is a dual language teacher who teaches in English and Yupik. Listen now

Two Dead, One Missing Near Alakanuk

Alaska State Troopers are investigating what appears to be at least two deaths from a boating incident near Alakanuk. Download Audio

Homer’s recall remains in limbo until vote certification

The votes are all in for Homer’s recall election of three liberal city council members. But the results are not yet clear. The politically divided town will remain in limbo until absentee votes are counted Friday.

Alaska News Nightly: July 23, 2014

Fishers in Tell State to Stop Commercial Openings; State Releases New Mercury Guidelines; Enstar Hearing Packed; Judge Rules in Set Netting Case; Canadian Environmental Officials Give OK to Mine Near Ketchikan; Arctic Birds Show More Signs of Mercury; Cup'ik Language Gets App; Daniels Leads Jazz Workshop

‘We’re just out’: Bergmann tenants turn to Salvation Army

Closing the Bergmann Hotel in Juneau left some of its tenants homeless and now they’re wondering what they’ll do next. Listen now

UPDATE: Supreme Court Strikes Down Portion Of Voting Rights Act

The U.S. Supreme Court vacated a major provision of the landmark Voting Rights Act on Tuesday morning. The Court did not invalidate the entire law, and Alaska’s Congressional delegation has mixed reactions. Download Audio

Coast Guard Tows Disabled Tender To Hoonah

Another fishing tender vessel got in trouble in Alaska waters Tuesday, but was towed to safety by the Coast Guard.

Some Communities Investigating Local Option To Ban Marijuana

Though the final count is still pending, unofficial results show Alaskans voting “yes” to legalizing marijuana in last week’s election. But the road to a legal and regulated marijuana market is months away, and communities who still want to keep the divisive drug out are looking at doing so the same way many currently ban alcohol: the local option. Download Audio

Suspect in Shooting Pleads Not Guilty

A 45-year-old Kiana man accused of shooting two men north of his village has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder and other counts. Teddy Kyle Smith was arraigned Friday in Nome.

Pribilof Islands will receive federal disaster aid for December storm

The White House and Federal Emergency Management on Wednesday announced the Pribilof Islands will be receiving federal disaster aid. The funding is intended to help repair widespread damage on St. Paul and St. George Islands from a severe winter storm that blasted across the state in mid-December.

EPA administrator Pruitt pledges to combat PFAS groundwater contamination

Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt has pledged action to address PFAS ground water contamination. Listen now

Fairbanks Entrepreneur Setting Up Third Wind Power Generator

A Fairbanks entrepreneur is putting up a third wind generator in Delta Junction, and Golden Valley Electric Association intends to buy the additional electricity.

Coal Creek Fire Grows to 3,000 Acres

One of two wildfires burning east of Healy has grown substantially, and could start sending smoke toward Fairbanks. The Coal Creek Fire is mapped at 3,000 acres, burning in mixed hardwoods and black spruce, about 15 miles northeast of Healy.
Seen from a distance, a boat pulls a abloated whale that is half-way submerged in water

Dead whales wash up near Unalaska, but pandemic complicates necropsies

The two dead whales that were recently reported included a relatively rare fin whale.

Alaska municipalities are eager for CARES Act relief, but concerned it won’t be enough

Municipalities could get half-a-billion dollars across the state, but there are still questions about how that can be spent, and whether it will be enough to cover the expected shortfall in other revenues.

Business group projects 1,600 job loss in Anchorage in 2016

A jobs forecast prepared for a business group in Alaska's largest city projects that Anchorage will suffer a loss of 1,600 jobs this year, including 600 in the oil and gas sector.
an landscape photo with a sign that says "drinking water source protection area"

Trace levels of harmful ‘forever chemicals’ found in Unalaska’s drinking water

The history of military presence in the area may be the cause of the contamination, according to Unalaska's director of public utilities.

Geothermal Energy Drawing Interest

A form of geothermal energy that's seldom tapped Alaska is drawing interest in Fairbanks and  some interior contractors are proving that "heat pump" technology...
As seen from a window overlooking an empty field, hundreds of protesters gather

‘Mob rule’: Alaskans at the Capitol watch unrest roiling outside their doors

All three members of Alaska's Congressional delegation issued statements on social media Wednesday afternoon, saying they were safe and condemning violence.