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 man speaks at a lectern while another man listens

3 things you need to know about Biden’s student loan announcement

Americans currently owe about $1.62 trillion in federal student loans. Biden's plan will provide relief to most of them – 43 million borrowers – and will completely erase the student debt of about 20 million.

Scientists use deer pellet DNA to study populations in Southeast Alaska

Deer populations around Petersburg’s Mitkof Island have been low in recent years. Hunters are only allowed to shoot one buck in a two-week open season in October. Keeping track of the population is difficult in a mountainous terrain covered in forest. Now, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is using DNA studies to help fill in the gaps.

Aliy Zirkle Leads Iditarod Mushers Out Of Tanana

Aliy Zirkle's team was the first out of Tanana Tuesday night, leading the field down the Yukon River toward Ruby on the race's longest leg. Mushers are required to take a mandatory eight-hour rest at a checkpoint along the river. Sub-zero temperatures helped some mushers decide to take the rest early. Download Audio

Conference of Young Alaskans

The Conference of Young Alaskans will draw delegates from across the state to consider the challenges facing Alaska and her people. Together, delegates will develop an overall vision statement, goals and proposed courses of action in five issue areas. Click for streaming video.

Running 2012: School Board and Mayoral Candidates

Don't miss KAKM and KSKA's elections program, Running. Voting day is approaching quickly, so be sure to take this opportunity to get to know this year's school board and mayoral candidates. School Board: KAKM: Wednesday, 3/28 at 7:00pm KSKA: Wednesday, 3/28 at 8:00pm Mayoral: KAKM: Thursday, 3/29 at 7:00pm KSKA: Thursday, 3/29 at 7:00opm
A musher on the back of a sled wearing a red-white-and blue hat.

Iditarod musher tests positive for COVID-19, removed from race

Minnesota musher Gunnar Johnson tested positive for COVID-19 at the checkpoint in McGrath, near mile 310 a little less than halfway through the race.

Value of Bristol Bay salmon rises, even as the fish shrink

Bristol Bay’s strong salmon returns stand in stark contrast to other parts of Alaska where the fish have trickled in slowly or seemingly not at all. Statewide, though, fish of all species are coming in smaller. Listen now
An empty conference room

As Anchorage students return to classrooms, COVID risk and learning loss top list of concerns

While relatively few COVID-19 tests have come back positive, the latest grade data shows an increase in failing marks.
Alaska News Nightly by Alaska Public Media

Drug enforcement discussed at Mat-Su public hearing

Few people turned out to testify at a public hearing on the Matanuska Susitna Borough budget in Wasilla Thursday night, but those who did outlined a disturbing trend. Download Audio

Anchorage Mayor Candidates: Paul Honeman and Walt Monegan

Former police officers, Walt Monegan (left) and Paul Honeman (right) and are running for mayor of Anchorage on April 7th.  Photos by Erick Cordero KSKA...

Audit: AEL&P's emergency billings A-OK

A new audit says Alaska Electric Light and Power charged its customers properly and did not make any windfall profit after avalanches knocked out...

Banned Books Week: Rebecca Sheir reads "And Tango Makes Three"

AK's Rebecca Sheir was one of the few who read a children's book, making sure to share the illustrations with the audience while reading...

Marijuana laws missing key language

Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott signed the state marijuana regulations into law last month (01-22-16) and the state will begin accepting license applications on February 24th. But there’s a wrench in the works: the original bill fails to properly authorize background checks. Download Audio
a musher gets a kiss from a dog

Dallas Seavey wins record-breaking sixth Iditarod

Musher Dallas Seavey dashed across the finish line in Nome on Tuesday, breaking a tie with five-time champ Rick Swenson.

New exhibit tells little-known story of a plan to settle Jewish refugees in Alaska during WWII

As millions of people around the world are displaced from their homes, some are looking to the past for insight on the refugee crisis. A new museum exhibit in Anchorage tells the story of a plan to relocate European Jewish refugees to Alaska during World War II. Listen now

Galena School District Takes Part In National Celebration Of Imagination

The Galena City School District took part in a national celebration of imagination last week, challenging students and parents alike to go without some modern conveniences for one week.
a landslide

New work season opens for Denali Park Road bridge

The $100 million Pretty Rocks Bridge will cross the site of a landslide that has closed the road at Mile 45 since 2021.

Live From Lincoln Center: Josh Groban

Classical crossover star Josh Groban performs selections from his 2013 album "All That Echoes" in this concert from the Allen Room at Lincoln Center. TV: Friday, April 12 @ 9:30 p.m.

Fairbanks Man Fine After Bear Attack On Kodiak Island

A 48-year-old Fairbanks man hunting on Kodiak Island got a lot closer to a brown bear than he planned on Saturday. Rodd Moretz was attacked by one bear after he had just shot a different bear and was approaching the spot where it fell. Fish and Game bear expert Larry Van Daele said it was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Finally: Refunds Issued By MarkAir

More than 6,000 people, many of them Alaskans, have finally gotten refunds for airline tickets they bought 15 years ago. The travelers had vouchers...