ATV riders challenge longtime bans on use of public roads

DES MOINES, Iowa — When she crashed on an all-terrain vehicle, Megan Cratsley was hurt so badly that doctors had to amputate much of her… Continue reading

FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2016 file-pool photo, Vice President Joe Biden points at President Barack Obama during the president's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington. Harking back to America's triumphant race into space, the Obama administration is launching what it calls a "moonshot" effort to cure cancer. Don't expect miracles in the president's last months, but there has been striking progress in recent years. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)

Biden sees politics of cancer world as obstacle to a cure

WASHINGTON — Four weeks after announcing he wouldn’t run for president, Joe Biden returned to the world-renowned cancer center in Texas where doctors had tried… Continue reading

FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2016 file-pool photo, Vice President Joe Biden points at President Barack Obama during the president's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington. Harking back to America's triumphant race into space, the Obama administration is launching what it calls a "moonshot" effort to cure cancer. Don't expect miracles in the president's last months, but there has been striking progress in recent years. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
ADVANCE FOR USE MONDAY, JAN. 18, 2015 AND THEREAFTER - In this Jan. 4, 2016 photo, Gwen Easter testifies before an Omaha Public Schools board meeting in Omaha, Neb. Easter, who runs a community center and preschool program, assailed the proposals to teach acceptance and understanding of gay and transgender youth. "That's the real agenda _ the same-sex stuff," she declared during remarks that drew cheers from her allies in the crowd. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

In Omaha, and much of US, debate over sex ed rages on

OMAHA, Nebraska — Rival factions yelling at one another amid angry pushing. Tirades about condoms, and claims of misinformation. A parent declaring that children are… Continue reading

ADVANCE FOR USE MONDAY, JAN. 18, 2015 AND THEREAFTER - In this Jan. 4, 2016 photo, Gwen Easter testifies before an Omaha Public Schools board meeting in Omaha, Neb. Easter, who runs a community center and preschool program, assailed the proposals to teach acceptance and understanding of gay and transgender youth. "That's the real agenda _ the same-sex stuff," she declared during remarks that drew cheers from her allies in the crowd. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Fort Wainwright rejecting IDs from 5 states, American Samoa

FAIRBANKS — Some visitors to Fort Wainwright are no longer able to enter using just their driver’s license to identify themselves.Fort Wainwright garrison spokesman Allen… Continue reading

Bethel City Council temporarily stops marijuana applications

BETHEL — Bethel will not be processing any applications related to marijuana businesses for the next six months.KYUK-AM reports that the City Council on Tuesday… Continue reading

Anchorage police name officers involved in shooting of man

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage police have released the names of two officers who fatally shot a man they said was charging at them with a large… Continue reading

Police & Fire for Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction information. Anyone listed… Continue reading

Around Town for Jan. 17

Knights of Columbus Bishop Kenny Council brunch, 10 a.m.-noon, St. Paul’s Catholic Church. $10 for a family and $4 for an individual.Open trap shooting, 10… Continue reading

Bill proposes constitutional block on longer sessions

An Anchorage lawmaker has proposed an amendment to the Alaska Constitution that would prohibit the Legislature from working more than 90 days in regular session.House… Continue reading

The force in motion

The Imperial March played as Darth Vader — lightsaber in hand, flanked by storm troopers — entered the room. Only this scene didn’t take place… Continue reading

Marcy and Geoff Larson, founders of the Alaskan Brewing Company, speak with brewer Chaz Lakit, right, on the company's brew deck on Thursday.

Amid craft beer shuffle, Alaskan vows to stay put

Alaskan Brewing Co. isn’t selling out.It isn’t closing down.It isn’t moving to the Lower 48, changing its name or owners.In an interview Thursday, brewery founders… Continue reading

Marcy and Geoff Larson, founders of the Alaskan Brewing Company, speak with brewer Chaz Lakit, right, on the company's brew deck on Thursday.

Legislator seeks investigation into Alaska’s high gas prices

ANCHORAGE — A state lawmaker claims that Alaska’s only gasoline refiner has been manipulating gas prices, as the monthly average has recently begun to rise.Sen.… Continue reading

Anchorage police find ‘explosive device’ during home search

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage police say officers investigating a drug case found an “explosive device” at a home.The department’s vice unit Thursday afternoon was carrying out… Continue reading

Two Empire journalists take on new roles

Two Empire journalists take on new roles

Two of the Juneau Empire’s senior journalists have accepted new roles with the newspaper.As of Jan. 12, managing editor Charles Westmoreland assumed duties as the… Continue reading

Two Empire journalists take on new roles
Photographer Kally Flynn talks to 10-month-old Luna, wearing a Batman costume, on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016 during a fundraiser for the Gastineau Humane Society at Alaskan Dames.

Photos: You can dress up your pet, but you can’t make them pose

Shalyn Harris smiles as she hides behind a candle display to avoid distracting her dog, Harbor, during a photo session Thursday with Kally Flynn at… Continue reading

Photographer Kally Flynn talks to 10-month-old Luna, wearing a Batman costume, on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016 during a fundraiser for the Gastineau Humane Society at Alaskan Dames.

Juneau man found dead

An employee of Juneau’s SuperBear grocery store was unexpectedly found dead Sunday.According to the Juneau Police Department, 39-year-old Robert Loren Lakey III was found dead… Continue reading

Ceivarenn Isaako walks with her daughter, Mareanna, 3, through the electronics department at Walmart in November. The Juneau Walmart will be among 154 stores in the U.S. that will close Feb. 5.

Juneau Walmart to close Feb. 4

By Feb. 4, Juneau’s Walmart will be closed. By the end of the following week — once all of the remaining merchandise has been removed… Continue reading

Ceivarenn Isaako walks with her daughter, Mareanna, 3, through the electronics department at Walmart in November. The Juneau Walmart will be among 154 stores in the U.S. that will close Feb. 5.
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during the Fox Business Network Republican presidential debate at the North Charleston Coliseum, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, in North Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Trump, Cruz go at each other in year’s first debate

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Donald Trump doubled down Thursday on his questions about Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s eligibility to serve as president, telling his rival… Continue reading

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during the Fox Business Network Republican presidential debate at the North Charleston Coliseum, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, in North Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Ninilchik Tribe plans for regional public transit

KENAI — Ninilchik officials say public transit service is making its way to the Kenai Peninsula with the help of a $300,000 grant from the… Continue reading

Washington halts Seattle tunnel project over safety concerns

SEATTLE — Washington transportation officials and Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday halted all digging by Seattle’s tunnel-boring machine until the contractor determines what caused a… Continue reading