News

Anchorage teen among poets honored by first lady

WASHINGTON — Michelle Obama honored a new class of National Student Poets for their bravery to be vulnerable and sharing their deepest thoughts.The first lady… Continue reading

Alexander Slivka, a candidate to become director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, answers questions from the corporation's board of trustees on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015 in Juneau.

Board considers candidates for Permanent Fund ‘pope’

Vast indirect power. An apolitical position. Immense public support. A venerable institution designed to last.The director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation might as well… Continue reading

Alexander Slivka, a candidate to become director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, answers questions from the corporation's board of trustees on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015 in Juneau.

UAA launches Alaska’s first pharmacy program

ANCHORAGE — The University of Alaska Anchorage is launching the state’s first entirely local pharmacy program in partnership with Idaho State University.UAA announced Tuesday that… Continue reading

Former Fairbanks tutor convicted of sexual abuse of minor

FAIRBANKS — A former Fairbanks public school tutor has been found guilty of forcing a boy to have sex with him in 2010.The Fairbanks Daily… Continue reading

Split decision in water reservation case

JUNEAU — A state agency delivered a split decision Wednesday for conservationists seeking to protect fish from the potential development of a coal mine in… Continue reading

This photo taken Sept. 24, shows a black-tailed deer fawn, one of the few mammal mounts of the furs, mounts and skulls collection, stored inside University of Alaska Anchorage Consortium Library in Anchorage.

Anchorage library loans out skulls, furs

ANCHORAGE — Need to borrow a polar bear fur? Or a walrus skull complete with tusks? Or how about a beluga whale vertebrae or piece… Continue reading

This photo taken Sept. 24, shows a black-tailed deer fawn, one of the few mammal mounts of the furs, mounts and skulls collection, stored inside University of Alaska Anchorage Consortium Library in Anchorage.
In this Sept. 29 image taken from video and released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a humpback whale is spotted near Kauai, Hawaii. The encounter was the first sighting of humpback in Hawaii this season.

Feds say first humpback whales of season spotted in Hawaii

HONOLULU — Humpback whales were spotted in the waters off Hawaii for the first time this season, leading officials to warn ships and recreational boaters… Continue reading

In this Sept. 29 image taken from video and released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a humpback whale is spotted near Kauai, Hawaii. The encounter was the first sighting of humpback in Hawaii this season.
Pres. Barack Obama speaks at the Conference on Global Leadership in the Arctic: Cooperation, Innovation, Engagement and Resilience as Secretary of State John Kery listens at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage on Monday.

Alaska hired consultants ahead of Obama visit

JUNEAU — Gov. Bill Walker’s administration spent $50,000 on consultants to help prepare for a visit by President Barack Obama and nearly another $2,000 on… Continue reading

Pres. Barack Obama speaks at the Conference on Global Leadership in the Arctic: Cooperation, Innovation, Engagement and Resilience as Secretary of State John Kery listens at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage on Monday.
In this file photo, Alaska Supreme Court Justice Dana Fabe gives the State of the Judiciary address to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Feb. 11 as Senate President Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage, left, and Speaker of the House Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, listen.

Justice Dana Fabe puts down gavel

After becoming the first woman to serve on the Alaska Supreme Court 20 years ago and the first female Alaska chief justice, Dana Fabe has… Continue reading

In this file photo, Alaska Supreme Court Justice Dana Fabe gives the State of the Judiciary address to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Feb. 11 as Senate President Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage, left, and Speaker of the House Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, listen.

Walker hires consultants ahead of Obama visit

JUNEAU — Gov. Bill Walker’s administration spent $50,000 on Washington, D.C., consultants to help prepare them for a visit by President Barack Obama.The expenditures were… Continue reading

Hunter falls to death on Pioneer Peak

ANCHORAGE — Authorities say a Wasilla man has died after falling down the mountainside at Pioneer Peak.Alaska State Troopers say 49-year-old Roy Roth had been… Continue reading

North Pole man found dead in Kenai cell

KENAI — A 45-year-old inmate was found dead in his cell at the Wildwood Correctional Facility in Kenai.The Department of Corrections says in a release… Continue reading

Alaska’s median income drops below 1989 levels

ANCHORAGE — Alaska residents are making less money than they have in years, with the state’s median income dropping below that of 1989.A new study… Continue reading

Juneau artist Jay Crondahl adds a little ephemeral art to the lawn at the Park Shore Condominiums on Monday.

