Juneau School Board decides to keep previously approved school closure plan
The plan puts seventh and eighth grades at Thunder Mountain High School’s campus and ninth through 12th grades at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé — as previously planned.
U.S. Forest Service cuts back Southeast Alaska timber sale after public comments
The initial Thomas Bay timber sale proposal was for about 22 million board feet. But after a few years of public process, that has shrunk to 12.6 million board feet to be harvested through a patchwork of areas over several years.
Alaska House debuts new first-draft budget, but PFD and school funding are question marks
Members of the House Finance Committee are awaiting new revenue estimates for the coming year before finishing their draft.
Dallas Seavey wins record-breaking sixth Iditarod
Musher Dallas Seavey dashed across the finish line in Nome on Tuesday, breaking a tie with five-time champ Rick Swenson.
Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, who raised alarm over plane quality, is found dead
John Barnett made headlines when he went public, saying he wouldn’t trust planes made in North Charleston, S.C. to be safe and airworthy.
Alaska legislators vote to preserve boards representing midwives, barbers and massage therapists
The proposals were among 12 executive orders issued by the governor earlier this year and mean state boards regulating midwives, barbers, and massage therapists will continue operating.
Alaska Supreme Court says cops can’t use zoom-lens aerial imagery without a warrant
The attorney who argued the case in Friday’s decision says justices are “paving the way with protections right now” against aerial drone surveillance.
Juneau may relocate its city-run campground after influx of illegal activity
The city’s deputy manager says the public impact is going to be significant wherever the campground is.
City considers moving City Hall to vacant Juneau School District buildings
The city has been looking for space to put all of its employees, who are currently split among five buildings.
This Unalakleet restaurant is delivering hot pizza and warm messages to exhausted Iditarod mushers
Mushers’ family, friends and fans began calling Peace on Earth weeks ago to place pizza orders. Many asked for special messages to be written on the boxes.
Alaska newspaper publishers worry about bill ending some public notice requirements
The Alaska Senate voted without dissent Monday to allow the Department of Natural Resources to stop publishing some public notices in local newspapers. Senators approved Senate Bill 68 by a 17-0 vote. It now advances to the House for consideration. Sens. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel; Bert Stedman, R-Sitka; and Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, were excused absent. Before…
Alaska legislators balance widespread opposition to Dunleavy policy, veto threat as deadline nears
South Anchorage high school teacher Logan Pitney said his colleagues are making exit strategies to flee their bad financial prospects in Alaska. He called Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s teacher retention bonus plan a “Band-Aid on an arterial bleed.” Juneau Superintendent Frank Hauser called the governor’s charter policy change proposal a “statewide solution without a statewide problem.”…
Federal agency says Alaska’s coastline has potential for more renewable energy, carbon storage projects
Last week, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Regional Director Givey Kochanowski and Public Affairs Officer John Callahan met with dozens of lawmakers in Juneau.
Trees are expanding north in Alaska’s Arctic as a result of sea ice loss
Large areas of open ocean are driving heavy snowfall in the Arctic, which protects trees from harsh northern conditions.
Tongass Voices: Jocelyn Clark dedicates her life to studying Korean folk music
Jocelyn Clark was raised in Juneau, but moved to Asia after high school where she began to study folk music.
FEMA awards $2.4M to Napakiak as it retreats from Kuskokwim erosion
Erosion has been marching the Kuskokwim River’s banks 25 to 30 feet per year toward the community’s well-water source and school building.
Former Juneau hospital administrator accepts plea deal
Bradley Grigg pleaded guilty to a lesser felony theft charge last month that allows him to avoid prison time.
Leading Alaska legislators propose task force to help rescue a seafood industry ‘in a tailspin’
The Joint Legislative Seafood Industry Task Force, modeled after a state salmon task force formed 20 years ago, would present findings and recommendations by January.
Juneau School Board to reconsider school closure plan on Tuesday
Board member Amber Frommherz said the board should take the time to consider putting 7th through 12th grade at two campuses.
Many Alaska charter school principals oppose Dunleavy’s plan for state approval option
Alaska charter principals say they greatly favor the existing local control of school districts.