News

US troops killed near Bagram, Taliban insurgency intensifies

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A suicide attacker rammed an explosives-laden motorcycle into a joint NATO-Afghan patrol Monday killing six foreign troops, among them Americans, in… Continue reading

This photo provided by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department shows Lakeisha N. Holloway, who police said smashed into crowds of pedestrians on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, killing one person and injuring dozens. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department via AP)

Sheriff: Driver told valet to call 911 after Vegas crash

LAS VEGAS — A woman with her 3-year-old daughter in the car smashed into crowds of visitors on the Las Vegas Strip, then drove to… Continue reading

This photo provided by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department shows Lakeisha N. Holloway, who police said smashed into crowds of pedestrians on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, killing one person and injuring dozens. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department via AP)
File-This Aug. 6, 2015, file photo shows a lion named Tommy in the Hwange National Park where Cecil the Lion was killed about 700 kilometres south west of Harare, Zimbabwe. The Obama administration is expected to extend Endangered Species Act protections for two breeds of lions, in response to a large decline in their numbers in Africa over the past two decades. The listings are to be announced Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, and include an order that appears to touch on circumstances surrounding the killing of a well-known lion named Cecil in Zimbabwe earlier this year. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, File)

Obama administration enacts protections for lions

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration’s decision to extend Endangered Species Act protections for two breeds of lions is a turning point for the lions now… Continue reading

File-This Aug. 6, 2015, file photo shows a lion named Tommy in the Hwange National Park where Cecil the Lion was killed about 700 kilometres south west of Harare, Zimbabwe. The Obama administration is expected to extend Endangered Species Act protections for two breeds of lions, in response to a large decline in their numbers in Africa over the past two decades. The listings are to be announced Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, and include an order that appears to touch on circumstances surrounding the killing of a well-known lion named Cecil in Zimbabwe earlier this year. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, File)

Obama: Trump exploiting blue-collar fears in race

HONOLULU — President Barack Obama, in a broadside against the leading Republican presidential candidate, says billionaire Donald Trump is “exploiting” the fears that working-class men… Continue reading

In this Dec. 17, 2015 photo, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks at the CWA headquarters in Washington. A growing debate over America's role in promoting regime change in the Middle East is creating unusual alliances among 2016 presidential candidates that cross party lines. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Regime change talk creates odd alliances

WASHINGTON — America’s 2016 presidential candidates are split on promoting regime change in the Middle East, but not along the usual party lines.GOP contenders Donald… Continue reading

In this Dec. 17, 2015 photo, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks at the CWA headquarters in Washington. A growing debate over America's role in promoting regime change in the Middle East is creating unusual alliances among 2016 presidential candidates that cross party lines. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
In this Dec. 17, 2015 photo, a New York City Police detective holds a credit card skimmer that was used by a street gang to copy metadata from legitimate credit cards for use in the manufacture of counterfeit cards and possibly identity theft. A new trend is emerging that shows street crews and local gangs giving up more traditional activities like gun point robberies or drug running for more white-collar varieties of crime like identity theft or credit card fraud. (AP Photo/Colleen Long)

Gangs migrate from drugs to white-collar crimes

NEW YORK — The Van Dyke Money Gang in New York made off with more than $1.5 million this year — but it wasn’t in… Continue reading

In this Dec. 17, 2015 photo, a New York City Police detective holds a credit card skimmer that was used by a street gang to copy metadata from legitimate credit cards for use in the manufacture of counterfeit cards and possibly identity theft. A new trend is emerging that shows street crews and local gangs giving up more traditional activities like gun point robberies or drug running for more white-collar varieties of crime like identity theft or credit card fraud. (AP Photo/Colleen Long)

Bill Cosby sues model Beverly Johnson over drugging claim

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bill Cosby sued supermodel Beverly Johnson for defamation on Monday, calling her a liar over her claims that the comedian drugged… Continue reading

Dozens of dogs poisoned then fatally shot in rural Arkansas

CHIMES, Ark. (AP) — A humane society official says dozens of dogs were fed hotdogs laced with sleeping pills then shot to death in rural… Continue reading

FDA lifts ban on blood donations from gay men

WASHINGTON — The nation’s three-decade-old ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men was formally lifted Monday, but major restrictions will continue to limit… Continue reading

Around town for Monday, Dec. 21

Social Media & Its Uses in the Workplace, 9 a.m.- 11 a.m., The Learning Connection, 210 Ferry Way. Details: 586-5718.Senior ceramics, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Juneau… Continue reading

In this photo taken Nov. 12, a group works into the evening to discuss the framework of a new college based on northern California's student-run Deep Springs College model in Allen Hall on the Sheldon Jackson College campus in Sitka.

