Man jailed after student threatened over “Star Wars” spoiler

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A Montana man is charged with threatening to shoot a boy for sharing information about a subplot of the new “Star… Continue reading

Republican presidential candidate, businessman Donald Trump addresses supporters at a campaign rally, Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, in Grand Rapids, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Trump uses crude language to mock Clinton

WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump labeled Democrat Hillary Clinton “disgusting” for using the restroom during a commercial break at the last Democratic debate… Continue reading

Republican presidential candidate, businessman Donald Trump addresses supporters at a campaign rally, Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, in Grand Rapids, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Budget deal done, Obama and Congress go their own ways

WASHINGTON — Five days after Paul Ryan was sworn in as House speaker, the White House promised to invite him to meet President Barack Obama… Continue reading

  • Dec 23, 2015
  • By KATHLEEN HENNESSEY and ERICA WERNER
  • Nation-World
U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl leaves the courthouse Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015, after his arraignment hearing at Fort Bragg, N.C.  Bergdahl, who disappeared in Afghanistan in 2009 and was held by the Taliban for five years, was scheduled to appear Tuesday before a military judge on charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. (Andrew Craft /The Fayetteville Observer via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Bergdahl arraigned at N.C. Army base

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Wearing a dress blue uniform, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl faced a military judge Tuesday for the first time since the U.S. Army… Continue reading

U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl leaves the courthouse Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015, after his arraignment hearing at Fort Bragg, N.C.  Bergdahl, who disappeared in Afghanistan in 2009 and was held by the Taliban for five years, was scheduled to appear Tuesday before a military judge on charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. (Andrew Craft /The Fayetteville Observer via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
Rosanne Schmitz wades through nearly 2600 balloons with her daughter, Aileen, center, and friend, Tori Talley, right, in her livingroom on Monday. Schmitz tranformed her livingroom to celebrate her daughter's 21st birthday. Schmitz also opened her house to friends to frolic and ended it with a popping party Monday night.

Photos: Balloon party

Rosanne Schmitz wades through nearly 2600 balloons with her daughter, Aileen, center, and friend, Tori Talley, right, in her livingroom on Monday. Schmitz tranformed her… Continue reading

Rosanne Schmitz wades through nearly 2600 balloons with her daughter, Aileen, center, and friend, Tori Talley, right, in her livingroom on Monday. Schmitz tranformed her livingroom to celebrate her daughter's 21st birthday. Schmitz also opened her house to friends to frolic and ended it with a popping party Monday night.

Man suspected of breaking Wasilla home, assaulting woman

WASILLA — A Wasilla man suspected of breaking into a home early Monday and assaulting a woman is being held without bail at Mat-Su Pretrial… Continue reading

Coast Guard hires private security at base

KETCHIKAN — The U.S. Coast Guard base in Ketchikan has been operating with tighter security after officials approved a $2 million contract with a Virginia-based… Continue reading

Geoffrey Wyatt sleds with his son, Lucas, 5, Orion Paden, 5, and Momar Diouf, 3, in front of the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center on Monday.

Photos: Glacier sledding

Breanna Hills and her daughter, Cadance, 3, sled in front of the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Monday.… Continue reading

Geoffrey Wyatt sleds with his son, Lucas, 5, Orion Paden, 5, and Momar Diouf, 3, in front of the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center on Monday.

Experts: Less sea ice means more rain and snow

ANCHORAGE — The Arctic is seeing more precipitation as sea ice diminishes from climate warming, according to a research paper by U.S. and Canada scientists.The… Continue reading

Richard Nault, right, is the interim Director of the Rainforest Recovery Center in Juneau and Mitzi Privett is the Intake Coordinator for the treatment facility.

Rainforest’s red-tape

Editor’s Note: This is the third part of a series that examines why it’s so hard for heroin and drug addicts to get into treatment… Continue reading

Richard Nault, right, is the interim Director of the Rainforest Recovery Center in Juneau and Mitzi Privett is the Intake Coordinator for the treatment facility.

Police blotter for Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015

This report contains public information from law enforcement agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction information. Anyone listed in this report is… Continue reading

Correction

A photo that appeared in the Juneau Empire of the Shop with a Cop program contained inaccurate information. The funds to take the kids shopping… Continue reading

White spot disease kills Arctic grayling in Scout Lake

KENAI — State officials have identified warmer lake temperatures as a possible contributing factor to the die-off of hundreds of Arctic grayling this summer.A state… Continue reading

Photo: Solstice sunrise

A couple watches the sunrise along Egan Drive downtown on Monday. Monday is the winter solstice with the shortest amount of daylight for the year.… Continue reading

2 die in shooting in west Anchorage

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage police say two people died early Monday in a shooting in west Anchorage.Police say the shooting occurred in the area of Lois… Continue reading

Around town for Tuesday, Dec. 22

Parks and Recreation Wednesday hike, 9:30 a.m., call for location. Details: 586-0428.Day of quilting, sewing and good fellowship, 10 a.m., Resurrection Lutheran Church. Quilts donated… Continue reading

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) stretches with teammates before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

NFL suspends Giants’ Beckham for one game

NEW YORK — Losing control during Sunday’s loss to the Panthers will cost Giants star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. one game.The NFL on Monday suspended… Continue reading

  • Dec 22, 2015
  • By BARRY WILNER
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) stretches with teammates before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Court bans Blatter, Platini for 8 years

ZURICH — Banished from soccer’s ruling body for eight years for unethical conduct, Sepp Blatter won’t give up the presidency of his beloved FIFA without… Continue reading

  • Dec 22, 2015
  • By GRAHAM DUNBAR

Clemson’s Swinney wins AP coach of year after perfect season

Clemson’s Dabo Swinney is The Associated Press college football coach of the year after leading the Tigers to an unbeaten regular season and the longest… Continue reading

  • Dec 22, 2015
  • By RALPH D. RUSSO

Panthers spokesman: DBs didn’t taunt Beckham with bat

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers deny that any member of the team taunted New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. with a baseball… Continue reading

  • Dec 22, 2015