In Angoon, a rural water system gets help from beavers
For about the past seven years, the federal dollars for Alaska’s water and sewer projects has remained flat. That’s a big problem in rural parts of the state, where the existing infrastructure is getting old, and the cost to replace or upgrade those systems is growing.
YK Delta tribes sign treaty, forming Nunavut provisional government
A provisional government was formed last Thursday at the Bethel Cultural Center. Over the last three days, and many long discussions, a treaty was signed to form the Provisional Nunavut Alaska Government to unite the 56 village tribes in the region.
Petersburg Assembly discusses additional airport parking
Petersburg’s borough Assembly continued a discussion Monday about adding some parking space at the state-owned Petersburg James A. Johnson Airport. Short almost half its members, the Assembly made no decision on that ongoing topic. They also decided to wait on another discussion.
Bear cub killed after collision with car in Haines
A brown bear cub was struck and killed by a driver in Haines recently. Wildlife trooper Trent Chwialkowski said the incident happened July 28 in the late evening around mile 9 of Lutak Road.
‘Freedom of information’ costs set to rise in Juneau
The Juneau Assembly approved protocols for responding to freedom of information requests. But critics say it will make public records requests more expensive.
Meet Michael Whitney, the Delta’s new — and only — wildlife officer
You might have spotted Michael Whitney checking nets on the Kuskokwim this summer, or camping out in a schoolhouse in Eek before meeting with community members. Before Whitney joined the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge in May, the region had gone without a federal wildlife officer for several years.
Gov. Bill Walker visits Ketchikan for Blueberry Arts Festival
Gov. Bill Walker came to Alaska’s First City on Saturday to experience this year’s sun-filled Blueberry Arts Festival. He is attending fairs and festivals around Alaska in place of scheduling the governor’s picnics that have been traditional for the past few years.
More than $100,000 raised for injured Anchorage firefighter
An Anchorage firefighter badly hurt during training is making progress in a Colorado hospital amid an outpouring of support from Alaska. Ben Schultz, 29, fell from a ladder in June and was in critical condition for a time.
Trump administration signals it could open more of the Arctic to drilling
The Bureau of Land Management announced Monday that it will consider allowing oil development in parts of the National Petroleum Reserve on Alaska’s North Slope that are currently protected.
Witness hearings start Monday in F/V Destination investigation
Starting Monday, the U.S. Coast Guard is holding two weeks of public hearings as part of its investigation into the sinking of the F/V Destination.
PenAir files for bankruptcy protection
In a statement released Monday, PenAir officials said the Chapter 11 reorganization won’t affect scheduled flights in Alaska, where the company serves eight communities: Unalaska, Cold Bay, King Salmon, Sand Point, Dillingham, St. Paul, St. George, and McGrath.
State budget cuts hitting Interior’s main public media company
The state’s fiscal situation is taking a toll on one of Alaska’s longest operating and largest public media companies.
Police search downtown house neighbors suspect for criminal activity
In a press release, Juneau Police Department said the officers served a search warrant on a home in the 400 block of Fourth Street Friday.
Alaska city leaders put ride-sharing ban on ballot
KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) — Voter in an Alaska city are getting the chance to decide whether or not they want ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft to operate in their city. The Ketchikan City Council voted on Thursday to place a proposed city ban of ride-hailing companies on the upcoming Oct. 3 ballot. Ketchikan…
Alaska men sentenced in musk oxen poaching case
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — After pleading guilty in a poaching case, three men were ordered to pay restitution for illegally killing three musk oxen in northwest Alaska. At their Wednesday sentencing, 33-year-old Thomas Tazruk, 30-year-old Billy Bodfish and 58-year-old Willie Bodfish were ordered to pay $3,000 restitution for each of the three kills, for a…
Both sides seek to drop Alaska abortion lawsuit
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Abortion-rights advocates and the state of Alaska are seeking to dismiss a lawsuit after the state medical board adopted new regulations for abortions after the first trimester. Attorneys for Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands and for the state jointly filed a motion asking a judge to…
Study: Suicide is top reason for Alaska gun deaths
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A new six-year study on guns in Alaska shows the state has one of the top rates of gun deaths and injuries in the U.S. The Juneau Empire reports the study was published on Wednesday by the Alaska Section of Epidemiology. It examined three statewide databases and…
BlueCrest to pause drilling in Cook Inlet
BlueCrest says they’ll get back to work when the state pays it $75 million in tax credits.
State lets Conoco expand North Slope unit, but with conditions
The Department of Natural Resources announced it’s allowing Conoco to expand one of its North Slope units, but only under certain conditions.
Teaching the next crop of whale entanglement responders
Unalaska has experienced three entangled whales in the last two years. There used to be only one person on the island who could respond to the incidents. But thanks to a recent training, a new response team is in place.