Emily Schwing, special to Alaska Public Media

Alaska was assured of new faces in the Legislature, as redistricting pitted incumbents against one another. But that was just the beginning of the changes. As usual Alaska went overwhelmingly Republican for President, and only one state-wide office was in contest. Republican Congressman Don Young had no trouble defeating Democrat Sharon Cissna and will go on to pass Ted Stevens record of 40 years representing Alaska.

After two years of planning and 12 years of dreaming, the HooDoo Brewing Company is officially open to the public in Fairbanks. Twenty people gathered just after the doors opened last week as the first kegs were tapped. HooDoo is Alaska’s 23rd micro-brewery.

Voters will also decide tomorrow whether the state should sell more than $450 million in bonds to pay for transportation and economic development projects. It’s one of the largest Bond Propositions in Alaska history. And one Fairbanks area project on the list does not have support from the local community.

Elections, stormy weather, the impending winter darkness, we all need to take a deep breath this time of year. Luckily, our bodies can’t forget to breathe. But we have all forgotten when and how breathing originated. But scientists at the University of Alaska Fairbanks may have discovered the origins of the process. And they have found the answer in a primitive fish that still swims Alaska’s rivers.

The Alaska Gasline Development Corporation has completed the final Environmental Impact Statement for a standalone gas pipeline project in Alaska. The EIS was added to the Federal Register today. Scoping meetings on the project's environmental impact have been ongoing since 2009. If built, the 24 inch, high pressure pipeline will span nearly 740 miles between Prudhoe Bay and Port Mackenzie.

The National Weather Service, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management installed a new weather station at Wickersham Dome along the Elliot Highway late last month. Before now, there was no available weather data between Fox and Livengood.

A well-known Fairbanks restaurant has agreed to go smoke free in partnership with the Tanana Chiefs Conference.

The Fairbanks North Star Borough passed an ordinance Thursday night that creates the Interior Alaska Natural Gas Distribution Utility. Proponents hope it will bring natural gas to Fairbanks in a cheap and expedited manner, but approval didn’t come without a last minute curveball.

The Alaska Board of Game will not honor a request to reconsider an emergency regulation to protect wolves along the eastern border of Denali National Park and Preserve. A handful of Wildlife advocacy groups and individuals have fielded a second petition asking to close state lands to hunting and trapping wolves near the park.

The Arctic Village of Kivalina may run out of fresh water this winter. Governor Sean Parnell declared a disaster in the village last month after heavy rainfall flooded the Wulik River and washed away some of the city’s surface water piping.

The International Federation of Sled Dog Sports, or IFSS, has cancelled the long distance World Championship race scheduled to take place in March.

The Two Rivers Dog Mushers Association will not participate in the International Federation of Sleddog Sports World Championship, which is scheduled to be held in Fairbanks next March. The association decided against participating earlier this week because the IFSS subscribes to the World Anti-doping Code and is banning the use of medications commonly used in dog care for distance racing. It’s unclear if the event, which could bring $1.1 million to the Fairbanks North Star Borough, will or will not be cancelled.

A group of wildlife conservation organizations filed a petition for reconsideration Wednesday with the Alaska Board of Game that requests the adoption of an emergency regulation to prohibit trapping and hunting of wolves along the eastern border of Denali National Park and Preserve.

The North Pole Economic Development Corporation is planning to host the International Federation of Sleddog Sports 2013 World Championships. Twenty-four events are scheduled to take place over the course of 20 days in February and March. But disagreement over a list of banned substances for sled dogs has put the long distance race in jeopardy.

Athabascan Elder Richard Frank passed away late last week. He was born and raised in Old Minto, roughly 60 miles northwest of Fairbanks. Frank’s daughter Roxanne remembers his outspoken attitude about native land claims issues in Interior Alaska.

Fairbanks residents gathered Tuesday night to discuss how best to deal with an invasive plant that is slowly taking over roadways within the North Star Borough. Attendees agreed public outreach and awareness is the best option to combat Bird Vetch.

The annual PFD could have been accompanied by energy relief for Alaskans, but the idea died before it ever made it to Governor Sean Parnell’s desk last spring. Two Interior democrats say Parnell could still call a special session later this fall to address the state’s energy crisis.

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly last week approved a land exchange with Chena Hot Springs Resort. Owner Bernie Karl can now move ahead on two projects he says he’s had in the works for at least 12 years.

If the trends in fuel prices continue, Fairbanks residents could pay well over $15,000 a year to heat their homes by 2015. That’s what experts told Senator Joe Thomas of Fairbanks and members of the Democratic Senate Energy Working Group during a hearing Monday. The group met to discuss fuel prices in the Golden Heart City and surrounding interior villages.