State

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire

Sandy Williams, right, prepresenting Citizens Pro Road, testifies in favor of extending the road north of Juneau to the Katzehin River during a Joint Transportation Committee meeting at the Capitol on Thursday. Patrick Kemp, left, Commissioner of Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, and Jeff Ottesen, Program Development Director for DOTPF, with map, listen with other Juneau residents on the mega project.

Juneau Access Project manager resigns, but no setback predicted for road north

The state's project manager for Juneau Access — the proposed road north out of Juneau — is leaving the Department of Transportation, effective today.

by MATT WOOLBRIGHT

State

Poll finds most Alaskans ignorant of pending permitting change

A statewide survey has found that most Alaskans don't know what HB77 is and that those who do, hate it. HB77 is intended to make mining easier, but critics say it does so at the expense of the public's ability to comment on mining permits.

by MATT WOOLBRIGHT

State

Bill would cut Alaska ferry workers' salaries

JUNEAU - A bill pending in the Alaska Senate would strip state ferry workers of their cost-of-living adjustment. The sponsor of the bill, Sen.

State

Mayors seek assurances on gas line project

JUNEAU - Borough mayors want to ensure they have a say on terms that will affect local communities and be negotiated by the state in pursuit of a mega-liquefied natural gas project.

by Becky Bohrer

State

Senate committee moves amendment for student loans

JUNEAU - The Senate State Affairs Committee on Thursday advanced a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow state backing on low-interest loans for students interested in college. The proposal, sponsored by Sen.

by MIKE COPPOCK

State

Senator says access to birth control not a problem

JUNEAU - A state senator says he doesn't think access to contraception is a problem in Alaska. In a floor speech, Republican Sen.

State

Senate Judiciary considers banning synthetic drugs

JUNEAU - The Senate Judiciary Committee began hearings on a bill banning certain synthetic drugs even though the Wasilla City Council has rejected a similar ordinance. The bill, sponsored by Sen.

State

Research range successfully fires rocket

FAIRBANKS - Scientists working with Poker Flat Research Range have successfully launched a NASA sounding rocket. The University of Alaska Fairbanks says the rocket blasted off at 2:09 a.m.

State

Former crime lab employee charged with six felonies

ANCHORAGE - An investigation of irregularities of the Alaska State Crime Lab led to the arrest of a former employee Thursday.

by Dan Joling

State

Troopers: Vehicle of Homer man strikes patrol car

ANCHORAGE - Alaska State Troopers say a vehicle driven by a 19-year-old Homer man struck a patrol vehicle during a traffic stop on the Sterling Highway. Troopers say Joseph Newton was pulled over in a Subaru Legacy in Homer Wednesday night.