Alaska Public Media
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News from Alaska Public Media and our partner stations across the state. Alaska Public Media is a NPR and PBS station.
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Join host Ammon Swenson and author Paloma Pavel as they discuss how small kindnesses can make a big impact on this week's episode of Hometown, Alaska!🎧Listen wherever you get podcasts. Tune in to Hometown, Alaska on-air Mondays at 10am and 8pm on KSKA 91.1 FM. https://akpub.io/4bWWy4V
Celebrating National Random Acts of Kindness Day | Hometown, Alaska
We're joined by the co-author of the book "Random Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty."
akpub.io
February 19, 2026 at 3:30 AM
Join host Ammon Swenson and author Paloma Pavel as they discuss how small kindnesses can make a big impact on this week's episode of Hometown, Alaska!🎧Listen wherever you get podcasts. Tune in to Hometown, Alaska on-air Mondays at 10am and 8pm on KSKA 91.1 FM. https://akpub.io/4bWWy4V
Anchorage reporter Nat Herz is in Italy covering the Olympics, where he watched Gus Schumacher race to a silver medal.
Nat joins us on Alaska News Nightly to break down how the race unfolded.
Take a listen:
Nat joins us on Alaska News Nightly to break down how the race unfolded.
Take a listen:
Alaska in the medals, as Schumacher strikes silver at Italy Olympics
Anchorage cross-country skiing superstar Gus Schumacher was nearly perfect racing the anchor leg Wednesday in the team sprint event.
akpub.io
February 19, 2026 at 1:41 AM
Anchorage reporter Nat Herz is in Italy covering the Olympics, where he watched Gus Schumacher race to a silver medal.
Nat joins us on Alaska News Nightly to break down how the race unfolded.
Take a listen:
Nat joins us on Alaska News Nightly to break down how the race unfolded.
Take a listen:
The lawsuit claims a federal review has led to the removal of exhibits on slavery, civil rights, Indigenous history, climate science and other key parts of American history.
Trump administration is erasing history and science at national parks, lawsuit argues
Conservation and historical organizations sued the Trump administration on Tuesday over National Park Service policies that the groups say erase history and science from America's national parks.
alaskapublic.org
February 19, 2026 at 12:45 AM
The lawsuit claims a federal review has led to the removal of exhibits on slavery, civil rights, Indigenous history, climate science and other key parts of American history.
ICE agents took a Soldotna family — including a kindergarten‑age child — into custody this week, drawing concern from local clergy and raising questions about how immigration enforcement is carried out.
ICE detains Soldotna kindergartner and family
The mom had a legal authorization to work as she sought asylum, her husband says.
akpub.io
February 18, 2026 at 11:45 PM
ICE agents took a Soldotna family — including a kindergarten‑age child — into custody this week, drawing concern from local clergy and raising questions about how immigration enforcement is carried out.
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski helped secure hundreds of millions in federal ferry funds over the last five years. But the state is now waiting on a key federal grant for this year.
Alaska's summer ferry schedule is open for booking
Amid ongoing funding problems, the schedule looks a lot like it has in other recent years. Just six of the state's nine ferries will be sailing.
akpub.io
February 18, 2026 at 10:45 PM
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski helped secure hundreds of millions in federal ferry funds over the last five years. But the state is now waiting on a key federal grant for this year.
Alaska Public Media is hiring across our newsroom and technical teams. We’re looking for professionals who believe in the power of public media to inform, connect and serve communities across Alaska.
Learn more and apply: https://akpub.io/3OPbQM6
Learn more and apply: https://akpub.io/3OPbQM6
February 18, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Alaska Public Media is hiring across our newsroom and technical teams. We’re looking for professionals who believe in the power of public media to inform, connect and serve communities across Alaska.
