Petersburg will be open for business Monday in the renovated portion of its municipal building. KFSK-FM reports work is expected to eventually total nearly $10 million when it’s completely finished. The first phase of work on the almost 60-year-old building began in May. Borough employees and police officials have been moving into the building this…
Recent News
No charges for officer who killed armed man
No charges will be filed against an officer who shot and killed an armed man last year. An investigation found Sgt. Gregory Foster was justified in shooting 28-year-old James Robert Richards twice in the head. The Fairbanks Police Department released body camera footage and announced the investigation results Friday. Richards was seen walking around downtown…
Push for ride-share companies in Alaska hits speed bumps
The drive to allow ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft to operate in Alaska has hit speed bumps. The bill, from Anchorage Republican Sen. Mia Costello, faces opposition from taxi operators worried the entrance of ride-share groups will drive down wages for their drivers and from municipalities that don’t want to cede regulation to the…
Criminal justice commissioner resigns
A supporter of Alaska’s sweeping criminal justice legislation is no longer a member of a commission that has recommended changes to the law. The Juneau Empire reports Juneau Police Department Lt. Kris Sell declined to comment after she resigned from the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission. Commissioners provided input for a law that focused on punishments…
Bethel council agrees to deliver water to homeless shelter
Bethel’s homeless shelter will get free water deliveries from the city this winter. KYUK-AM reports Bethel Winter House Director Eva Malvich told councilmembers that the facility ran through its water supply several times and couldn’t afford to refill it. The council decided to deliver water to the shelter until it closes in March for the…
2nd Alaska fire victim identified
Anchorage police have identified a second person who died in an apartment complex fire. Police say 63-year-old Vivian Hall died in the early Wednesday fire at the Royal Suite Lodge apartment complex. Police are asking for the public’s help to find Hall’s family members. Police say they haven’t been able to find any next of…
Alaska’s Bogoslof Volcano erupts, sends up ash cloud
An Alaska volcano that’s been active since mid-December has erupted again. The Alaska Volcano Observatory says Bogoslof (BOH-gohs-lawf) Volcano in the Aleutian Islands erupted just before 10 a.m. and sent an ash cloud to 25,000 feet. Ash can harm and stop jet engines. Ash from southwest Alaska volcanos is a threat airliners operating between North…
Alaska lawmakers eye changes to criminal justice law
The Alaska Senate is eyeing changes to sweeping criminal justice legislation passed last year. North Pole Republican Sen. John Coghill, who sponsored the law, says several areas have emerged as needing to be re-examined, including penalties for petty thefts. Legislation is expected to be introduced soon. House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, a Dillingham Democrat, says he…
University president faces no-confidence vote
Proposed resolutions find no confidence in President Jim Johnsen and put forward ways to keep faculty more involved in decision-making.
Surveys seek input on rural dogs, veterinary care
Health officials are seeking information on dogs and veterinary care in rural Alaska to create a base of data that could be used to pursue funding. KYUK-AM reports there were 982 recorded dog bites in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta in the last 10 years. The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium considers this a public health…