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.

Alaska Native artwork

As Alaska tourism rebounds, state and federal officials crack down on fake Alaska Native art

It’s a federal crime to sell art that is falsely marketed as created by an Alaska Native or tribal member.

Employee Complaints, Tests Flag Air Quality In State-Leased Office Building

Air quality test results show high levels of carbon dioxide and dust in Juneau’s Bill Ray Center, an office building the state is leasing for about 160 employees. For more than a month, the state has fielded complaints from employees about headaches and diesel fumes. Download Audio

Healy cabin program wins national attention

A Healy area program that teaches teens how to build cabins has been nationally recognized.
a person prepares a mixed drink at a restaurant bar

Anchorage restaurants can now start serving alcohol 2 hours earlier

Under the new rules approved by the Assembly, restaurants can serve alcohol starting at 8 a.m.

First-time offenders get second chance under new criminal justice reform law

The criminal justice reform bill recently signed into law is intended to save money and reduce the state’s prison population by eliminating the factors that contribute to recidivism, or the revolving door of offenders repeatedly returning to prison. Listen now

Kodiak gets update on new Police station and Jail

Earlier this week the Kodiak City Council got an update on plans for the new Police Station and Jail project. Casey Kelly, KMXT - Kodiak Download...

3 Alaska Native corporations form business alliance

Three Alaska Native regional corporations whose business interests and lands would be affected by oil and gas and shipping expansions in the arctic are joining together in a formal partnership.

Nearing graduation, musician Byron Nicholai looks to college and new challenges

Byron Nicholai began posting fun, silly music videos on Facebook when he was 14 years old. Now, the Toksook Bay musician is 18, and his drumming and singing is celebrated for sharing traditional Yup’ik culture.
Unalaska Bay

Army Corps of Engineers moves forward with Unalaska bay dredging project

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving forward with dredging the entrance to Iliuliuk Bay, a project that has been in the works for years.

Pollock shifting hundreds of miles north, costing Bering Sea fishermen

Alaska pollock is the biggest fishery in the world and one of the few that's considered sustainable. But as the waters of the Bering...

Murkowski Swings at Obama’s Arctic Wilderness Plan But Misses

Sen. Lisa Murkowski today failed to land her first counterpunch at the Obama administration’s new Arctic conservation policies. The Senate rejected an amendment that would’ve put a time limit on wilderness study areas. Download Audio

2013 Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend Checks Will Be $900

The 2013 Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend will be $900, according to acting Revenue Commissioner Angela Rodell. Checks will be distributed Oct. 3. Download Audio

Tourism outlook mixed for 2009

The price of gas is down nationwide.  The travel industry - both large cruise lines and smaller Alaska owned businesses - are offering visitors...
Aerial view of Nome’s port. (Photo: Joy Baker/Nome Port Director)

Below-average sea ice levels expand Arctic shipping options

As of August 31, Arctic sea ice coverage dropped to the third lowest extent on satellite record for that day, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center.

Aliy Zirkle takes lead en route to Galena

Iditarod veteran Aliy Zirkle was the second musher out of Ruby early this morning, but she overtook Brent Sass a short ways down the trail. Both are on the move toward Galena - a 50-mile run down the Yukon River - with 15 dogs in harness.

Forecasting Sitka’s herring biomass is a thorough but imperfect science

As seiners converge in Sitka for the annual sac roe herring fishery, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is holding firm on its harvest target of 14,649 tons. This is despite having fallen short of that target in three of the last five years. Listen now

Coast Guard Gears Up for Shell’s Chukchi Season

Coast Guard Commandant Paul Zukunft says if Shell is allowed to drill in the Chukchi Sea this summer, the Coast Guard will be there with five ships and two aircraft. But, the admiral says, nothing about the Arctic is easy. Download Audio:
woman at helm of boat

With ‘slim chance’ to change Magnuson-Stevens Act, Peltola favors ‘workaround’

Congresswoman Mary Peltola and other salmon advocates try another avenue to limit bycatch.

Legislature releases audit of Alaska’s gasline corporation

Auditors found that, generally, the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation has followed the restrictions placed on spending the $480 million it has gotten from the state over the last eight years.
A ferry at a dock with a mountain in the background at twilight

State eyes private ferries for Angoon, Hoonah and Kake

The state is seeking to fill gaps in Southeast Alaska ferry service using a private charter company. It’s given potential operators less than 24 hours to answer its Monday call for interest.