News

Appeals court refuses to reinstate Trump travel ban

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court refused Thursday to reinstate President Donald Trump’s ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations, dealing another legal… Continue reading

In this April 12, 2014 photo, the Bundy family and their supporters fly the American flag as their cattle is released by the Bureau of Land Management back onto public land outside of Bunkerville, Nev. A federal judge in Nevada is considering crucial rulings about what jurors will hear in the trial of six defendants accused of stopping U.S. agents at gunpoint from rounding up cattle near Cliven Bundy’s ranch in April 2014. (Jason Bean | Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Jury hears openings in trial for 6 in Bundy ranch standoff

LAS VEGAS — A jury in Las Vegas heard competing narratives Thursday about six men accused of illegally wielding weapons to block a federal roundup… Continue reading

In this April 12, 2014 photo, the Bundy family and their supporters fly the American flag as their cattle is released by the Bureau of Land Management back onto public land outside of Bunkerville, Nev. A federal judge in Nevada is considering crucial rulings about what jurors will hear in the trial of six defendants accused of stopping U.S. agents at gunpoint from rounding up cattle near Cliven Bundy’s ranch in April 2014. (Jason Bean | Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Military vehicles are staged near the path of the Dakota Access pipeline Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017 near Cannon Ball, North Dakota. The developer says construction of the Dakota Access pipeline under a North Dakota reservoir has begun and that the full pipeline should be operational within three months. One of two tribes who say the pipeline threatens their water supply on Thursday filed a legal challenge asking a court to block construction while an earlier lawsuit against the pipeline proceeds. (James MacPherson | The Associated Press)

Tribe files legal challenge to stall Dakota Access pipeline

CANNON BALL, N.D. — Construction crews have resumed work on the final segment of the Dakota Access pipeline, and the developer of the long-delayed project… Continue reading

Military vehicles are staged near the path of the Dakota Access pipeline Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017 near Cannon Ball, North Dakota. The developer says construction of the Dakota Access pipeline under a North Dakota reservoir has begun and that the full pipeline should be operational within three months. One of two tribes who say the pipeline threatens their water supply on Thursday filed a legal challenge asking a court to block construction while an earlier lawsuit against the pipeline proceeds. (James MacPherson | The Associated Press)

Anchorage man charged with stabbing woman, police officer

ANCHORAGE — A 27-year-old man suspected of stabbing an Anchorage police officer and a woman he once dated has been charged with felony assault and… Continue reading

  • Feb 9, 2017
  • By The Associated Press

Oprah plans cruise in Alaska in Holland America partnership

Oprah Winfrey will take a cruise this summer in a place she’s never been before: Alaska. The trip launches a partnership between O, The Oprah… Continue reading

Mayor opposes making Fairbanks a sanctuary city

FAIRBANKS — Fairbanks Mayor Jim Matherly says he will not support making the city a sanctuary for immigrants living in the U.S. without legal permission.… Continue reading

Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Craig Stowers is greeted as he arrives for his State of the Judiciary address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Wednesday. Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, left, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, watch from the Speakers desk in the background. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Chief justice expects another 3.5 percent drop in court system budget

Alaska’s chief justice told lawmakers Wednesday that he’s optimistic and hopes they will find a solution to the state’s multibillion-dollar budget deficit. Then again, “Candidly,… Continue reading

Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Craig Stowers is greeted as he arrives for his State of the Judiciary address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Wednesday. Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, left, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, watch from the Speakers desk in the background. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Northwest Arctic Borough spends $128,000 on Seattle retreat

ANCHORAGE — Records show Alaska’s Northwest Arctic Borough spent about $115,000 for the Borough Assembly to attend a five-day trip to Seattle where assembly members… Continue reading

Driver charged in bicycle hit-and-run crash

FAIRBANKS —A 40-year-old Fairbanks driver suspected of crashing into a boy on a bicycle and not stopping has been formally charged. Prosecutors charged Howard Martinez… Continue reading

Anchorage police officer injured in fight with suspect

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage police said an officer received a “significant” injury after a fight with a suspect. Police early Wednesday morning responded to the Carrs… Continue reading

Police calls for Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017

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

Members of the public listen to public testimony on the Juneau School District’s 2018 budget Tuesday at Juneau-Douglas High School library.

