State focuses on pollution rules for Fairbanks, North Pole

FAIRBANKS — Alaska officials are outlining new measures to control pollution in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, as federal regulators plan to upgrade two borough… Continue reading

The May 24 letter suspending Medicaid payments to hospitals and clinics

State briefly suspends Medicaid payments to doctors

The state of Alaska has suspended Medicaid payments to hospitals and clinics amid a continuing budget impasse in the Legislature, but the state’s director of… Continue reading

The May 24 letter suspending Medicaid payments to hospitals and clinics

Public can vote on national park site preservation funds

Twenty historic sites in national parks are vying for $2 million in preservation grants, and the public is invited to vote for their favorite places.The… Continue reading

Rate filings for individual Alaska health plans due in July

JUNEAU — The lone insurance company expected to offer individual health policies to Alaskans next year will have until mid-July to make its requests for… Continue reading

Plans would close Sitka, Anchorage extension service offices

ANCHORAGE — The University of Alaska Fairbanks plans to close its cooperative extension service offices in Sitka and Anchorage by the end of October.Thirteen jobs… Continue reading

A Juneau Police Department officer holds a package of black tar heroin at the JPD station in December 2015.

Corrections officer faces drug charges

ANCHORAGE — An Alaska Department of Corrections officer suspected of a heroin-distribution plot at a state prison has been arrested on federal drug charges.Adam Jason… Continue reading

A Juneau Police Department officer holds a package of black tar heroin at the JPD station in December 2015.

Planning Commission denies asphalt plant permit

After four meetings of discussion and gridlock, the commission denied a conditional use permit that would have allowed an asphalt plant to be constructed near… Continue reading

City Finance Director Bob Bartholomew, center, speaks during a special Assembly meeting with the Juneau legislative delegation in the Assembly chambers in January 2016.

Despite lower mill rate, property taxes expected to go up

In late March, several Juneau residents expressed concern about how the city’s generally increasing property assessments would impact their property taxes. The Assembly has now… Continue reading

City Finance Director Bob Bartholomew, center, speaks during a special Assembly meeting with the Juneau legislative delegation in the Assembly chambers in January 2016.

Hospital arsonist avoids longer prison term

A Juneau man received a mostly suspended sentence in court this week nearly two years after a methamphetamine-driven delusion caused him to start a fire… Continue reading

Police tight-lipped about cause of fatal SUV crash

The Juneau Police Department is still not saying what contributed to the fatal SUV crash that killed a 77-year-old pedestrian on Willoughby Avenue earlier this… Continue reading

Kay Diebels was a founding member of the League of Women Voters of Juneau and served as president in 1967. This photo was taken around that time.

Juneau advocate, former Assemblywoman Kay Diebels dies at 82

Longtime Juneau resident and civic participant Kay Diebels died Friday afternoon at Bartlett Regional Hospital. She was 82.“She really cared about Juneau,” said Sen. Dennis… Continue reading

Kay Diebels was a founding member of the League of Women Voters of Juneau and served as president in 1967. This photo was taken around that time.

Around Town

Women, Infants and Children walk-in clinic, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., SEARHC Juneau WIC Clinic, 3245 Hospital Drive, first floor. Free nutrition services for income-eligible women who… Continue reading

Kenai newspaper names new publisher

The vice president of operations with Morris Publishing Group has been named the new publisher of the Peninsula Clarion, a sister paper to the Juneau… Continue reading

Police & Fire for Thursday, May 26, 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

Photo: Preserving the meadow

Gary Miller volunteers his time to remove young trees and bushes encroaching on the picnic area at the Eagle Beach on Monday. “It’s fun; I… Continue reading

Fairbanks to take over cemetery work after disputed bid

FAIRBANKS — Fairbanks is replacing its longtime groundskeeper of the city’s oldest cemetery with employees from the Public Works Department after a disputed bidding process.Starting… Continue reading

First National Bank warns of text message scam

MasterCard customers across the state Tuesday reported receiving text messages in a fraudulent attempt to gain private banking information, according to a press release by… Continue reading

Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, left, Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, Rep. Wes Keller, R-Wasilla, and Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage, watch the resolution vote to continue work on bills during the special session on Tuesday.

Legislators greet tax bill with skepticism

Members of the Alaska House Finance Committee showed a notable lack of enthusiasm Tuesday as they heard details of Gov. Bill Walker’s omnibus tax bill… Continue reading

Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, left, Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, Rep. Wes Keller, R-Wasilla, and Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage, watch the resolution vote to continue work on bills during the special session on Tuesday.

Anchorage police identify SUV suspected of impersonating officer

ANCHORAGE — A driver’s complaint of someone impersonating a police officer has led to an investigation by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.The… Continue reading

Former municipal prosecutor sentenced for trust fund fraud

ANCHORAGE — A former Anchorage municipal prosecutor has been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison for a $52 million wire fraud and money… Continue reading