News

Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks to members of the Alaska media at the Capitol on Wednesday.

In capital stop, Murkowski speaks on Juneau, national issues

Sen. Lisa Murkowski has had a busy week. On Monday, she was leading a field hearing of the U.S. Senate’s energy committee in Bethel. After… Continue reading

Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks to members of the Alaska media at the Capitol on Wednesday.

Mallott rejects Democrats’ primary change

JUNEAU — Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott on Wednesday declined a request by Alaska Democrats to allow candidates not affiliated with a political party to run… Continue reading

In this Feb. 12 photo, performer Byron Nicholai signs his album for fans after a performance at the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau.

Alaska’s Bieber: Yup’ik Eskimo singer gains online following

JUNEAU — He could be considered the Justin Bieber of Alaska.Teen Internet sensation Byron Nicholai is a Yup’ik Eskimo from Toksook Bay, a tiny island… Continue reading

In this Feb. 12 photo, performer Byron Nicholai signs his album for fans after a performance at the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau.
This image shows a map worldwide temperatures for the month of January 2016. Earth's string of hottest months on record extends to nine straight with last month notching the hottest January. But NASA said January was even more unusual, breaking the record for having the most above normal temperature for any month.

The heat goes on: Earth sets 9th straight monthly record

WASHINGTON — The January figures are in, and Earth’s string of hottest-months-on-record has now reached nine in a row. But NASA said January stood out:… Continue reading

This image shows a map worldwide temperatures for the month of January 2016. Earth's string of hottest months on record extends to nine straight with last month notching the hottest January. But NASA said January was even more unusual, breaking the record for having the most above normal temperature for any month.
Women members of the 29th Alaska Legislature pose with Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski during her annual visit to the Capitol on Wednesday.

In address to Legislature, Murkowski stresses ‘certainty’

Alaska’s senior U.S. Senator didn’t offer her advice on solving the state’s fiscal problems. Speaking to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature, Sen. Lisa… Continue reading

Women members of the 29th Alaska Legislature pose with Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski during her annual visit to the Capitol on Wednesday.
Marcy and Geoff Larson, co-founders of the Alaskan Brewing Company, speak in January about their company's 29 year history of making craft beers in Juneau.

Alaskan, other breweries speak against tax increase

The state’s largest and oldest active brewery doesn’t typically take political positions, but on Tuesday night, one of its co-founders told the Alaska Senate’s Labor… Continue reading

Marcy and Geoff Larson, co-founders of the Alaskan Brewing Company, speak in January about their company's 29 year history of making craft beers in Juneau.

Murkowski gets new challenger in fall election

An Anchorage attorney and MacArthur Foundation “genius” award-winner is challenging Sen. Lisa Murkowski in this fall’s general election.On Tuesday, Margaret Stock formally announced her independent… Continue reading

Homer police seize 1,012 marijuana plants; man charged

ANCHORAGE — Police in Homer have seized more than a thousand marijuana plants with an estimated street value of more than $1 million from a… Continue reading

Scalia death could affect Alaska case

ANCHORAGE — An Alaska case about whether hovercraft can be used on waterways in federal parks is the last one that Supreme Court Justice Antonin… Continue reading

Woman dies of injuries suffered in crash of snowmobiles

AMBLER — Alaska State Troopers say a woman from a northwest Alaska village has died of injuries suffered last week in a crash of two… Continue reading

State’s alcohol industry moves against tax hike

Brewers, bar owners, restaurant owners, distillers, bartenders and distributors showed a popular front Tuesday as the Alaska Senate’s Labor and Commerce Committee took public testimony… Continue reading

LEFBP (Exploration) Alaska President Janet Weiss, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and ConocoPhillips Alaska President Joe Marushack discuss the progress of the Alaska LNG Project at a press conference in Anchorage on Wednesday. The four partners committed to continue work on the project through the rest of the year, but are weighing options on how to proceed as depressed oil prices have hammered the bottom lines for North Slope producers and the state budget.

Gas project partners to consider options

JUNEAU — Gov. Bill Walker said Wednesday that the state and its partners on a proposed mega-liquefied natural gas project will look at different options… Continue reading

LEFBP (Exploration) Alaska President Janet Weiss, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and ConocoPhillips Alaska President Joe Marushack discuss the progress of the Alaska LNG Project at a press conference in Anchorage on Wednesday. The four partners committed to continue work on the project through the rest of the year, but are weighing options on how to proceed as depressed oil prices have hammered the bottom lines for North Slope producers and the state budget.

Bill could allow concealed weapons at universities

JUNEAU — For some, concealed weapons are a symbol of protection against the outside world. For others, they are a reminder of the danger contained… Continue reading

Bipartisan bowling: Pols roll off steam

JUNEAU — Alaska lawmakers gather each week in the state capital ready to rumble, but it’s not to continue their already tense and rocky negotiations… Continue reading

Tobacco tax hike gets first hearing in Senate

A proposal to make Alaska’s tobacco taxes the fifth-highest in the United States met a mixed reception from the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on… Continue reading

Rainforest Ferry service resumes

The Rainforest Islands Ferry will resume sailings April 15, the private ferry service announced by email Tuesday. Rainforest, a new service for Prince of Wales,… Continue reading

Forest Service proposes long-term Anan plan

The U.S. Forest Service is seeking the public’s input as it releases a 30-year plan for construction projects at Anan Wildlife Observatory near Wrangell.The observatory… Continue reading

Governor sinks fisheries entry commission

With an executive order Tuesday, Gov. Bill Walker has merged the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.The move,… Continue reading

Alaskans can send texts to figure out food stamp eligibility

ANCHORAGE — Officials say a new system that allows Alaskans to find out if they are eligible for food stamps via text message will help… Continue reading

Study shows beluga whales dive to great depth to catch cod

ANCHORAGE — Beluga whales off Alaska’s northern coast target Arctic cod and will dive to great depths to reach them, according to data collected over… Continue reading