Lawsuit challenges Alaska civil seizures, search warrants

PETERSBURG — A lawsuit filed against a drug task force in southeast Alaska challenges the seizure of personal property by law enforcement and seeks more… Continue reading

Rep. Adam Wool, D-Fairbanks, and Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, co-chairs of the House Transportation Committee, listen to Transportation Committee staffer Laura Stidolph introduces changes to the motor fuel tax bill at the Capitol on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Fuel tax hike might be stretched to 2019

A proposed hike in the state’s gasoline taxes might not reach full potential until 2019, according to a new draft of the proposal. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Rep. Adam Wool, D-Fairbanks, and Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, co-chairs of the House Transportation Committee, listen to Transportation Committee staffer Laura Stidolph introduces changes to the motor fuel tax bill at the Capitol on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Reality star sues ‘Life Below Zero’ over safety claims

ANCHORAGE — A star of the Alaska-based reality series “Life Below Zero” is suing the show’s producers, alleging she was hurt while forced to perform… Continue reading

State halts boat landing project on Kenai Peninsula

KENAI — The state has decided to hold off on installing a boat ramp on the banks of the Kasilof River on south-central Alaska’s Kenai… Continue reading

Alaska board, prompted by lawsuit, proposes new abortion rules

JUNEAU — The Alaska State Medical Board has proposed new abortion regulations, prompted by a lawsuit from abortion-rights advocates who argue that existing rules restrict… Continue reading

Alaska Game Board approves using dogs to hunt coyotes

FAIRBANKS — Hunters trying to kill coyotes in the Delta Junction area will have a new tool to assist them starting July 1. The Alaska… Continue reading

Police identify man killed in home carbon monoxide poisoning

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage police have released the name of a young man who died of an apparent carbon monoxide poisoning at a home in the… Continue reading

Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, presents House Bill 3 on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday. (Gavel Alaska photo)

Alaska House votes on National Guard, ballot selfies

The Alaska House of Representatives has approved a bill that would allow National Guardsmen to return to their jobs after deployment, even if they’re serving… Continue reading

Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, presents House Bill 3 on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday. (Gavel Alaska photo)

University system agrees to resolve issues in federal review

The University of Alaska system has agreed to resolve issues stemming from a federal review of its handling of campus sexual assault and sexual harassment… Continue reading

Bethel council agrees to deliver water to homeless shelter

BETHEL — Bethel’s homeless shelter will get free water deliveries from the city this winter. KYUK-AM reported Bethel Winter House Director Eva Malvich told councilmembers… Continue reading

Ketchikan theater named for Elizabeth Peratrovich

KETCHIKAN — Elizabeth Peratrovich’s name now stands over the theater in the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, placed there by the U.S. Forest Service and the… Continue reading

Governor signs order with plans to fight opioid abuse

Governor signs order with plans to fight opioid abuse

JUNEAU — Gov. Bill Walker signed an administrative order Thursday directing state agencies to pursue grant funding to help combat opioid abuse in Alaska. The… Continue reading

Governor signs order with plans to fight opioid abuse
University of Alaska president Jim Johnsen delivers his State of the University address to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce on Thursday in the Hangar Ballroom. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

As Senate prepares to ax university budget, its president tries to stay upbeat

University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen presented an upbeat, optimistic State of the University address to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, but a… Continue reading

University of Alaska president Jim Johnsen delivers his State of the University address to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce on Thursday in the Hangar Ballroom. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Cash didn’t matter: New financials show magnitude of Parish’s win over Muñoz

Juneau apparently likes a winner. According to records released Wednesday by the Alaska Public Offices commission, Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, raised $44,403.60 in his campaign… Continue reading

The burned remains of the Royal Suite Lodge in Anchorage are shown Wednesday after an early morning fire. Officials said several were injured in the deadly fire. The fire’s cause is under investigation. (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press)

Federal team to help probe Anchorage apartment complex fire

ANCHORAGE — Fire officials in Alaska’s largest city say a federal team will assist in the investigation of an apartment complex fire that left two… Continue reading

The burned remains of the Royal Suite Lodge in Anchorage are shown Wednesday after an early morning fire. Officials said several were injured in the deadly fire. The fire’s cause is under investigation. (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press)

Natural gas leaks from pipeline in Alaska’s Cook Inlet

ANCHORAGE — Natural gas for at least 10 days has leaked from an underwater natural gas pipeline in Alaska’s Cook Inlet and floating ice has… Continue reading

Alaska fishing group flags concerns with income tax proposal

JUNEAU — A trade group for Alaska commercial fishermen is flagging concerns with a state House proposal that would reinstitute a personal income tax. United… Continue reading

Report: Pebble shares are ‘worthless’

A New York investment firm tore apart claims by the owners of the Pebble mine project that developing the prospect is economically viable in a… Continue reading

U.S. Rep. Don Young (Juneau Empire File)

Cannabis caucus insists it’s serious

WASHINGTON — Alaska Republican Rep. Don Young says he never smoked marijuana, but he’s a member of the newest caucus on Capitol Hill — the… Continue reading

U.S. Rep. Don Young (Juneau Empire File)

2016 ends with $911M profit for Alaska Air

Alaska Air Group Inc. turned a $911 million profit in 2016, extending its streak of record annual earnings to seven years while also closing the… Continue reading