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In this Aug. 29, 2003, file photo, one of two beluga whales that washed ashore in Turnagain Arm south of Anchorage lays on the beach. A national environmental group, the Center for Biological Diversity, has asked the National Marine Fisheries Service to block plans in Cook Inlet by an oil company for hydraulic fracturing, the extraction of oil and gas from rock by injecting high-pressure mixtures of water, sand or gravel and chemicals, because of possible harmful effects on endangered belugas.

Group: Fracking will harm endangered beluga whale

ANCHORAGE — A national environmental group on Wednesday asked federal fisheries officials to block an oil company’s plans for offshore hydraulic fracturing underneath Alaska’s Cook… Continue reading

In this Aug. 29, 2003, file photo, one of two beluga whales that washed ashore in Turnagain Arm south of Anchorage lays on the beach. A national environmental group, the Center for Biological Diversity, has asked the National Marine Fisheries Service to block plans in Cook Inlet by an oil company for hydraulic fracturing, the extraction of oil and gas from rock by injecting high-pressure mixtures of water, sand or gravel and chemicals, because of possible harmful effects on endangered belugas.

Fairbanks could be closer to opening sober center

FAIRBANKS — A tribal nonprofit organization has been awarded a $49,000 grant to support efforts by the city of Fairbanks to open a sober center… Continue reading

Police arrest suspect in Anchorage credit union robbery

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage police have arrested a man suspected of robbing a credit union on the city’s east side.Police said 41-year-old Ian Pagel on Tuesday… Continue reading

Driver charged with manslaughter in Aleutians crash that killed three

ANCHORAGE — The driver of a passenger van that crashed last week, killing three people, was driving impaired and speeding, according to Alaska State Troopers.A… Continue reading

Man on snowmobile arrested on the first day of summer

ANCHORAGE — A 42-year-old Nikiski man faces a felony charge of driving under the influence of alcohol after driving a snowmobile on the first day… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker hands Sen. Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, the pen he used to sign Senate Bill 74 into law at the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium's Ethel Lund Medical Center on Tuesday. The bill is expected to save the state more than $365 million in the first six years in the state's Medicaid program. Also appearing from left: John Morris, SEARHC boardmember, Jon Sherwood, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Health and Social Services, Sana Efird, Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Health and Social Services, Kimberley Strong, Chairman of the Board for SEARHC, Heather Shadduck, staff to Sen.Pete Kelly, Sen. Kelly, Charles Clement, President/CEO of SEARHC, and Carlton Smith, trustee of the Mental Health Trust.

Photo: Gov signs SB 74

Gov. Bill Walker hands Sen. Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, the pen he used to sign Senate Bill 74 into law at the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker hands Sen. Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, the pen he used to sign Senate Bill 74 into law at the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium's Ethel Lund Medical Center on Tuesday. The bill is expected to save the state more than $365 million in the first six years in the state's Medicaid program. Also appearing from left: John Morris, SEARHC boardmember, Jon Sherwood, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Health and Social Services, Sana Efird, Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Health and Social Services, Kimberley Strong, Chairman of the Board for SEARHC, Heather Shadduck, staff to Sen.Pete Kelly, Sen. Kelly, Charles Clement, President/CEO of SEARHC, and Carlton Smith, trustee of the Mental Health Trust.

Salt Lake City man says he didn’t place ad seeking wife

SPOKANE, Wash. — A Salt Lake City businessman said he was shocked to see a full-page advertisement in an Idaho newspaper inviting women to interview… Continue reading

An Alaska Airlines jet makes its approach at the Juneau International Airport in this image from 2009.

Plane diverts to Sea-Tac after alleged assault, man arrested

SEATTLE — A spokesman for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport says a flight was diverted to the Seattle area Tuesday after a man allegedly tried to kiss… Continue reading

An Alaska Airlines jet makes its approach at the Juneau International Airport in this image from 2009.
Members of the Jabila'ina Dance Group perform a song on the drum during a grand opening for the new Tyotkas Elder Center on Saturday at the center in Old Town Kenai.