Learn more and apply: https://akpub.io/3OPbQM6
Learn more and apply: https://akpub.io/3OPbQM6
Who’s paying for political ads? Alaska’s highest court says voters have a right to know, backing requirements that groups disclose their top donors in campaign messaging. (via Alaska Beacon) https://akpub.io/46gGN5c
Alaska Supreme Court upholds constitutionality of campaign ad disclosure statements
The state requires ads to bear the names of the top three contributors to a campaign. The Alaska Policy Forum had challenged the constitutionality of that rule.
akpub.io
February 18, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Who’s paying for political ads? Alaska’s highest court says voters have a right to know, backing requirements that groups disclose their top donors in campaign messaging. (via Alaska Beacon) https://akpub.io/46gGN5c
The legislation would require Alaska schools to present families with information on all possible methods of communication for their deaf and hard of hearing children.
Bill would increase education options for deaf students in Alaska
The bill would require schools to provide unbiased information on communication for deaf and hearing-impaired students and support the family’s choice, but experts say it misses kids under 4.
akpub.io
February 18, 2026 at 8:45 PM
The legislation would require Alaska schools to present families with information on all possible methods of communication for their deaf and hard of hearing children.
Alaska has a legal obligation to safeguard those in its custody. A new lawsuit argues the state fell short before a fatal incident in prison.
Father sues Alaska Department of Corrections for failing to protect his son from homicide
Phil Zimmerman filed a lawsuit alleging that the Alaska department neglected their duty to protect his son Josh and faults them for a lack of transparency.
akpub.io
February 18, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Alaska has a legal obligation to safeguard those in its custody. A new lawsuit argues the state fell short before a fatal incident in prison.
Some countries are phasing out cruise-ship “scrubber” systems that dump toxic wastewater into the ocean. Alaska lawmakers are now considering similar action to reduce this under-regulated source of marine pollution.
Some countries are cutting this source of marine pollution. Will Alaska do the same?
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl says he’s drafting legislation to address water pollution from cruise ships that use scrubbers to clean their exhaust.
akpub.io
February 18, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Some countries are phasing out cruise-ship “scrubber” systems that dump toxic wastewater into the ocean. Alaska lawmakers are now considering similar action to reduce this under-regulated source of marine pollution.
Anchorage skier Gus Schumacher wins a silver medal!
Schumacher powered through a near-perfect anchor leg today to help the U.S. claim silver in the team cross-country sprint at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Schumacher powered through a near-perfect anchor leg today to help the U.S. claim silver in the team cross-country sprint at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Anchorage’s Schumacher earns silver in cross-country team sprint
The 25-year-old grew up in Alaska and has dreamed about the Olympics for most of his life.
alaskapublic.org
February 18, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Anchorage skier Gus Schumacher wins a silver medal!
Schumacher powered through a near-perfect anchor leg today to help the U.S. claim silver in the team cross-country sprint at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Schumacher powered through a near-perfect anchor leg today to help the U.S. claim silver in the team cross-country sprint at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Tonight on Alaska News Nightly:
One state lawmaker looks to curb pollution from cruise ship exhaust.
Plus, a 17th candidate joins the race to be Alaska's next governor.
Listen here:
One state lawmaker looks to curb pollution from cruise ship exhaust.
Plus, a 17th candidate joins the race to be Alaska's next governor.
Listen here:
Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
One state lawmaker looks to curb pollution from cruise ship exhaust.
akpub.io
February 18, 2026 at 2:59 AM
Tonight on Alaska News Nightly:
One state lawmaker looks to curb pollution from cruise ship exhaust.
Plus, a 17th candidate joins the race to be Alaska's next governor.
Listen here:
One state lawmaker looks to curb pollution from cruise ship exhaust.
Plus, a 17th candidate joins the race to be Alaska's next governor.
Listen here:
One of the best chances for an Olympic medal from Alaska athletes is coming up Wednesday.
On the rebound, Alaska's Schumacher prepares for Olympic team sprint
One of the best chances for an Olympic medal from Alaska athletes is coming up Wednesday.
akpub.io
February 18, 2026 at 2:00 AM
One of the best chances for an Olympic medal from Alaska athletes is coming up Wednesday.
A 17th candidate has announced she’s running for governor.
Meda DeWitt, 45, is a traditional healer, drawing on her Tlingit heritage. She teaches at the University of Alaska.
