News

Bottles of hemp-derived CBD oil are seen for sale at Rainbow Foods on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. The state of Alaska has announced that the oil, widely sold in the state, is to be considered a marijuana product and subject to regulation (James Brooks | Juneau Empire) Bottles of hemp-derived CBD oil are seen for sale at Rainbow Foods on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. The state of Alaska has announced that the oil, widely sold in the state, is to be considered a marijuana product and subject to regulation (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

A postal worker’s sharp eye has given momentum to a pro-hemp bill in the Alaska Legislature

A postal employee who spotted a leaking package has given a new push to a bill in the Alaska Legislature and exposed a problem in… Continue reading

Bottles of hemp-derived CBD oil are seen for sale at Rainbow Foods on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. The state of Alaska has announced that the oil, widely sold in the state, is to be considered a marijuana product and subject to regulation (James Brooks | Juneau Empire) Bottles of hemp-derived CBD oil are seen for sale at Rainbow Foods on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. The state of Alaska has announced that the oil, widely sold in the state, is to be considered a marijuana product and subject to regulation (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Senate backs King Cove road

The Alaska Senate on Monday approved a resolution backing construction of a road between King Cove and Cold Bay on the Alaska Peninsula. House Joint… Continue reading

Alaska teen faces murder charge in father’s death

ANCHORAGE — Authorities say a 16-year-old in northern Alaska shot and killed his father after the two got into an argument. KTUU-TV reported (http://bit.ly/2kYC8j0) Friday… Continue reading

Man seeks to bring marijuana business to small Alaska town

PETERSBURG — Now that marijuana businesses are up and running in Alaska, a resident of a small town on Prince of Wales Island is hoping… Continue reading

Capitol decode: Pace of new bills slows as lawmakers tackle budget

As lawmakers work on the core of their budget fix, the pace of new bills is starting to slacken. Only 16 new bills made their… Continue reading

Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan speaks during an interview at the Alaska Capitol on March 23, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Even with Trump, Arctic policy changes remain more talk than action

Mead Treadwell has had a busy month. Last week, Alaska’s former lieutenant governor was in Tokyo. On Tuesday, he was in Germany. By Thursday, he… Continue reading

Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan speaks during an interview at the Alaska Capitol on March 23, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska regulators: Tip from post office led to pot store raids

JUNEAU — Alaska marijuana regulators say a tip from the U.S. Postal Service prompted Thursday’s raids on seven pot retail stores. The Alcohol and Marijuana… Continue reading

John Stein is shown Feb. 3 in Sitka holding up his father’s baby cup. The cup, believed to be from about 1899, was recently returned to Stein. (James Poulson | Daily Sitka Sentinel)

Antique baby cup returned home to son in Sitka

SITKA — Several years ago, Peggy Rice bought a tarnished silver cup at the White Elephant Shop to add to her collection of sugar bowls,… Continue reading

John Stein is shown Feb. 3 in Sitka holding up his father’s baby cup. The cup, believed to be from about 1899, was recently returned to Stein. (James Poulson | Daily Sitka Sentinel)

House’s majority coalition unveils budget fix, including income tax and Permanent Fund spending

The coalition leading the Alaska House of Representatives has unveiled the core of its plan to erase Alaska’s $2.7 billion annual deficit. On Friday, members… Continue reading

Bill requiring police training on disabilities advances

FAIRBANKS — Alaska lawmakers have voted to advance a bill aimed at improving interactions between law enforcement and people with disabilities. The House passed the… Continue reading

Lawmaker proposes boosting studded tire tax from $5 to $75

ANCHORAGE — An Anchorage state senator has introduced a bill to increase the state tax on studded snow tires. Republican Cathy Giessel told Anchorage television… Continue reading

In this Jan. 7, 2016 photo, dead common murres lie washed up on a rocky beach in Whittier, Alaska. A year after tens of thousands of common murres, an abundant North Pacific seabird, starved and washed ashore on beaches from California to Alaska, researchers have pinned the cause to unusually warm ocean temperatures that affected the tiny fish they eat. (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press file)

Warm ocean water triggered vast seabird die-off, experts say

ANCHORAGE — A year after tens of thousands of common murres, an abundant North Pacific seabird, starved and washed ashore on beaches from California to… Continue reading

In this Jan. 7, 2016 photo, dead common murres lie washed up on a rocky beach in Whittier, Alaska. A year after tens of thousands of common murres, an abundant North Pacific seabird, starved and washed ashore on beaches from California to Alaska, researchers have pinned the cause to unusually warm ocean temperatures that affected the tiny fish they eat. (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press file)

US Rep. Young named chairman emeritus of House committee

ANCHORAGE — A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Don Young says the Alaska congressman has been named chairman emeritus of the House Natural Resources Committee. Young… Continue reading

Nathan Denette | The Canadian Press In this Dec. 12, 2016 photo, a woman runs on a snowy path in High Park in Toronto. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Thursday pronounced the most recent La Nina event over as of January.

Weak and short La Nina fades away; climate shifts to neutral

WASHINGTON — La Nina, we hardly knew ye. U.S. weather forecasters said Thursday the cool flip side to the climate phenomenon El Nino has faded… Continue reading

Nathan Denette | The Canadian Press In this Dec. 12, 2016 photo, a woman runs on a snowy path in High Park in Toronto. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Thursday pronounced the most recent La Nina event over as of January.

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