Kenaitze Indian Tribe welcomes new elder center

KENAI — The Kenaitze Indian Tribe has been able to reach more members of its elder community with the opening of a new center for… Continue reading

Members of the Jabila'ina Dance Group perform a song on the drum during a grand opening for the new Tyotkas Elder Center on Saturday at the center in Old Town Kenai.

227 personnel working to contain fire near village of Tetlin

ANCHORAGE — Alaska wildfire officials have doubled the number of personnel fighting a fire near the village of Tetlin.Alaska Interagency Coordination Center spokesman Tim Mowry… Continue reading

Minivan rams Palmer home twice; driver charged with assault

PALMER — A 47-year-old Wasilla woman suspected of twice ramming a minivan into a Palmer home has been charged with felony criminal mischief and six… Continue reading

Alaska appeals court targets police searches

FAIRBANKS — The Alaska Court of Appeals is asking the state’s highest court to re-examine rules regarding police searches after throwing out a conviction for… Continue reading

In this May 21, 2016, photo, Austin Sollars poses on his commercial fishing boat, the Jani-K, at the boat harbor in Seward, Alaska. Sollars, in his early 30s, bought the boat when he was 21, overcoming challenges for young commercial fishermen entering the Alaska fishing fleet, where the average permit holder is now 50. (AP Photo/Dan Joling)

High costs discourage young Alaskans from commercial fishing

SEWARD — Austin Sollars got his first paid commercial fishing job at 11, baiting hooks on a 74-foot halibut schooner that fished off the Aleutian… Continue reading

In this May 21, 2016, photo, Austin Sollars poses on his commercial fishing boat, the Jani-K, at the boat harbor in Seward, Alaska. Sollars, in his early 30s, bought the boat when he was 21, overcoming challenges for young commercial fishermen entering the Alaska fishing fleet, where the average permit holder is now 50. (AP Photo/Dan Joling)

FBI: No national security threat in ’15 Alaska plane crash

ANCHORAGE — The FBI says there was no threat to national security when a pilot crashed a small airplane into office buildings in downtown Anchorage… Continue reading

Russell Dick

New Huna Totem Corp. president to be installed Oct. 1

ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Native village corporation for Hoonah has selected a new president and chief executive officer.Huna Totem Corp. said Russell Dick, the board… Continue reading

Russell Dick

Marijuana skeptics take aim at potency in Colorado

DENVER — Colorado pot skeptics have been cleared to start work on the most sweeping effort yet to attack legalization of the drug.A ballot measure… Continue reading

In this June 12 photo, a heavily armed police officer stands guard in New York's Greenwich Village neighborhood as a man arrives to the makeshift memorial near the Stonewall Inn for the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida.

LGBTQ leaders turn to old nemesis, police, for safety

Decades ago, an early morning raid at the Stonewall Inn in New York sparked violent protests among gay patrons who fought back after police burst… Continue reading

In this June 12 photo, a heavily armed police officer stands guard in New York's Greenwich Village neighborhood as a man arrives to the makeshift memorial near the Stonewall Inn for the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida.

Bethel tribe to continue services after senior center closes

BETHEL — While a senior center in Bethel prepares to close its doors for good, the Orutsararmuit Native Council says it will continue working to… Continue reading

Seagulls feed on fish scraps on June 3 at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon cleaning tables on the Homer Spit. A $60,000 grant from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will pay for a bird-proof shelter to go over the tables.

Homer’s Fishing Hole will get shelter from gulls

HOMER — On a good day when fishermen pull sea-bright king salmon out of the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon faster than the tide runs, the… Continue reading

Seagulls feed on fish scraps on June 3 at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon cleaning tables on the Homer Spit. A $60,000 grant from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will pay for a bird-proof shelter to go over the tables.

Palmer inmate dies of natural causes

ANCHORAGE — A 56-year-old inmate has died of natural causes at an Anchorage hospital.The Department of Corrections says in a release that David Karl Bach… Continue reading