Meda DeWitt, 45, is a traditional healer, drawing on her Tlingit heritage. She teaches at the University of Alaska.
Meda DeWitt, traditional healer, announces run for governor
DeWitt is running as an independent. She is the 17th person to announce a campaign for Alaska's top executive office.
akpub.io
February 18, 2026 at 1:05 AM
A 17th candidate has announced she’s running for governor.
Meda DeWitt, 45, is a traditional healer, drawing on her Tlingit heritage. She teaches at the University of Alaska.
Meda DeWitt, 45, is a traditional healer, drawing on her Tlingit heritage. She teaches at the University of Alaska.
On Feb. 12, a Bethel jury found Murphy guilty of all three counts, which each carry a maximum sentence of one year in jail.
Jury convicts former Bethel police officer of assault, falsifying information, and records tampering
The convictions stem from a 2023 incident when then-Bethel Police Officer Jonathan Murphy punched a man repeatedly in the head and then attempted to cover up the incident.
akpub.io
February 18, 2026 at 12:00 AM
On Feb. 12, a Bethel jury found Murphy guilty of all three counts, which each carry a maximum sentence of one year in jail.
Anchorage police say a woman died this morning after being struck by a vehicle near East 20th Avenue and Ingra Street.
Woman fatally struck by vehicle in Fairview
This is the first confirmed fatal vehicle-pedestrian collision in Anchorage this year. Last year, 15 pedestrians were killed by vehicles in Anchorage, the same number as in 2024.
akpub.io
February 17, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Anchorage police say a woman died this morning after being struck by a vehicle near East 20th Avenue and Ingra Street.
In the draft report, responsibility for disasters would largely shift to states, which have long relied on the federal government to help survivors when a flood, hurricane or wildfire hits.
3 big changes are proposed for FEMA. This is what experts really think of them
The Trump administration is proposing massive changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. We asked disaster experts to weigh in.
akpub.io
February 17, 2026 at 11:00 PM
In the draft report, responsibility for disasters would largely shift to states, which have long relied on the federal government to help survivors when a flood, hurricane or wildfire hits.
Flooding has been an ongoing struggle for Kwigillingok. Community members remember storms flooding the village in the early 1980s. Even as recently as 2024, the village received a federal disaster declaration following an August storm.
Kwigillingok's repair is underway. But community members say the 'way it was' is not the way forward.
Crews are working to fix enough of the damage from Typhoon Halong for people to move back, even temporarily. But relocating the community remains a long-term goal.
akpub.io
February 17, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Flooding has been an ongoing struggle for Kwigillingok. Community members remember storms flooding the village in the early 1980s. Even as recently as 2024, the village received a federal disaster declaration following an August storm.
The bill would change the way corporate income taxes are calculated, bringing in tens of millions of dollars in new revenue.
Alaska lawmakers go for a redo on vetoed corporate income tax bill
Backers of the bill say it’s necessary with a tight state budget, and it’s similar to a proposal Gov. Mike Dunleavy included in his fiscal plan.
akpub.io
February 17, 2026 at 9:00 PM
The bill would change the way corporate income taxes are calculated, bringing in tens of millions of dollars in new revenue.
The Alaska House’s draft budget has no PFD. Here’s what that means.
The Alaska House’s draft budget has no PFD. Here’s what that means.
Minority Republicans say they see removing the dividend from the House's draft budget as a worrying sign. Bipartisan coalition leaders say it's typical at this early stage.
akpub.io
February 17, 2026 at 8:01 PM
The Alaska House’s draft budget has no PFD. Here’s what that means.
Officials with the Alaska Department of Corrections told lawmakers a “large fight” with a hefty price tag broke out at the state’s maximum security prison in January, amid downsizing and cost-cutting efforts. (via Alaska Beacon)
‘Large fight’ breaks out at Alaska’s maximum-security prison in Seward amid downsizing effort
The fight at Spring Creek Correctional Center involved 50 inmates, some of whom sustained minor injuries, officials said.
akpub.io
February 17, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Officials with the Alaska Department of Corrections told lawmakers a “large fight” with a hefty price tag broke out at the state’s maximum security prison in January, amid downsizing and cost-cutting efforts. (via Alaska Beacon)
Josi Shelley is the new Yukon Quest Alaska champion.
