Alaska Aerospace looking for new launch site

KODIAK — Alaska Aerospace Corp. is weighing options for a second launch facility outside the state, but CEO Craig Campbell says Alaskans will still benefit… Continue reading

Alaska board mulls pot use in retail stores

JUNEAU — Alaska brothers James and Giono Barrett have a dream: that some of the scores of cruise ship passengers who crowd the streets of… Continue reading

Alaska volcano erupts; ash trace reaches city

ANCHORAGE — Trace amounts of ash and the smell of sulfur reached an Alaska city after the latest eruption of a volcano in the Aleutian… Continue reading

Moderate quake widely felt in Anchorage region

ANCHORAGE — A moderate earthquake struck early Tuesday that was widely felt in the Anchorage area, but there were no reports of damage. The Alaska… Continue reading

Reintroduced wood bison shot, killed near southwest village

ANCHORAGE — A wood bison reintroduced in interior Alaska was found shot to death near the village of Quinhagak (KWIN-uh-hawk). Alaska Wildlife Troopers are investigating… Continue reading

Members of the Alaska House’s special committee on fisheries hears testimony on House Bill 14, by Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, on Tuesday in the Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Under Anchorage lawmaker’s proposal, the Alaska Legislature would become a Pebble Mine watchdog

A measure intended to add roadblocks in front of Pebble Mine got its first hearing Tuesday in the Alaska Legislature. House Bill 14, proposed by… Continue reading

Members of the Alaska House’s special committee on fisheries hears testimony on House Bill 14, by Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, on Tuesday in the Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
In this file photo, Juneau Mayor Ken Koelsch, center, stands and watches the first marijuana sales in the capital city with Giono Barrett, right, as James Barrett helps customers during a invitation opening of Rainforest Farms store on Nov. 23, 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska collects $145,800 marijuana tax in December

James Barrett flew to Anchorage this week with a suitcase of cash. Tuesday was the deadline for Alaska’s marijuana growers to pay their taxes for… Continue reading

In this file photo, Juneau Mayor Ken Koelsch, center, stands and watches the first marijuana sales in the capital city with Giono Barrett, right, as James Barrett helps customers during a invitation opening of Rainforest Farms store on Nov. 23, 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Marc Luiken, commissioner of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, left, and Jerry Burnett, deputy commissioner of the Department of Revenue, listen to a question by Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, foreground, as they present the governor’s motor fuel tax bill in the House Transportation Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Legislature gets first look at proposal to triple Alaska’s gasoline tax

A proposal by Gov. Bill Walker to triple the state’s gasoline tax by 2018 has gotten its first hearing in the Alaska Legislature. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Marc Luiken, commissioner of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, left, and Jerry Burnett, deputy commissioner of the Department of Revenue, listen to a question by Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, foreground, as they present the governor’s motor fuel tax bill in the House Transportation Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Gov. Walker hopeful about working with feds on resource issues

JUNEAU — Alaska Gov. Bill Walker on Monday expressed renewed hope for working with the federal government on oil, gas and land issues, praising President… Continue reading

The State of Alaska is considering selling the Alaska Marine Highway ferry Taku. The ship was commissioned in 1963. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Cities and boroughs get first dibs on ferry Taku before it heads to auction

The Alaska Marine Highway is beginning the long process of selling the ferry Taku. On Monday, the state ferry system announced that it will accept… Continue reading

The State of Alaska is considering selling the Alaska Marine Highway ferry Taku. The ship was commissioned in 1963. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

In Alaska, voices are raised for and against Trump’s executive order on immigration

Just under 100 Juneau residents gathered in a silent protest Monday, thanks to a conversation over beer at Louie’s Douglas Inn. Standing in front of… Continue reading

Suspect in fatal Anchorage shooting appears in court

ANCHORAGE — A man is facing charges in the shooting death of a 19-year-old man in Anchorage. Bail was set for 23-year-old Christopher Birotte on… Continue reading

Snowmachiner dies after avalanche in southcentral Alaska

ANCHORAGE — Authorities say a man has died after being caught in an avalanche near Cooper Landing in southcentral Alaska. Alaska State Troopers had received… Continue reading

Airplane missing on flight from Anchorage to Kenai Peninsula

ANCHORAGE — A federal spokesman says an airplane is missing on a flight from Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula. Clint Johnson of the National Transportation… Continue reading

Esteban Santiago, center, is led from the Broward County jail for an arraignment in federal court, Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Santiago is charged in a 22-count federal indictment in the Jan. 6 shooting at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. (Lynne Sladky | The Associated Press)

Florida airport shooting suspect pleads not guilty

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — One by one, a judge detailed the 22 charges against an Alaskan man accused of killing five people and wounding six… Continue reading

Esteban Santiago, center, is led from the Broward County jail for an arraignment in federal court, Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Santiago is charged in a 22-count federal indictment in the Jan. 6 shooting at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. (Lynne Sladky | The Associated Press)

Alaska lawmakers mull spending cap amid deficit

JUNEAU — Alaska has never violated its constitutional spending cap, but many Republican lawmakers consider the limit too loose and want it tightened to limit… Continue reading

In this Jan. 18 photo, Youth Advocates of Sitka Assistant Director Jessica Clark speaks at the Sitka Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Westmark Hotel in Sitka, Alaska. Youth Advocates of Sitka students will soon be peddling smoothies and coffee as a way to gain real life work experience. (James Poulson | Daily Sitka Sentinel)

Young people to train in truck serving coffee, smoothies

SITKA — Youth Advocates of Sitka students will soon be peddling smoothies and coffee as a way to gain real life work experience. A food… Continue reading

In this Jan. 18 photo, Youth Advocates of Sitka Assistant Director Jessica Clark speaks at the Sitka Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Westmark Hotel in Sitka, Alaska. Youth Advocates of Sitka students will soon be peddling smoothies and coffee as a way to gain real life work experience. (James Poulson | Daily Sitka Sentinel)
John Reese, the last fluent Shm’algyack speaker in Ketchikan, speaks to a language class Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, in the Ketchikan Indian Community building in Ketchikan, Alaska. Through past U.S. government policy to assimilate Native language and culture to Western ideals, and now, the impeding rush of modern-day society, the Tsimshian language of Sm’algyax and others of Alaska Natives have widely been forgotten. (Taylor Balkom | Ketchikan Daily News)

Tribal elder, KIC work to save Sm’algyax

KETCHIKAN — If tribal elder John Reese could leave behind just one thing, it would be his beloved Tsimshian language. Through past U.S. government policy… Continue reading

John Reese, the last fluent Shm’algyack speaker in Ketchikan, speaks to a language class Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, in the Ketchikan Indian Community building in Ketchikan, Alaska. Through past U.S. government policy to assimilate Native language and culture to Western ideals, and now, the impeding rush of modern-day society, the Tsimshian language of Sm’algyax and others of Alaska Natives have widely been forgotten. (Taylor Balkom | Ketchikan Daily News)

Deaths of loose pets prompt Fairbanks animal cruelty fines

FAIRBANKS — People caught killing loose pets without cause in Fairbanks face new fines that were passed after several animal deaths. The borough assembly voted… Continue reading

New lawmaker squarely targets Legislature’s conflicts of interest

Ray Metcalfe sat at a desk next to a wallet full of million-dollar bills and asked Alaska lawmakers to curtail corruption. On Friday, members of… Continue reading