Category Archives: AK News

Alaska News June 08, 2019

KTUU News: Two more gray whales found dead near Kodiak Island; Smoke in south Anchorage may be from Kenai wildfire; Anchorage woman beats cancer with help of her four-legged friends and more ->
 
 
 
 
KTVA News: 2nd suspect arrested in murder of 19-year-old Cynthia Hoffman near Thunderbird Falls; Beneath the streets: Underground tour gives glimpse of Palmer’s past; Proposed Merrill Field plan calls for raising leases, fees; Advisory issued after harmful bacteria found in waters of Kenai North Beach; Alaska State Troopers: Don’t fall for this scam;
 
 
 
 
KTOO Public Media: Community remembers Guardian Flight crew lost in January plane crash; Alaska schools now have more guidance on how to teach science in the classroom; Meet the Juneau couple who brush their teeth next to history and more ->
 
 
 
 
KYUK Public Media for Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta: John Active’s Friends And Colleagues Tell Stories And Reflect On His Legacy One Year After His Death; A Year After His Death, John Active Remains NPR’s Only Indigenous Commentator and more ->
 
 
 
 
Fairbanks News Webcenter 11: GARDENING REPORT: Planting Beets and more ->
 
 
 
 
Rasmuson Foundation: Time to renew, gain insight, reflect

Alaska News June 07, 2019

KTVA News: Veteran volunteer group clears dead trees at Talkeetna’s Battle Dawgs camp; Movie in the Park comes to Downtown Anchorage; UAA looks to expand nursing school to help with increasing demand for nurses in Alaska and more ->
 
 
 
 
KTUU News: Two murders, two minors, and a case for charging juveniles as adults; Mayor Ethan Berkowitz defends city response to illegal homeless camps; Anchorage woman finds biological father through ancestry test; APD graduates 16 recruits from academy; Alyeska Resort’s downhill mountain bike park opens for the season and more ->
 
 
 
 
KTOO Public Media: New book reveals the history and ephemera of salmon canneries in Southeast Alaska; Gardentalk – Summer’s second planting season now underway and more->
 
 
 
 
KYUK Public Media for Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta: Wildfire Burns 80 Acres Near Napaimute; June Fishing Openings In Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge and more ->
 
 
 
 
Alaska Native News: The Sound of Silence in Russell Fjord; Alaska Army National Guard Engineers Train with Romanian Counterpart and more ->
 
 
 
 
Fairbanks News Webcenter 11: Morning News Update A 6-07; Banks of Chena River Restoration project underway; UA Board of Regents announce student representative and more ->
 
 
 
 
The Homer Tribune: Homer surpasses 100 million steps goal; Eco-friendly bus company debuts on Peninsula; HCOA recognizes community participation in arts; Literary reading festival set for June 15 and more ->
 
 
 
 
The Arctic Sounder: Selawik holds walk for life; Seaweed farms grow as mariculture gains popularity and more ->
 
 
 
 
Julia O’Malley: Come write and eat with me in JUNEAU!

Alaska News June 06, 2019

KTVA News: Charging docs: Teen ‘blacked out,’ burned gun used to shoot 19-year-old Cynthia Hoffman; Hemp pilot program moves Alaska closer to legal production; Fairbanks area pet owners warned of fatal disease spread by hares; Inside the Gates: Military veterans flock to Anchorage for 2019 Golden Age Games; Anchorage senator proposes $900 PFD check; Workforce Wednesday: Young Alaskans train as summer guides for railroad and more ->
 
 
 
 
KTUU News: What happened to CeeCee? A daughter’s disappearance, her murder, and a father’s quest for answers; Lightning sparks 3 wildfires in Southwest Alaska Tuesday; State awards contract to study Medicaid block grant system; Glenn Highway commuters, expect Southbound shoulder closures for expansion project and more ->
 
 
 
 
KTOO Public Media: Haines athletes go for gold at National Senior Games; As some sea star populations make a comeback, scientists may have found cause of ‘wasting disease’; Red Carpet Concert: Justin Smith, ‘Rolling Tune’ and more ->
 
 
 
 
KYUK Public Media for Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta: Bethel City Council Member Fritz Charles Released, Hearing Set For July; Bethel City Council To Vote On Approving FY 2020 Budget At Next Regular Meeting and more ->
 
