Thief breaks down bank wall, lifts out and steals ATM

ANCHORAGE — The FBI and police in Anchorage are investigating the theft of an ATM that may have involved heavy equipment. A fire alarm went… Continue reading

Arizona lawmakers again push for split of 9th Circuit Court

PHOENIX — Republican members of Arizona’s congressional delegation are again trying to split up the federal appeals court whose nine-state territory includes Arizona. A bill… Continue reading

This Jan. 18 photo shows marijuana including the store’s best-seller, Gorilla Glue, available for sale at Rainforest Farms, owned by James and Giono Barrett in Juneau. (AP File Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Alaska’s rejection of plan for pot use at stores gets cloudy

Alaska marijuana regulators thought they had snuffed out onsite use of marijuana at retail pot shops, but there may be an ember left. On Thursday,… Continue reading

This Jan. 18 photo shows marijuana including the store’s best-seller, Gorilla Glue, available for sale at Rainforest Farms, owned by James and Giono Barrett in Juneau. (AP File Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Alaska crime lab cutting down backlog of rape kits

ANCHORAGE — The state’s crime lab has shown improvements in the time it takes to process sexual assault kits. At the end of 2016, the… Continue reading

In this Jan. 27 photo, Dena’ina elder Helen Dick cuts meat from a moose head in the demonstration kitchen of the Dena’ina Wellness Center in Kenai, Alaska. Dick, who also helps teach a Dena’ina language class at Kenai Peninsula College, came to the Wellness Center to demonstrate the techniques of butchering and preparing moose head that she learned in her childhood. (Ben Boettger | Peninsula Clarion)

Kenaitze elders demonstrate traditional moose head use

KENAI — During Sharon Isaak’s childhood in Soldotna, butchering and processing moose meat was a regular family activity. Though the old bone saws are still… Continue reading

In this Jan. 27 photo, Dena’ina elder Helen Dick cuts meat from a moose head in the demonstration kitchen of the Dena’ina Wellness Center in Kenai, Alaska. Dick, who also helps teach a Dena’ina language class at Kenai Peninsula College, came to the Wellness Center to demonstrate the techniques of butchering and preparing moose head that she learned in her childhood. (Ben Boettger | Peninsula Clarion)

Bill seeks to make drug nicknamed ‘pink’ illegal

The Alaska House Judiciary Committee has approved a bill to add a form of synthetic heroin to the state’s list of restricted drugs. House Bill… Continue reading

Marijuana Control Board member Loren Jones speaks during their meeting at the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development in the State Office Building on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Fearful of new U.S. Attorney General, marijuana board drops plans for cafe-style rules

In a surprise move, Alaska’s marijuana control board has abandoned plans for cafe-style regulations that would have allowed marijuana to be consumed in some retail… Continue reading

Marijuana Control Board member Loren Jones speaks during their meeting at the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development in the State Office Building on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Shee Atika Corp. shareholders seek change amid money trouble

SITKA — Shareholders of a Sitka corporation formed under the Alaska Native Land Claims Settlement Act have expressed concern about the financial stability of the… Continue reading

The tally board in the Alaska House of Representatives is seen Wednesday as legislators vote on the first action to reach a floor vote in the 30th Alaska Legislature. A resolution in favor of a road between King Cove and Cold Bay was approved 39-0. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Alaska House backs controversial King Cove road, which would run through wildlife refuge

The Alaska House of Representatives has approved a resolution favoring construction of a road between Cold Bay and King Cove. The resolution is the first… Continue reading

The tally board in the Alaska House of Representatives is seen Wednesday as legislators vote on the first action to reach a floor vote in the 30th Alaska Legislature. A resolution in favor of a road between King Cove and Cold Bay was approved 39-0. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

USGS names Zimmerman as Alaska Science Center director

ANCHORAGE — The U.S. Geological Center’s Alaska Science Center has a new director. The agency says Christian Zimmerman will succeed Mark Shasby, who had the… Continue reading

Walker seeks money for Medicaid payments, other costs

JUNEAU — Alaska Gov. Bill Walker is requesting about $110 million in additional spending for the current year. The request, from Walker’s budget office, includes… Continue reading

Alaska Aerospace looking for new launch site

KODIAK — Alaska Aerospace Corp. is weighing options for a second launch facility outside the state, but CEO Craig Campbell says Alaskans will still benefit… Continue reading

Alaska board mulls pot use in retail stores

JUNEAU — Alaska brothers James and Giono Barrett have a dream: that some of the scores of cruise ship passengers who crowd the streets of… Continue reading

Alaska volcano erupts; ash trace reaches city

ANCHORAGE — Trace amounts of ash and the smell of sulfur reached an Alaska city after the latest eruption of a volcano in the Aleutian… Continue reading

Moderate quake widely felt in Anchorage region

ANCHORAGE — A moderate earthquake struck early Tuesday that was widely felt in the Anchorage area, but there were no reports of damage. The Alaska… Continue reading

Reintroduced wood bison shot, killed near southwest village

ANCHORAGE — A wood bison reintroduced in interior Alaska was found shot to death near the village of Quinhagak (KWIN-uh-hawk). Alaska Wildlife Troopers are investigating… Continue reading

Members of the Alaska House’s special committee on fisheries hears testimony on House Bill 14, by Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, on Tuesday in the Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Under Anchorage lawmaker’s proposal, the Alaska Legislature would become a Pebble Mine watchdog

A measure intended to add roadblocks in front of Pebble Mine got its first hearing Tuesday in the Alaska Legislature. House Bill 14, proposed by… Continue reading

Members of the Alaska House’s special committee on fisheries hears testimony on House Bill 14, by Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, on Tuesday in the Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
In this file photo, Juneau Mayor Ken Koelsch, center, stands and watches the first marijuana sales in the capital city with Giono Barrett, right, as James Barrett helps customers during a invitation opening of Rainforest Farms store on Nov. 23, 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska collects $145,800 marijuana tax in December

James Barrett flew to Anchorage this week with a suitcase of cash. Tuesday was the deadline for Alaska’s marijuana growers to pay their taxes for… Continue reading

In this file photo, Juneau Mayor Ken Koelsch, center, stands and watches the first marijuana sales in the capital city with Giono Barrett, right, as James Barrett helps customers during a invitation opening of Rainforest Farms store on Nov. 23, 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Marc Luiken, commissioner of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, left, and Jerry Burnett, deputy commissioner of the Department of Revenue, listen to a question by Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, foreground, as they present the governor’s motor fuel tax bill in the House Transportation Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Legislature gets first look at proposal to triple Alaska’s gasoline tax

A proposal by Gov. Bill Walker to triple the state’s gasoline tax by 2018 has gotten its first hearing in the Alaska Legislature. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Marc Luiken, commissioner of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, left, and Jerry Burnett, deputy commissioner of the Department of Revenue, listen to a question by Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, foreground, as they present the governor’s motor fuel tax bill in the House Transportation Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Gov. Walker hopeful about working with feds on resource issues

JUNEAU — Alaska Gov. Bill Walker on Monday expressed renewed hope for working with the federal government on oil, gas and land issues, praising President… Continue reading