News

The Bureau of Land Management has kicked off the environmental review process for what could be one of Alaska’s biggest future oil developments, in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. The Trump administration wants to make that process go faster. But environmental groups worry a faster review won’t do enough to protect the Arctic wilderness.

Report details state, private companies that were targeted.

A $12 million budget boost from Congress will help modernize the instruments that protect transcontinental jet planes from threats posed by volcanic ash.

Alyse Surratt Galvin is running as an everywoman. That’s part of her campaign message. “This is the time for someone who is like all people, to be representing people,” Galvin said. “I’m in touch. I’ve been there.”

Gubernatorial candidates stopped in Homer on Tuesday to campaign, meet with residents and square off in a governor’s forum. The event drew four prominent candidates including Gov. Bill Walker, Mike Dunleavy, Mark Begich and Mead Treadwell. It also drew lesser-known candidate Billy Toien.  

Across Alaska, crime is up. Department of Public Safety released its Uniform Crime Report, comparing 2017 to 2016. The department said that statewide crime rose by 6 percent last year, as part of part of a longer-term increase in Alaska crime.

Quinhagak’s new museum is home to 60,000 artifacts, the largest collection of pre-contact Yup’ik artifacts in the world. The opening was the culmination of nine years of back-breaking work, and the result of a unique partnership between Quinhagak’s village corporation and archaeologists.

The death of a pack-rafter in Wrangell St. Elias National Park this month raised awareness about proper preparation for the increasingly popular sport of floating backcountry rivers in tiny ultralight inflatable boats.

In their own words, four low-profile candidates describe why they’re running.

Starting next year, Unalaska retailers won’t be allowed to distribute single-use plastic bags to their customers. If they do, they’ll be hit with $100 fines each time.

Fresh, homegrown herbs like sage, rosemary, thyme, cilantro, chives, dill, basil, tarragon and oregano can really add that extra pop to any dish. Some herbs best retain their flavor and aroma depending on whether they are frozen or dried.

From exceptionally strong to exceptionally weak runs, sockeye salmon leave scientists scratching their heads this year in Alaska.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, Navy Secretary Richard Spencer and U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Karl Schultz are touring the state in an effort to push for national security in the Arctic. Their visit Monday in Nome coincides with the National Defense Authorization Act, which was scheduled to be signed by President Donald Trump.

After parting ways with a long-time contractor, the Lower Kuskokwim School District doesn’t have nearly enough school buses for the city’s students.

Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority says all homes without power from the devastating hurricane now have electricity. Other reports say some residents are still waiting.

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation issued a water-quality advisory on Tuesday for six beach areas in Ketchikan. Recent tests show those areas have elevated levels of enterococci and fecal coliform bacteria.

The State of Alaska will weigh in again on a lawsuit over management rights of navigable waterways, known as the Sturgeon case, which is back before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Unions and Republicans aren’t natural allies, but there is one issue that’s clearly tying the candidate’s support together.  

Dunleavy is the only majority senator in the past 30 years who was never the primary sponsor of a bill that became a law.

The ferry’s car deck was packed with people eager to see the new vessel, built in Ketchikan’s Vigor Alaska shipyard.