 
 
 
Alaska Native News: Napakiak Man Arrested in 2018 City Burglary and Safe Theft; Early Lives of Alaska Sockeye Salmon Accelerating with Climate Change and more ->
 
 
 
 
Fairbanks News Webcenter 11: Military Report: UAF provides fee waiver to deploying soldiers; Defendant in sexual abuse case takes the stand; Accurately defining pain and more->

Alaska News June 05, 2019

KTVA News: Teen gave candy to 5-year-old in exchange for sexual contact, troopers say; Troopers searching for burglar who damaged, stole from Wasilla property; Anchorage mom creates vending machine for baby supplies; Legislators want city to move faster on abating homeless camps and more ->
 
 
 
 
KTUU: 19-year-old Anchorage woman found dead, teen arrested for her murder; Update: 12-year-old arrested in connection with Chester Creek Homicide; Proposed legislation aims to minimize human-bear interactions in Anchorage; Spotlight on youth: YANA or You Are Not Alone spreads awareness of suicide prevention; At the Alaska Native Medical Center, path to recovery is aided by what comes out of the kitchen and more ->
 
 
 
 
KTOO Public Media: Bill to fund $3,000 PFD fails narrowly in Alaska Senate; NOAA is trying to encourage more observers to report sexual harassment; Felony charges climb to 13 in sexual assault case against Sitka doctor; Juneau Assembly passes city budget as state budget impacts loom and more ->
 
 
 
 
Alaska Native News: Driver of Dalton Highway Commercial Tanker Accident Dies at Scene, Cleanup of Spill Continues; Congressman Don Young Introduces Resolution Recognizing International Year of the Salmon; Alaska National Guard delivers torch for Veterans Golden Age Games from helicopter and more ->
 
 
 
 
Fairbanks News Webcenter 11: Trial begins for man accused of sexually abusing minors and incest; UAF volleyball program announces 2019 recruiting class and more ->
 
 
 
 
By Tess Thackara: The Hand of Native American Women, Visible at Last The role of women art-makers in Native communities has gone widely ignored. Now a bold museum show, by and for these women, is shining a light on 1,000 years of their art.
 
 
 
 
By Brannon Finney: Alaskan Girl captain speaks her piece
 
 
 
 

Nathan Pilling, Kitsap Sun: Bainbridge-based Team Sail Like a Girl sets sail for second Race to Alaska title
 
 
 
 

Anchorage Police Department – It’s WHAT NOT TO DO WEDNESDAY ? #WNTDW

One of the top requests we get from citizens is that we conduct more traffic enforcement. Many of the people who actually receive the tickets tend to voice the opinion that we should “go after the real criminals” and “find something more important to do.” Sometimes these opinions are peppered with colorful language when delivered. Regardless of your opinion, increased traffic enforcement and the writing of tickets greatly reduces traffic fatalities and injuries. Keeping citizens safe and enforcing the law is our job and is what we do. Even when it makes some folks angry. It falls under the “it’s for your own good” category.

Another reason why traffic enforcement is so important is because traffic stops very often lead to other things. Here are two stories that exemplify that very thing. They are a few years old but are excellent examples:

Story #1: An APD officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a regular traffic violation. After the officer exited his patrol vehicle and was in the process of approaching the car on foot, the driver shot himself in the head and died immediately. Further investigation revealed the driver had gotten fired from his job that morning and told his coworkers he’d be back to shoot the place up. It appeared that is where the driver was headed when the officer intervened. That was a rough day for the officer and devastating for the driver’s family. The stop also very probably put the kibosh on a workplace shooting.

Story #2: One of our officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation. The vehicle had four occupants inside and the officer ID’d all of them. A few hours later we responded to a homicide. Witnesses were able to provide the getaway vehicle’s description but could not say who was inside. Low and behold the getaway car was the same one the officer had stopped earlier that day. Because of the information gathered from that stop the perpetrators were identified quickly and led to arrests for the murder.

Use your inside voice, play well with others, and remember we’re all in this together.