Photo: Ephemeral art

Juneau artist Jay Crondahl adds a little ephemeral art to the lawn at the Park Shore Condominiums on Monday.… Continue reading

Juneau artist Jay Crondahl adds a little ephemeral art to the lawn at the Park Shore Condominiums on Monday.
Supporters rally outside the Courthouse during an evidentiary hearing for the Fairbanks Four to try to prove their innocence Monday, Oct. 5, 2015 at the Rabinowitz Courthouse in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Four, George Frese, Kevin Pease, Eugene Vent and Marvin Roberts were convicted in the killing of 15-year old John Hartman 18 years ago. Roberts was released on parole this summer, the other three men remain in jail. (Eric Engman/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)

‘Fairbanks Four’ wants convictions overturned

FAIRBANKS — Four men who claim they were wrongly convicted of killing a Fairbanks teenager in 1997 are seeking post-conviction relief in a civil trial… Continue reading

Supporters rally outside the Courthouse during an evidentiary hearing for the Fairbanks Four to try to prove their innocence Monday, Oct. 5, 2015 at the Rabinowitz Courthouse in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Four, George Frese, Kevin Pease, Eugene Vent and Marvin Roberts were convicted in the killing of 15-year old John Hartman 18 years ago. Roberts was released on parole this summer, the other three men remain in jail. (Eric Engman/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)

Moderate earthquake felt in Alaska community

ANCHORAGE — Seismologists say a moderate earthquake was strongly felt in a community in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.The Alaska Earthquake Center says the 5.7 magnitude quake… Continue reading

Pitney: Cuts only one piece of budget picture

Even with major budget cuts, the state could see its credit rating dropped if it doesn’t take steps to address revenues, Gov. Bill Walker’s budget… Continue reading

Theodore Alex Bastia, Jr. examines pot before making a purchase at Breeze Botanicals, Oct. 1 in Ashland, Oregon. Marijuana shops in the state began selling marijuana last Thursday for the first time to recreational users.

Marijuana pesticide flap brings consumer lawsuit in Colorado

DENVER — Two marijuana users in Colorado filed a lawsuit Monday against a pot business they said used an unhealthy pesticide to grow their weed… Continue reading

Theodore Alex Bastia, Jr. examines pot before making a purchase at Breeze Botanicals, Oct. 1 in Ashland, Oregon. Marijuana shops in the state began selling marijuana last Thursday for the first time to recreational users.
In this Sept. 16, 2015 file photo, a member of a search and rescue team wades in to Virgin River during a search in Zion National Park, near Springdale, Utah. Zion National Park officials are retracing what led up to the deaths of seven people in a flooded canyon on Sept. 15 before a panel assesses what can be done to keep a growing number of visitors safe when spectacular natural settings turn perilous.

Zion National Park investigates run-up to deaths of 7 hikers

SALT LAKE CITY — Zion National Park officials are retracing what led up to the deaths of seven people in a flooded canyon last month… Continue reading

In this Sept. 16, 2015 file photo, a member of a search and rescue team wades in to Virgin River during a search in Zion National Park, near Springdale, Utah. Zion National Park officials are retracing what led up to the deaths of seven people in a flooded canyon on Sept. 15 before a panel assesses what can be done to keep a growing number of visitors safe when spectacular natural settings turn perilous.

Marijuana pesticide flap brings consumer lawsuit in Colorado

DENVER — Two marijuana users in Colorado filed a lawsuit Monday against a pot business they said used an unhealthy pesticide to grow their weed… Continue reading