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.

lawmakers

A look at some of the bills that failed to pass the Alaska Legislature this year

Parts of a long-term plan to bring state revenue and expenses into line again failed to advance through the Capitol.

Security footage calls into question Anchorage police account of fatal shooting

Police have said Kristopher Handy pointed a gun at officers before they opened fire. A neighbor with security footage of the incident says otherwise.
a man

Bethel hires new chief of police

James Harris has 32 years of experience in law enforcement, and has served as the chief of police in Belen, N.M. since 2019.
Jesse Kiehl

Bill to ban toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in firefighting foams passes Alaska House and Senate

The bill prohibits the use of man-made chemicals known as PFAS, which have polluted drinking water across Alaska and the rest of the country.
the Homer Harbor

Bill will allow higher insurance reimbursements for injured commercial fishermen

Senate Bill 93, signed into law last month by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, increases the maximum payout from the fishermen’s fund to $15,000.
a man behind a dog sled

Iditarod champion Rick Mackey dies of cancer at age 71

Mackey won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in 1983 and his late brother, Lance, won an unprecedented four straight championships.
bears

New study says social media drives visitation in national parks, especially in Alaska

More and more, national parks are using social media to boost visitor numbers and amplify their conservation efforts.
the Supreme Court

Supreme Court upholds Consumer Financial Protection Bureau funding

The 7-2 ruling overturns a lower 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision that the federal consumer watchdog's structure is unconstitutional.
lawmakers

State lawmakers wrapped up their four-month session last night. Here’s what they did.

The Legislature's budget, if signed into law by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, would provide Alaskans a PFD and energy check for roughly $1,655 this fall.
a woman in red speaks at a microphone

LaFrance maintains lead in Anchorage mayor’s race

More than 71,000 votes have been tallied in the runoff that pits Suzanne LaFrance against incumbent Mayor Dave Bronson.
brain health

When perfectionism becomes unhealthy | Line One

How do you tell when perfectionism becomes unhealthy, and what can you do to prevent it from becoming a harmful influence?

An Anchorage high school senior talks about what graduation means to him

Service High's Coen Niclai is a star baseball player and a volunteer peer mentor for freshman and students with intellectual disabilities.
flooding

State opens applications for Kuskokwim River breakup flooding relief funds

Now that breakup is finally over on the Kuskokwim, individuals affected by flooding can apply for disaster relief funding.
Kenai City Hall

Kenai council to consider repealing public sleeping, loitering, begging prohibitions

Kenai Police Chief David Ross says the three items are outdated, unenforceable and may even violate individual rights.
a building

DOJ says Boeing broke deal that avoided prosecution after 2 fatal 737 Max crashes

Prosecutors told a judge Boeing had broken its three years of probation after the crashes, which ended days after January's 737 Max door-plug blowout.
newspapers

Why hasn’t Alaska executed anyone since statehood? Juneau’s last hangings may be the reason.

Austin Nelson and Eugene LaMoore's 1948 and 1950 trials were riddled with misconduct and errors, according to a legal historian who researched them.

At Hiland Mountain Correctional Center, art classes help prisoners take a break and prepare for release

One of the themes teacher Jamey Bradbury talks about in her classes is the healing power of art.
Cathy Giessel

Last-ditch attempt to return Alaska teacher, public employee pensions fails on Senate floor

The pension proposal would have piggybacked on a bill that aims to remedy the state’s teacher staffing crisis.

Bills aimed at reducing energy costs, boosting Cook Inlet gas and carbon storage advance in Legislature’s final days

The bills were initially proposed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy and now contain several other proposals. They're up for final votes soon.
a woman smiles

Suzanne LaFrance poised to be Anchorage’s first elected female mayor

Partial, unofficial election night results show the former Assembly chair leading incumbent Mayor Dave Bronson by nearly 10%.