This Feb. 19, 2013, file photo shows OxyContin pills arranged for a photo at a pharmacy in Montpelier, Vt. More than 28,000 Americans died from overdosing on opiates in 2014, a record high for the nation. That’s 78 people per day, a number that doesn’t include the millions of family members, first responders and even taxpayers who feel the ripple of drug addiction in their daily lives. A rise in prescription painkillers is partially to blame: The sale of these drugs has quadrupled since 1999, and so has the number of Americans dying from an addiction to them. When prescriptions run out, people find themselves turning to the cheaper alternative heroin and, increasingly, the even more deadly drug fentanyl.

Alaska secures new grant funding for opioid research

KODIAK — The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is set to receive nearly $3 million in federal funding each year to fight opioid… Continue reading

This Feb. 19, 2013, file photo shows OxyContin pills arranged for a photo at a pharmacy in Montpelier, Vt. More than 28,000 Americans died from overdosing on opiates in 2014, a record high for the nation. That’s 78 people per day, a number that doesn’t include the millions of family members, first responders and even taxpayers who feel the ripple of drug addiction in their daily lives. A rise in prescription painkillers is partially to blame: The sale of these drugs has quadrupled since 1999, and so has the number of Americans dying from an addiction to them. When prescriptions run out, people find themselves turning to the cheaper alternative heroin and, increasingly, the even more deadly drug fentanyl.

With hopes fading, Murkowski, lawmakers meet on energy bill

WASHINGTON — Congressional efforts to approve the first major energy bill in nearly a decade got a jump-start Thursday as lawmakers convened a long-delayed meeting… Continue reading

K2 Dronotics co-founder Ben Kellie operates a modified drone on Island Lake in Nikiski. He and his brother, Nick, were testing a prototype LiDAR system, a surveying technology that allows them to gather aerial data over snowy terrains.

Game of Drones: One company’s quest to survey Alaska

KENAI — How would an inspection of a 200-foot tower only accessible via Kenai Lake normally be done?A surveyor could row, row, row a boat,… Continue reading

K2 Dronotics co-founder Ben Kellie operates a modified drone on Island Lake in Nikiski. He and his brother, Nick, were testing a prototype LiDAR system, a surveying technology that allows them to gather aerial data over snowy terrains.

Washington man charged in $2.7-million Alaska fraud case

ANCHORAGE — A Washington state man suspected of bilking more than a dozen Alaskans of a total of $2.7 million was arrested Thursday after being… Continue reading

A screengrab from the U.S. National Weather Service Alaska Facebook page.

Strong wind, heavy rain likely in Southeast through Saturday

Between Thursday night and Saturday morning, Juneau is expected to get about four inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service.As moisture from ex-hurricane… Continue reading

A screengrab from the U.S. National Weather Service Alaska Facebook page.
Gov. Bill Walker speaks with Juneau Assembly members Jerry Nankervis, right, Maria Gladziszewski, Mary Becker and Kate Troll, left, after a special meeting on Thursday.

Gov. Walker stops by City Hall, talks vetoes with Assembly

During a special meeting Thursday afternoon, Gov. Bill Walker told the Juneau Assembly that he hopes never again to use his veto pen to the… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker speaks with Juneau Assembly members Jerry Nankervis, right, Maria Gladziszewski, Mary Becker and Kate Troll, left, after a special meeting on Thursday.
Searchers gather at the Juneau Police Department Mobile Command Center at UAS in the search of Ryan Harvey on Thursday.

Update: Autistic man who went missing near UAS found safe Thursday afternoon

Update: Read the most up-to-date story about how Ryan Harvey was found here.Update: The man reported missing near UAS, Ryan Harvey, has been found.He was… Continue reading

Searchers gather at the Juneau Police Department Mobile Command Center at UAS in the search of Ryan Harvey on Thursday.
About 100 people attend a rally at Twin Lakes Wednesday evening in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota over the construction of the 1,172-mile Dakota Access pipeline.

In solidarity with Standing Rock, Juneau rally opposes Dakota Access pipeline

As more than 150 tribes join the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota to oppose the Dakota Access Pipeline, about a hundred people in… Continue reading

About 100 people attend a rally at Twin Lakes Wednesday evening in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota over the construction of the 1,172-mile Dakota Access pipeline.

Regulators delay decision to allow pot use in stores

JUNEAU — The board regulating Alaska’s fledgling legal marijuana industry started a two-day meeting Wednesday during which it was expected to approve licenses for the… Continue reading

BP has no Prudhoe gas marketing info to share, company says

BP has no Prudhoe gas marketing info to share, company says

BP Exploration Alaska hasn’t, and can’t, market its Prudhoe Bay natural gas, company officials wrote in the revised plan of development for the North Slope… Continue reading

BP has no Prudhoe gas marketing info to share, company says

Authorities to build up presence before N. Dakota pipeline ruling

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota authorities are recruiting law enforcement officers from across the state to guard the site of a protest in anticipation of… Continue reading

Feds release report on Chugach National Forest management

KENAI — The U.S. Forest Service is moving forward with updating its management plan for the Chugach National Forest on the eastern part of the… Continue reading

In this Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016 photo, Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein prepares to spray-paint "I approve this message" in red paint on the blade of a bulldozer at a protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline in the area of Morton County, N.D. Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said Tuesday that authorities plan to pursue charges against Stein. (Alicia Ewen/KX News via AP)

Green Party’s Jill Stein charged with trespassing, mischief

A North Dakota judge issued a warrant Wednesday for the arrest of Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, who is accused of spray-painting construction equipment… Continue reading

In this Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016 photo, Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein prepares to spray-paint "I approve this message" in red paint on the blade of a bulldozer at a protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline in the area of Morton County, N.D. Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said Tuesday that authorities plan to pursue charges against Stein. (Alicia Ewen/KX News via AP)

Richardson Highway tank spill totals more than 3,500 gallons

ANCHORAGE — Alaska state environmental officials said a fuel spill from an overturned fuel tank off the Richardson Highway totaled more than 3,500 gallons.The Department… Continue reading

Corrections

An article in Wednesday’s Juneau Empire about the finalization of election results included an erroneous statement. The article reported that absentee votes from the village… Continue reading

US clears way for cleanup of Colorado mine after huge spill

DENVER — A Colorado mine that spewed 3 million gallons of contaminated wastewater into rivers in three Western states was designated a Superfund site Wednesday,… Continue reading

Around Town for Thursday, Sept. 8

Juneau Gastineau Rotary Club meeting, 7 a.m., The Prospector Hotel.Women, Infants and Children walk-in clinic, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., SEARHC Juneau WIC Clinic, 3245 Hospital Drive,… Continue reading

Police & fire for Thursday, Sept. 8, 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

Neighbor dispute in Haines ends with weapon fired, trooper says

Two neighbors in Haines have had an ongoing dispute about the actual property line between them. Last week, that dispute escalated to talks of a… Continue reading

Late-night construction downtown angers hotel guest, residents

Late Friday night, the sound of a concrete saw cutting pavement outside of the Goldbelt Hotel infuriated guests and employees alike. By Saturday night, the… Continue reading