Alaska News Nightly - Alaska Public Media

Reactions to Congresswoman Mary Peltola's pick for Josh Revak as her state director. Mushers on the Yukon Quest share their tricks for keeping their bodies, and minds up to the task. Plus, how short skits about life in rural Alaska led to a big social media following.

A teenager is sentenced for a series of arson attacks near Fairbanks. Also, a new daycare focused on Hmong language and culture opens in Anchorage. And dogs and mushers enjoy good racing conditions on the Yukon Quest trail.

The state reveals new information about last year's record number of inmate deaths, but more questions remain. A look into how Alaska's data on homelessness is collected, and how reliable it really is. As the Yukon Quest kicks off this weekend, there are serious questions about the race's future.

Congresswoman Mary Peltola calls for more action and less talk. Not everybody's on board with a Fairbanks utility's deal to source North Slope natural gas. Plus the Alaska State Troopers now have a plan for body-worn cameras.

What does the EPA's veto of the proposed Pebble Mine really mean? We will discuss. Investigators use genetic genealogy to identify human remains found 25 years ago. Plus a Sitka chef is a semifinalist for a prestigious national award.

Pebble opponents celebrate an EPA decision to ban the mine. Mat-Su school bus drivers go on strike, but not before dropping kids off at school. Plus, Team Alaska is racking up the medals at the Arctic Winter Games.

A classic fight is brewing over drilling for oil in Alaska, but with some modern nuance. Also, they held out for better prices, and now Kodiak's tanner crab fleet is going… crabbing. And Mt. Edgecumbe High School aviation students get access to some nifty technology.

Day two of sentencing hearings for the man who admitted to setting fire to seven buildings in Two Rivers in 2021. A outage in Newtok's school is just the latest in a pattern of power issues. What to expect as the Kuskokwim 300 kicks off.

Alaska gets hundreds of millions of federal dollars for the ailing ferry system. But it will require a commitment from the state, too. A sobering economic outlook for Alaska's largest city. Plus, a Sitka gymnastics coach takes a team to the Arctic Winter Games.

Questions over the origins of a court order for a mental health check, the courts say never existed. The story of two Russians who crossed the Bering Sea in a fishing boat to avoid the war in Ukraine. Plus the Alaska Long Trail is a long ways off, but supporters say the benefits are worth the wait.

Kodiak's tanner crab fishery is still at a standstill as the fleet holds out for higher prices. Governor Dunleavy lays out his priorities in this year's state of the state address. And after a long hiatus, Sitka's community orchestra is back in business.

A new ballot measure would repeal the state's ranked choice voting system. Also, teachers rally in Juneau for increased school funding. And the Homer Library Board votes to keep a small number of books that stirred up big controversy.

Confusion over discrepancies in Representative Mary Peltola's educational record. Families are stuck abroad after the Marine Highway System pulled a ferry from service. Plus Soldotna looks at creating a more walkable- and business friendly - downtown.

Alaska farmers step up to supply eggs as the national shortage drags on. Also, a Juneau resident gets her Regalia back, suddenly, two weeks after it was stolen. And a meeting between school officials in Ketchikan and Metlakatla helps heal a rift.

In a rare attack, a polar bear kills a mother and son in Wales. Also, the Alaska House breaks its deadlock and elects a speaker, Republican Cathy Tilton. And as Fairbanks gets ready to demolish a condemned hotel, developers are already thinking about what's next.

The state legislative session kicks off, but without a permanent speaker in the House. Also, Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she's working on a fix for getting fisheries disaster relief out more quickly. And Alaska Native leaders remember Oliver Leavitt as a whaling captain and a businessman.

At the very end of 2022, congress passed the massive $1.7 billion dollar spending package. The bill includes language to fund new projects around the state, transfer land to the University of Alaska, and much more. Senator Lisa Murkowski joins us to discuss what else the money will support, talk about the new congress, and Alaska’s new congressional delegation, on this next Talk of Alaska.

Tanner crab fishermen consider their options as low prices keep them at the docks. Also, legislative leaders talk about the big issues ahead on the eve of the session. And a Homer woman survives an ice skating mishap that features an unusual rescue tool: a dead snowshoe hare.

The Alaska State House is going into the start of the legislative session with no clear majority coalition. Kodiak's tanner crab fishery is at risk over disagreements on the price. Plus eager beavers are moving North in Alaska, and the impacts can be seen from space.

Months after an Eagle River teen was killed during an ROTC event, her mom has unanswered questions. Also, the Anchorage assembly demands a response from Mayor Dave Bronson over recent allegations. And the Legislature approves new housing in Juneau to help alleviate an acute shortage when lawmakers come to town.