Alaska News June 04, 2019

KTUU News: Melting glaciers create new market for Alaska tour operators; Onsite marijuana smoking could conflict with smoke-free ordinance; Alaska thins its playlist for Music on Hold project; Anchorage Little League team builds new dugouts with help of local business and more ->
 
 
 
 
KTVA News: Thunderstorms lead to flash flooding in Palmer; UA Board of Regents appoints task force for possible campus consolidation; ASD’s new apprenticeship policy to get second review; Caught on camera: Moose with calves lunges at bear and more ->
 
 
 
 
KTOO Public Media: Red Carpet Concert: Burnt Down House, ‘Weary Bones’; Dunleavy taps former aide for vacant Board of Fisheries seat; This ice cream stand was constructed out of local wood. Here’s why that’s unique. More ->
 
 
 
 
KYUK Public Media for Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta: Bethel City Council Member Fritz Charles Arrested For DUI; U.S. Attorney General Barr Says ‘Everything Is On The Table’ To Solve Public Safety Crisis and more ->
 
 
 
 
Alaska Native News: Alaska Congressional Delegation Applauds Justice Department Announcement on Initiative to Combat Violent Crime; Governor Dunleavy Responds to Senate Bill to Cut PFD and more ->
 
 
 
 
Fairbanks News Webcenter 11: THE DAILY DISPATCH 6-3-19; Alaska joins 23 states in upholding the Second Amendment; Jury selection started for man accused of incest, sexual abuse of minors; Senate proposes $1,600 PFD and more ->
 
 
 
 
Alaska Highway News The Canadian Press: Study shows sediment from fishing choking out British Columbia’s sea sponges

Alaska News June 03, 2019

KTUU News: Longtime community activist Mother Lawrence dies at 83; Juneau outdoor program seeks to officially name challenging peak ‘Gorgon Spire’; Fairbanks utility company suspends compost sales due to contaminants; Unangan culture impacted by mass die-off of seabirds in the Bering Sea and more ->
 
 
 
 
KTOO Public Media: Sitka women discuss leading without losing themselves; Gardentalk – Preparing for early vegetable and garlic scape harvest and more->
 
 
 
 
Alaska Native News: Alaska Army National Guard Aviation Prepares for Future Operations and more ->
 
 
 
 
Suzanne Downing Must Read Alaska: Alaska life hack: Bringing home firewood — and spruce beetles and more ->
 
 
 
 
By Megan McDonald: The Best Bread In Alaska Is Served Out Of An Unassuming Airstream

Alaska News June 01, 2019

KTUU: Sen. Murkowski recaps U.S. Attorney General Barr visit to Bethel to discuss public safety crisis; Preliminary report reveal details about pilot’s experience, landing conditions in two deadly crashes and more ->
 
 
 
 
KTVA News: Tlingit & Haida president impressed with Attorney General and public safety tour; Gov. Dunleavy forgives victim’s debt that caused garnishing of PFDs; Suspected car thief: ‘I didn’t do it’; Mic Check in the Morning: DJ Spencer Lee and more ->
 
 
 
 
KTOO Public Media: Juneau climber dies in Mount Rainier rock fall; Juneau scores $1.8 million grant for Brotherhood Bridge Trail; NTSB releases preliminary report for Metlakatla floatplane crash; Remove your rings and get out your card blanket: A table-side view of one of Utqiaġvik’s most animated card games and more ->
 
 
 
 
KYUK Public Media for Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta: U.S. Attorney General Barr Says ‘Very Basics Of Public Safety Are Lacking In The Villages’; Police Release Identity Of Body Pulled From Kuskokwim River and more ->
 
 
 
 
Fairbanks News Webcenter 11: UAF Hosts Arctic Research Open House; Fort Wainwright soldiers train for upcoming deployment to Iraq and more ->
 
 
 
 
The Arctic Sounder: Institute honors NWAB clerk with international award; Kotzebue poet wins statewide writing contest and more ->

Alaska News May 31, 2019

KYUK Public Media for Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta: Stakes High In U.S. Attorney General’s Visit To Bethel, Napaskiak and more ->
 
 
By Ellie Baty: ‘I’m going to do my best to actually improve the situation’ U.S. Attorney General visits Galena
“All I can say is that I’m not a politician. I’m not here scurrying from flower to flower making promises. If I take on a problem I’m going to do my best to actually improve the situation,” Barr said, ” I’m here trying to learn more about it because I think back in Washington people are talking and they really can’t visualize the situation. You have to be able to hear it and see from the people.”

