Anchorage-area high school bans Confederate flag

ANCHORAGE — An Anchorage-area school has banned the display of the Confederate flag after some students posed with a version of the flag for photos… Continue reading

Fishermen at odds over impact of Trump executive order

PORTLAND, Maine — An executive order by President Donald Trump designed to radically cut back on federal regulations has spurred disagreement among fishermen about how… Continue reading

In this Jan. 27, 2015 photo, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, voices her opposition after President Barack Obama waded into a decades-long fight over drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.Petroleum drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was not a consideration under Obama but it’s getting renewed attention under the new administration. Murkowski and other members of the state’s congressional delegation are pushing legislation to allow drilling in the coastal plain of the refuge. (J. Scott Applewhite | The Associated Press)

Lawmakers renew push for drilling in Alaska wildlife refuge

ANCHORAGE — Former U.S. Sen. Frank Murkowski in 2001 gave a speech urging colleagues to approve oil drilling in America’s largest wildlife refuge. The Alaska… Continue reading

In this Jan. 27, 2015 photo, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, voices her opposition after President Barack Obama waded into a decades-long fight over drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.Petroleum drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was not a consideration under Obama but it’s getting renewed attention under the new administration. Murkowski and other members of the state’s congressional delegation are pushing legislation to allow drilling in the coastal plain of the refuge. (J. Scott Applewhite | The Associated Press)

Alaska holiday weighed for black soldiers who built highway

JUNEAU — Alaska state lawmakers are considering the creation of a holiday to honor the contributions of more than 4,000 black soldiers who endured harsh… Continue reading

Senate passes ANWR drilling resolution, which faces final concurrence vote in the House

The Alaska Senate agrees with the House: Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is good for the state. On Wednesday, the Senate voted 18-2… Continue reading

Funding sought for improvements along popular Alaska trail

KODIAK — A nonprofit organization that works to develop and maintain trails in southern Alaska is looking for alternative sources of funding to improve a… Continue reading

Coast Guard awards polar icebreaker design study contracts

ANCHORAGE — The Coast Guard has awarded five fixed-price contracts for design studies and analysis of new heavy polar icebreakers. Coast Guard and Navy personnel… Continue reading

In speech to Legislature, Murkowski tries to answer Alaskans’ fears

In speech to Legislature, Murkowski tries to answer Alaskans’ fears

In her annual address to the Alaska Legislature, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said she does not support an effort to revoke federal funding for… Continue reading

In speech to Legislature, Murkowski tries to answer Alaskans’ fears

Company plans more flights over leaking Cook Inlet pipeline

ANCHORAGE — A leaking underwater pipeline continues to spew natural gas into Cook Inlet. The gas is bubbling from an 8-inch Hilcorp Alaska, LLC, pipeline… Continue reading

Lawsuit challenges Alaska civil seizures, search warrants

PETERSBURG — A lawsuit filed against a drug task force in southeast Alaska challenges the seizure of personal property by law enforcement and seeks more… Continue reading

Rep. Adam Wool, D-Fairbanks, and Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, co-chairs of the House Transportation Committee, listen to Transportation Committee staffer Laura Stidolph introduces changes to the motor fuel tax bill at the Capitol on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Fuel tax hike might be stretched to 2019

A proposed hike in the state’s gasoline taxes might not reach full potential until 2019, according to a new draft of the proposal. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Rep. Adam Wool, D-Fairbanks, and Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, co-chairs of the House Transportation Committee, listen to Transportation Committee staffer Laura Stidolph introduces changes to the motor fuel tax bill at the Capitol on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Reality star sues ‘Life Below Zero’ over safety claims

ANCHORAGE — A star of the Alaska-based reality series “Life Below Zero” is suing the show’s producers, alleging she was hurt while forced to perform… Continue reading

State halts boat landing project on Kenai Peninsula

KENAI — The state has decided to hold off on installing a boat ramp on the banks of the Kasilof River on south-central Alaska’s Kenai… Continue reading

Alaska board, prompted by lawsuit, proposes new abortion rules

JUNEAU — The Alaska State Medical Board has proposed new abortion regulations, prompted by a lawsuit from abortion-rights advocates who argue that existing rules restrict… Continue reading

Alaska Game Board approves using dogs to hunt coyotes

FAIRBANKS — Hunters trying to kill coyotes in the Delta Junction area will have a new tool to assist them starting July 1. The Alaska… Continue reading

Police identify man killed in home carbon monoxide poisoning

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage police have released the name of a young man who died of an apparent carbon monoxide poisoning at a home in the… Continue reading

Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, presents House Bill 3 on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday. (Gavel Alaska photo)

Alaska House votes on National Guard, ballot selfies

The Alaska House of Representatives has approved a bill that would allow National Guardsmen to return to their jobs after deployment, even if they’re serving… Continue reading

Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, presents House Bill 3 on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday. (Gavel Alaska photo)

University system agrees to resolve issues in federal review

The University of Alaska system has agreed to resolve issues stemming from a federal review of its handling of campus sexual assault and sexual harassment… Continue reading

Bethel council agrees to deliver water to homeless shelter

BETHEL — Bethel’s homeless shelter will get free water deliveries from the city this winter. KYUK-AM reported Bethel Winter House Director Eva Malvich told councilmembers… Continue reading

Ketchikan theater named for Elizabeth Peratrovich

KETCHIKAN — Elizabeth Peratrovich’s name now stands over the theater in the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, placed there by the U.S. Forest Service and the… Continue reading