A mudslide hit an Alaska Railroad train Wednesday near Cantwell. The slide came down about 4:30 a.m. near track mile 322, hitting a northbound freight train, Alaska Railroad spokesman Tim Sullivan said. “The train did not derail. There were no injuries,” Sullivan said. “And at this point the train is moved out of that spot and we are currently clearing it out with excavators.” Passenger trains were delayed Wednesday and some railroad passengers were moved by bus, Sullivan said.
Interior
Overdue hiker visiting ‘Into the Wild’ bus found safe
The search for an overdue hiker headed to the abandoned bus where Christopher McCandless died, ended Monday morning with the hiker being found. Carlos Castrejon, 45, of Mexico was located walking along the Park Road, Denali National Park spokeswoman Katherine Belcher said.
Why do Bush Democrats caucus with the Republicans?
In past, regional divisions prevented a single party from forming a legislative majority, so they turned to partners across the aisle.
Richardson Highway tank spill totals more than 3,500 gallons
Cleanup work continues today near Birch Lake where a tractor-trailer tank loaded with 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel overturned Monday, spilling the fuel into a ditch that runs between a small wetland and the Richardson Highway.
FCC subsidies to expand rural broadband and cell service
The plan requires wireless providers to deploy 4G LTE or better mobile service to at least 85 percent of rural Alaskans. That’s almost 10 times more than have that access now.
Native groups criticize fair board over rappers’ ejection
Alaska Native organizations are calling on an Interior Alaska state fair board to address issues of minority treatment and cultural insensitivity after a performance by two rappers was cut short and the men were ordered to leave the fairgrounds.
Cooperative Extension to keep doors open in Anchorage, Sitka
Leadership for Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Alaska Fairbanks announced Aug. 31 a plan to keep two offices open that it planned to close this fall due to state budget cuts –- one in Anchorage and the other in Sitka.
Following robbery and assault, Fairbanks man fatally shot by police
Fairbanks police fatally shot a man yesterday. FPD spokeswoman Yumi McCulloch said officers were called to a robbery and assault at the Alaska Motel on South Cushman Street. She said a man, later identified as 28-year-old Fairbanks resident James Robert Richards, was reported to have aimed a gun at a woman in a motel room.
Marijuana social clubs are illegal, attorney general says
Lindemuth said social clubs are like any other place of business where marijuana consumption is not allowed by law.
Should Alaskans fear diseases frozen in the permafrost?
Scientists have talked about the possibility of epidemics caused by thawing permafrost, but until now, it’s only been a theory. If the Siberian anthrax outbreak is traced back to spores in the permafrost, it would be a troubling development.