Group targets Sheldon Jackson for new college

SITKA — For years Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins has been finding ways to make use of the Sheldon Jackson campus, and his next idea is even more… Continue reading

In this photo taken Nov. 12, a group works into the evening to discuss the framework of a new college based on northern California's student-run Deep Springs College model in Allen Hall on the Sheldon Jackson College campus in Sitka.
Oddin Kirby of Australia rides during Eaglecrest's Downtown Rail Jam on Saturday.

Photos: Downtown Rail Jam

Juneau resident Christian Jacobs flips during Eaglecrest’s Downtown Rail Jam on Saturday.… Continue reading

Oddin Kirby of Australia rides during Eaglecrest's Downtown Rail Jam on Saturday.
Kara Nelson, left, and Christina Love, both addicts in long-term recovery, are trained recovery coaches, helping guide drug addicts into recovery.

Juneau ‘Sherpas’ help guide addicts into treatment, recovery

Editor’s Note: This is the second part of a series that examines why it’s so hard for heroin and drug addicts to get into treatment… Continue reading

Kara Nelson, left, and Christina Love, both addicts in long-term recovery, are trained recovery coaches, helping guide drug addicts into recovery.

Lawmakers may move from offices costing $4M to lease

ANCHORAGE — Lawmakers are a step closer to moving out of office space in Anchorage that costs $4 million to lease.The Legislative Council voted Saturday… Continue reading

UAF program director draws inspiration from eclectic sources

FAIRBANKS — If you ask Phillip Charette “What makes you who you are?” don’t expect a simple answer.The half Yup’ik, half French Canadian director of… Continue reading

Law enforcement officials with the Juneau Police Department, Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Department of Corrections and U.S. Forest Service prepare to take local youth shopping in front of the Nugget Mall on Saturday.

Photo: Shop with a cop

Law enforcement officials with the Juneau Police Department, Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Department of Corrections and U.S. Forest Service prepare to take local youth shopping… Continue reading

Law enforcement officials with the Juneau Police Department, Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Department of Corrections and U.S. Forest Service prepare to take local youth shopping in front of the Nugget Mall on Saturday.

Police & Fire for Monday, Dec. 21, 2015

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

In this March 12, 2014 photo, firefighters respond to a fire after an explosion and building collapse in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York.

Firefighters sue siren maker over their hearing loss

NEW YORK — There were times by the end of his shift that firefighter Joseph Nardone’s head would be pounding, his eyes crossing from the… Continue reading

In this March 12, 2014 photo, firefighters respond to a fire after an explosion and building collapse in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York.

Sanders struggles to gain edge

MANCHESTER, N.H. — The third Democratic presidential debate opened with an apology and ended with compliments.For months, the Democratic primary contest has been a relatively… Continue reading

In this undated photo, the ruins of the old Hanford High School are shown near Richland, Washington. The towns of Hanford and White Bluffs were evacuated to make room for the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, which made the plutonium for the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan, and the ruins of the high school and other buildings are now part of the nation's newest national park, called the Manhattan Project National Historic Park.

Polluted nuclear weapons site to become tourist destination

SPOKANE, Wash. — The nation’s most polluted nuclear weapons production site is now its newest national park.Thousands of people are expected next year to tour… Continue reading

In this undated photo, the ruins of the old Hanford High School are shown near Richland, Washington. The towns of Hanford and White Bluffs were evacuated to make room for the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, which made the plutonium for the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan, and the ruins of the high school and other buildings are now part of the nation's newest national park, called the Manhattan Project National Historic Park.