News

Soldotna moves forward with plans for annexation proposal

KENAI — The city of Soldotna has approved $50,000 to gather public input on the potential annexation of land surrounding the city.The Peninsula Clarion reported… Continue reading

Alaska plane crash victims identified, bodies recovered

ANCHORAGE — Alaska State Troopers said responders have recovered the bodies of two Aniak residents who were on board a small plane that crashed in… Continue reading

Man sentenced in attacks in Alaska’s Iditarod race

FAIRBANKS — A 27-year-old man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to charges connected with a snowmobile attack on two mushers competing in Alaska’s Iditarod… Continue reading

An Alaska Airlines passenger jet lands in Petersburg. On Dec. 19, a pair of the company's passenger jets were struck by lightning in Southeast.

Two Southeast planes struck by lightning

Two Alaska Airlines flights in Southeast Alaska were struck by lightning Monday in separate incidents, leaving some passengers stranded and others delayed.The first strike took… Continue reading

An Alaska Airlines passenger jet lands in Petersburg. On Dec. 19, a pair of the company's passenger jets were struck by lightning in Southeast.

Gunman kills Russian ambassador to Turkey at photo exhibit

ANKARA, Turkey — Shouting “Don’t forget Aleppo! Don’t forget Syria!” a Turkish policeman in a suit and tie fatally shot Russia’s ambassador to Turkey in… Continue reading

Truck rams German Christmas market, killing at least 9

BERLIN — A truck rammed into a crowded Christmas market in central Berlin on Monday evening, killing at least nine people as it tore through… Continue reading

An honor guard from the U.S. Coast Guard presents the colors during the Electoral College vote casting ceremony at the Alaska State Museum on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016.

Alaska’s three Electoral College voters follow the script

Rebellion is a seller at the movie theater, but it wasn’t on the minds of Alaska’s three Electoral College voters.On Monday, all three cast votes… Continue reading

An honor guard from the U.S. Coast Guard presents the colors during the Electoral College vote casting ceremony at the Alaska State Museum on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016.

Electoral College votes today at SLAM

Alaska’s three voters in the Electoral College will cast the state’s votes for president at 11 a.m. today in the Andrew P. Kashevaroff State Library,… Continue reading

This undated image provided by The National WWII Museum, shows a photo Harold E. Ward presented to his girlfriend at the time as a gift. Four videos spanning two hours of interviews with Harold E. Ward, a Navy lookout on the cruiser San Francisco when Japanese warplanes struck Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, are now available online as part of the museum's digitalization project.

WWII on www: Thousands of oral histories going online

NEW ORLEANS — It’s D-Days — that is, digital days — at the National World War II Museum, with historians seeking to storm the internet… Continue reading

This undated image provided by The National WWII Museum, shows a photo Harold E. Ward presented to his girlfriend at the time as a gift. Four videos spanning two hours of interviews with Harold E. Ward, a Navy lookout on the cruiser San Francisco when Japanese warplanes struck Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, are now available online as part of the museum's digitalization project.

Anchorage residents take the 32-degree plunge

ANCHORAGE — More than a thousand people in Alaska on Saturday dressed up as elves or in other elaborate costumes while some stripped down to… Continue reading

In this Dec. 8 photo, Emily Mengershausen poses for photos at Ascension Rock Club in Fairbanks. Mengershausen, one of Fairbanks' premier climbing instructors, taught herself to climb and started competing after she was injured as a young gymnast.

Climbing the rock of life

FAIRBANKS — When a young gymnast named Emily Mengershausen fell from the balance beam in Kansas City, dislocating her elbow, her life’s trajectory took a… Continue reading

In this Dec. 8 photo, Emily Mengershausen poses for photos at Ascension Rock Club in Fairbanks. Mengershausen, one of Fairbanks' premier climbing instructors, taught herself to climb and started competing after she was injured as a young gymnast.

Around town for Monday, Dec. 19

Valley Toastmasters meeting, 6:15 a.m., St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Parish Hall. A safe, fun environment to learn public speaking skills. Details: Jim, 789-3074.Women, Infants and… Continue reading

This Day in Juneau History: Dec. 19, 1986

On Dec. 19, 1986, thousands of people lined up to meet Gov. Steve Cowper at the annual open house at the Governor’s Mansion. His wife,… Continue reading

Alaska unemployment rate at 6.8 percent last month

JUNEAU — Alaska’s unemployment rate for November stood at 6.8 percent.State and federal labor statistics show the seasonally adjusted, preliminary rate compares to a revised… Continue reading

US rig count up 13 this week to 637; Texas adds 14

HOUSTON — The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by 13 this week to 637.A year ago, 709… Continue reading

Police & Fire for Monday, Dec. 19, 2016

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

David Ansbach pumps gas into his van at the downtown Tersoro Alaska station on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. As part of his new budget, Governor Bill Walker has proposed tripling the motor fuel tax from eight cents per gallon to 24 cents over the next two years to be more inline with the national average.

Walker proposes tripling gasoline tax to bite budget

Alaska’s gasoline taxes could triple by 2018 under a plan proposed by Gov. Bill Walker on Thursday.The gas tax hike was included as part of… Continue reading

David Ansbach pumps gas into his van at the downtown Tersoro Alaska station on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. As part of his new budget, Governor Bill Walker has proposed tripling the motor fuel tax from eight cents per gallon to 24 cents over the next two years to be more inline with the national average.

Feds: State doesn’t need to repay Road money

A representative of the Federal Highway Administration confirmed Friday that the State of Alaska will not have to repay federal money spent on planning for… Continue reading

John Palmes, center, leads the Tlingit Gospel Singers along with Pastor Phil Campbell, right, of Northern Light United Church, as they sing "Amazing Grace" during the Longest Night Remembrance Service at The Glory Hole on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. The service has become an annual event to acknowledge the homeless people who have died.

With $59,000 hole, Juneau’s shelter relies on the giving season

While many people attended holiday parties Friday night, Juneau’s shelter and soup kitchen held a somber event.“National Remembrance Day commemorates people who died while experiencing… Continue reading

John Palmes, center, leads the Tlingit Gospel Singers along with Pastor Phil Campbell, right, of Northern Light United Church, as they sing "Amazing Grace" during the Longest Night Remembrance Service at The Glory Hole on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. The service has become an annual event to acknowledge the homeless people who have died.

Around town for Sunday, Dec. 18

Knights of Columbus Bishop Kenny Council brunch, 10 a.m.-noon, St. Paul’s Catholic Church. $10 for a family and $4 for an individual.Open trap shooting, 10… Continue reading