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.

Two blister packs of birth control pills, in a tree

Alaska lawmakers and telehealth providers work to improve access to contraceptives

Recent polling suggests that a majority of Alaskans support easy access to contraceptives. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy for patients to get them — especially in rural areas.
an aerial view of a city

President Biden hits Russia with new sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine

Missile strikes and military barrages struck Ukrainian targets from the country's northern, eastern and southern borders.
A woman in a mask standing on a landing, seen looking down through the stairwell from the landing below

Mask and COVID-19 test requirements are dropped for Alaska State Capitol

The rules will continue to require those who test positive for the virus to isolate. 

Legislative Council approves plan to spend up to $5.5M to convert Juneau building into apartments for lawmakers

The council voted 9 to 5 to approve the plan to spend up to $5.5 million to turn the Assembly Building into 33 apartments for the session.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California, June 26, 2016. (Creative Commons photo by Gage Skidmore)

Judge: Sarah Palin seeks new trial in defamation lawsuit

The judge said jurors knew before delivering their verdict against Palin that he had ruled against her as a matter of law the previous day.
a nurse administers a vaccine to a patient

As COVID numbers drop, state health officials continue to urge vaccination

State epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin shared data that shows COVID infections carry much greater risk for heart problems than vaccinations.
A white man with a bald head speaks into a microphone

Sitka lawmaker breaks two leg bones in paragliding mishap

Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins had gone paragliding in Anchorage over the weekend with fellow lawmaker Rep. Laddie Shaw.
Two biologists and a rabbit

Western Alaska’s dwindling jackrabbit population is being surveyed for the first time

Researchers don’t yet know why the population has been decreasing, and they say they need more information about the species to find out.
Two fishing boats with a tall snow covered mountain in the distance

Have a vision for Kenai’s waterfront? The city wants to hear from you.

"We really are just looking for as much feedback as possible — not only from stakeholders that own property in the area, but from the entire community on what they see this area becoming and what they see the potential is," said Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander.
A man talks to a crowd

Alaska legislators’ education bills include one to give state funds to some students in homeschool and private school

Another bill would bar teachers from making students feel guilty or inherently “racist, sexist, or oppressive” by virtue of their own identities.
A musher gets his nose swabbed for COVID-19.

Iditarod to require daily COVID testing for race officials and volunteers

Mushers will also have to get COVID tested three times before the start of the 1,000-mile race to Nome, and once in the checkpoint of McGrath.
A baby in a tu-tu

Two, two-two, two-two… tutu? Ketchikan residents celebrate a very special Tuesday.

"The girls were all like, did you you know it's two two-two two-two?" Romanda Simpson said. "And so they laughed and said, 'Let's do a tutu event!' And it was born."
A girl flexes her muscle with bandaid

Alaska kids’ COVID vaccination rates remain low. Pediatricians say misinformation is the challenge.

“A lot of people like to consult Dr. Google,” said an Anchorage pediatrician. “That can cause a lot of problems.”
Black and white photo of Gov. Egan sitting at his desk signing a bill, with four people watching

Historian details Alaska’s legacy of racial segregation

In his book “Black History in the Last Frontier,” historian Ian Hartman outlines how racial segregation looked in Alaska compared to the rest of the country.
A man wearing a blue down best posing for a photo in what looks like a hallway

Former Dunleavy Chief of Staff Tuckerman Babcock files bid for state Senate seat

Babcock is running for the seat currently held by Sen. Peter Micciche.

UAA researchers hope to move child welfare away from separation and toward community building

The researchers say they hope their study will show people that to enact real change in child welfare systems, lawmakers and administrators will have to look beyond where families are and instead address how they got there. 
Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks with reporters inside the Division of Election office in Anchorage

Murkowski concerned with how court may rule in abortion case

Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Tuesday that she’s concerned with the direction the U.S. Supreme Court could take on the issue of abortion.

Anchorage School Board approves contracts with district’s teachers, support personnel

The new contract for teachers includes salary increases and more opportunities for teachers to move across the pay scale.
A bunch of tools and mining equipment on a gravelly mountainside

Biden administration deals setback to Ambler road

In a court filing Tuesday, the administration agreed with road opponents that the environmental analysis of the project is flawed.
Staff volunteers queue to receive a fourth dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Sheba Medical Center in Israel on Dec. 27, 2021, as the hospital conducted a trial of a fourth jab of the vaccine.

Who might benefit from a 4th shot — and who might not

Some countries are moving ahead with plans to offer a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine. But studies are raising questions about the potential advantages of this extra booster.