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 bartender

It’s 8 o’clock somewhere: Alaska breweries get an extra hour to pour beer

Until this week, brewery and distillery taprooms weren’t allowed to serve alcohol after 8 p.m. according to state law.
People sit at tables during a meeting.

Mat-Su parents, students move to return books removed from school library shelves as lawsuit continues

The lawsuit stems from the school district’s removal of 56 books last spring, at the School Board’s direction, without any public review.
a woman

Respiratory illnesses are on the rise after the holidays

Nationally, levels of respiratory syncytial virus appear to have plateaued, while COVID-19 levels are elevated and expected to climb higher.
A man with glasses speaks behind a podium while standing in front of an American flag.

Alaska campaign finance watchdog hits ranked choice voting foes with nearly $95K in fines

Art Mathias and affiliated groups violated campaign laws, regulators say. But they dismissed similar complaints in a separate case.

How DNA and an obituary helped ID a victim of the Green River killer

Lori Anne Razpotnik, 15, was found dead in 1985. Her mother, who lives in Juneau, learned last year that she was one of Gary Ridgway's 49 victims.
a building

Federal energy grants help lighten Alaska nonprofits’ load

Nonprofits typically run on a shoestring, and energy — which the $4 million in federal funding assists with — is usually their second-highest expense.
Crowds of people walk past food trucks and vendors along a city street on a summer afternoon.

Alaska tourism industry expecting another strong year, led by cruise passengers

An Alaska tourism industry advocate expects last year’s record-breaking cruise passenger numbers to repeat in 2024.
stacks of shipping containers. A few read "Matson."

An Alaska lawmaker has quietly proposed taking over Anchorage’s port, but won’t say why

The city’s local elected officials are concerned Senate Bill 155 could lead to a knock-down, drag-out fight.
herring eggs

State’s high court rules against Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s herring claim

The Alaska Supreme Court upheld a 2021 denial of the tribe's claim that Fish and Game managers had violated the state constitution.
a gun

A new California law restricts carrying guns in public — testing the Second Amendment

Gun owners in California can no longer carry firearms into a range of locations deemed "sensitive spaces." The law is already facing legal hurdles.
a proposed bridge

Alaska transportation leaders weigh Knik Arm tunnel

State officials say “significant increases in tunneling technology” have prompted a new look at a Knik Arm crossing first proposed as a bridge.
Koyuk

Koyuk man charged with fatally shooting his father

Troopers say Franklin Adams, 35, is charged with first-degree murder in the Saturday shooting of Dennis Adams, 74.
A boated docked in the port of Alaska

Anchorage Assembly wrestles to impasse on renaming port after Don Young 

The Assembly put off the decision indefinitely. There was no consensus about what, if anything, to do next.
fuel

Yukon-Kuskokwim communities seek answers about poor-performing Vitus Energy heating fuel

Vitus Energy says it's sending fuel additives to Kuskokwim River residents whose heating fuel gelled at low temperatures late last month.
the Alaska State Capitol

Alaska’s Capitol among U.S. statehouses targeted by wave of ‘hoax’ bomb threats

The Alaska State Capitol received bomb threats Wednesday believed to be related to similar threats reported across the country, officials say.
a prison

2 Nome residents arrested in $106K mailed drug bust

Troopers say a package delivered and seized Friday in Nome contained an estimated 887 doses' worth of methamphetamine.
a library

Soldotna Pride postpones drag story hour at library after online backlash

The storytime event was part of Soldotna Pride’s winter celebration, called Happy New Queer, scheduled for Saturday.
Ron Dupee

Fairbanks police, state investigate death of man handcuffed after disturbance

Chief Ron Dupee says investigators have been interviewing officers and reviewing body-camera footage after Timothy McArdle Jr.'s death Thursday.
a toy bunny

State compiles first comprehensive account of Alaska children’s stress and trauma

A new bulletin presents baseline information about adverse childhood experiences in Alaska that are known to lead to poor health outcomes.
the Willow project

State labor department forecasts modest job growth in 2024 fueled by infrastructure and energy spending

A new report predicts the state will add 5,400 jobs in 2024, a 1.7% increase, with bright spots in construction, mining and oil and gas.