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.

a portrait of a man peering over his glasses

Another big Fed rate hike is here to battle inflation. Economy hangs in balance.

U.S. Federal Reserve raises rates for fourth time in 2022, this time by another three-quarters of a percentage point to battle inflation. It's at a size and pace we haven't seen since the 1980s.
a view from a car window of toppled trees

Power restored to thousands of Interior residents after major windstorm

As of late Wednesday afternoon, Golden Valley Electric Association had restored service to all but about 2,000 of the 30,000 members who lost power.
Exterior: a man in a hard hat gestures to a supply road

Stream restoration near Petersburg aims to improve fish habitat

The goal is to mimic natural processes to bring back topsoil and improve fish habitats.
A tan building

Anchorage Assembly puts more than $7 million toward sheltering and housing initiatives

The Assembly also rejected a proposal from Mayor Dave Bronson that would've allowed for the waiving of camping limits for people who are homeless and staying at the controversial Centennial Campground.
Exterior: A fuel barge underway

In rural Alaska, communities contemplate a double whammy from high fuel costs

Annual fuel deliveries are arriving with prices near record highs, crimping the budgets of small towns and villages with no road access.
a fair outside on a cloudy day

There will be no poultry at this year’s Tanana Valley State Fair due to bird flu concerns

The decision also took into account the fairgrounds’ location next to Creamers Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, said the fair's board president.    
A man works on building a Sugpiaq Alutiiq Kayak and includes historical image of kayak

How kayaks (qayaqs) are rejuvenating Alaskan Sugpiaq culture | INDIE ALASKA

Jonathon Sawden normally works in HR, but sees an importance to tell the world that his people, the Sugpiaq (Sookh-pee-ahk) and other Native peoples are still here. Here, Jonathon and another young apprentice artist are working together with a Master Kayak builder to learn the techniques to build traditional boats and be the next generation to keep the craft and culture alive.

JBER’s Ursa Major Elementary School will close for at least a year due to earthquake safety

The Anchorage School District hopes to have Ursa Major students start their fall classes at other schools on base.
A seiner hauls in hatchery-produced chum salmon in Crawfish Inlet in 2018.

Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Residents of the Interior face power outages and falling trees during high winds. After a year in office, Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson reflects on the city's response to homelessness. And chum hatchery operators welcome strong returns in Southeast.

Anchorage floatplane crash sends 6 to hospital, including 2 seriously injured

The de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver's passengers were visitors from the Lower 48 flying with Regal Air, which offers flights to Katmai, famous for its bear viewing.
Dave Bronson speaks with the media

Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson reflects on first year in office, homelessness and testy relationship with Assembly

Alaska Public Media’s Wesley Early spoke with Bronson last week about his first year in public office, and his future goals for addressing homelessness and navigating a stark divide with the local Assembly. 

State says Alaska homeschooling families can use public funds for some private school classes, but not full tuition

Deputy Attorney General Cori Mills said the goal of student funding allotments is to supplement public education, not to replace it with private school.
flames and smoke above trees

Denali Borough issues disaster declaration for Clear Fire damage

The 72,000-acre wildfire burned into two subdivisions.
A microscope image of gray oval shapes

No cases of monkeypox in Alaska yet, but health officials are readying for the disease’s arrival

“We're expecting our first case any day now,” said Alaska state epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin.
Exterior: Set-net fishers pull a net from the water

Cook Inlet fishermen sue over set-net closures

The set-netters were shut down early this year for the fourth year in a row.
Interior: Two people discuss a list of chest compression techniques.

Village public safety officers get opioid response training in Juneau as statewide overdose rates climb

Alaska has the fastest rising opioid overdose rate in the nation. More than 200 Alaskans died from overdoses in the last year.
a helicopter in front of mountains

‘I had to get out of there’: Fairbanks man’s remote rafting trip turns into wilderness COVID ordeal

David Hamilton, 77, emphasized the value of his $125 per year medevac insurance.
a tree falls onto powerlines

Interior windstorm starts fires and briefly knocks out 911 service

Several area fire departments responded to fires that started when trees pulled down power lines.
Exterior: a herd of wood bison.

Alaska News Nightly: Monday, July 25, 2022

The state Department of Law says homeschooling families can use public funds to pay for private school classes. The right to an abortion in Alaska remains secure, but off the road system, it's not so straightforward. And before their move north, some young wood bison spent the summer in Fairbanks bulking up.
a black and white photo of Adak Island

Alaska sues Interior Department over contaminated ANCSA lands

The state of Alaska has sued the U.S. Department of the Interior in an attempt to hold the federal government responsible for the identification...