Alaskan selected for NASA’s 2017 astronaut candidate class
Alaskan Robb Kulin is among the 12 people selected by NASA for the newest class of astronaut candidates. He will report to Johnson, Texas, in August, where he will begin two years of training.
Man allegedly went on vehicle theft spree, Wrangell police say
Wrangell police arrested a man Thursday who allegedly stole and damaged at least eight cars and trucks during the past week. Police Chief Doug McCloskey said the man won’t be named until he’s formally charged. That could happen Friday.
No budget? Ferry cuts would hit communities hard
State ferry service would be severely reduced if the Legislature fails to pass a budget in time to avoid a July 1 government shutdown.
Juneau city manager: ‘People genuinely don’t have somewhere to go’
A downtown tent village has sprang up near the former subport in recent weeks. The city of Juneau won’t try to close down the camp without a formal trespassing complaint from its owner, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.
The story of the downtown Juneau tramway that was never built
Chuck Keen had a vision to build a tramway to a hotel and a two-story revolving restaurant at the summit of Mount Juneau. But the project stalled when one of his companies filed for bankruptcy protection and a dispute with the City and Borough of Juneau.
State issues laundry list of potential services to be shut down without budget
The shutdown could immediately cost the state more than $150 million. The biggest reason is that the state would be required to pay laid off unionized workers for leave time they’ve built up.
MCAN founder to run for Don Young’s seat in Congress
Fitch, 47, is a Democrat. According to the Alaska Division of Elections, he’s the third person to file for the 2018 election. Longtime incumbent Don Young and political newcomer Dimitri Shein of Anchorage are the other candidates.
Man dies after stabbing outside Anchorage soup kitchen
A man has died after being stabbed on a downtown Anchorage street outside a soup kitchen, Anchorage police said.
Race to Alaska boating contest attracts no Alaskans
The only Alaska team in this year’s Race to Alaska has withdrawn. That means the Washington state-to-Ketchikan competition will involve mostly Pacific Northwest motorless boaters.
Coast Guard rescues man and dog in Gastineau Channel in duct-taped inflatable
A Coast Guard Station Juneau crew picked up the 32-year-old who was trying to reach Point Bishop after he began taking on water.
Comey accuses White House of ‘lies, plain and simple’
A month after being fired, former FBI Director James Comey made his first public remarks about the dismissal and his conversations with President Trump during testimony on Capitol Hill on Thursday.
Copper river king salmon return higher than expected
The Copper River king salmon return is coming in better than forecast. Predicted to be the weakest on record, at about 29,000 kings, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Upper Copper River management biologist Mark Somerville said the forecast is being questioned – given recent week’s king harvest by commercial fishers on the river’s delta.
Kodiak to host test for Israeli interceptor missile
Israel is working on a better missile to counter the threat of an Iranian launch. But Israel lives in a crowded neighborhood, so the plan is to test the interceptor in Kodiak.
Permanent Fund Corp. shuffles investments while waiting on Legislature’s tab
The corporation is investing more conservatively so it has cash on hand in case the Legislature uses fund earnings to close the gap.
Watch: Former FBI director Comey to testify about Russia investigation
Former FBI Director James Comey will testify before the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence this week, speaking publicly for the first time since he was fired by President Donald Trump nearly a month ago.
Police chief says severed leg investigation could take up to a year
Families of recent missing persons have been contacted about the human leg pulled out of the Gastineau Channel on May 22, Juneau’s Police Chief Bryce Johnson said Monday on A Juneau’s Afternoon. But tests results on the leg could take as long as a year to be completed.
Haines’ new manager starts job amid political turmoil, conflict of interest questions
Haines’ new borough manager is breaking ground in a couple ways: she’s the first woman to ever serve as the town’s permanent manager, and she’s a local. Debra Schnabel started work Monday, although her contract has not been finalized. She takes the helm during a challenging time.
Gardentalk – Hilling potatoes
Mound loose, well-drained soil around your potato plants as they grow so they can produce more potatoes this season. Also, Ed Buyarski has some advice in combating the cabbage root maggot and the European currant worm.
Comey: Trump asked for ‘loyalty,’ wanted him to ‘let’ Flynn investigation ‘go’
The opening statement from the former FBI director confirms many of the bombshell reports that have raised questions about whether President Trump tried to interfere in the Russia investigation.
General aviation isn’t cheering Trump’s air traffic control plan
President Donald Trump announced this week he wants to privatize the FAA’s air traffic control operations, in part to speed up modernization.