Coast Guard Auxiliary class targets first-time boat captains

When a recreational boating accident happens, chances are that the operator was not paying enough attention or the lookout wasn’t doing his or her job.Operator… Continue reading

Senate panel proposes changes to legislative budget

JUNEAU — A legislative panel on Thursday proposed reducing funds for Senate travel and for the division responsible for the statewide network of legislative information… Continue reading

Anchorage police report 15-car pileup amid snowy conditions

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage police have responded to a 15-car pileup amid snowy conditions in the state’s largest city.Police said in a release that the inbound… Continue reading

US rig count drops 13 this week to 489; Texas down 4

HOUSTON — Oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. says the number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. declined by 13… Continue reading

Senate panels close out university, health budgets

JUNEAU — University of Alaska system president Jim Johnsen says a Senate panel’s recommendations for system funding are a major improvement over what a House… Continue reading

Group promoting tourism as great investment for state

JUNEAU — An Alaska travel association is running a TV ad touting tourism as a great investment for the state as lawmakers mull cuts to… Continue reading

Rep. Gruenberg’s widow seeks control of legislative records

JUNEAU — The wife of late state Rep. Max Gruenberg wants her husband’s legislative records to help his work continue but officials say she can’t… Continue reading

Anchorage man in state prison custody dies at hospital

ANCHORAGE — A man in state custody has died at an Anchorage hospital.Alaska State Troopers say 26-year-old Mavaega Tautua had been housed at the Spring… Continue reading

Legislature appears headed for another end-of-session conflict

Forty-five days through its 90-day session, the Alaska Legislature appears to be in much the same position it was last year, when lawmakers deadlocked and… Continue reading

Rep. Benjamin Nageak, D-Barrow, speaks about the fatal police shooting that killed his nephew, Vincent Nageak III, in Barrow earlier this year during a House Majority Caucas press conference at the Capitol on Thursday. Speaker of the House Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, left, listens.

Investigation continues into police shooting of Barrow Fire Chief

One month after Barrow Fire Chief Vincent Nageak III was shot and killed by a North Slope Borough police officer, Barrow residents and the family… Continue reading

Rep. Benjamin Nageak, D-Barrow, speaks about the fatal police shooting that killed his nephew, Vincent Nageak III, in Barrow earlier this year during a House Majority Caucas press conference at the Capitol on Thursday. Speaker of the House Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, left, listens.
Rep. Mark Neuman, R-Big Lake, co-chair of the House Finance Committee, said he sees the House passing a state budget as early as the end of next week during a House Majority Caucus press conference at the Capitol on Thursday.

Committee applies some creativity to state budget

JUNEAU — Legislators are applying some creativity to the House version of the state operating budget as they grapple with a multibillion-dollar state deficit exacerbated… Continue reading

Rep. Mark Neuman, R-Big Lake, co-chair of the House Finance Committee, said he sees the House passing a state budget as early as the end of next week during a House Majority Caucus press conference at the Capitol on Thursday.

Bill to block Planned Parenthood in schools raises questions

JUNEAU — Lawmakers will consider a bill that a legislative attorney says could violate provisions of the state and U.S. constitutions.Republican Sen. Mike Dunleavy’s SB… Continue reading

Murkowski presses Corps of Engineers on Arctic port

ANCHORAGE — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski is again asking the Army Corps of Engineers to advance a northern deep-water Alaska port to serve vessels in… Continue reading

Crime bill’s treatment of probation violators criticized

JUNEAU — The director of the criminal division for the Alaska Department of Law testified Thursday that a bill to overhaul the state’s justice system… Continue reading

This Feb. 9 photo shows an ice covered ConocoPhillips sign at the Colville-Delta 5, or CD5, drilling site on Alaska's North Slope.

First oil flows from NPR-A

NUIQSUT — Rising from the edgeless, wind-scoured, snow-covered tundra on Alaska’s North Slope lies a million-pound drilling rig pulling the first commercial oil from a… Continue reading

This Feb. 9 photo shows an ice covered ConocoPhillips sign at the Colville-Delta 5, or CD5, drilling site on Alaska's North Slope.

State moves to ban non-citizens from getting senior benefits

JUNEAU — State officials want to change eligibility requirements that now allow non-citizens to collect monthly senior benefits.The proposed change from Gov. Bill Walker and… Continue reading

This undated photo shows a Kodiak bear named Dodge at the Toledo Zoo in Toledo, Ohio.  Dodge arrived last fall at the zoo.

Alaska sends orphaned Kodiak bear to Ohio zoo in rare move

TOLEDO, Ohio — One of three Kodiak bears whose mother was killed by hunters has been relocated from Alaska to an Ohio zoo in a… Continue reading

This undated photo shows a Kodiak bear named Dodge at the Toledo Zoo in Toledo, Ohio.  Dodge arrived last fall at the zoo.

Walters appointed interim deputy education commissioner

JUNEAU — A retired state educator has been named interim deputy commissioner of the state education department.Interim Commissioner Susan McCauley appointed Betty Walters to the… Continue reading

Teens say burning of ex’s love letter led to school fire

ANCHORAGE — A case of burning love caused thousands of dollars in damage at a school playground in Alaska.Anchorage police say a fire from lit… Continue reading

Senate approves bill protecting children from identity theft

The Alaska Senate has given unanimous approval to a bill that allows parents to request a credit freeze on their child’s behalf. The bill was… Continue reading