Oil collapse tests US colleges as donors dry up

AUSTIN, Texas — It’s easy to see what oil money means to the University of Texas. Tuition hasn’t budged in three years because of gushing… Continue reading

Three additional Boeing 737-700 freighters for Alaska Airlines' statewide fleet will also be unveiled as part of the new investments. The passenger planes will replace the airline's existing Boeing 737-400 combi jets, which CEO Brad Tilden said should be phased out by 2017.

Alaska Airlines plans $50 million of improvements in state

FAIRBANKS — Alaska Airlines is planning more than $50 million in new capital investments in Alaska over the next few years.Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden… Continue reading

Three additional Boeing 737-700 freighters for Alaska Airlines' statewide fleet will also be unveiled as part of the new investments. The passenger planes will replace the airline's existing Boeing 737-400 combi jets, which CEO Brad Tilden said should be phased out by 2017.

Most states show increase in high school graduation rates, Alaska not among them

WASHINGTON — High school graduation rates for most states continue to improve, according to preliminary data released Monday by the Obama administration.The majority of states… Continue reading

NAACP criticizes Alaska Day ‘slave auction’ fundraiser in Sitka

ANCHORAGE — Organizers of an annual Alaska charity event said Monday they will stop calling it a "slavery auction" after the NAACP complained.The event in the town of… Continue reading

Jacob Miller, center, shows U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Ben Stixrud, left, and Petty Officer Second Class Chris Houvener his safety gear on his 41-foot power troller at the Don Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in Auke Bay on Friday.

Alaska’s fishing fatalities are dropping, no matter how you mix the numbers

The deadliest catch is getting a lot less deadly.Last week, the U.S. Coast Guard reported to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council that for the… Continue reading

Jacob Miller, center, shows U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Ben Stixrud, left, and Petty Officer Second Class Chris Houvener his safety gear on his 41-foot power troller at the Don Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in Auke Bay on Friday.

Legislature to convene special session on gas issues

JUNEAU — The Alaska Legislature is set to convene for its third special session this year, this time to consider a buyout of one of… Continue reading

Scientists investigate dead orca whale found near Petersburg

PETERSBURG — Scientists are investigating the death of an orca whale found on the shore of Kupreanof Island north of Petersburg.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric… Continue reading

Alaska Volcano Observatory repairs seismic monitors

ANCHORAGE — Alaska Volcano Observatory scientists have repaired several seismic monitoring stations at active volcanoes throughout southwest Alaska.A lack of funding and delayed maintenance caused… Continue reading

Actress talks Kodiak with Jimmy Kimmel

KODIAK — An actress who spent the first years of her life in Kodiak and now plays a lead role on the hit ABC TV… Continue reading

In this photo taken on Oct. 8, Dan Schacher, the maintenance superintendent for the Department of Transportation in Fairbanks, poses in front of a plow truck at the DOT.

DOT chief brings creative approach to road maintenance

FAIRBANKS — Dan Schacher had a pretty straightforward job when he began work as an Alaska Department of Transportation heavy equipment operator.For about half the… Continue reading

In this photo taken on Oct. 8, Dan Schacher, the maintenance superintendent for the Department of Transportation in Fairbanks, poses in front of a plow truck at the DOT.

Gov., 2011 Iditarod champ push ‘wellness initiative’

ANCHORAGE — Gov. Bill Walker and 2011 Iditarod champion John Baker on Friday announced the creation of an initiative that calls on Alaskans from across… Continue reading

Suicide mars AFN conference

ANCHORAGE — Organizers of the Alaska Federation of Natives conference announced there was a death at the Saturday afternoon closing ceremony.Anchorage Police Department spokeswoman Renee… Continue reading

Warming Arctic could uncover Native artifacts

ANCHORAGE — A researcher at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is attempting to predict where higher Arctic temperatures will melt snow to uncover ancient Alaska… Continue reading

Fairbanks 4 defendant proclaims innocence

ANCHORAGE — Marvin Roberts, one of the four Alaska Native men convicted in the 1997 murder of a Fairbanks teenager, proclaimed his innocence Saturday in… Continue reading

Agitated airman leads to base hospital lockdown

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON — One person is in custody after an agitated airman with a loaded 9 mm pistol in his waistband prompted the lockdown… Continue reading

McGuire faces complaint over disclosure report

JUNEAU — The Alaska Public Offices Commission has filed a complaint against state Sen. Lesil McGuire, saying the Anchorage Republican had failed to meet disclosure… Continue reading

Sitka awaits visit from Russian performers

SITKA — A troupe of Russian performers who were set to visit Sitka for the upcoming Alaska Day weekend is unlikely to make it in… Continue reading

Murkowski brings in $920K in latest fundraising period

JUNEAU — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski brought in about $920,000 toward her re-election bid during the latest fundraising period.The Republican ended the quarter, Sept. 30,… Continue reading

U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska,, left, listens as Alaska Gov. Bill Walker speaks to reporters at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. The men spoke after Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said her agency was canceling future lease sales and will not extend current drilling leases in Arctic waters off Alaska's northern coast. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Federal regulators pull back Arctic offshore lease sales

ANCHORAGE — Three weeks after Royal Dutch Shell announced it was walking away from exploratory drilling in U.S. Arctic waters, the Obama administration has taken… Continue reading

U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska,, left, listens as Alaska Gov. Bill Walker speaks to reporters at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. The men spoke after Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said her agency was canceling future lease sales and will not extend current drilling leases in Arctic waters off Alaska's northern coast. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Interior Department curbing future Arctic offshore drilling

ANCHORAGE — The Interior Department says it will not extend Arctic offshore leases held by Royal Dutch Shell and other companies in Arctic waters off… Continue reading