British Columbia has a flourishing grizzly bear tourism industry
Until recently, the grizzlies here had good reason to be afraid of people — this vast tract of pristine rainforest encompassing most of the western coast of Canada and the islands just off it was prime grizzly hunting territory. But as of the end of November 2017, the British Columbia provincial government has banned grizzly hunting in the area. Now, shooting bears with cameras is the only kind of grizzly “hunting” allowed.
House leaders aim for compromise, early school budget this year
“We’re willing to sit down and negotiate and to talk about what it takes to not only get a budget done for the upcoming year, but to put a package together that keeps essential services in plan and allows for our economy to once again stabilize,” said House Speaker Bryce Edgmon.
Alaska Board of Fisheries gets earful on herring, salmon proposals
The Alaska Board of Fisheries is meeting in Sitka to discuss hundreds of proposals to manage commercial, sport and subsistence fisheries. Proposals to conserve herring and king salmon are generating the most controversy.
Alaska Attorney General asks Congress to open banking for pot businesses
Alaska’s Attorney General has joined a bipartisan group calling on lawmakers to change federal banking rules over handling legal marijuana sales.
Ketchikan man arrested in fatal stabbing
Darrell Taylor Ryan, 38.is charged with the second-degree murder of Aaron Dixon, 31, who was found with multiple stab wounds to his upper body.
Alaska’s first electric bus for public transit ready for Anchorage streets
A four-month trial period will test how the bus and its batteries fare in cold weather, as the city looks into whether it makes sense to have an entire fleet of electric buses.
Board of Fisheries votes down change in Southeast Dungeness crab season
On Saturday, Alaska’s Board of Fisheries voted down a proposal to change commercial Dungeness crab seasons in Southeast Alaska. Crabbers were seeking set season lengths and no option for shortened fishing time like they experienced in 2017.
Anchorage woman dies of gunshot wounds suffered in December
Juanita Lolesio, 19, of Anchorage died of gunshot wounds suffered two weeks ago, police announced Monday. Police are investigating the case as a homicide but say they have no new information on a suspect.
Officials: Alaska Airlines plane strikes truck on Boston taxiway, no injuries
The Massachusetts Port Authority says a plane heading to Portland, Oregon, struck a parked truck on the taxiway at Boston’s Logan International Airport.
Airport manager credits pilot’s ability, emergency response in belly landing
Juneau International Airport manager Patty Wahto said the plane circled and attempted to unjam the gear. Emergency personnel set up and waited for the plane to come in.
Man found dead on campus of University of Alaska Southeast
Authorities say a 50-year-old man has been found dead in a campus housing building at the University of Alaska Southeast.
Hard decisions loom as Southeast Alaska’s king salmon continue their slide
Scientists remain puzzled over just what’s killing off Alaska’s king salmon runs. Fisheries managers mull labeling chinook as a “stock of concern” which would further restrict commercial and sport fishing.
Nominees for vacant House seat meet with Walker, describe qualifications
Nominees, Sandy Shroyer-Beaver and Eugene Smith have years of experience on Kotzebue’s city council. The third, Leanna Mack of Utqiagvik, said her community involvement makes up for her relative lack of political experience.
Murkowski, Sullivan contend with less Republican Senate
This year, the Republican majority can only afford to lose one senator to keep a simple majority. Senate leadership and Alaska’s senators talk through some of their bipartisan goals for the year.
Haines’ homegrown square dance caller steps up
Haines can feel cold and quiet in the winter. But for Haines’ homegrown square dance caller, the dark and chill are perfect conditions to heat up the dance floor.
Southeast fishermen seek relief from expanding sea otter population
Crabbers and dive fishermen returned to Alaska’s Board of Fish this month seeking changes to commercial fishing regulations in Southeast Alaska for crab and other shellfish impacted by a growing population of sea otters in the region.
Small plane lands without gear in Juneau
A Cessna 210 landed on its belly in Juneau on Sunday with two people aboard. FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the incident.
Public service lawyers offer free legal help on MLK Day
Free legal advice will be available on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at two locations in Juneau: the Dimond Courthouse downtown and the Alaska Legal Services Corp. office near the airport.
Lawmaker offers bill forcing companies to use net neutrality
An Alaska lawmaker proposed regulations for internet service providers in the state, requiring them to practice net neutrality, despite the recent repeal of such regulations at the federal level.
Petersburg, Southeast Alaska population drops
State figures released on Wednesday show the state’s population is 737,080. That’s down 2,629 from 2016 and is the first decrease since 1988.