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In this photo taken Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, Josh Redmyer, a former Marine who served three tours in Iraq, poses with Milo, who he calls his "therapy dog," in Oroville, Calif. Redmyer, who was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in 2009, received a less-than-honorable discharge in 2012. He is among the thousands of veterans who cannot receive veterans health benefits because of a less-than-honorable discharge. Redmyer turns to Milo, who is a birthday present from his roommate, when he becomes despondent. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

A no thank you for serving

ST. LOUIS — No medical or mental health care. No subsidized college or work training. For many who leave the U.S. military with less-than-honorable discharges,… Continue reading

In this photo taken Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, Josh Redmyer, a former Marine who served three tours in Iraq, poses with Milo, who he calls his "therapy dog," in Oroville, Calif. Redmyer, who was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in 2009, received a less-than-honorable discharge in 2012. He is among the thousands of veterans who cannot receive veterans health benefits because of a less-than-honorable discharge. Redmyer turns to Milo, who is a birthday present from his roommate, when he becomes despondent. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Diana Davis shows a photo she found in the rubble of her father-in-law's home after Wednesday's tornado in Lutts, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015. The photo shows what the house looked like before the tornado hit the area. (Larry McCormack/The Tennessean via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Tornadoes ravage South; at least 11 killed

ASHLAND, Miss. — Instead of doing some last-minute shopping or wrapping gifts, families across the South spent Christmas Eve taking stock of their losses after… Continue reading

Diana Davis shows a photo she found in the rubble of her father-in-law's home after Wednesday's tornado in Lutts, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015. The photo shows what the house looked like before the tornado hit the area. (Larry McCormack/The Tennessean via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, file photo, Robert Downey Jr. arrives for the 81st Academy Awards in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. California Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015, pardoned Downey Jr. for a nearly 20-year-old felony drug conviction that sent the Oscar-nominated actor to jail for nearly a year. The pardon does not erase records of a conviction, but it restores voting rights and is a public proclamation that the person has remained out of trouble and demonstrated "exemplary behavior," according to materials on Brown's website. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)

California gov pardons Downey Jr. in drug case

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The governor of California pardoned Robert Downey Jr. on Thursday for a nearly 20-year-old felony drug conviction that led to the Oscar-nominated… Continue reading

  • Dec 25, 2015
  • By DON THOMPSON and ANTHONY McCARTNEY
  • Nation-World
FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, file photo, Robert Downey Jr. arrives for the 81st Academy Awards in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. California Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015, pardoned Downey Jr. for a nearly 20-year-old felony drug conviction that sent the Oscar-nominated actor to jail for nearly a year. The pardon does not erase records of a conviction, but it restores voting rights and is a public proclamation that the person has remained out of trouble and demonstrated "exemplary behavior," according to materials on Brown's website. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)
In this Dec. 24, 2014, file photo, NORAD and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Charles D. Luckey joins other volunteers taking phone calls from children around the world asking where Santa is and when he will deliver presents to their homes, inside a phone-in center during the annual NORAD Tracks Santa Operation, at the North American Aerospace Defense Command, at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Hundreds of military and civilian volunteers at NORAD are estimated to field more than 100,000 calls this year through Christmas Eve, from children from all over the world eager to hear about Santa's progress.

Military ‘tracks’ storybook flight of St. Nick

ANCHORAGE — Santa Claus is coming to town, and for the 60th consecutive year, the North American Aerospace Defense Command will continue its tradition of… Continue reading

In this Dec. 24, 2014, file photo, NORAD and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Charles D. Luckey joins other volunteers taking phone calls from children around the world asking where Santa is and when he will deliver presents to their homes, inside a phone-in center during the annual NORAD Tracks Santa Operation, at the North American Aerospace Defense Command, at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Hundreds of military and civilian volunteers at NORAD are estimated to field more than 100,000 calls this year through Christmas Eve, from children from all over the world eager to hear about Santa's progress.

Kasigluk students compete in national STEM contest

BETHEL — A group of Alaska students is working to create affordable winter survival packs for their rural community as part of a national contest… Continue reading

Anchorage mayor’s office makes deal with city employee union

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s administration has negotiated its first deal on a new contract with the city’s largest employees union.The Anchorage Municipal Employees… Continue reading

Around town for Thursday, Dec. 24

Juneau Gastineau Rotary Club meeting, 7 a.m., The Prospector Hotel.Open lab computer training, 9 a.m.-11 a.m, The Learning Connection, 210 Ferry Way.Storytime, 11 a.m., Douglas… Continue reading

Second suspect charged in Anchorage double fatal shooting

ANCHORAGE — A second suspect has been arrested in the shooting deaths of two men Monday in west Anchorage.Police say 26-year-old Linda Chattel was arrested… Continue reading

Donna Pierce watches her dog, Zoey, as she retrieves a stick in the high tide at Sandy Beach Wednesday.

