The Associated Press

The Associated Press
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State Dems seeking successor to late-Rep. Max Gruenberg

Democrats are accepting applications for a successor to state Rep. Max Gruenberg, who died Sunday. In a release, the state Democratic party and House District 16 Democrats say the deadline to submit applications is 5 p.m. Monday.

Alaska Natural Resources commissioner announces retirement

State Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Myers has announced his retirement. He cited personal reasons for his decision in an email to department staff Tuesday. His retirement will be effective March 1.

Former Sen. Mark Begich says he isn’t running for office this year

Former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich says he will not run for any elected office this year. In an interview with The Associated Press, Begich says he has felt pressure from Alaskans to run but for now wants to focus on building his consulting business and spend time with his family.

Senator introduces bill to ban late-term abortion

A North Pole senator has introduced a bill that would require Alaska's doctors to determine whether a fetus could survive outside of the womb before performing abortions.

Anchorage, Willow will host Iditarod starts despite low snow

Organizers have decided that a lack of snow in the Anchorage area won't force a route change for this year's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The start of the race will be staged as usual in Willow, about 50 miles north of Anchorage. Download Audio

Shotgun shooting leaves man wounded in Anchor Point

Alaska State Troopers are investigating a shooting on the Kenai Peninsula that left a man wounded.

Low snow causes havoc again with Iditarod

Another low snow year in Alaska is playing havoc with the world's most famous sled dog race, at least for the start.

Report: Trees in Kodiak borough parcel likely to die

An assessment into the damage from the August 2015 Twin Creeks fire on land owned by the Kodiak Island Borough has determined that many of the area's trees will likely die.

Ahtna announces purchase of sand, gravel, asphalt company

An Alaska Native regional corporation says it has acquired a sand and gravel company in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

Bill would mandate repaying scholarships if recipients don’t graduate quicker

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would require students to repay state scholarships and grants if they fail to graduate within six years of starting their programs. Members of the House Education Committee on Monday questioned Rep. Tammie Wilson (R-North Pole/Fairbanks) about her bill.

Former tribal chief sentenced for embezzling over $100,000

A former Healy Lake Tribe first chief and administrator will spend up to 90 days on house arrest as part of her sentence for embezzling more than $100,000 in federal and tribal funds.

Alaska troopers: No plans to intervene in village dispute

Alaska State Troopers say they don't know who the rightful tribal leaders are in a western Alaska village, and they've taken no action weeks after a federal judge said the agency could use force to evict former leaders involved in a prolonged power struggle there.

Troopers seize illegal drugs, stolen guns at home in Tok

An estimated $35,000 in illegal drugs and at least 15 stolen guns have been seized by Alaska State Troopers serving a search warrant in Tok.

Report: Police acted properly in incident with autistic man

An independent investigation into a physical encounter between Kodiak police officers and an autistic man has determined that the three officers responded professionally.

AK House passes military code of justice reforms

The state House today passed a bill designed to strengthen the state's Military Code of Justice. It passed on a 39-0 vote with one member absent, and now goes to the state Senate. Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, a Republican from Anchorage, says the revisions create a state code which is similar to the federal code. The code would apply to military members in Alaska not covered by federal regulations, such as many members of the Alaska National Guard. Download Audio

Former Board of Fisheries nominee pleads not guilty to fraud, theft

A former Alaska Board of Fisheries nominee has pleaded not guilty to 17 felony and misdemeanor charges that he fraudulently obtained commercial fishing permits and Alaska Permanent Fund dividend payments. He withdrew his name from consideration suddenly last February and faced criminal charges that he illegally obtained resident hunting and fishing licenses in Montana.

Revision to Kodiak law bans camping, lying on sidewalks

Kodiak officials have passed a revision to an ordinance that targets the city's homeless population. The Kodiak Daily Mirror reports the revision approved by the City Council Thursday prohibits aggressive panhandling and camping, sitting or lying on public sidewalks.

Fairbanks police investigate shooting death of Army sergeant

Police in Fairbanks are investigating after an Army sergeant died when a firearm he was handling accidentally discharged.

Bill would restrict attorney general appointments to boards

A bill introduced in the Alaska House seeks to restrict the attorney general from serving on the governing body of a state public corporation or on boards or commissions.

Lawmaker proposes license plate contest for artists

An Alaska lawmaker says a contest among artists to design a specialty license plate in Alaska could have the excitement of "American Idol."