In 1980, seniors were only 6 percent of the Juneau population, now they are over a quarter. Housing is short for older residents. But a new apartment complex that opened in September has added nearly a third more independent living units to Juneau’s capacity.
Economy
Wreck of floatplane that vanished in 2008 believed found on Admiralty Island
State and federal authorities have reopened an investigation into a small plane that vanished in 2008 near Juneau, carrying a deputy commissioner for Alaska and his son, after wreckage was discovered Wednesday on an island south of Juneau, an official said.
How hip housing helped bring donuts to Anchorage’s Spenard Road
Cook Inlet Housing has developments across Anchorage, including a new 33-unit building in Spenard. It’s an area of town better known for funky artists and a colorful past than for state-of-the-art modern housing.
Tununak runway fixed after weeks without air travel
The village’s $19 million airport is less than a year old, but shifting permafrost had already buckled and potholed its runway; a third of it was starting to sink.
Trump administration offers more NPR-A land for oil leasing than ever before
The Bureau of Land Management announced all 900 tracts set aside for leasing will be up for bid. That compares to just 145 tracts offered last year. It’s the largest lease sale ever in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.
Chilkoot Indian Association works to purchase vacant dock
A Haines tribe is in the final stages of buying a local dock that has gone unused for years. The Chilkoot Indian Association sees the Portage Cove dock as an economic development opportunity and a chance to keep a piece of land in tribal hands.
Fishermen, researchers try to outsmart bait-robbing seabirds to save them
When commercial fishermen spool out long lines in pursuit of sablefish— better known to consumers as black cod — seabirds looking for an easy meal dive to steal the bait off the series of hooks. Some unlucky birds get hooked and drown as the line sinks to the deep. And when the drowned bird is an endangered species such as the short-tailed albatross, it triggers scrutiny.
Fourth special session opens with differences over crime, tax bills
Of the two items on the special session agenda, there appears to be more urgency to pass the crime bill.
Juneau’s shuttered Bergmann Hotel to be sold
Owners of the dilapidated Bergmann Hotel say they are selling their downtown properties. The historic hotel was shut down in March after being condemned by the city over safety hazards.
Searchers recover pilot Kyle Stevens’ remains in Yukon River near Russian Mission
The remains of Kyle Stevens, 31, have been found. Missing after taking off from Russian Mission last week, Stevens’ body was recovered Friday in the Yukon River near the village. The crashed plane was found days earlier.