Italian band Soviet Soviet denied entry to the U.S., jailed and then deported
The Italian post-punk group, which had tried to enter the U.S. to play at member station KEXP and then at SXSW, says it was sent back to Italy by authorities after spending the night in jail.
School waits for building updates 2 years after state cut purse strings
Big renovations that would address the doors, the gym floor, the plumbing problems, the carpet and other remodels Mendenhall River needs are out of reach.
Facing harsh conditions Iditasport racers scratch, competition ends early
The Iditasport bills itself as a “human powered ultramarathon,” where participants bicycle and walk the traditional Iditarod route.
Musher suffers dog loss at Galena checkpoint
A dog died before midnight at the Galena checkpoint.
Tenants displaced after Juneau’s historic Bergmann Hotel condemned by city
The historic Bergmann Hotel used as a tenement has been condemned by the City and Borough of Juneau over health and safety hazards. Tenants were coming to terms Friday with the city’s condemnation order.
Committee sends budget to full House
Most of the changes that the House Finance Committee made were to areas outside of the agencies that provide government services.
Rep. Josephson says he will rework trapping legislation
State Rep. Andy Josephson wants to make it illegal to set traps within 200 feet of public trails, but he’s getting a lot of pushback from the trapping community.
Young suggests ‘wall bonds’ are the way to fund Trump’s wall
U.S. Rep. Don Young doesn’t like President Donald Trump’s plan to build a wall on the border with Mexico, and his objection isn’t on humanitarian grounds. Young said the wall just won’t work.
Climate scientists worry NOAA budget cuts will hinder weather forecasting in Alaska
Scientists who study Arctic climate say their research will suffer if the Trump administration goes ahead with big budget cuts reportedly under consideration for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Update: More money for the Alaska Marine Highway
State House budget-writers have restored much of the ferry system cut proposed by the governor for the next fiscal year. They money could expand Fairweather sailings.
Shortlist for Haines manager job includes two familiar candidates
The Haines Borough Assembly narrowed down a list of manager applicants from ten to four at a meeting Thursday. The shortlist includes the current interim manager, the Haines Chamber of Commerce director, and two Lower 48 applicants who have Alaska municipal experience.
Mitch Seavey is first musher to Huslia checkpoint
Iditarod racer Mitch Seavey is the first musher to reach the halfway checkpoint of Huslia. The two-time champion was the first to leave Galena early Thursday and arrived in Huslia more than 80 miles up the trail at 8:18 p.m.
Push or pause? Near Iditarod’s mid-point, mushers decide when to rest
It’s break time on the Iditarod trail, as teams hunker down for 24 hours of uninterrupted rest along the Yukon River or consider pushing down the trail to a later checkpoint. As the race approaches the halfway point mushers try to plan how to get the most from their tactical breaks.
With sick dogs, Zirkle takes her 24-hour rest earlier than planned
Iditarod veteran Aliy Zirkle has had to upend her race plans and declare a 24-hour rest in Galena because of sick dogs. After pulling off the Yukon River, Zirkle had several vets checking out her team. She said the leaders started looking ill Tuesday afternoon.
White House cheers numbers on jobs, border crossings
The Trump administration got some encouraging signals this week: an employment report shows solid job growth, while illegal border crossings fell sharply.
JACC sports new paint thanks to Anchorage graffiti artist
Anchorage artist Will Kozloff the Alaska State Council of the Arts and the Alaska Humanities Forum to do the set pieces for the Governor’s Awards for the Arts in January. The mural outside of the JACC is his.
CBJ: Bergmann Hotel shutdown and evictions imminent due to health and safety problems
City Manager Rorie Watt says the owner was given “ample time to become compliant to little effect.”
State concerned about tanker escort design for Prince William Sound
State regulators wrote that the design information submitted so far is “unacceptable for the department’s decision making process” and that “the very limited data provided to date indicates that substantial vessel design deficiencies may exist, particularly in the area of winter operations.”
Now in minority, House Republicans fail to cut budget
The Republican House caucus is pushing to cut the state government budget. But they no longer hold the majority. Instead of shrinking, the House version of the budget has actually grown.
Anchorage police’s new targeted crime plan focuses on connections
The Anchorage Police Department announced its new targeted crime plan Thursday. It focuses on getting into the community and developing relationships. The department will expand its foot patrols beyond downtown and into Mountain View, Fairview and Spenard.