On Friday, the Attorney General will visit Bethel for the third day of his journey.
 
 
 
 
KTOO Public Media: BP and ExxonMobil commit up to $20 million to Alaska LNG; First phase of downtown Egan Drive construction begins Monday; Kids in space: Dillingham fourth-graders challenge the stars; Anchorage ‘re-entry walk’ offers glimpse of path out of prison; City struggles to keep up as junk cars continue piling up in Juneau and more ->
 
 
 
 
Fairbanks News Webcenter 11: THE DAILY DISPATCH 5-30-19; Koyukuk man charged with murdering his mother’s boyfriend out of ‘anger and vengeance’; Not guilty plea entered for man accused of pulling gun in road rage incident; Alaska Native News: JROTC Cadets Visit Alaska Air National Guard Wing and more -> Space Adventures offers aerial learning and more ->
 
 
 
 
The Homer Tribune: Students give school a facelift; Bunnell Street Arts Center unveils 2019 CSAs and more ->
 
 
 
 
The Arctic Sounder: FISH FACTOR: Study tracking North Pacific fish sees rise in variability; Lady M’s collect three golds at state track meet and more ->
 
 
 
 
Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman: Excessive call ordinance trapped; ‘Power of prayer’: local minister meets rescue crew that rescued him two years after his close encounter with fire and death; A love letter to Palmer and more ->
 
 
 
 
By Shane Lasley Mining News: Revealing Alaska’s critical minerals
 
 
 
 
Suzanne Downing Must Read Alaska: Tlingit history, culture thrive as Hoonah expands as destination and more ->
 
 
 
 
By Jill Burke: Use this online tool to research campus safety
 
 
 
 
By Scott Gross: Inside the Gates: Alaska soldiers deploy to Kosovo
 
 
 
 
By Cassie Schirm: May 31 is officially Katie John Day in Alaska
A senate bill establishing a day for Katie John is now law.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed Katie John Day into law Thursday, marking May 31 as the official day to celebrate John’s legacy.
 
 
 
 
By Hank Davis: Guardian Flight to hold memorial service for those lost in January accident.
The event is scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 7th at the Juneau-Douglas High School auditorium.

The memorial will be held in remembrance of Pilot Patrick Coyle, Flight Paramedic Margaret Langston, Flight Nurse Stacie Morse and unborn daughter Delta Rae.
 
 
 
 
By Grant Robinson: MatSu study finds sportfishing economic impact falls $150 million since 2007
 
 
 
 
By Associated Press: Fifth gray whale found dead in Alaska near Chignik Bay
More than 60 dead gray whales have been found from Mexico to Alaska. NOAA Fisheries has declared the elevated rate an “unusual mortality event,” triggering a scientific investigation.

Alaska News May 30, 2019

By KTVA Web Staff: 1 arrested, 1 charged after stealing truck, ramming police vehicles
 
 
 
 
By Kortnie Horazdovsky: Man shot in car on E. 12th Ave.
 
 
 
 
By Beth Verge: Nearly two decades after near-fatal elementary school stabbing, victim still has PFD garnished for legal fees related to incident
To add to the dismay, Hansell said his Permanent Fund Dividend check has been garnished every year following a lawsuit after the incident – filed in his name, by adults – when he was a boy. He said he wants change for future generations so that they don’t have to relive their trauma the way he does.

“I’d hate to have this happen to them,” he said. “They have to pay for it, and it brings back those memories that you – growing up – put to the wayside a little bit.”

Channel 2 reached out to the PFD Office Wednesday, but received no response.
 
