Insurance for law enforcement and firefighters’ survivors among early bills
A bill to provide survivors with insurance was among the first bills filed ahead of the legislative session, starting on Jan. 17.
AG: Juneau officer and others were under imminent threat, shooting was justified
Sgt. Chris Gifford is returning to full duty after the Attorney General’s office declines to file criminal charges against him for using deadly force against an intoxicated suspect.
Accused airport shooter assigned a public defender at first court appearance
Esteban Santiago, who faces charges in the rampage that killed five people and wounded six others, is scheduled to enter a plea later this month.
Renovated 120-slip Douglas Harbor on track to reopen in spring
The new $6 million design has no wooden pilings in the water and uses less metal that could rust. The new dock is projected to last 40 to 50 years.
Homer students to compete in state robotics championship
This winter, a group of middle-schoolers at West Homer Elementary are putting aside hockey sticks and skis in favor of a more unusual team sport: building robots. The group of 10 sixth-graders calls themselves the “Brickheads.”
Alutiiq Museum director of operations to take job in Minnesota
Marnie Leist has been in Kodiak for 11 years, and looks back to when she first arrived to the island. She said she got a master’s degree in art history and museum studies, and the only position she applied to following graduation was one at the museum. When she moved here, it was the first time she’d been to Kodiak, she said.
New city dock in Chignik Bay nearly complete
Construction is continuing on the new city dock in Chignik Bay. The roughly $11 million project has been the top capital improvement project for the Lake and Peninsula Borough, and should be ready in plenty of time to receive the Ferry Vessel Tustamena when it starts the Aleutian run in May.
Trump names son-in-law Jared Kushner as White House senior adviser
The appointment of the president-elect’s son-in-law to a senior role could run into legal and ethics issues related to nepotism. Kushner plans to largely divest from his sizable business interests.
Interim manager decision on Haines Assembly agenda
A new Haines interim borough manager may be in place by next week. The Assembly is scheduled to appoint someone to the interim manager position at a meeting Tuesday.
Obama says goodbye this week, but his message hasn’t always gotten through
President Obama came into office hailed as the “Great Communicator,” but when it came to explaining the $780 billion stimulus, he came up short, setting up a pattern that would repeat.
Some Bizarre Black Holes Put On Light Shows
Black holes aren’t all doom and gloom. Some of these incredibly dense matter-suckers fling powerful jets of light and charged particles — the space version of a fireworks show.
Baghdad Racked By A Spate Of Suicide Bombings In Shiite Areas
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for one attack, and several other bombings followed across the city. The attacks continue an especially bloody week in the Iraqi capital.
Petersburg advisory committee may try again for brown bear hunt
The Petersburg Fish and Game Advisory Committee is considering asking the Board of Game for a fall brown bear hunt again. The Board of Game has rejected a fall hunt in the area multiple times.
Capital City Fire/Rescue says don’t walk on thin ice
Capital City Fire/Rescue held an ice safety training at the Mendenhall Glacier on Saturday to give the public tips on safely navigating frozen water bodies like Mendenhall Lake.
Doctor: Late winter flu increase possible
There has been an uptick in flu cases reported across the nation and Alaska could be next to see an increase, even though the season has been mild in-state so far.
FBI and police address Fort Lauderdale shooter’s ties to Alaska
The FBI and Anchorage police held a press conference to share what they know about the Ft. Lauderdale shooter who was living in Anchorage.
Washington State Senate Chambers Get Braille Upgrade For Lt. Governor-Elect
The Washington State Senate has installed a new Braille system to help it’s Lt. Gov.-elect Cyrus Habib who is blind.
Will The Private Prison Business See A Trump Bump?
A promised crackdown on people living in this country illegally could mean a boon for private prison companies that contract with the government to hold detainees.
Mental Health Trust investments in legal “ambiguity”
Questions about the legality of the Alaska Mental Health Trust’s investments have led to a special legislative of the Trust.
Slideshow: Gov. Walker, Lt. Gov. Mallott, family and friends serve dinner at The Glory Hole
Gov. Bill Walker and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott volunteered during the dinner shift at The Glory Hole soup kitchen and shelter on Friday.