Feds release plan to stem decline of Cook Inlet belugas
Federal officials released their final plan to increase the population of Cook Inlet’s endangered belugas, but Alaska officials called the plan’s criteria unrealistic.
Juneau Empire publisher departs abruptly
Burton said he was on a family vacation out of state and declined further comment.
Alaska Airlines launches service to Havana amid uncertainty about Cuba policy
Alaska Airlines launches a daily flight Thursday morning from the West Coast to Havana. The new service comes as the Obama administration’s opening to Cuba gives way to an uncertain future.
Haines Assembly considers candidates for interim, permanent manager positions
This time last year, Haines Public Facilities Director Brad Ryan took on the role of interim manager after the previous manager resigned. But he declined to be considered for the full-time position.
Juneau mayor meets with pro-road boosters ahead of 2017 legislative session
A road to Juneau is all but dead in the water this budget year but Juneau’s mayor and like-minded advocates are determined to keep pushing for the half-billion dollar project.
Petersburg Assembly moves forward with self-pay paving
Petersburg’s borough assembly Monday moved ahead with a program that could offer paving for some roads in the community if neighborhoods agree to pay the cost of that paving.
Dakota Pipeline protesters, nearby residents brace for 2017
While some protesters are staying in North Dakota to fight the Dakota Access Pipeline, residents feel mixed about their new neighbors. One Bismarck resident says she just wants her “hometown back.”
Rex Tillerson cuts ties with Exxon Mobil in advance of confirmation hearings
President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to become U.S. secretary of state is in line to receive a $180 million retirement package.
Young, Murkowski swear in, move up amid Congressional pomp
Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, were sworn in to new terms on Tuesday. His 23rd term, Young now ascends to second in House seniority.
British Columbia will clean up mine near Juneau
British Columbia says it will stop polluted Tulsequah Chief Mine water from entering a salmon-rich river that flows into Southeast Alaska near Juneau.
TAPS kicks off 40th year with a little more oil than expected
For the first time in over a decade, the operator of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System announced a year-over-year increase in the amount of oil moving through the pipeline.
Two new Petersburg police officers are sworn in
The Petersburg Police Department has two new officers this week. The two were sworn in at the borough assembly meeting today.
Taku winds possible this weekend, weather service says
The weather service expects very cold air with risk of freezing spray in the inner channels. Marine and aviation travel are likely to be impacted.
Study finds disturbing trend in mortality rate in Kusilvak Census Area
The rate of suicide and homicide in the Kusilvak Census Area, located along the lower Yukon River, more than doubled since 1980, a rate increase higher than anywhere else in the nation.
Coal Country picked Trump. Now, they want him to keep his promises
Voters in coal country overwhelmingly chose Donald Trump. They liked his promises to create jobs, even if they didn’t like his other rhetoric. Now, they’re waiting to see if coal can make a comeback.
Longtime Ketchikan pediatrician retires
Ketchikan pediatrician Dr. David Johnson has hung up his stethoscope as of Friday, Dec. 30, officially retiring about 46 years after he first arrived to practice medicine.
No injuries among four Juneau people rescued on Friday
Two people were rescued from West Glacier Trail and another two people were rescued from Montana Creek Trail.
Time to tax Netflix? Some cities, and a state, think so
A bland, one-paragraph item that appeared this fall in a lightly read weekly newsletter from the city manager in Pasadena, California, has set off a firestorm in the online entertainment industry and in cities and states around the country. The issue: a plan to impose taxes on video streaming services like Hulu and Netflix.
After backlash, including from Trump, House GOP drops weakening of Ethics Office
After a late-night vote and an ensuing public-relations debacle, House Republicans reversed themselves on a decision that would have taken the teeth out of the Office of Congressional Ethics.
‘Naughty’ Facebook locks North Pole Santa Claus out of account
A North Pole city councilmember named Santa Claus saw his Facebook account suspended this month. Facebook told him he had to prove his identity to get it re-established.