Sun and snow

Whether it’s snowfall or sunshine on this year’s Christmas list, Juneauites should find something to smile about when they look outside Friday.There aren’t expected to… Continue reading

Donna Pierce watches her dog, Zoey, as she retrieves a stick in the high tide at Sandy Beach Wednesday.
A thermometer reads minus-nine Celsius in Santa Claus Village, around 8 kms, 5 miles north of Rovaniemi in Finland on Tuesday Dec. 15, 2015. Most kids learn that Santa Claus comes from the North Pole, but children in Scandinavia are taught he lives a bit further south. Where exactly is a matter of much debate, with businesses in Finland, Sweden and Norway competing to cash in on the cache that comes with claiming Santa's hometown.(AP Photo/James Brooks)

Nordic countries in annual contest to claim the real Santa

HELSINKI — Most kids learn that Santa Claus comes from the North Pole, but children in Scandinavia are taught he lives a bit further south.… Continue reading

A thermometer reads minus-nine Celsius in Santa Claus Village, around 8 kms, 5 miles north of Rovaniemi in Finland on Tuesday Dec. 15, 2015. Most kids learn that Santa Claus comes from the North Pole, but children in Scandinavia are taught he lives a bit further south. Where exactly is a matter of much debate, with businesses in Finland, Sweden and Norway competing to cash in on the cache that comes with claiming Santa's hometown.(AP Photo/James Brooks)

Pot panel OKs buffer zone motion

SITKA — Sitka’s Marijuana Advisory Committee has approved a proposed resolution supporting a smaller buffer zone between marijuana businesses and schools than required under state… Continue reading

The Fairbanks Four - Marvin Roberts, left to right, Kevin Pease, Eugene Vent, and George Frese - hold up four fingers, symbolizing the Fairbanks Four, in the David Salmon Tribal Hall after they were freed on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015 in Fairbanks, Alaska. A Superior Court Judge approved a settlement that threw out the indictments and murder convictions of the Fairbanks Four in the 1997 death of teenager John Hartman. (Erin Corneliussen/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)

Mayor calls for independent probe in case

ANCHORAGE — The mayor of Fairbanks said Wednesday he is seeking an independent investigation of how police handled the Fairbanks Four case in which a… Continue reading

The Fairbanks Four - Marvin Roberts, left to right, Kevin Pease, Eugene Vent, and George Frese - hold up four fingers, symbolizing the Fairbanks Four, in the David Salmon Tribal Hall after they were freed on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015 in Fairbanks, Alaska. A Superior Court Judge approved a settlement that threw out the indictments and murder convictions of the Fairbanks Four in the 1997 death of teenager John Hartman. (Erin Corneliussen/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)

Grand jury indicts man in death at Anchorage jail

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An Anchorage grand jury has indicted a man suspected of killing a fellow prisoner at the Anchorage Correctional Center.Alaska State Troopers… Continue reading

Photo: Wintery park

Ravens fly from the trees at Marine Park on Wednesday.… Continue reading

Airlines prep for holiday crush: More flights, bigger planes

DALLAS — Airlines are shifting the timing of thousands of flights, even adding dozens of redeyes, as they try to avoid delays while hauling millions… Continue reading

Girl calls 911 after touching Elf on the Shelf

OLD BRIDGE, N.J. — A New Jersey girl called 911 after she touched her Elf on the Shelf.Police say 7-year-old Isabelle LaPeruta of Old Bridge… Continue reading

Arrests made as protest blocks Minn. airport

MINNEAPOLIS — Protesters blocked access to a terminal and caused significant holiday traffic delays around Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Wednesday after staging a Black… Continue reading

2 Palestinian attackers killed, 2 Israelis die in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM (AP) — Two Palestinian assailants were shot and killed on Wednesday after stabbing Jewish pedestrians outside Jerusalem’s Old City, Israeli police said, the latest… Continue reading

Wave of attacks kills at least 15 civilians across Iraq

BAGHDAD (AP) — A wave of attacks across Iraq killed at least 15 civilians on Wednesday as government forces pressed on with their offensive to… Continue reading

Chipotle tweaks cooking after E. coli outbreak

NEW YORK — After an E. coli outbreak that sickened more than 50 people, Chipotle is tweaking its cooking methods.Onions will be dipped in boiling… Continue reading