Five people are dead following a plane crash near the Lower Kuskokwim community of Tuntutuliak on Thursday, according to Alaska State Troopers.
Transportation
Wrangell residents hope to question Dunleavy about ferry system cuts
Gov. Mike Dunleavy was planning a trip to Wrangell Tuesday, but he ultimately canceled because of poor weather conditions.
Alaska Marine Highway shuts down regional service till March
Aside from the ferry Lituya, which shuttles between Ketchikan and Metlakatla, the entire Alaska Marine Highway System fleet will be idle until March.
Wildfires, Medicaid push state to request $262.5M more than budgeted
The most noteworthy item that wasn’t included in the budget was the more than $800 million that Gov. Mike Dunleavy has said Alaskans are owed in permanent fund dividends.
Dunleavy administration seeks $12M for struggling Alaska Marine Highway
All but the Alaska Marine Highway System’s smallest ship — the shuttle ferry Lituya that runs between Ketchikan and Metlakatla — is either down for repairs or laid up to save money.
AIDEA head defends no-bid contract for grandson of major Dunleavy supporter
Alaska’s economic development arm, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, hired Clark Penney’s company for a no-bid consulting contract. Penney’s grandfather Bob Penney spent $300,000 supporting Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s election.
Alaska DOT eyes charter vessels for Angoon, Hoonah and Kake
The Alaska Department of Transportation seeks ships capable of ferrying 125 passengers from Juneau to Hoonah, Angoon and Kake. The three communities aren’t scheduled to receive a state ferry until March.
Bivouacked in staterooms, stranded ferry passengers are prisoners of state’s hospitality
The Matanuska hasn’t moved since Jan. 26 and is not likely to get underway until Feb. 7. That’s because serious mechanical problems forced the ferry to cancel the rest of its sailings in January.
Alaska Marine Highway announces 3rd week without service to Upper Lynn Canal
Alaska lawmakers are also affected by the ferry service gap. About two dozen vehicles for state legislators and their staff are stuck in Haines.
Pelican, Tenakee Springs mayors speak out against prospect of summer without ferries
Pelican and Tenakee Springs residents are facing a proposed summer ferry schedule with zero summer sailings to the two remote Southeast Alaska communities.