“We knew this was gonna be a tough race. And all the training and the miles paid off,” she said. “I feel like it’s celebrating the dogs, and mushing, and how tough these dogs are.”
“We knew this was gonna be a tough race. And all the training and the miles paid off,” she said. “I feel like it’s celebrating the dogs, and mushing, and how tough these dogs are.”
Josi Shelley wins grueling Yukon Quest 750
Shelley led the historically small field of six mushers for most of the race, with little pressure from other teams during the last few hundred miles.
akpub.io
February 17, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Josi Shelley is the new Yukon Quest Alaska champion.
“We knew this was gonna be a tough race. And all the training and the miles paid off,” she said. “I feel like it’s celebrating the dogs, and mushing, and how tough these dogs are.”
“We knew this was gonna be a tough race. And all the training and the miles paid off,” she said. “I feel like it’s celebrating the dogs, and mushing, and how tough these dogs are.”
Tonight on Alaska News Nightly:
State legislators hope proposed corporate income tax changes can add tens of millions to the state's budget.
Plus, lawmakers grill Mt. Edgecumbe boarding school officials over student welfare and declining enrollment
Listen here: https://akpub.io/3Mt1RyK
State legislators hope proposed corporate income tax changes can add tens of millions to the state's budget.
Plus, lawmakers grill Mt. Edgecumbe boarding school officials over student welfare and declining enrollment
Listen here: https://akpub.io/3Mt1RyK
February 17, 2026 at 2:55 AM
Tonight on Alaska News Nightly:
State legislators hope proposed corporate income tax changes can add tens of millions to the state's budget.
Plus, lawmakers grill Mt. Edgecumbe boarding school officials over student welfare and declining enrollment
Listen here: https://akpub.io/3Mt1RyK
State legislators hope proposed corporate income tax changes can add tens of millions to the state's budget.
Plus, lawmakers grill Mt. Edgecumbe boarding school officials over student welfare and declining enrollment
Listen here: https://akpub.io/3Mt1RyK
Anchorage School District officials suggested closing Fire Lake and Lake Otis elementary schools, which were recommended for closure to the school board last year, as well as Campbell STEM Elementary School. https://akpub.io/3OsQszq
Anchorage School District considers three elementary school closures as part of addressing budget shortfall
Officials suggested closing Fire Lake and Lake Otis elementary schools, which were proposed to the school board last year, as well as Campbell STEM Elementary School.
akpub.io
February 16, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Anchorage School District officials suggested closing Fire Lake and Lake Otis elementary schools, which were recommended for closure to the school board last year, as well as Campbell STEM Elementary School. https://akpub.io/3OsQszq
Tonight on Alaska News Nightly:
This Valentine's Day Eve, the story of how a Petersburg couple stayed married for 75 years.
Also, a proposed budget for the state's largest school district would cut hundreds of positions, even after a funding boost from the state.
Listen: https://akpub.io/4auJLEq
This Valentine's Day Eve, the story of how a Petersburg couple stayed married for 75 years.
Also, a proposed budget for the state's largest school district would cut hundreds of positions, even after a funding boost from the state.
Listen: https://akpub.io/4auJLEq
Alaska News Nightly: Friday, February 13, 2026
This Valentine's Day Eve, the story of how a Petersburg couple stayed married for 75 years.
akpub.io
February 14, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Tonight on Alaska News Nightly:
This Valentine's Day Eve, the story of how a Petersburg couple stayed married for 75 years.
Also, a proposed budget for the state's largest school district would cut hundreds of positions, even after a funding boost from the state.
Listen: https://akpub.io/4auJLEq
This Valentine's Day Eve, the story of how a Petersburg couple stayed married for 75 years.
Also, a proposed budget for the state's largest school district would cut hundreds of positions, even after a funding boost from the state.
Listen: https://akpub.io/4auJLEq