Interior official says Trump administration has the ‘guts’ to allow oil exploration in ANWR
A top Interior Department official said kick-starting oil development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, or ANWR, is a priority for the Trump administration.
Ask a Climatologist: The fall color formula is pretty simple
Weather conditions aren’t a driver of when fall colors appear, but weather events can drive the extent, duration and intensity of fall colors.
Alaska Mental Health Trust funds city homeless coordinator for Juneau
The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority has agreed to fund a housing and homelessness coordinator for the City and Borough of Juneau. This follows the Trust Land Office’s clearing of a downtown lot with a sprawling homeless encampment.
Juneau fashion designer channels advocacy into bad boy persona
On the Rendezvous stage Juneau drag king Tyquan lays down some fancy footwork to Bobby Brown’s “Every Little Step.” With a fake wireless mic, Tyquan lip syncs as the R&B singer, flanked by backup dancers in gold parachute pants.
After 87 years in a Smithsonian collection, bones of Igiugig ancestors return home
In 1931, a Smithsonian anthropologist excavated the bones of 24 men, women and children from a village site near Igiugig. After eight decades in the museum’s collection, those remains were reburied near their original places of rest.
Murkowski could swing Senate for latest ACA repeal
Defenders of the Obama health care law are applying as much pressure as they can to get U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski to vote no on the latest attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and Tuesday, all eyes were on Murkowski at the Capitol.
Juneau’s Housing First prepares to open its doors
Juneau’s long-awaited 32-unit Housing First apartment complex will welcome its first batch of formerly homeless residents within the week. The $8.3 million project came together through community support in cash and donated materials and services.
Walker admin appoints climate adviser, promises new policy “soon”
Nikoosh Carlo began work this month in a newly created position: senior adviser for climate.
Ferry Taku sold, will become floating hotel
The Alaska ferry Taku’s next life will be as a floating hotel. Portland-based KeyMar LLC made the winning bid of $300,000 for the 54-year-old ship.
Juneau police cancel help request seeking person of interest
Juneau Police Department updated a news release at 9:53 a.m. today canceling a request for help locating Wilson Curtis-Collins. According to the news release, Curtis-Collins came to the police department for an interview. He was released. The investigation is ongoing.
Powerful earthquake roils central Mexico
Thirty-two years after a deadly earthquake, a magnitude 7.1 temblor rattled Mexico City and surrounding areas. Residents had marked the anniversary of the 1985 quake earlier in the day with drills.
Dylann Roof asks to fire legal team of ‘biological enemies’
The Charleston church killer says his two attorneys “are Jewish and Indian respectively. It is therefore quite literally impossible that they and I could have the same interests relating to my case.”
Tee Harbor neighbors decry brown bear killing
Neighbors of a property owner who called police after a bear broke into an unsecured chicken coop said its killing by a wildlife trooper was unnecessary. The Tee Harbor group urged the Juneau Assembly to tighten up rules for keeping poultry from attracting bears.
Trump to U.N.: North Korea’s ‘Rocket Man’ Kim Jong Un on a suicide mission
In this first address to the United Nations General Assembly, President Trump took on the global threats posed by North Korea and Iran and reiterated his “America First” approach to policy.
After mining exec weighs in, Juneau Assembly holds off on boundary mine resolution
An email from Mike Satre of Hecla Greens Creek Mine prompted the resolutions referral back to committee. Satre urged the Assembly to work the issue through state and provincial levels rather than trying to invoke international treaties.
PFD announcement fanfare is gone, as dividends are cut in half
PFDs would have been about $2,350 each, the highest dollar figure in dividend history.
Watchdog group scrutinizes rough-weather training for new tanker escorts in Prince William Sound
At a meeting held last week, the official citizens’ oil spill watchdog group for Prince William Sound raised concerns about how new crews manning the vessels will be trained.
Wildfires pop up near Chisana and Tanana
Recent warm, dry weather in the interior has resulted in two late season wildfires. State Forestry reports sending fire fighters last night to a 1-acre blaze, located about a hundred miles northeast of Glennallen, near Chisana.
Cruise ship homicide defendant waives right to a speedy trial
Public Defender Jamie McGrady cited the potential for a death penalty, the geographic challenges with witnesses and the anticipation of several hundred interviews. The prosecution didn’t oppose the delay in the potential death penalty case.
Investigation continues into fatal downtown Juneau structure fire
Fire Marshal Dan Jager said it looks like the fire started early Sunday morning near a second floor balcony at the rear of the house at 526 Seward Street.