 
 
 
By Hank Davis: Anchorage man to serve 46 years for abusing 13 year old victim
Abrahamson must serve a total of 46 years in prison, with an additional 25 years of suspended time. Afterwards, he will be on probation for 15 years and will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
 
 
 
 
By Dave Leval: NTSB finds wreckage of deadly float plane crash near Valdez
 
 
 
 
By Kortnie Horazdovsky: Gray whale found dead on the Kenai Peninsula, bringing total to 4 for Alaska
 
 
 
 
KTOO Public Media: Can ‘Indian Country’ powers combat violence in rural Alaska? Sullivan says he’ll discuss it with AG Barr; ‘Enough is enough’: AG Barr hears from Alaska Native leaders about rural justice problems; Is there gold in them thar beaches? More ->
 
 
 
 
KYUK Public Media for Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta: How Searchers Are Working To Recover Napaskiak Man Who Drowned In Kuskokwim; Lower Kuskokwim 12-Hour Set Gillnet Opening Saturday, June 1 and more ->
 
 
 
 
Alaska Native News: How Many Alaska Glaciers? There’s No Easy Answer; Study of Northern Alaska Could Rewrite Arctic history; Two Arrested in Wednesday Tudor Vehicle Incident following Call-In; Three Arrested at 10th Avenue Address Following Anonymous Tip and more ->
 
 
 
 
Fairbanks News Webcenter 11: THE DAILY DISPATCH 5-29-19; Military Report: Military families say this is their top concern; How bad hearing alters your world; UAF Aviation Program receives aircraft donation and more ->
 
 
 
 
By Craig Medred: Comment now
The time has come to talk about online comments, or maybe the time is well past.

What seems a long time ago in a world now all different, Debbie McKinney, a reporter at the Anchorage Daily News in its McClatchy Company iteration, lamented the birth of these uncensored, real-time, internet versions of letters to the editor.

A feature writer at the newspaper, McKinney had a yen for stories about quirky Alaska characters, and it troubled her how some of the people she wrote about became targets of derision for no other reason than their appearance in a newspaper story.

McKinney, about as kind-hearted a person as you could ever meet, was upset not only that some came under attack because she wrote a story about them, but that the newspaper – by allowing unfettered public comment – provided the forum for such attacks from unidentified critics.
 
 
 
 
By Amy Carney: Fishy First Friday coming in June at the APK
 
 
 
 
By Megan McDonald: 6 Amazing Campgrounds In Alaska Where You Can Spend The Night For 25 Bucks And Under

Alaska News May 29, 2019

KTVA/ADN: 2 Alaskans killed in airplane crash outside Whitehorse
 
 
 
 
By Heather Hintze: Vandalism closes Big Lake fish viewing platform
 
 
 
 
By Hank Davis: In Wasilla, Troopers make arrest for unlawful exploitation of minor
He’s currently being held at Mat-Su Pre-Trial facility without bail, pending arraignment.
 
 
 
 
By KTVA Web Staff: US attorney general in Anchorage for roundtable on Alaska Native justice
 
 
 
 
KTOO Pubic Media: Photos: Juneau residents honor fallen service members in Memorial Day ceremony; Red Carpet Concert: QUEENS, ‘Know-So’; Wrangell’s king salmon derby is canceled again, leaving locals longing; Spruce pollen blooms look ominous, but they’re nothing to sneeze at and more ->
 
 
 
 
KYUK Public Media for Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta: Restrictions To Conserve King Salmon Take Effect On Kuskokwim and more ->
 
 
 
 
Alaska Native News: Seaweed Farmers in Alaska Gear Up for Large Haul Seaweed Farmers in Alaska Gear Up for Large Haul; Red Cross Volunteers, Partners Install 959 Free Smoke Alarms in Alaska’s Homes; Anchor Point Strangling Assault Suspect Apprehended in Anchorage and more ->
 
 
 
 
Fairbanks News Webcenter 11: West Valley graduate thriving after heart transplant; Man accused of sexual abuse of a minor pleads guilty to harassment; Fairbanks Child Support Services office closing permanently and more ->
 
 
 
 
By Derek Minemyer: UPDATE: Office of the Governor responds to concerns over Pioneer Homes rate increases
 
 
 
 
By Beth Verge & Kim Daehnke: Kotzebue kids travel to Anchorage for vital water safety skills session
 
 
 
 
By Hank Davis: FAA: Taquan Air could resume passenger flights this week
When Taquan Air’s passenger flights do resume, the Juneau FSDO will be tasked with incorporating multiple risk-mitigating strategies.
Gregory says the FAA also brought in two additional safety inspectors with Alaska floatplane experience to help conduct the surveillance and inspections.
 
 
 
 
The Alaksa Landmine by Jeff Landfield: The Sunday Minefield – May 26, 2019