Coast Guard helicopter has near-miss with drone in Washington state
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter came within 50 feet of colliding with a drone over Port Angeles, Washington. The Coast Guard said an air crew was doing low altitude training exercises near Fairchild International Airport when it had to take evasive action.
State election officials seek help registering, informing voters in their Native language
Alaska election officials are looking for help in some of the state’s smallest communities to provide assistance to register and inform voters about the ballot and elections in their Native language. But sometimes help is unavailable, leaving few options.
Attorneys contest blood samples in cruise ship death case
Court documents say law enforcement took 40 milliliters of blood during various search warrants. While the blood still awaits testing, the defense hopes to preserve enough of a sample that it can do additional or independent testing if necessary.
Federal spending bill does not include Tongass policy riders
A bill to fund the federal government emerged Wednesday night in Congress, and environmental groups are celebrating that it does not include policy riders to advance old-growth logging in the Tongass National Forest.
After clients discover backlog, Juneau pet cremation business owner says he’ll make good
When Tammy Hunt’s boxer Bob died, she hired a local pet cremation service to take care of the remains. Weeks later, she hadn’t heard from the business, which led to a startling discovery.
Downtown Juneau, Douglas under a high wind warning until 4 p.m.
Hazardous high winds are buffeting downtown Juneau and Douglas this morning. The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for downtown Juneau and Douglas.
Hecla takes aim at critical film with copyright claim
Hecla Mining Co. asserted copyright on about 28 seconds of promotional footage used in a 20-minute film critical of its Greens Creek Mine. The dispute hasn’t affected distribution of the documentary, which is touring across the country as part of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival.
University plans major, 13,000-acre timber sale in Chilkat Valley
The University of Alaska is in negotiations for the biggest timber sale in the Haines area in recent history. The 10-year, sale is estimated to yield around 100 million board-feet of timber.
Two days after avalanche, road to Hatcher Pass to reopen
The team in Hatcher Pass on Tuesday used a Daisy Bell system to trigger smaller avalanches, and make the pass safer for road crews to work.
At confirmation hearing, Fisher says he supports diversifying state revenue
Sheldon Fisher didn’t champion any individual tax during his confirmatin hearing. Afterward, he said the biggest source of new revenue should be a draw on Alaska Permanent Fund earnings.
Cost of Cold: Staying warm in Homer
In Homer heating oil is an expensive alternative to natural gas. That forces some residents to consider less conventional options, like coal.
Third ringed seal found in Unalaska sent for rehabilitation
After admitting a sick ringed seal from Unalaska, veterinarians at the Alaska SeaLife Center are cautiously optimistic about his chances for recovery.
Response to the oil spill in the Shuyak Strait continues
At the end of February, 3,000 gallons of oil spilled into the Shuyak Strait about 50 miles north of the City of Kodiak. The oil was in a building that collapsed because of a severe windstorm. Since then, a response has been underway to contain the oil, clean it up, and prevent future spills.
Mentoring program to close in Haines, Homer, Hoonah, Sitka
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska will no longer make new matches between youths and volunteers in four Alaska communities: Haines, Homer, Hoonah, and Sitka. The organization that matches volunteers and youth for one-on-one mentoring, says it’s a matter of reduced federal and state grant funding.
No jail time for float plane pilot after buzzing gone wrong
The pilot won’t serve jail time, but must pay the state $25,000 and the family $6,100 in restitution. The judge expressed doubt that it would send the aviation community much of a message.
Tuluksak school teacher sentenced for child porn possession
Superior Court Judge Dwayne McConnell sentenced a former Tuluksak teacher to 10 years in prison, with six of those years suspended. John Paul Donald Douglas, 37, had pleaded guilty to one consolidated count of possession of child pornography.
Austin bombing suspect kills himself in explosion as police move in for arrest
Police say they followed the suspect from a hotel and confronted him once he pulled over into a ditch. As Austin SWAT officers approached, the suspect detonated a bomb in his car.
Skagway explores new waterfront proposal
The conversation about the future of Skagway’s waterfront is taking a new turn. The city is exploring an economic partnership with a cruise company and suspending negotiations with White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad.
Grants to help Kasaan build duplex for teachers, low-income residents
The Village of Kasaan on Prince of Wales Island has been awarded a $373,000 grant to build a duplex that will provide housing for teachers on one side and low-income tribal members on the other.
Boom in gun sales sends $33 million in taxes to Alaska for wildlife conservation
The U.S. Interior Department announced Alaska’s share of a gun tax revenue: $33 million. That’s more than double what the state got just six years ago.