Wandering bison that ‘captured the hearts’ of Western Alaska poached near Quinhagak
She was a wanderer. Instead of sticking with her herd, Wood Bison 124 headed out on her own, traveling hundreds of solitary miles from the Alaska Yukon, down the Kuskokwim, to the sea. A bullet ended her journey Friday near Quinhagak. She was shot illegally.
Trump gets his man at the State Department
Rex Tillerson, the former oil company CEO, will now head America’s foreign policy, as skeptical diplomats wait for what’s next.
Bethel native sets American record in women’s powerlifting squat
Bethel native Natalie Hanson, 26, has set a new American record in women’s powerlifting. Hanson squatted 578.7 pounds, more than three times her body weight, and more than 33 pounds over the former record Saturday, Jan. 28, in Milwaukee.
Murkowski says she’ll vote ‘no’ on DeVos
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced on the Senate floor today that she will vote against President Donald Trump’s nominee for education secretary. Murkowski said she’s heard from thousands of Alaskans who are concerned that Betsy DeVos lacks public school experience, and Murkowski said she shares that concern.
Senate Republicans defy Democrats’ boycott to advance Trump nominees
Republicans suspended committee rules this morning to advance the nominations for Health and Human Services and Treasury. Democrats staged another boycott over Trump’s pick for the EPA.
Juneau Human Rights Commission ‘deeply concerned’ over Trump’s executive orders on immigration
Three commissioners with input from several community members at the Tuesday meeting drafted the statement.
Suspect in stabbing of Juneau woman ID’d; victim listed in fair condition
A 37-year-old woman was medevaced to Anchorage after she was found with a knife in her head, and multiple stab wounds in her back in a Mendenhall Valley apartment.
Who wants the state ferry Taku?
The Alaska Marine Highway wants to know whether any other government agencies want the ferry Taku. It’s another step toward selling the 350-foot-long ship.
Walker criticizes Trump’s handling of refugee issue
Walker said his experience in local government taught him to focus on the process used to reach decisions.
President Trump nominates Neil Gorsuch to Supreme Court
The choice of the 49-year-old Denver federal appeals court judge fulfills an early campaign promise by Trump to nominate a solid conservative with a record of strictly interpreting the Constitution.
Sweeping criminal justice overhaul under fire — and revision
The law allowed some low-risk offenders to avoid jail time. Critics of the law have linked it to a rise in some crimes in parts of the state.
Phony money circulating in Juneau, police warn
Nine incidents of using fake or counterfeit money have been reported by local business, according to a Juneau Police Department news release.
Seeing the value of the forest in the trees: Chugach enters California’s carbon market
Instead of selling their trees directly, Chugach Alaska Corporation is selling the carbon stored in those trees. There’s a market for this in California, and it recently opened up to Alaskan landowners.
Volcanic ash falls on Unalaska in Bogoslof’s longest eruption yet
After more than two dozen explosions, Bogoslof Volcano has finally dropped ash on Unalaska. In its longest eruption since activity began six weeks ago, the volcano dusted the island with less than a millimeter of ash Monday night and produced a strong sulfurous smell.
Plane crash passengers found alive on west side of Cook Inlet
Three people aboard a plane that crashed near the Kenai Peninsula on Sunday have been found. A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak located the plane about 6 p.m. Monday.
Two fires, same downtown Juneau house
Two-story house with an apartment at 623 Basin Road is considered to be a total loss. Cause of the original fire is still undetermined.
Trump’s immigration order ‘not a ban on Muslims,’ Homeland Security chief says
Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly characterized the order as a “temporary pause” as officials “assess the strengths and the weaknesses of our current system.”
How will climate science in Alaska fare under Trump? No one knows yet
For those who study climate change — or communicate about it — it was not a reassuring first week of the new presidential administration.
Anchorage-area power companies announce agreement to reduce costs
Three electric utilities serving the Anchorage area — Chugach Electric Association, Municipal Light & Power and Matanuska Electric Association– on Monday announced a preliminary agreement to work together to provide lower-cost power.
Trump fires acting attorney general for refusing to defend immigration order
Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, a holdover from the Obama administration, told lawyers she is not convinced the president’s executive order is lawful. Trump’s attorney general pick, Jeff Sessions, is expected to be confirmed this week.