News

FILE - This Aug. 17, 2005 file photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey/Princeton University shows an American pika. Federal officials have rejected a petition to give greater protections to the rabbit-like American pika, which researchers say is vanishing from mountainous areas of the West due to climate change.

Protections rejected for American pika, other species

BILLINGS, Mont. — Federal officials on Tuesday rejected greater protections for four species including the rabbit-like American pika, which researchers warn is disappearing from areas… Continue reading

FILE - This Aug. 17, 2005 file photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey/Princeton University shows an American pika. Federal officials have rejected a petition to give greater protections to the rabbit-like American pika, which researchers say is vanishing from mountainous areas of the West due to climate change.
In this file Aug. 20 photo, rows of cannabis plants are seen in the vegetative room of a cannabis farm in Juneau.

Fairbanks borough calls for another vote on pot cafe ban

FAIRBANKS — The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly is set to vote on whether to reconsider a proposed moratorium on pot cafes in the city… Continue reading

In this file Aug. 20 photo, rows of cannabis plants are seen in the vegetative room of a cannabis farm in Juneau.
This image provided by NOAA shows a humpback whale sighted off Maui, Hawaii. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent Malia Chow said Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, that the animal is emaciated and covered in whale lice. At least four sharks were following the whale. She says these are all indicators of a whale in distress.

Feds: Plan addresses impact of ocean noise on marine mammals

PORTLAND, Maine — The federal government says a new strategy to address the issue of noise in the ocean will better protect the safety of… Continue reading

This image provided by NOAA shows a humpback whale sighted off Maui, Hawaii. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent Malia Chow said Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, that the animal is emaciated and covered in whale lice. At least four sharks were following the whale. She says these are all indicators of a whale in distress.
Gov. Bill Walker, left, signs HB 100 into law as Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives Mike Chenault, right, watches Monday in Kenai. Walker visited the central Kenai Peninsula Monday to give a speech at a joint Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce luncheon and to participate in a work session with the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly.

Walker talks finances, LNG in Kenai

KENAI — Gov. Bill Walker reiterated a call Monday for a fix to Alaska’s budget deficit while also signing into law a tax credit designed… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker, left, signs HB 100 into law as Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives Mike Chenault, right, watches Monday in Kenai. Walker visited the central Kenai Peninsula Monday to give a speech at a joint Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce luncheon and to participate in a work session with the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly.

Suspect detained in fatal shooting near Anchorage schools

ANCHORAGE — A man sought by Anchorage police after a fatal shooting near two downtown schools was taken into custody Tuesday.Police Chief Christopher Tolley said… Continue reading

Royal Hill, of Triplett Construction, directs a lift operator in the placement of a stairwell module at the Housing First project on Allen Court on Monday.

Housing First gets more money, but still in hole

A project to put a roof over Juneau’s most vulnerable residents just received a federal grant for $600,000. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban… Continue reading

Royal Hill, of Triplett Construction, directs a lift operator in the placement of a stairwell module at the Housing First project on Allen Court on Monday.

Business, labor groups urge Arctic offshore oil lease sales

ANCHORAGE — Business and labor groups launched a campaign Monday to include Arctic waters in the next federal five-year offshore oil leasing plan.The 20 groups,… Continue reading

Police and fire for Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016

Assault• At 2:41 p.m. Friday, JPD investigated a report of an assault on a 29-year-old woman in the 1800 block of Shell Simmons Drive.• At… Continue reading

Around Town

Women, Infants and Children walk-in clinic, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., SEARHC Juneau WIC Clinic, 3245 Hospital Drive, first floor. Free nutrition services for income-eligible women who… Continue reading

Mavis Muller, left, directs a crew of volunteer artists Monday at construction of this year's Burning Basket, Expand, at Mariner Park.

Homer’s Burning Basket vandalized

HOMER — For the second year in a row, a vandal or vandals snuck in at dark and tried to burn the Burning Basket at… Continue reading

Mavis Muller, left, directs a crew of volunteer artists Monday at construction of this year's Burning Basket, Expand, at Mariner Park.

Sketch of person of interest in Anchorage slaying released

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage police released a sketch of someone who may have information about one of a series of slayings across the city this year… Continue reading

Anchorage woman dies in rollover crash outside Seward

ANCHORAGE — A 30-year-old Anchorage woman died Sunday in a crash outside Seward.The woman’s name has not been made public.Alaska State Troopers took a 911… Continue reading

Anchorage man shot after walking in on apparent burglary

ANCHORAGE — A man returning to his southeast Anchorage apartment early Sunday afternoon walked in on an apparent burglary and was shot.Anchorage police say the… Continue reading

Searchers find overdue hiker looking for “Into the Wild” bus

DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE — A 45-year-old man from Mexico was located unharmed Monday after failing to return on time from a hiking trip… Continue reading

SHI held a graduation ceremony in August 2016 to commemorate three years of work by Tlingit language mentors and apprentices enrolled in the mentor-apprentice program in Yakutat, Sitka and Juneau. The ceremony marked the end of a week-long immersion camp, which was attended by mentor-apprentice teams and language teachers from other communities as well.

SHI receives nearly $1M to revitalize Native languages

Sealaska Heritage Institute has received a large federal grant — nearly $1 million — to revitalize the languages of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian in… Continue reading

SHI held a graduation ceremony in August 2016 to commemorate three years of work by Tlingit language mentors and apprentices enrolled in the mentor-apprentice program in Yakutat, Sitka and Juneau. The ceremony marked the end of a week-long immersion camp, which was attended by mentor-apprentice teams and language teachers from other communities as well.

German injured falling 300 feet down Alaska glacier

VALDEZ — A 42-year-man from Germany is being treated at an Anchorage hospital after falling nearly 300 feet down a glacier.The accident happened Saturday at… Continue reading

Sylvia Harvey, right, runs ballots through a vote counting machine in Juneau on Monday as election officials recount votes in the House District 40 primary race between incumbent Rep. Ben Nageak and challenger Dean Westlake.

Recount confirms Westlake defeated Nageak in race

ANCHORAGE — A recount has confirmed the challenger in a northern Alaska legislative race defeated incumbent Rep. Benjamin Nageak of Barrow in the Aug. 16… Continue reading

Sylvia Harvey, right, runs ballots through a vote counting machine in Juneau on Monday as election officials recount votes in the House District 40 primary race between incumbent Rep. Ben Nageak and challenger Dean Westlake.
Jennifer Wambach holds a Steller's jay that was shot with a blowgun dart. Veterinarians Dr. Ralph Broshes and Dr. Dorothy Sherwood removed the dart from the jay, as well as another jay shot with a dart. Both jays were released back into the wild.

Retired Homer vet rescues darted Steller’s jays

HOMER — Two Steller’s jays trying to fatten up for the winter almost met an early end last week. Someone in downtown Homer shot the… Continue reading

Jennifer Wambach holds a Steller's jay that was shot with a blowgun dart. Veterinarians Dr. Ralph Broshes and Dr. Dorothy Sherwood removed the dart from the jay, as well as another jay shot with a dart. Both jays were released back into the wild.

Juneau man found dead in parking lot near university housing

A Juneau man was found dead near University of Alaska Southeast campus housing Sunday morning. Benjamin Parson, 39, appears to have died from a gunshot… Continue reading

Walker headed back to Japan

ANCHORAGE — Gov. Bill Walker has plans for one overseas trip, but not two.The governor is headed to the LNG Producer-Consumer Conference in Tokyo later… Continue reading