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.

From working to homeless and back again — a story of hope from the Brother Francis Shelter

People don’t usually plan to experience homelessness; life just takes unexpected turns. But for some guests of the Brother Francis Shelter in Anchorage, like Michael Hindman, the experience leaves them with more hope than anything else.

DEC Proposes New Fine For Particulate Pollution

A state Department of Environmental Conservation official says proposed new fine particulate pollution regulations are designed more to meet federal requirements, than clamp down on Fairbanks area residents who depend on wood for heat. Download Audio

International Group Grants Formal Approval of Aleutian Shipping ‘Buffer Zones’

The International Maritime Organization’s Marine Safety Committee is in the middle of its 95th session in London this week. Included on the committee’s agenda is the adoption of five recommended “areas to be avoided” in the Aleutian Chain. The shipping buffer zones come in anticipation of increased mariner shipping traffic in the region.
the Cannery Loop natural gas storage station

Regulators approve the sale of Alaska’s largest natural gas utility

Canadian company TriSummit can move forward with the purchase of ENSTAR Natural Gas and its share in Cook Inlet’s gas storage facility — an $800 million deal.

Trump lifts ban on Arctic offshore drilling

The president has signed an order lifting a ban Obama imposed on drilling off Alaska’s Arctic shores. Environmental groups say the ban is permanent. Expect a lawsuit. Listen now

Attorneys Wrap Up Arguments In Lawsuit Challenging Restrictions To Medicaid-Funded Abortions

Attorneys for both sides wrapped up arguments Wednesday in a case that could reverse state prohibitions against some Medicaid-funded abortions. Attorneys for Planned Parenthood claim a state statute is too restrictive, while it violates a woman's constitutional rights. Download Audio
Cars in a line with a person in a blue gown talking to someone through the window

Alaska records nearly 2,800 new COVID cases over the weekend, 4 deaths

State health leaders say they’re hopeful the worst is over, but this week’s data will better reveal whether that’s true.
groups of people at a restaurant

Some Alaska Republicans build large leads through Wednesday’s vote count, with counting to resume in a week

Alaska Republicans appeared to have sizable leads in some key races in the state, though 40% of the ballots remain to be counted.

Homer police charge man with armed robbery

Homer Police Chief Mark Robl says a man arrested last week after a chase is being charged with armed robbery. 30-year-old Dellan Vanbuskirk, of Homer is being charged with two counts, says Robl.

Governor Palin back on the job Thursday

Sarah Palin returns to Alaska tonight, no longer a Republican Vice Presidential contender. Palin's spokesman Bill McCallister says the Governor will ride the McCain/Palin...
sign on a door says 'please wear a face mask'

Who needs to wear a mask in Anchorage and where? Here’s a breakdown of the new ordinance.

The Anchorage Assembly on Thursday overturned Mayor Dave Bronson’s veto of an emergency mask ordinance. That means the masking rules for the city are back in place.

Landslide Destroys Restoration Projects Near Sitka

High rainfall this month is being blamed for a major landslide near Sitka. The U.S. Forest Service reports that a 100-acre slide came down in the Starrigavan Valley, about ten miles from town. Although there was no structural damage in the event, hundreds of thousands of dollars of watershed restoration projects in the valley have been wiped out. Listen now:

Chukchi Trawl Survey Sheds Light on Unexplored Waters

Fishing is off-limits in the Arctic, but last summer, a pair of commercial trawlers traveled north to the Chukchi Sea. They were on a scientific mission, to conduct the first-ever comprehensive study of the Chukchi’s ecosystem.

Copper River Subsistence Opening Delayed 3 Days

The Federal Subsistence Board announced on Friday that the Copper River subsistence salmon fishery will not open on June 7 as previously scheduled. Download Audio
Two people sit on a deskon leather chairs

COVID-19 testing will continue at Alaska Capitol after contract extended through June

The extension through June 30 also adds $1.5 million to pay for the contract, which was originally budgeted for up to $1 million. But the federal CARES Act could provide up to $4 million to pay for Capitol safety.

Delegation Not Expecting Movement In Gun Control Legislation

The mass shooting at a Navy installation in Washington, D.C. Monday is reigniting the debate over guns and background checks. The Alaska Congressional delegation is not predicting any movement. Download Audio
A woman receives a nasal swab Covid test outside of the Denali Federal Credit Union Operations Center.

BA.2 subvariant of omicron gradually gaining ground in Alaska

The first Alaska case of BA.2 was detected in early January according to state data. By mid February, more than a third of Alaska cases were the BA.2 subvariant.

Private Facebook post leads to $1,000 fine for Goldbelt board member

State regulators have fined a Goldbelt Native corporation board member over a social media post that implied shareholders would be paid if they’d vote a certain way.

JBER cuts put on hold

Cuts to Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson's 4-2-5 infantry brigade combat team in Anchorage have officially been put on hold. Alaska's congressional delegation is celebrating today's announcement by the army. Download Audio

Fighting to save Alaska Native languages

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, recently released an updated atlas of the world’s languages. It allows you to search...