Class size, STEM training priorities for Juneau school councils

Reducing class sizes topped the list of priorities at the first of two school district public budgeting forums Tuesday at Juneau-Douglas High School. Educators, school… Continue reading

Members of the public listen to public testimony on the Juneau School District’s 2018 budget Tuesday at Juneau-Douglas High School library.
Rep. Steve Thompson, R-Fairbanks, delivers an address in support of House Bill 16, which was approved 38-0 by the Alaska House of Representatives on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017. Thompson is partially obscured by a pillar in the House chambers. (Gavel Alaska photo)

House votes to train police on how to better interact with disabled Alaskans

The Alaska House of Representatives voted 38-0 on Wednesday to require that police be trained to interact with people who have non-visible disabilities. House Bill… Continue reading

Rep. Steve Thompson, R-Fairbanks, delivers an address in support of House Bill 16, which was approved 38-0 by the Alaska House of Representatives on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017. Thompson is partially obscured by a pillar in the House chambers. (Gavel Alaska photo)
Co-chairs of the House Resources Committee, Reps. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage, left, and Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, speak to the media about their introduction of House Bill 111 to fix Alaska’s current system of oil and gas subsidies in the form of tax credits. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

House proposal would chop state’s subsidy of oil and gas drilling

Last summer, Rep. David Guttenberg a Democrat from Fairbanks, sat in a meeting of the House Finance Committee and voted against a bill that would… Continue reading

Co-chairs of the House Resources Committee, Reps. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage, left, and Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, speak to the media about their introduction of House Bill 111 to fix Alaska’s current system of oil and gas subsidies in the form of tax credits. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Southeast Alaska facility won’t can salmon this year

PETERSBURG — A seafood processing company will stop canning salmon at its facility in the Southeast city of Petersburg this year in response to a… Continue reading

Christopher D. Strawn appears in Juneau Superior Court on Wednesday during jury selection for his trial on charges in the murder of 30-year-old Brandon C. Cook at the Kodzoff Acres Mobile Home Park Oct. 20, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘My friend is dead’: Juneau jurors hear 911 call on first day of murder trial

The first day of Christopher Strawn’s trial for murder ended with jurors listening to the recording of Tiffany Albertson’s 911 call after her friend, Brandon… Continue reading

Christopher D. Strawn appears in Juneau Superior Court on Wednesday during jury selection for his trial on charges in the murder of 30-year-old Brandon C. Cook at the Kodzoff Acres Mobile Home Park Oct. 20, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sara Chambers, interim director of the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office, looks over her notes during a presentation to the House Finance Committee’s subcommittee on the budget for the Alaska Department of Commerce on Tuesday in the Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

State government may shrink, but marijuana office seeks to grow along with industry

As the state of Alaska considers stiff budget cuts and firing employees to close a multibillion-dollar budget deficit, there’s one part of government that’s seeking… Continue reading

Sara Chambers, interim director of the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office, looks over her notes during a presentation to the House Finance Committee’s subcommittee on the budget for the Alaska Department of Commerce on Tuesday in the Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Bethel search crew sees spike in alcohol-related calls

BETHEL — Members of Bethel’s volunteer search and rescue organization are dealing with a spike in alcohol-related calls this winter, which is putting a strain… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker shakes hands with legislators as he enters the House chamber for his State of the State address on Jan. 18 before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol. Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, left, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, watch from the Speakers desk in the background. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Wells Fargo looks for positives, and a budget plan from Juneau

ANCHORAGE — Talk to three Alaska business leaders and you’ll probably get three different takes on the state’s recession. Still, Wells Fargo leadership echoed other… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker shakes hands with legislators as he enters the House chamber for his State of the State address on Jan. 18 before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol. Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, left, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, watch from the Speakers desk in the background. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Anchorage police investigate break-in at Young’s office

JUNEAU — Police in Alaska’s largest city are investigating a reported break-in at U.S. Rep. Don Young’s congressional office there. Anchorage police spokeswoman Renee Oistad… Continue reading