Ferry Workers Approve Strike Authorization
Alaska Marine Highway workers approved a strike authorization this week, meaning the Inlandboatmen’s Union could call for workers to strike within the next month if the union and state can’t agree on a new contract.
Funny River Fire Evacuees Back at Home, But Prepared to Leave Again
Hooligan's Lodging became one of Soldotna's main hubs during the evacuation. Though most evacuees have returned home, the hotel is ready in case the fire moves toward the community again.
Searchers Continue Looking for Missing Hiker
Volunteers spent a fourth day searching for missing hiker 48-year-old Sharon Buis. Tuesday’s efforts resulted in no new leads. Buis has been missing since Saturday.
Alaska News Nightly: May 28, 2014
Rains Helping on Kenai; Firefighters Shifted to Funny River; Parnell Signs Budgets; Sealaska Names New CEO; Ferry Workers OK Strike Authorization; Search Continues for Missing Hiker
Tyonek fire 100% contained
The Tyonek Fire is now considered 100% contained. It burned about 1,900 acres. Most of the crews and resources are now being used on the Funny River Fire instead, though some personnel and equipment will stay behind to make sure the fire stays under control.
Rain, Lack Of Wind Slows Funny River Fire Growth
Fire crews Wednesday morning mapped the Funny River fire out to be nearly 183,300 acres. Tom Lavagnino, with the incident management team, says the rain has helped a little bit, but it’s not the biggest reason the fire’s growth has slowed.
Funny River Fire Brings Community Together
Hooligan’s Lodging became one of Soldotna’s main hubs during the evacuation. Though most evacuees have returned home, the hotel is ready in case the fire moves toward the community again. KSKA’s Anne Hillman stopped by.
The Story of the Spenard Windmill
In the early 1980s, when money was no problem and anything was possible, I was made an offer I couldn’t refuse by none other than Mafia Mike, thus becoming the custodian of an important historical icon.
Had I known at the time what a maintenance nightmare it would become, I’m not sure I would have been willing to accept the responsibility, regardless of the possibilities—or consequences.
Read more. 
Rain Falls On Funny River Fire, Provides Some Relief
The Funny River fire has grown to more than 182,200 acres. After a streak of warm, dry weather, firefighters are seeing a break in the weather, with rain falling Tuesday during the early morning hours and temperatures in the 50s.
Alaska News Nightly: May 27, 2014
Rains Help Combat Kenai Fire; Evacuation Lifted; Begich, Admiral Visit Aleutian Islands; Acid Levels To Be Monitored; Utility Has Plans for Fairbanks Area; Golden Valley Loses Biggest Customer; Help Available to Alaska Farmers; Uncertainly Hangs Over Fishing Season
Evacuation Order Lifted for Kenai Residents
The fire management team lifted the evacuation order this morning for Funny River Road from Mile 7 to the end of the road. Homeowners near the road remain under an evacuation alert, which means they should be ready to leave again if the fire gets worse in that area. Residents of Funny River Road were evacuated over the weekend. Many left with just a few necessities and haven’t been back home since.
Begich, Coast Guard Admiral Visit Aleutian Islands
This weekend, Senator Mark Begich and Coast Guard Rear Admiral Thomas Ostebo made a brief appearance in the Aleutian Islands. The officials shared their vision of how Unalaska -- and other coastal communities -- will have to support economic activity in the Arctic.
Research Center to Monitor Acid Levels
Remotely operated vehicles will be plying Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska this summer, measuring acid levels. The float and glider vehicles are the latest technology deployed through a long running monitoring project overseen by University of Alaska Fairbanks Ocean Acidification Research Center Director Jeremy Mathis.
Golden Valley Electric Loses Biggest Customer
Golden Valley Electric Association is scheduled to lose one of its biggest customers this week – the Flint Hills Resources refinery in North Pole. But GVEA is working on plans to hook up another industrial customer next year that will buy nearly as much electricity as the refinery.
Alaska Farmers Eligible for USDA Transportation Help
Starting July 21, Alaska farmers can sign up for the US Department of Agriculture's Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program. Under the 2014 Farm Bill, farmers outside the contiguous US can now receive a portion of the costs of shipping their agricultural products over long distances.
Uncertainty Hovers Over Fishing Season
A few fishermen from the communities in the Kuskokwim caught king salmon before the scheduled closures last week. In a typical year the first catch is a time of joy but this year it's bringing uncertainty.
Yaakoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School Graduate Profile
High school graduation is an accomplishment worth celebrating for all students. But for some the achievement is that much sweeter, because of the obstacles they had to overcome. KTOO profiles profiles a graduate of Juneau’s Yaakoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School, who has been living on her own for about a year.
Bill Encourages Tribes to Work With State on Jurisdiction
The sponsor of the Safe Families and Villages Bill, U.S. Senator Mark Begich, said the bill encourages tribes to work with the state of Alaska to develop agreements on tribal court jurisdiction. But he said it also gives tribes a way to take on added responsibilities through an agreement with the federal government.
Evacuation Order Lifted for Funny River Road Residents
Residents of the Funny River Road community were allowed to start returning to their homes as state fire officials lifted the evacuation order at 9 am this morning. Although all evacuation orders have been suspended at this time, residents were cautioned that there is still an evacuation advisory in place which could result in another evacuation order should conditions change.
Quick Craft: Coffee Filter Flower
I stayed home sick today and I hate wasting my time in bed, so I decided to mildly craft out.
I really love tissue paper flowers but I don’t like spending a ton of time cutting out paper.
Read more.