Feds agree to new deadline for Fairbanks air cleanup

ANCHORAGE — The Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to an August deadline on whether to accept or reject a state plan to clean up heavily… Continue reading

Remote Alaska volcano erupts again in brief explosion

ANCHORAGE — An active Alaska volcano has erupted again, this time sending a cloud of ash and ice 35,000 feet in the air.The Alaska Volcano… Continue reading

Become ice aware: CCFR, Forest Service host ice safety workshop Saturday

There’s no such thing as safe ice.That’s the harsh reality that visitors venturing out to Mendenhall Lake need to absorb, says Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center… Continue reading

Alaska vows to address Obama land plan with Trump

ANCHORAGE — Alaska Gov. Bill Walker is vowing to work with the President-elect Donald Trump to address what Walker sees as an adverse land management… Continue reading

Man indicted on jail contraband charge

A Juneau grand jury indicted Brandon S. Estes, 23, on Wednesday for allegedly promoting contraband on Oct. 18.According to charging documents filed by Juneau District… Continue reading

Police & Fire for Friday, Jan. 6, 2017

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

Native corporation, Anchorage settle gas dispute for $5.75M

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage has reached an agreement with an Alaska Native corporation to settle a dispute over revenue generated by the sale of natural gas… Continue reading

Crash on Palmer-Wasilla Highway critically injures driver

WASILLA — A driver was critically injured in a crash on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway.Alaska State Troopers just before 7 a.m. Wednesday took a report of… Continue reading

Second person found dead in burned SUV identified

ANCHORAGE — Alaska State Troopers say a second person found dead in November in a burned vehicle near Soldotna has been positively identified.Troopers say 39-year-old… Continue reading

Acid contaminated water runs from the entrance of the Tulsequah Chief Mine in Canada.

British Columbia to clean up mine near Juneau

JUNEAU — Canadian officials say they will take action to prevent polluted water from a decades-old mine from entering the Taku River, a key source… Continue reading

Acid contaminated water runs from the entrance of the Tulsequah Chief Mine in Canada.
Matthew Sill, center, an engineer with PND Engineers, explains their design of the new floats that are being used in the remodel of the Douglas Harbor during a tour on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017.

Improved Douglas Harbor nears completion

Sometime in the next few weeks, Matthew Sill of PND Engineers expects someone to look into Douglas Harbor and ask a simple question: When can… Continue reading

Matthew Sill, center, an engineer with PND Engineers, explains their design of the new floats that are being used in the remodel of the Douglas Harbor during a tour on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017.
This Aug. 29, 2003 file photo shows one of two beluga whales that washed ashore on a beach south of Anchorage.

NOAA releases plan for endangered beluga whales

ANCHORAGE — A federal plan for the recovery of an endangered Alaska beluga whale calls for a reduction in threats of high concern while scientists… Continue reading

This Aug. 29, 2003 file photo shows one of two beluga whales that washed ashore on a beach south of Anchorage.

Maintenance or new facilities?: Juneau weighs in on Parks and Rec master plan

Juneauites have weighed in on what they want the future of Parks and Recreation services in the city to look like, checking the second box… Continue reading

Scientists: Ash cloud from Alaska volcano has dissipated

ANCHORAGE — Scientists say an ash cloud from a remote Alaska volcano that might have gone more than 6 miles into the atmosphere has dissipated… Continue reading

Regulators changing fishing rules to protect endangered tuna

PORTLAND, Maine — The federal government is changing some of the rules about how fishermen harvest tuna in an attempt to protect one of the… Continue reading

Port director is chamber’s featured speaker

Carl Uchytil, port director for the City and Borough of Juneau, will be the featured speaker at this week’s Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon.Uchytil, an… Continue reading

Cleanup underway after small oil spill at Tesoro Refinery

KENAI — State environmental officials are investigating the cause of a recent oil spill near the Tesoro Refinery in the Kenai Peninsula Borough.According to a… Continue reading

Fairbanks police arrest third person in December shooting

FAIRBANKS — Fairbanks police have arrested a third person connected to a shooting that left a man wounded Dec. 13.The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported 20-year-old… Continue reading

Body of man missing outside Fairbanks found in snow berm

FAIRBANK — A man reported missing outside Fairbanks has been found dead.Alaska State Troopers say the body of 23-year-old Ryan Zesiger was found Monday in… Continue reading

Around town for Thursday, Jan. 5

Juneau Gastineau Rotary Club meeting, 7 a.m., The Prospector Hotel.Women, Infants and Children walk-in clinic, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., SEARHC Juneau WIC Clinic, 3245 Hospital Drive,… Continue reading