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.

the dock of a cruise ship, with mountains across the water

Kicked off their cruises, COVID-positive tourists are going home on Alaska flights and ferries

COVID-positive travelers say Holland America helped them book travel on a state ferry and then an Alaska Airlines flight out of Juneau one day after their positive tests.
A person arrives for a monkeypox vaccination at a New York health care center.

Monkeypox: The myths, misconceptions — and facts — about how you catch it

Is it a sexually transmitted disease? Can you get it on a crowded bus? Trying on clothes? NPR talks to specialists about how this virus is transmitted and what kinds of precautions are warranted.
A microscope image of gray oval shapes

Alaska confirms second case of monkeypox

The case count is expected to rise “steadily." However, for the general public, the risk of getting monkeypox remains relatively low.

Alaska Appeals Court tosses manslaughter conviction 18 years after fatal shooting

The Alaska Court of Appeals reversed Steven Hinshaw's conviction in an opinion released Friday, saying a judge improperly denied his request to represent himself at trial.
a sign says "Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation"

Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. posts negative returns for first time since 2012

There are no immediate impacts to state finances, but continued losses would reduce available cash for services and dividends.

Her son died of an overdose in Anchorage. Now she’s pushing for city police to carry Narcan.

While many police departments across the state use Narcan, the Anchorage Police Department — the state’s largest law enforcement agency — does not. 
moving vans parked on a street

Despite near-record job availability, more recent arrivals are choosing to leave Alaska

In the 1990s, just over half of people who moved to Alaska in their 30s stayed for at least 10 years. Lately that’s fallen to about 40%.
A fence around a building

Efforts fail to save Anchorage’s historic 4th Avenue Theatre from demolition

Anchorage entrepreneur Austin “Cap” Lathrop opened the 4th Avenue Theatre, with nearly 1,000 seats, on May 31, 1947, with a showing of “The Jolson Story.”
a crowd of people stand outside, mostly wearing red white and blue

Anchorage police say 2 officers violated policy in ‘white privilege card’ stop

It’s not clear what disciplinary actions the two officers faced, if any, because the department is treating it as a confidential personnel matter.

Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, August 4, 2022

Economists say Anchorage has plenty of open jobs, but not enough workers to fill them. A Ketchikan couple sues over a school's use of traditional tribal values. And biologists have a shocking new way to catch an invasive species of crayfish.
A tan building

Bronson’s pick for top Anchorage librarian declines job, leaving controversial deputy director in charge

Three months after Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson announced a new pick to lead the city’s library system, officials say Robert Hudson will not be taking the job after all. 
Goose Creek Prison. Photo by Ellen Lockyer, KSKA - Anchorage.

Former Alaska correctional officer sentenced for smuggling drugs and cellphones into prison

Angela Lincoln, 44, was arrested in November 2021 and shortly after pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy and bribery.
a portrait of a main in a suit

There are thousands of jobs open in Anchorage but not enough workers to fill them, says economic report

It’s not because people don’t want to work, said Anchorage Economic Development Corp. CEO Bill Popp.
A ship in the water

Ship begins laying cable that will bring high-speed internet to the Aleutians

“What you will get in Unalaska is what you would get here in Anchorage,” said GCI Rural Affairs Director Jen Nelson.
a person holds a sign for monkeypox vaccinations

White House declares monkeypox a public health emergency

Declaring a public health emergency can free up resources to help the administration respond to the monkeypox outbreak. So far more than 6,000 people in the U.S. have been infected.
a sign on a building says airbnb

Affordable housing concerns prompt Juneau Assembly to take stock of short-term rental market

City officials are concerned Airbnb and Vrbo listings may be eating into Juneau’s already very limited housing stock.

In Anchorage, modern tools breathe new life into cultural education

The camp allows Alaska Native students to reproduce their ancestors’ ancient designs. In the process, they learn the sorts of things rarely covered in high school history: Native heritage, technology, and a sense of place.

Anchorage School District could suspend bus routes due to driver shortage

Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt says the district is currently 75 bus drivers short.
a man sits next to a canoe outside

Alaska Geographic publishes guide to Kenai National Wildlife Refuge canoe trails

For his research, Dave Atcheson’s been back out onto the canoe trails he's been paddling for decades. Atcheson and Alaska Geographic just published a guidebook that chronicles that system so others can enjoy it like he has.