News

Judge denies attempt to prolong Medicaid legislation

ANCHORAGE — A state judge has denied an attempt to prolong litigation challenging Gov. Bill Walker’s authority to unilaterally expand Medicaid.The Friday action stems from… Continue reading

Teams take off from Victoria for non-powered race to Alaska

PORT TOWNSEND, Wash. — After a short hop from Port Townsend to Victoria, British Columbia, 55 teams are on their way to Ketchikan, Alaska as… Continue reading

Stock photo of an assault rifle

Coast Guard exchanges halt sales of ‘assault-style’ guns

KODIAK — “Assault-style” guns are no longer being sold at four Coast Guard exchange stores that handle firearms, the agency confirmed.John Riley, chief operating officer… Continue reading

Stock photo of an assault rifle

Coast Guard to boost security at Kodiak base

KODIAK — The Coast Guard base in Kodiak is beefing up its security with a new system that will affect the military installation’s civilian visitors.All… Continue reading

Walker picks Andy Mack as Natural Resources commissioner

ANCHORAGE — Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has picked an attorney with oil and gas experience as his new commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources.Walker… Continue reading

First cruise ship set for Northwest Passage passes inspection

ANCHORAGE — The Coast Guard is gearing up for the inaugural voyage of a luxury cruise ship through the Northwest Passage and said Thursday the… Continue reading

Bethel nonprofits ordered to pay sales taxes

BETHEL — The city of Bethel will soon begin requiring nonprofit organizations to pay sales taxes after a 15-year delay in enforcing the change.City officials… Continue reading

Census: Asians remain fastest-growing racial group in US

WASHINGTON — Asians remain the fastest-growing racial group in the United States, according to new information from the Census Bureau.The nation’s Asian population grew at… Continue reading

In this November 2015 file photo, Attorney General Craig Richards speaks to the media. The governor announced Thursday Richards is resigning.

Alaska attorney general, resources commissioner resign

ANCHORAGE — There were major changes to Gov. Bill Walker's cabinet on Thursday, with announcements that the attorney general and the acting Natural Resources Commissioner were… Continue reading

In this November 2015 file photo, Attorney General Craig Richards speaks to the media. The governor announced Thursday Richards is resigning.

Ketchikan assembly votes against federal pot rules

KETCHIKAN — The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly has approved changes to local marijuana zoning rules, with members voting in favor of an ordinance more in… Continue reading

Anchorage police officer hit in face with bear pepper spray

ANCHORAGE — A man suspected of shooting bear pepper spray into the face of an Anchorage police officer was arrested on suspicion of assault, resisting… 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.

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.