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.

Wildwood Correctional Facility in Kenai. (Department of Corrections photo)

Among Dunleavy’s proposed DOC cuts, sending 500 prisoners out of state

Governor Mike Dunleavy's proposed budget for the Department of Corrections cuts $19 million from this year's budget. About $12.8 million of the estimated savings will come from a plan to send 500 inmates to private prisons outside of Alaska.

Cross-Border Salmon Dispute Puts A Damper on Summer Troll Opener

Harbors emptied throughout Southeast this week as fishermen headed out for the beginning of the summer troll season. July 1 marks the annual start of the summer’s first king salmon opener -- the most lucrative time of the year for many trollers. Download Audio
A woman sits in a hospital room wearing a face mask, face shield and gown.

As Juneau’s COVID cases skyrocket, hospital staff are testing positive too

Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau is seeing more COVID-19 cases among its staff as the number of infections in the capital city rises and the community's risk level returns to high.

Permanent Fund Amount To Be Announced Next Week

Alaskans will find out the size of their Permanent Fund dividends next week. Download Audio
Drift wood in the foreground of a photo of a beach, greenish ocean water and jagged cliffs in the background

LISTEN: Here’s how it feels to go to the most remote place in Alaska

Writer Sarah Gilman went to St. Matthew last year on the research vessel Tiĝlax̂, and her piece, "The Island That Humans Can't Conquer" appeared recently in Hakai Magazine.
Aerial photo of a large fire burning in brown tundra

Alaska fire season begins with almost two dozen human-caused blazes

Twenty-three of the 25 fires so far this year were ignited by human activity.

University of Alaska suffers cybersecurity breach

The University of Alaska is reporting a security breach. An email issued Tuesday says UA became aware of the cyber attack several months ago, and there’s no evidence that personal information was accessed or stolen. Listen now

Taku River turns cold, runs fast after glacial dam release in the Juneau Icefield

This glacial dam release, or jökulhlaup, was relatively small, but there could be more this summer.

State Democratic officials look to create bipartisan House

State Democratic Party officials are backing challengers to two Democrats who caucus with the Republican-led House majority. The challengers and party officials say this will increase the chances for a bipartisan coalition. Listen now

Man Dies on Coast Guard Medevac to Unalaska

A 39-year-old man died last Thursday of natural causes on a Coast Guard medevac bound for Unalaska. Riche J. Tonato, from the Philippines, was the head cook on the cargo ship Matsura. That vessel had recently left Canada, and was on its way to Nagasaki, Japan.

Declining Medicare Reimbursement for Doctors Likely to Highlight Lame Duck Session

Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks The upcoming lame duck session of Congress could yield key tweaks to federal health care law. Northwest Regional Director...

Education Secretary Says AK Trip Shaped Views On Rural Students

Education Secretary Arne Duncan says his visit last year to a village in southwest Alaska has affected his view of rural education –...

Man shot by Fairbanks police after ramming into trooper, officer vehicles

A man who rammed police vehicles with his truck, was shot dead by Fairbanks police officers in Fairbanks. The man, who’s name has not been released, had outstanding felony arrest warrants -- according to Alaska State Troopers. Listen now
Large white boxes that read "Vote by Mail Ballot Drop Box" sit in a warehouse.

Anchorage Election Q&A: Here’s what’s on the ballot and options for voting

Anchorage is less than a month away from its next municipal election. Residents will decide who the next mayor and school board members will be, plus vote on several smaller seats and propositions. Here are some answers to common questions about this year’s spring ballot.

ShoreZone Program Almost Completed

The Juneau-based ShoreZone program is nearly done photographing Southeast Alaska’s shoreline. The images and information are going into an online database for use...
a person sitting at a table

Former Alaska legislator sues Alaska Airlines over mask-related ban

Former state Sen. Lora Reinbold says the airline violated her constitutional rights and caused her stress and humiliation.
A row of fishing boats moored in a harbor with mountains in the background

Chignik Bay ‘hanging by a thread’ in second year of scant fishing

While some parts of Bristol Bay have had record-breaking years, one South Peninsula village hasn't been as lucky. After a year and a half of bad runs, Chignik Bay is worried about the survival of the community.

Competition drives down PFD airfare deals

The first round of Permanent Fund Dividend deposits are set to hit bank accounts Thursday, and travel deals are heating up as airlines compete for Alaska's customers. Download Audio

NORAD celebrates 60 years of tracking Santa

Three-hundred and sixty-four days a year, the North American Aerospace Defense Command -- or NORAD -- is the U.S.-Canadian military unit that monitors North American airspace for enemy threats. But one day a year, NORAD turns its watch onto one very popular air traveler. Download Audio

Commercial fish licensing may be curtailed in Cook Inlet waters

The establishment and mission of a task force to meet before next year's legislative session to consider management issues of Cook Inlet salmon has...