News

In this July 20, 2012 photo, Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie, right, and Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz sign a petition supporting Native Hawaiian sovereignty in Honolulu.

Lawsuit, divisiveness hamper Native Hawaiian election effort

HONOLULU — A group of Native Hawaiians are organizing an election to create a national government for the first time since American businessmen, backed by… Continue reading

In this July 20, 2012 photo, Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie, right, and Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz sign a petition supporting Native Hawaiian sovereignty in Honolulu.

Oil collapse tests US colleges as donors dry up

AUSTIN, Texas — It’s easy to see what oil money means to the University of Texas. Tuition hasn’t budged in three years because of gushing… Continue reading

Three additional Boeing 737-700 freighters for Alaska Airlines' statewide fleet will also be unveiled as part of the new investments. The passenger planes will replace the airline's existing Boeing 737-400 combi jets, which CEO Brad Tilden said should be phased out by 2017.

Alaska Airlines plans $50 million of improvements in state

FAIRBANKS — Alaska Airlines is planning more than $50 million in new capital investments in Alaska over the next few years.Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden… Continue reading

Three additional Boeing 737-700 freighters for Alaska Airlines' statewide fleet will also be unveiled as part of the new investments. The passenger planes will replace the airline's existing Boeing 737-400 combi jets, which CEO Brad Tilden said should be phased out by 2017.

Most states show increase in high school graduation rates, Alaska not among them

WASHINGTON — High school graduation rates for most states continue to improve, according to preliminary data released Monday by the Obama administration.The majority of states… Continue reading

NAACP criticizes Alaska Day ‘slave auction’ fundraiser in Sitka

ANCHORAGE — Organizers of an annual Alaska charity event said Monday they will stop calling it a "slavery auction" after the NAACP complained.The event in the town of… Continue reading

Soggy conditions conceal record-breaking warm temperatures

The rain might have obscured it for many Juneauites, but the capital city enjoyed a record-breaking heat wave over the weekend.According to figures from the… Continue reading

Gulls feed in the water in front of the Alaska Steam Ship Dock on Friday.

Photo: Seagulls

Gulls feed in the water in front of the Alaska Steam Ship Dock on Friday.… Continue reading

Gulls feed in the water in front of the Alaska Steam Ship Dock on Friday.

Photo: Two-vehicle accident

A woman is carried from the driver’s seat of a sedan to an ambulance by Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel after a two-vehicle accident at the… Continue reading

Jacob Miller, center, shows U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Ben Stixrud, left, and Petty Officer Second Class Chris Houvener his safety gear on his 41-foot power troller at the Don Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in Auke Bay on Friday.

Alaska’s fishing fatalities are dropping, no matter how you mix the numbers

The deadliest catch is getting a lot less deadly.Last week, the U.S. Coast Guard reported to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council that for the… Continue reading

Jacob Miller, center, shows U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Ben Stixrud, left, and Petty Officer Second Class Chris Houvener his safety gear on his 41-foot power troller at the Don Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in Auke Bay on Friday.

Legislature to convene special session on gas issues

JUNEAU — The Alaska Legislature is set to convene for its third special session this year, this time to consider a buyout of one of… Continue reading

Scientists investigate dead orca whale found near Petersburg

PETERSBURG — Scientists are investigating the death of an orca whale found on the shore of Kupreanof Island north of Petersburg.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric… Continue reading

Alaska Volcano Observatory repairs seismic monitors

ANCHORAGE — Alaska Volcano Observatory scientists have repaired several seismic monitoring stations at active volcanoes throughout southwest Alaska.A lack of funding and delayed maintenance caused… Continue reading

Public has chance to name new moth

TUCSON, Ariz. — An auction on eBay allows the public to make a different kind of purchase as they peruse the used clothing, electronics and… Continue reading

  • Oct 19, 2015
  • By ASTRID GALVAN

Actress talks Kodiak with Jimmy Kimmel

KODIAK — An actress who spent the first years of her life in Kodiak and now plays a lead role on the hit ABC TV… Continue reading

In this photo taken on Oct. 8, Dan Schacher, the maintenance superintendent for the Department of Transportation in Fairbanks, poses in front of a plow truck at the DOT.

DOT chief brings creative approach to road maintenance

FAIRBANKS — Dan Schacher had a pretty straightforward job when he began work as an Alaska Department of Transportation heavy equipment operator.For about half the… Continue reading

In this photo taken on Oct. 8, Dan Schacher, the maintenance superintendent for the Department of Transportation in Fairbanks, poses in front of a plow truck at the DOT.

Police blotter for Monday, Oct. 19, 2015

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

Around town for Monday, Oct. 19

Pancake fundraiser, 9 a.m.-11 a.m., The Senior Center. Event raises money for the senior nutrition program. Tickets $15 at the door, $7 for 6-12 year… Continue reading

In this June 9 photo, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., is seen in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington. House Republicans are returning from a weeklong recess to try to untangle their leadership mess. All eyes are on Ryan as he weighs whether to agree to entreaties from party leaders to enter the race for speaker. But conservatives are increasingly lining up against him.

House Republicans return to Capitol to face leadership mess

WASHINGTON — House Republicans return to Washington this week to confront a nearly unprecedented leadership crisis, looming budget deadlines and a deeply uncertain future.Attention is… Continue reading

In this June 9 photo, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., is seen in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington. House Republicans are returning from a weeklong recess to try to untangle their leadership mess. All eyes are on Ryan as he weighs whether to agree to entreaties from party leaders to enter the race for speaker. But conservatives are increasingly lining up against him.

Dems welcome the gun debate to the campaign

WASHINGTON — After 15 years of a virtual gag order on guns in presidential politics, Democrats are talking again.President Barack Obama is considering more executive… Continue reading

In this Oct. 14 photo, Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump gestures during a speech to supporters at a rally in Richmond, Virginia. Trump has long boasted about his enormous wealth and how he doesn't need anyone else's money to fund his presidential campaign. But that hasn't stopped tens of thousands of people from across the country from chipping in with small-dollar checks as small as $10 or $25 to let him know that they're behind him.

Small-dollar donors flock to Trump, help power his campaign

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump likes to boast about his enormous wealth and how he doesn’t need anyone else’s money to pay for his presidential campaign.… Continue reading

In this Oct. 14 photo, Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump gestures during a speech to supporters at a rally in Richmond, Virginia. Trump has long boasted about his enormous wealth and how he doesn't need anyone else's money to fund his presidential campaign. But that hasn't stopped tens of thousands of people from across the country from chipping in with small-dollar checks as small as $10 or $25 to let him know that they're behind him.