News

Alaska unemployment rate at 6.8 percent last month

JUNEAU — Alaska’s unemployment rate for November stood at 6.8 percent.State and federal labor statistics show the seasonally adjusted, preliminary rate compares to a revised… Continue reading

US rig count up 13 this week to 637; Texas adds 14

HOUSTON — The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by 13 this week to 637.A year ago, 709… Continue reading

David Ansbach pumps gas into his van at the downtown Tersoro Alaska station on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. As part of his new budget, Governor Bill Walker has proposed tripling the motor fuel tax from eight cents per gallon to 24 cents over the next two years to be more inline with the national average.

Walker proposes tripling gasoline tax to bite budget

Alaska’s gasoline taxes could triple by 2018 under a plan proposed by Gov. Bill Walker on Thursday.The gas tax hike was included as part of… Continue reading

David Ansbach pumps gas into his van at the downtown Tersoro Alaska station on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. As part of his new budget, Governor Bill Walker has proposed tripling the motor fuel tax from eight cents per gallon to 24 cents over the next two years to be more inline with the national average.

Fire burns main structure at Alaska ice carving park

FAIRBANKS — A fire has burned the main building at the Fairbanks, Alaska, park that hosts the annual world ice art championships.The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner,… Continue reading

Police investigate east Anchorage shooting; man wounded

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage police are investigating an early morning shooting that left a man wounded on the city’s east side.Dispatchers just before 2:30 a.m. Friday… Continue reading

FILE - In this Friday, March 27, 2015 file photo, ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson delivers remarks on the release of a report by the National Petroleum Council on oil drilling in the Arctic, in Washington. President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016, he has tapped Tillerson to serve as his secretary of state. If confirmed by the Senate, where opposition is emerging, the move could have broad consequences for U.S. environmental policy and affect the role the U.S. plays in multinational discussions about climate change. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Q&A: Tillerson could affect offshore drilling in Alaska

PORTLAND, Maine — President-elect Donald Trump this week tapped ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson to serve as his secretary of state. If confirmed by the Senate,… Continue reading

FILE - In this Friday, March 27, 2015 file photo, ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson delivers remarks on the release of a report by the National Petroleum Council on oil drilling in the Arctic, in Washington. President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016, he has tapped Tillerson to serve as his secretary of state. If confirmed by the Senate, where opposition is emerging, the move could have broad consequences for U.S. environmental policy and affect the role the U.S. plays in multinational discussions about climate change. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

School district provides scholarships to attract teachers

BETHEL — A Bethel school district struggling to retain teachers is offering to help fund college educations as a recruitment tool to get more teachers… Continue reading

FBI notes rise of gang violence in Anchorage

ANCHORAGE — The FBI says it has seen an uptick in gang activity in Anchorage, with most of the crime centered on drugs.FBI agent Mike… Continue reading

Judge in Alaska tosses lawsuit against electors

JUNEAU — A federal judge in Alaska has thrown out a lawsuit brought by a Hillary Clinton supporter seeking to prevent the state’s three electoral… Continue reading

Walker budget plan pitches job cuts

JUNEAU - Gov. Bill Walker has proposed cutting hundreds more state jobs as part of a budget plan that includes the use of earnings from… Continue reading

Global warming’s fingerprints seen in 24 weird weather cases

WASHINGTON — A new scientific report finds man-made climate change played some role in two dozen extreme weather events last year but not in a… Continue reading

Troopers investigate death of man found along Parks Highway

ANCHORAGE — Alaska State Troopers are investigating the cause of death of a Fairbanks man found in a pickup along the Parks Highway.The body of… Continue reading

In this Monday photo, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star rests by a dock in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The only U.S. ship capable of breaking through Antarctica's thick ice is undergoing repairs in balmy Hawaii this week as it prepares to head south.

Ship to mash, ram polar ice as US aims to update aging fleet

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii — The only U.S. ship capable of breaking through Antarctica’s thick ice is getting scrubbed down, fixed up and loaded with goods… Continue reading

In this Monday photo, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star rests by a dock in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The only U.S. ship capable of breaking through Antarctica's thick ice is undergoing repairs in balmy Hawaii this week as it prepares to head south.

Alaska woman sues to block electors from voting for Trump

ANCHORAGE — A Hillary Clinton supporter has sued Alaska’s three electoral college voters, trying to prevent them from casting votes for President-elect Donald Trump.Janice Park… Continue reading

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2016 file photo, Bryant Thorp poses with plans for his marijuana retail store, Arctic Herbery, in Anchorage, Alaska. The first retail marijuana store in Alaska's largest city is set to open Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, and so many people are expected at the small store that shuttle buses will ferry customers in. Owner Bryant Thorp has set the opening for high noon at Arctic Herbery, a small nondescript shop in a busy industrial and residential area of midtown Anchorage. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Anchorage gets first hit of retail pot

ANCHORAGE — Possibly the unlikeliest customer of all became the first person to legally buy marijuana in Alaska’s largest city.Anna Ercoli, 81, pulled into Arctic… Continue reading

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2016 file photo, Bryant Thorp poses with plans for his marijuana retail store, Arctic Herbery, in Anchorage, Alaska. The first retail marijuana store in Alaska's largest city is set to open Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, and so many people are expected at the small store that shuttle buses will ferry customers in. Owner Bryant Thorp has set the opening for high noon at Arctic Herbery, a small nondescript shop in a busy industrial and residential area of midtown Anchorage. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Juneau Access cut from state budget

Gov. Bill Walker has unveiled a $4.2 billion state budget proposal that includes a new gasoline tax, the diversion of Permanent Fund earnings to government… Continue reading

Things to know about federal land polices under Trump

SALT LAKE CITY — Advocates for more state control of public lands and fewer government regulations on energy development hope Donald Trump will be more… Continue reading

In this undated file photo, a large fir tree heads to the forest floor after it is cut by an unidentified logger in the Umpqua National Forest near Oakridge, Oregon.

Conservatives seek ally in Trump over public lands

SALT LAKE CITY — Conservatives who have long complained about the government’s control of vast Western lands hope they will have a new ally in… Continue reading

In this undated file photo, a large fir tree heads to the forest floor after it is cut by an unidentified logger in the Umpqua National Forest near Oakridge, Oregon.

Police find missing delivery truck, no packages

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage police have recovered a truck stolen while it was being used to make commercial deliveries of packages.Neither the thief nor the packages… Continue reading

Pedestrian killed on south Anchorage highway access road

ANCHORAGE — A woman walking along an Anchorage highway access road died when she was struck by a sport utility vehicle.Anchorage television station KTVA reported… Continue reading