News

New Fairbanks surgery center close to opening for patients

FAIRBANKS — The Fairbanks Memorial Hospital’s new $88 million surgery center is on track to be fully operational this spring.Construction on the 90,000-square-foot facility began… Continue reading

Ketchikan man tried to crash car, kill wife, police say

LYONS, Colo. — A Ketchikan man is suspected of trying to kill his wife by trying to force their car off the road and into… Continue reading

Carrie Fisher, of ‘Star Wars’ fame, dies at age 60

LOS ANGELES — Carrie Fisher, the daughter of Hollywood royalty who played Princess Leia in the original “Star Wars” and turned her experiences with addiction… Continue reading

Navy vet honored 40 years after Vietnam

FAIRBANKS — A Fairbanks Navy veteran has been honored for his military service more than 40 years after the end of the Vietnam War.U.S. Sen.… Continue reading

Southeast halibut catch limit may drop in 2017

The International Pacific Halibut Commission is considering a cut of 870,000 pounds to Southeast Alaska’s 2017 halibut quota.The IPHC, the joint Canadian-American body that sets… Continue reading

Police & Fire for Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016

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

Pebble Mine still lives

It has lost most of its major backers and suffered a significant defeat at the ballot box, but the Pebble Partnership’s dream of a titanic… Continue reading

FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2016, file photo, President Barack Obama tips he hat as he stands with Brian Cladoosby, President of National Congress of American Indians, at the 2016 White House Tribal Nations Conference in Washington. The transition to Donald Trump's administration signals a possible end of eight years of sweeping Indian Country policy reforms under Obama, who met with tribal leaders annually. Trump, who rarely acknowledged Native Americans during his campaign, and since the election, hasn't publicly outlined how he would improve or manage the United States' longstanding relationships with tribes. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, file)

Pipeline uncertainty shows broader concerns for tribes

For hundreds of protesters, it was cause to cheer when the Obama administration this month declined to issue an easement for the Dakota Access pipeline’s… Continue reading

FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2016, file photo, President Barack Obama tips he hat as he stands with Brian Cladoosby, President of National Congress of American Indians, at the 2016 White House Tribal Nations Conference in Washington. The transition to Donald Trump's administration signals a possible end of eight years of sweeping Indian Country policy reforms under Obama, who met with tribal leaders annually. Trump, who rarely acknowledged Native Americans during his campaign, and since the election, hasn't publicly outlined how he would improve or manage the United States' longstanding relationships with tribes. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, file)

New overtime fees considered for rural Alaska airlines

FAIRBANKS — State officials are looking to start charging airlines for landing their planes at rural Alaska airports outside regular operating hours.The Department of Transportation… Continue reading

Kori Lane shovels snow at the top of the Black Bear Chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Monday. Eaglecrest had 4 inches of new snow at the top of the mountain on Monday. Skiers ride the Black Bear Chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Monday. Eaglecrest had 4 inches of new snow at the top of the mountain on Monday. Eaglecrest is open daily for the holidays through Monday, Jan. 9.

Photos: Snowy day at Eaglecrest

Eaglecrest had 4 inches of new snow at the top of the mountain on Monday. Eaglecrest is open daily for the holidays through Monday, Jan.… Continue reading

Kori Lane shovels snow at the top of the Black Bear Chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Monday. Eaglecrest had 4 inches of new snow at the top of the mountain on Monday. Skiers ride the Black Bear Chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Monday. Eaglecrest had 4 inches of new snow at the top of the mountain on Monday. Eaglecrest is open daily for the holidays through Monday, Jan. 9.

State helps disabled with new program

The state of Alaska has launched a new program installed by legislation pushed by Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River, in last year’s Legislative session.The Alaska… Continue reading

Group buys land west of Fairbanks for growing greenbelt

FAIRBANKS — A greenbelt west of Fairbanks is growing thanks to the acquisition of two private parcels by a national conservation organization.The Conservation Fund, based… Continue reading

This undated booking photo provided by the Anchorage Police Department shows Lamarkus Jayquann Mann. A suspect has been arrested and Mann is being sought in an Anchorage robbery and shooting that left two people dead on Christmas Eve. (Anchorage Police Department via AP)

Suspect arrested, second sought in Christmas Eve shooting deaths

ANCHORAGE — A suspect has been arrested and another is being sought in an Anchorage robbery and shooting that left two people dead on Christmas… Continue reading

This undated booking photo provided by the Anchorage Police Department shows Lamarkus Jayquann Mann. A suspect has been arrested and Mann is being sought in an Anchorage robbery and shooting that left two people dead on Christmas Eve. (Anchorage Police Department via AP)
ADVANCE FOR SATURDAY DEC. 24, 2016 AND THEREAFTER - In this Dec. 13, 2016 photo, Pioneers Home resident Joe Nistler, 90, reacts to a virtual reality video of a herd of elephants walking while Lincoln Markham, right, watches in Fairbanks, Alaska. Lincoln Markham and Dan Markham are the father-son duo behind the extremely popular What's Inside YouTube channel. (Matt Buxton/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)

Father, son share virtual reality with seniors

FAIRBANKS — With a chilly Fairbanks morning framed in the rec room window, seniors at the Pioneers’ Home took turns taking a trip to sunny… Continue reading

ADVANCE FOR SATURDAY DEC. 24, 2016 AND THEREAFTER - In this Dec. 13, 2016 photo, Pioneers Home resident Joe Nistler, 90, reacts to a virtual reality video of a herd of elephants walking while Lincoln Markham, right, watches in Fairbanks, Alaska. Lincoln Markham and Dan Markham are the father-son duo behind the extremely popular What's Inside YouTube channel. (Matt Buxton/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)
Two pickup trucks collided at the intersection in front of Fred Meyer just before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016.

‘The most dangerous intersection in Juneau’

For the past seven years, Lisa Corcoran has done her best to keep Juneau’s drivers safe.Corcoran is a driving instructor at SERRC, one of two… Continue reading

Two pickup trucks collided at the intersection in front of Fred Meyer just before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016.
Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, shown in this Jan. 26, 2016 photo, is expected to be the key figure this year as long-awaited reforms to Alaska's alcohol laws reach the Legislature.

Alcohol legislation poised for big push

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, is expected to be the key figure this year as long-awaited reforms to Alaska’s alcohol laws reach the Legislature.Since 2012, members… Continue reading

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, shown in this Jan. 26, 2016 photo, is expected to be the key figure this year as long-awaited reforms to Alaska's alcohol laws reach the Legislature.

Around town for Monday, Dec. 26

Women, Infants and Children walk-in clinic, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., SEARHC Juneau WIC Clinic, 3245 Hospital Drive, first floor. Free nutrition services for income-eligible women who… Continue reading

Photo: Harbor visitor

A harbor seal is seen in the Auke Bay harbor on Dec. 22.… Continue reading

US rig count up 16 this week to 653; Alaska adds 3

HOUSTON — The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by 16 this week to 653.A year ago, 700… Continue reading

Man arrested in shooting death in Anchorage

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage police have arrested a man in the shooting death of another man earlier this month in Alaska’s largest city.In a release Friday,… Continue reading