News

Czech Republic man dies while skiing on Alaska mountain

TALKEETNA — A mountaineer from the Czech Republic is dead after an estimated 1,500-foot fall on Denali Mountain.Pavel Michut, 45, was skiing Messner Couloir when… Continue reading

Great Pacific Seafoods files for bankruptcy, shuts down

SEATTLE — Seafood processor Great Pacific Seafoods has ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy.The Seattle Times reports that president Daniel DeMatteis said in a statement… Continue reading

Obama marks Memorial Day at Arlington

ARLINGTON, Va. — President Barack Obama challenged Americans on Memorial Day to fill the silence from those who died serving their country with love and… Continue reading

In this May 23 photo provided by NOAA Northwest Fisheries, an automated laboratory that will analyze seawater for algae species and toxins is lowered by researchers into the Pacific about 13 miles from La Push, Washington. After a massive toxic algae bloom closed lucrative shellfish fisheries off the West Coast last year, scientists are now turning to the new tool, dubbed "a laboratory in a can, that could provide early warning of future problems. It is expected to provide real-time data on concentrations of six species of microscopic algae and toxins they produce, including domoic acid.

Ocean ‘robot’ to help identity toxic algae off Washington

SEATTLE — After a massive toxic algae bloom closed lucrative shellfish fisheries off the West Coast last year, scientists are turning to a new tool… Continue reading

In this May 23 photo provided by NOAA Northwest Fisheries, an automated laboratory that will analyze seawater for algae species and toxins is lowered by researchers into the Pacific about 13 miles from La Push, Washington. After a massive toxic algae bloom closed lucrative shellfish fisheries off the West Coast last year, scientists are now turning to the new tool, dubbed "a laboratory in a can, that could provide early warning of future problems. It is expected to provide real-time data on concentrations of six species of microscopic algae and toxins they produce, including domoic acid.

Police calls for Tuesday, May 31, 2016

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction information. Anyone listed… Continue reading

Valdez plans earthquake memorial

The Valdez Museum is seeking proposals from artists interested in creating a memorial to the victims of the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake in Valdez.The earthquake… Continue reading

Big Lake man dies in single-car crash east of Palmer

PALMER — A Big Lake man is dead after a single-car crash west of Palmer.Alaska State Trooper said 50-year-old William Wallace died Monday morning in… Continue reading

Anchorage woman survives Glenn Highway crash with semi

PALMER — An Anchorage woman escaped serious injury Sunday afternoon when a semi smashed into her pickup, sending it rolling into a swamp off the… Continue reading

Students await the start of the graduation ceremony Sunday at Thunder Mountain High School.

Photos: Juneau’s Class of 2016

Juneau-Douglas High School, Thunder Mountain High School and Yaakoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School held graduations on Sunday.Related stories:From the halls of TMHS to Congress: Graduating… Continue reading

Students await the start of the graduation ceremony Sunday at Thunder Mountain High School.

Glacier Bay adds new speed limit

Glacier Bay National Park has set a new speed limit for cruise ships entering the West Arm of Glacier Bay. The 13-knot limit is intended… Continue reading

Man suffers torso wound in early morning Anchorage shooting

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage police are investigating a Memorial Day shooting that left a man with a wound to his upper body.Police took a call on… Continue reading

Fairbanks man indicted on murder charges for 2014 killing

FAIRBANKS — A Fairbanks man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of a woman whose remains were found near North Pole… Continue reading

A screengrab of the Ketchikan Regional Youth Facility, from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services' Division of Juvenile Justice website

State mulls privatizing youth detention centers

KENAI — The state is seeking contractors to look into the feasibility of privatizing four of its juvenile detention facilities.The Alaska Department of Health and… Continue reading

A screengrab of the Ketchikan Regional Youth Facility, from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services' Division of Juvenile Justice website
Twelve flags surround the Southeast Alaska Native Veterans Memorial Park totem pole in honor of the 12 Southeast Alaskan servicemen who lost their lives serving their nation. The flags were placed by Alaska Native veterans during Monday's Memorial Day service.

Fallen servicemen remembered for their ‘ultimate sacrifice’

Veterans wore service patches on their jackets beside regalia from their respective clans during the Southeast Alaska Native Veterans Memorial Day service on Monday.Nearly 100… Continue reading

Twelve flags surround the Southeast Alaska Native Veterans Memorial Park totem pole in honor of the 12 Southeast Alaskan servicemen who lost their lives serving their nation. The flags were placed by Alaska Native veterans during Monday's Memorial Day service.

Alaska House approves $55 million bailout of health insurance market

The Alaska House has voted to bail out the state’s high-risk health insurance market to reduce the possibility of a collapse.Lawmakers on Monday approved House… Continue reading

In this file photo taken in November 2014, Juneau photographer Mark Kelley reads to students in teacher Kitty Eddy’s K-1 Tlingit Language and Culture Classroom from his recently released book titled “Once Upon Alaska: A Kids Photo Book” at Harborview Elementary School.

Teaching kids to read: Portland public schools reject usual reading approach

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland Public Schools, searching for a new way to teach young students to read and write after years of struggle, has… Continue reading

In this file photo taken in November 2014, Juneau photographer Mark Kelley reads to students in teacher Kitty Eddy’s K-1 Tlingit Language and Culture Classroom from his recently released book titled “Once Upon Alaska: A Kids Photo Book” at Harborview Elementary School.
This photo taken Sunday by Matt Faust shows a whale carcass on the bow of a cruise ship at a port in Seward. A veterinary pathologist worked Monday to determine what killed the juvenile fin whale.

Dead whale found on bow of cruise ship entering Alaska port

ANCHORAGE — A veterinary pathologist worked Monday to determine what killed a juvenile fin whale discovered on the bow of a cruise ship entering an… Continue reading

This photo taken Sunday by Matt Faust shows a whale carcass on the bow of a cruise ship at a port in Seward. A veterinary pathologist worked Monday to determine what killed the juvenile fin whale.

No criminal charges filed in North Slope police shooting

BARROW — The Alaska attorney general’s office will not file criminal charges against a police officer who fatally shot a Barrow man.The state has found… Continue reading

In this 2015 file photo, cars are shown lining the road at Denali National Park and Preserve as photographers take pictures of wild animals. Denali and Yellowstone plan to survey visitors about their experiences this summer, hoping the responses will provide insight on what limitations visitors might accept.

Park Service considers visitor caps, expects record crowds

HELENA, Mont. — As the National Park Service kicks off a centennial summer expected to draw record crowds, the agency is seriously considering caps on… Continue reading

In this 2015 file photo, cars are shown lining the road at Denali National Park and Preserve as photographers take pictures of wild animals. Denali and Yellowstone plan to survey visitors about their experiences this summer, hoping the responses will provide insight on what limitations visitors might accept.

Kenai seafood plant closes

KENAI — A former plant manager says the seafood processor Great Pacific Seafoods has shut down its Alaska operations.The Peninsula Clarion reported that representatives from… Continue reading