People leave their home in the neighborhood near a home being investigated in connection to the shootings in San Bernardino, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, in Redlands, Calif. A heavily armed man and woman opened fire Wednesday on a holiday banquet for his co-workers, killing multiple people and seriously wounding others in a precision assault, authorities said. Hours later, they died in a shootout with police. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Politics of grief, gun control, prayer after latest shooting

WASHINGTON — It’s a natural reaction in times of grief: Politicians from both parties offered supportive thoughts and prayers for those killed in the San… Continue reading

People leave their home in the neighborhood near a home being investigated in connection to the shootings in San Bernardino, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, in Redlands, Calif. A heavily armed man and woman opened fire Wednesday on a holiday banquet for his co-workers, killing multiple people and seriously wounding others in a precision assault, authorities said. Hours later, they died in a shootout with police. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Senate rejects more gun background checks after attack

WASHINGTON — A polarized Senate voted Thursday against expanding background checks for more gun purchases, rejecting the proposal a day after the latest U.S. mass… Continue reading

Small rural school faces closure

FAIRBANKS — The only school in the small rural Interior Alaska community of Beaver is facing closure due to low enrollment, forcing some families to… Continue reading

The Alaska State Marine Highway Ferry Fairweather pulls up to the Auke Bay Terminal on June 16, 2015. A meeting was held in Ketchikan recently to discuss possible cuts or fee increases to keep the ferry system afloat.

Marine highway leaders seek input on cuts, fees

Alaska Marine Highway System leaders are asking whether the system should increase rates, reduce its fleet or cut a port of call.The questions were posed… Continue reading

The Alaska State Marine Highway Ferry Fairweather pulls up to the Auke Bay Terminal on June 16, 2015. A meeting was held in Ketchikan recently to discuss possible cuts or fee increases to keep the ferry system afloat.

House overwhelmingly backs 5-year transportation bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — After years of stymied efforts to address the nation’s aging and congested highways and bridges, Congress found the sweet spot for passage… Continue reading

Pentagon chief to military: Open combat jobs to women

WASHINGTON — After three years of study and debate, Defense Secretary Ash Carter ordered the military Thursday to open all military jobs to women, removing… Continue reading

Senate set to OK Republican bill unraveling health care law

WASHINGTON (AP) — Openly welcoming a preordained veto, Senate Republicans on Thursday drove toward passage legislation aimed at crippling two of their favorite targets: President… Continue reading

Speaker Ryan calls for ‘bold, pro-growth agenda’

WASHINGTON (AP) — New Speaker Paul Ryan pledged Thursday that the House will finally come up with a replacement to President Barack Obama’s health care… Continue reading

More US police charged with murder, manslaughter in 2015

CHICAGO (AP) — The number of U.S. police officers charged with murder or manslaughter for on-duty shootings has tripled this year — a sharp increase… Continue reading

Ex-coal CEO convicted of misdemeanor conspiracy

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship was convicted Thursday of a misdemeanor count connected to a deadly coal mine explosion and acquitted… Continue reading

Gas project partners OK work plan, budget

JUNEAU — The partners in a major liquefied natural gas project that the state of Alaska is pursuing voted Thursday to approve a work program… Continue reading

Victim’s family: Fatal stabbing was over stolen iPhone, iPod

The daughter of a 37-year-old man who was fatally stabbed in a Douglas apartment Thursday morning says her father was senselessly slain over a stolen… Continue reading

Sweetheart dam project moves closer to permit

With a new hydroelectric dam in the works for Juneau, members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission arrived Wednesday in the capital city to hear… Continue reading

Supreme Court blocks Native Hawaiian election vote count

HONOLULU — The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday blocked votes from being counted in a unique election that’s considered a major step toward self-governance for… Continue reading

Empire to resume printing TV guide

Following a flurry of phone calls from readers, the Juneau Empire has decided to continue printing TV guide listings starting Sunday, Dec. 6. The Empire… Continue reading

Around town for Thursday, Dec. 3

Juneau Gastineau Rotary Club meeting, 7 a.m., The Prospector Hotel.UAS art show and food drive, 9 a.m., UAS Egan Library. From Dec. 3-8.Open lab computer… Continue reading

Police & Fire for Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015

Criminal trespass• At 6:23 p.m. Tuesday, Dwayne Clements, 46, was arrested for criminal trespass in the 8100 block of Glacier Highway. He was taken to… Continue reading

State may approve 25-year lease for mine port

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is preparing to approve a 25-year lease for a barge and boat landing to be used by the Quartz… Continue reading

In this Nov. 23 photo, an Indian woman riding a two wheeler has her face covered to protect from pollution as she waits at a traffic signal in New Delhi, India.

As air quality drops, Delhi fashions its own masks

NEW DELHI — There was a time when winter in the Indian capital was a glorious thing. Clear, sunny days and crisp cold nights.No longer.… Continue reading

In this Nov. 23 photo, an Indian woman riding a two wheeler has her face covered to protect from pollution as she waits at a traffic signal in New Delhi, India.

India, Brazil resist bid for long-term carbon goals

LE BOURGET, France — Attempts to inscribe a long-term goal to phase out carbon emissions in an envisioned global climate pact are facing pushback at… Continue reading