Anchorage is one step closer to having its first legal pot shop. On Tuesday night, the Anchorage Assembly gave unanimous approval to Arctic Herbery, the first time a retail cannabis business has met both state and local requirements in Alaska’s largest city.
Southcentral
Catholic Church announces Alaska’s next Archbishop
Pope Francis and the Catholic Church have named Alaska’s next Archbishop. Archbishop-elect Paul Etienne was introduced to the community Tuesday by outgoing-Archbishop Roger Schweitz at the Archdiocese of Anchorage.
New iPads allow Port Graham students to explore and engage with culture
For students and teachers in the tiny Alaska Native community of Port Graham, this school year promises to be very different.
Hotel near Denali Park entrance to add 64 rooms for 2017
A hotel outside the entrance to Denali National Park is expanding with an adjacent facility. Denali Hotel Properties says it has broken ground on a 64-room addition to Denali Bluffs Hotel to be called RiverView at the Bluffs.
Anchorage Museum abandons boundaries all together
A new exhibit at the Anchorage Museum brings some of the world’s top artists together for a provocative commentary on indigenous identity and contemporary art. “Without Boundaries: Visual Conversations,” which opened Friday, is an ambitious effort in more ways than one.
Alaska gets $500m in base construction; most for Fairbanks
Congress last week agreed to spend more than half a billion dollars on military construction projects in Alaska. Most of the projects are in Fairbanks, to prepare Eielson Air Force Base for the arrival of F-35 aircraft. The short-term spending bill Congress passed also has $155 million for a new radar system at Clear Air Force Station, and $47 million for a drone hangar at Fort Wainwright.
Consumer demand for Alaska cruises growing again
A growing consumer demand for Alaska cruises has put the state back in the million-passenger club as it rebounds after a leaner stretch. And next year is expected to be even better with larger capacity ships added to the Far North lineup.
Homer residents question association deregulation
Homer Electric Association held an informational meeting on September 28 to answer questions about the upcoming vote on deregulation. The meeting, which was held at Islands and Ocean Visitor Center, attracted more than 100 people. The overwhelming majority were HEA customers who expressed concerns about the consequences of deregulation.
Alaska School District employee charged with embezzling tens of thousands from schools
Anchorage police have charged a former Anchorage School District employee with embezzlement. The charges come after a five month investigation. APD fraud division detective Tony Pate told reporters Tuesday that the suspect, Kellie Fagan, allegedly took between $50,000-$60,000 in school district funds from two schools.
Fishermen, state, in flux after circuit court overturns state control of Cook Inlet salmon
Federal fisheries oversight required in some busy Alaska salmon fisheries