Southcentral

The Blood Bank of Alaska claims that whistle-blower allegations that the organization put profit ahead of public health are inaccurate. At a press conference, the organization released a 23-page report that blood bank officials said supported its claims. The report was prepared by three blood bank board members and includes findings from three independent audits.

Researchers at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward are tracking marine mammals with tags that transmit data to satellites after the animals die.

The Obama administration has removed the Arctic Ocean from any new oil and gas leasing for the next five years.

Superior Court Judge William Morse said there’s no record that lawmakers wanted to eliminate governors’ power to veto parts of the budget.

A day after news broke that five Anchorage deaths are linked to the same gun used an attack on a police officer during the weekend, questions remain about how officials responded to public concerns in the months before.

The Anchorage Assembly passed a $504 million operating budget during it’s Tuesday night meeting, up slightly from last year’s budget of $488 million. Increases are going primarily to pay for a larger police force.

Lt. John McKinnon, commander of the department’s homicide and robbery-assault section, said the case and the five homicides associated with the weapon, remain open.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre has proposed an ordinance that would pay for legal costs related to the Borough Assembly’s new invocation policy.