News

Anchorage mayor pulls support from road project

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz has withdrawn the city’s support for a controversial $20 million dollar transportation project due to the state’s “current fiscal… Continue reading

Report: Short review didn’t compromise lease sale

ANCHORAGE — A federal agency rushed through an environmental review of an Alaska offshore petroleum lease sale at the insistence of high-level managers but did… Continue reading

In this May 22, 2015 file photo, Samantha Leialoha Watanabe walks outside of federal court in Honolulu. On Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015, a federal jury found her guilty of assaulting her 15-month-old daughter on a flight from Alaska in May. Prosecutors say Watanabe cursed at her daughter, smacked her in the head, hit her in the face with a stuffed doll and yanked out tufts of her hair. They say passengers and flight attendants on the May 3 Alaska Airlines flight believed Watanabe was unnecessarily rough to a generally well-behaved toddler.

Jury finds Hawaii mother guilty of assaulting child on flight from Alaska

HONOLULU — A Hawaii mother was convicted Tuesday of assaulting her 15-month-old daughter during a May flight from Anchorage, Alaska to Honolulu.Samantha Leialoha Watanabe’s defense… Continue reading

In this May 22, 2015 file photo, Samantha Leialoha Watanabe walks outside of federal court in Honolulu. On Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015, a federal jury found her guilty of assaulting her 15-month-old daughter on a flight from Alaska in May. Prosecutors say Watanabe cursed at her daughter, smacked her in the head, hit her in the face with a stuffed doll and yanked out tufts of her hair. They say passengers and flight attendants on the May 3 Alaska Airlines flight believed Watanabe was unnecessarily rough to a generally well-behaved toddler.

Bethel looks to housing project to retain workers

BETHEL — Bethel officials hope new housing for public safety, education and health professionals will help the city recruit and retain more personnel.The Bethel Community… Continue reading

Ag board to consider new director candidates

The Alaska Board of Agriculture and Conservation will meet at 1 p.m. Friday in Palmer to consider applicants to become the new state director of… Continue reading

With temporary IDs, expect travel delays

Alaska’s temporary driver identification does not meet Transportation Security Administration standards and could lead to more TSA screening, the Alaska Dispatch News reported Monday.According to… Continue reading

‘Mudflats’ blogger is new Democratic spokeswoman

Jeanne Devon, a political blogger known for her “The Mudflats” blog has been hired as the press secretary for the Alaska Senate’s five-member Democratic minority.Devon,… Continue reading

DNR wants public feedback on fees

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is considering whether it should change many of the fees levied for use of state and water.In an announcement… Continue reading

China Airlines jet strikes struck

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, a China Airlines Boeing 747 struck a stair truck at Anchorage International Airport on Sunday.An incident report filed with… Continue reading

Adventure show star charged with hunting violations

ANCHORAGE — A former beauty queen who hosts an Outdoor Channel adventure show illegally shot an Alaska grizzly bear and conspired to cover up the… Continue reading

Native biz deal with federal contracting changes

ANCHORAGE — Alaska Native regional corporations are receiving a decreasing amount of their revenue from a government contracting program that gives preferential treatment to disadvantaged… Continue reading

In this Nov. 25 photo, exchange student Nouredine Mama, of Cameroon, shares details about his culture and life in Africa with fourth and sixth grade students at Nikolaevsk School in Nikolaevsk.

Africa exchange student visits Russian village

KENAI — Cameroon exchange student Nouredine Mama was given two days’ notice before he was flown to Alaska this fall.The 16-year-old was already settled in… Continue reading

In this Nov. 25 photo, exchange student Nouredine Mama, of Cameroon, shares details about his culture and life in Africa with fourth and sixth grade students at Nikolaevsk School in Nikolaevsk.

Ketchikan prohibits retail pot shops

KETCHIKAN — Retail marijuana shops will not be able to open within Ketchikan city limits.Thursday’s 5-2 vote came after public comment and a 20-minute discussion,… Continue reading

Ketchikan official wants to revisit pot shop vote

KETCHIKAN — A Ketchikan council member plans to ask for reconsideration of the city’s recent pot shop vote.Members voted 5-2 to prohibit retail sales of… Continue reading

Troopers await positive identifications on crash victims

ANCHORAGE — Alaska State Troopers are awaiting a report from the state medical examiner before releasing names of two victims in a fatal Parks Highway… Continue reading

US rig count declines by 7 this week to 737

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

ADVANCE FOR THE WEEKEND OF DEC. 5-6 AND THEREAFTER - In this Oct. 15, 2015 photo, Raina Thiele, who serves as a White House associate director of intergovernmental affairs and public engagement, speaks during the first day of the Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, at the Dena'ina Center in Anchorage. Thiele, an Alaska Native with roots in Bristol Bay and the Cook Inlet region, worked with President Barack Obama to organize his historic trip to Alaska and increase Alaskans' access to the administration. (Bill Roth/Alaska Dispatch News via AP) KTUU-TV OUT; KTVA-TV OUT; THE MAT-SU VALLEY FRONTIERSMAN OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

Alaskan helps shape Obama’s Native agenda

ANCHORAGE — The state’s senior senator has called her Alaska’s “secret agent” in the White House.Indeed, Raina Thiele, an Alaska Native with roots in Bristol… Continue reading

ADVANCE FOR THE WEEKEND OF DEC. 5-6 AND THEREAFTER - In this Oct. 15, 2015 photo, Raina Thiele, who serves as a White House associate director of intergovernmental affairs and public engagement, speaks during the first day of the Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, at the Dena'ina Center in Anchorage. Thiele, an Alaska Native with roots in Bristol Bay and the Cook Inlet region, worked with President Barack Obama to organize his historic trip to Alaska and increase Alaskans' access to the administration. (Bill Roth/Alaska Dispatch News via AP) KTUU-TV OUT; KTVA-TV OUT; THE MAT-SU VALLEY FRONTIERSMAN OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

Walker didn’t want to delay while seeking Exxon pledge

JUNEAU — Gov. Bill Walker said Friday that he didn’t want to hold up a vote to continue work on a major gas line project… Continue reading

Petersburg wins Tracy Arm wrestling match

Petersburg wins Tracy Arm wrestling match

The City and Borough of Juneau has lost a boundary dispute involving the Petersburg Borough. In a decision released Friday, the Alaska Supreme Court sided… Continue reading

Petersburg wins Tracy Arm wrestling match

Legislators postpone decision on Anchorage offices

The Alaska Legislature’s Legislative Council has postponed a decision on its expensive Anchorage offices.In a presentation Friday, Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak and chairman of the… Continue reading