US, Russia agree on Syria cease-fire plan; questions remain

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The United States and Russia have agreed on a new cease-fire for Syria that will take effect Saturday, even as major… Continue reading

  • Feb 23, 2016
  • By MAEVA BAMBUCK and BRADLEY KLAPPER
  • Nation-World
FILE -- In this July 30, 1991 file photo, oil well firemen from a U.S. company discuss the day's work while a wellhead burns out of control across a lake of crude oil in the Ahmadi oil field, Kuwait.  Twenty five years after the first U.S. Marines swept across the border into Kuwait in the 1991 Gulf War, American forces find themselves battling the extremist Islamic State group, born out of al-Qaida, in the splintered territories of Iraq and Syria. Oil prices, which sparked Saddam's invasion of Kuwait, have dropped to under $30 a barrel from more than $100 in just a year and a half. (AP Photo/John Gapps III, File)

Echoes of 1991 Gulf War linger on in the Mideast

The 1991 Gulf War saw only 100 hours of ground fighting as U.S. forces entered Kuwait to end the Iraqi occupation, but echoes of that… Continue reading

FILE -- In this July 30, 1991 file photo, oil well firemen from a U.S. company discuss the day's work while a wellhead burns out of control across a lake of crude oil in the Ahmadi oil field, Kuwait.  Twenty five years after the first U.S. Marines swept across the border into Kuwait in the 1991 Gulf War, American forces find themselves battling the extremist Islamic State group, born out of al-Qaida, in the splintered territories of Iraq and Syria. Oil prices, which sparked Saddam's invasion of Kuwait, have dropped to under $30 a barrel from more than $100 in just a year and a half. (AP Photo/John Gapps III, File)

Mayor: Allow addicts a space to inject heroin safely

ALBANY, N.Y. — The mayor of Ithaca wants his city in upstate New York to host the nation’s first supervised injection facility, enabling heroin users… Continue reading

Jason Dalton, of Kalamazoo Township, Mich., is arraigned via video before Judge Christopher T. Haenicke, Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, in Kalamazoo, Mich. Dalton is charged with multiple counts of murder in a series of random shootings in western Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Uber acknowledges complaints about Michigan shooting suspect

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Uber ride-hailing service acknowledged Monday that it received complaints about erratic driving by the suspect in the random shootings that killed… Continue reading

Jason Dalton, of Kalamazoo Township, Mich., is arraigned via video before Judge Christopher T. Haenicke, Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, in Kalamazoo, Mich. Dalton is charged with multiple counts of murder in a series of random shootings in western Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks at a rally Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Rubio builds momentum, Cruz camp struggling

ELKO, Nevada — Marco Rubio amassed increasing support for his candidacy while Ted Cruz’s campaign showed signs of struggle as Republican presidential candidates crisscrossed Nevada… Continue reading

  • Feb 23, 2016
  • By STEVE PEOPLES and NICHOLAS RICCARDI
  • Nation-World
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks at a rally Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Victims in attack support efforts to hack iPhone

WASHINGTON — Some family members of victims and survivors of the San Bernardino terror attack will file court papers in support of a judge’s order… Continue reading

  • Feb 23, 2016
  • By TAMI ABDOLLAH and AMANDA LEE MYERS
  • Nation-World

Hamlin felt for Kenseth after snatching Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Four drivers went into the Daytona 500 determined to end Joe Gibbs’ 23-year losing skid in NASCAR’s biggest race of the… Continue reading

  • Feb 23, 2016
  • By JENNA FRYER

Tennessee’s 31-year run in women’s poll is over

Tennessee’s 31-year run in the Top 25 is over.The Lady Vols streak of 565 consecutive weeks in The Associated Press women’s basketball poll ended Monday… Continue reading

  • Feb 23, 2016
  • By DOUG FEINBERG

Texas A&M and Utah return to the rankings

Texas A&M and Utah both return to the Top 25 this week, replacing Dayton and Providence.The Aggies (20-7) return at No. 21 after wins over… Continue reading

  • Feb 23, 2016
  • By JIM O'CONNELL

Air traffic controller turns to guiding Internet

In his day job, Ryan Durbin guides airplanes over Anchorage. Now, his frustration with Alaska Internet access has him turning to guiding Web traffic as… Continue reading

No foul play suspected in Juneau man’s death on N. Douglas trail

Juneau police do not suspect foul play in the death of 65-year-old Juneau man Timothy Volwiler. Volwiler’s body was found on Friday afternoon near the… Continue reading

Juneau hits 50 degrees, ties record

The thermometer reached 50 degrees at the National Weather Service’s airport measuring station on Sunday, tying a record set in 1998 and marking the first… Continue reading

AK LNG project advisor Jeff Raun listens to a question during a public information meeting on the project's local future efforts on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016.

Alaska LNG Project holding steady

KENAI — Kenai Peninsula representatives of the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project said that although their leaders have spoken of possible delays, employees of… Continue reading

AK LNG project advisor Jeff Raun listens to a question during a public information meeting on the project's local future efforts on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016.

Alaska lawmakers weigh budget cuts

JUNEAU — Alaskans this coming week will begin getting a sense for where the House might cut the state budget with subcommittees poised to make… Continue reading

Avery Skagg's brain has only 15 percent of the necessary myelin to allow him full motor function.  As a result, he experiences cerebral palsy and is quadriplegic.  Being non-verbal, he communicates with eye gazes, expressions and noises.

Motion in acrylics

Surrounded on all sides by paintings of his own making, Avery Skaggs sat quietly in the gallery of the Juneau-Douglas City Museum Saturday morning smiling,… Continue reading

Avery Skagg's brain has only 15 percent of the necessary myelin to allow him full motor function.  As a result, he experiences cerebral palsy and is quadriplegic.  Being non-verbal, he communicates with eye gazes, expressions and noises.
In this file photo from August, a team of volunteers works to remove mud, logs and other debris from the site where Christine McGraw's house once stood. McGraw's house was destroyed by the Aug. 18 landslide that killed three men, two of whom were inside her house painting at the time of the slide.

House owner sues over Sitka landslide loss

The owner of the house at 410 Kramer Ave. that was destroyed by the Aug. 18, 2015, landslide has filed a suit for damages against… Continue reading

In this file photo from August, a team of volunteers works to remove mud, logs and other debris from the site where Christine McGraw's house once stood. McGraw's house was destroyed by the Aug. 18 landslide that killed three men, two of whom were inside her house painting at the time of the slide.

University of Alaska prepares to lose millions in state funding

JUNEAU — A slump in oil prices has officials looking at the amount and impact of a deep cut in the University of Alaska budget.Gov.… Continue reading

Private options sought for closing state-run slaughterhouse

ANCHORAGE — Industry stakeholders want the state Board of Agriculture to let private companies bid to operate a state-run slaughterhouse and prevent its closure.The Alaska… Continue reading

Around Town

Intermediate Microsoft Excel, 9-11 a.m., The Learning Connection, 210 Ferry Way. Learn to use Excel spreadsheets and other intermediate level skills. Free. Details: 586-5718. Writing… Continue reading

Gardening club sees big changes

Eleven committees were formed to fill the well-worn gloves of long-time Central Peninsula Garden Club President Marion Nelson, who served her last duty Tuesday.Under the… Continue reading