ANCSA at 50 | Special Edition of Alaska Insight
Fifty years ago this December, Alaska Native leaders joined forces with national lawmakers to create legislation that ensured certain native land rights in our state. How has that legislation evolved over the decades? What does the next generation of Alaska Native leaders want to see moving forward?
Bronson appoints two critics of pandemic restrictions to Anchorage’s public health advisory committee
Anesthesiologist Shawn Degler and retired physician’s assistant Jim Wojciehowski were appointed to fill vacant seats on Anchorage’s Health and Human Services Commission. Assembly members say they will scrutinize their past comments before they vote to confirm.
More than $6 billion gap in state pension funding draws concern
Some state senators are expressing concern about the projected shortfall in funding Alaska’s public employee pensions. But those who manage the pension funds say the shortfall will likely remain manageable. Listen now
Trump signs Sullivan bill aimed at reducing plastic waste in ocean
The "Save Our Seas" law encourages the executive branch to take up the problem of plastic waste internationally. It was sponsored by Sullivan and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. Listen now
Firearms expert describes ‘extensively damaged’ bullet in murder of Sophie Sergie
Debra Gillis, with the Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory, said the bullet she examined was too mangled to match it to guns taken from the suspect.
Anchorage mayor apologizes for years-old “inappropriate messaging relationship”
Anchorage Mayor Berkowitz's statement on Monday said that Anchorage police and the FBI jointly investigated Athens' allegations against him and found "no evidence of criminal conduct."
Alaska officials hope switch to stronger opioid reversal drug will help quell rise in fentanyl
In May, the state switched from distributing Narcan to Kloxxado, an overdose reversing medicine that's twice as strong.
Anti-ranked choice voting campaign is operating out of a South Anchorage church, new APOC complaint alleges
An attorney for ranked choice foes says the complaint is overblown and that the religious organization receives rent.
Report from Alaska campaign regulator says Tshibaka-linked group violated state law
Alaska Public Offices Commission staff have recommended a $16,450 fine against former U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka's Preserve Democracy.
As millions struggle with home prices, housing becomes a top issue for voters
Across the country, including in swing states, people have been priced out of buying homes. Record numbers are finding rent unaffordable.
Even with repeal bill dead, Murkowski still not a firm ‘yes’ or ‘no’
The latest Senate effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act is dead after too many Republicans declared they would not support the Graham-Cassidy bill. But, as of Tuesday evening, Sen. Lisa Murkowski still was not clearly saying how she would have voted on Graham-Cassidy. Listen now
Walruses are skittish. That’s why this scientist is using drones to count them.
USGS research biologist Tony Fischbach says drones have proven to be safer, and they've helped with a long-running problem of understanding how many walruses just happen to be out of view underwater when researchers fly over.
Alaska Permanent Fund improves after money-losing year but withdrawals still exceed earnings
The corporation’s earnings need to average 5% plus the rate of inflation to be sustainable; over the past five years, the corporation hasn’t done that.
Worries over seafood safety mount as Japan releases Fukushima water into the Pacific
China announced it is expanding an existing ban on seafood imports from Fukushima to include all of Japan, citing health concerns.
Nome’s Polaris Hotel on fire; blaze continues into afternoon
Nome residents awoke this morning to see the Polaris Hotel ablaze. 22 of the available 30 Nome firefighters are currently containing the blaze. Listen now
Alaska House votes to broaden membership of injury, death review panels
Alaska operates medical committees examining maternal and child mortality, overdose deaths, and cases where a child was born with syphilis.
Alaska sells eight oil and gas leases in Cook Inlet
An Anchorage-based company and a Texas-based company got bids for 21,000 acres of oil and gas tracts in Cook Inlet, the first time a company other than Hilcorp Alaska has won leases in a state sale since 2015.
With a decision on Ambler looming, the Kobuk River makes a list of endangered rivers
Advocates say the Ambler Road and mining projects risk contaminating the Kobuk River watershed and hurting the region’s subsistence species.
State reports another death as active COVID-19 infections again reach new high
The report of another death follows a recent spike in Alaska’s number of new COVID-19 infections, and warnings from Anchorage city officials that its system for investigating cases has maxed out.
Skagway residents got Permanent Fund dividends and city stimulus checks in the same week
The city's plan was to keep people spending money despite a devastated tourism season. Some residents say it's working.