Counting Santas: Jeff Campbell’s house lights up Juneau
Juneau resident Jeff Campbell bought two truckloads of Christmas lights and decorations at a garage sale more than 20 years ago. Ever since then, he’s been decorating his house in a big way, making his downtown neighborhood a more festive and bright place. People joke that you can see his house from space. Download Audio
NORAD celebrates 60 years of tracking Santa
Three-hundred and sixty-four days a year, the North American Aerospace Defense Command -- or NORAD -- is the U.S.-Canadian military unit that monitors North American airspace for enemy threats. But one day a year, NORAD turns its watch onto one very popular air traveler. Download Audio
Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015
Fairbanks mayor prods police to investigate other suspects in Hartman murder; Fundraiser nets $32K for Juneau shelter, soup kitchen; Labyrinth of VA paperwork, bureaucracy leaves vets feeling lost; Police arrest 2nd suspect in Anchorage double homicide; Court employees furloughed Christmas Eve to save money; State pre-K slated for elimination in governor's budget plan; Yukon salmon fishery numbers show strong season; Christmas lights brighten Sitka after rough year
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Fairbanks mayor prods police to investigate other suspects in Hartman murder
Fairbanks city police chief has apologized for statements made last week about the legal settlement that vacated the long contested murder convictions of the Fairbanks Four, the Native men who served 18 years in jail for the 1997 beating death of John Hartman. Chief Randall Aragon also committed to further investigation of the case.
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Fundraiser nets $32k for Juneau shelter, soup kitchen
Five Juneau Native dance groups organized a fundraiser Monday night, which raised about $32,000 for the capital city’s shelter and soup kitchen. About 400 people attended, contributing money to the Glory Hole through donations, silent auction, fry bread sales, dancing, raffle and a $9,500 matching donation by the Rasmuson Foundation.
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Labyrinth of VA paperwork, bureaucracy leaves vets feeling lost
If Scott Harrison is going to prove that his disability are connected to his time in the military, the VA needs to comb through his service treatment record. Which, given his time as a Marine in the 80s, presents problems.
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Police arrest 2nd suspect in Anchorage double homicide
A second person has been arrested in connection to Monday's double homicide in west Anchorage. Linda Chattell, 26, was taken into custody Tuesday night and is charged with second degree murder, manslaughter and misconduct involving a controlled substance.
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State court employees furloughed Christmas Eve to cost-cut
There’ll be no court in Juneau Thursday, Christmas Eve. In fact, all of the state’s 39 courthouses will be closed on Christmas Eve as a cost saving measure while the state tries to chip away at a multibillion dollar budget deficit.
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State pre-K slated for elimination in governor’s budget plan
The governor's proposed budget calls for the elimination of a $2 million pre-kindergarten program, which serves six school districts in Anchorage, Juneau, and Western Alaska.
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Yukon salmon fishery numbers show strong season
There were a total of 44 commercial fishing openers for coho and chum in the Yukon River, most of which were held in the lower river districts. Commercial fisherman harvested 191,470 chum and a record-breaking 129,700 coho salmon, raking in almost $1.5 million.
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Christmas decorations brighten Sitka after rough year
Mike Romine is a Sitka man with a love of Christmas lights. His home has become an attraction every December with its huge displays, coordinated to musical hits such as “Uptown Funk” and “Let it Go” from Disney’s Frozen. But this season, as Sitkans work to recover from a deadly natural disaster, the lights hold a special meaning.
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Mat-Su wish list on hold
With the next state legislative session in view, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough is coping with honing its capital improvements wish list to be in line with expected downturns in state funding.
Grand jury indicts man in death at Anchorage jail
An Anchorage grand jury has indicted a man suspected of killing a fellow prisoner at the Anchorage Correctional Center.
Alaska turns focus to local business retention
The state of Alaska is partnering with regional economic development organizations and chambers of commerce to look into what makes local businesses stay in an area amid the state's budget troubles.
Sitka marijuana panel approves pot buffer zone resolution
Sitka's Marijuana Advisory Committee has approved a proposed resolution supporting a smaller buffer zone between marijuana businesses and schools than required under state regulations.
Army initiates cleanup at former Haines fuel terminal
The Haines-Fairbanks Pipeline that was built by the Army in the 1950s polluted Alaska land through fuel spills and leaks. The Army is now working to assess the contamination so that it can be cleaned up for good.
Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015
Major western Alaska employer lays off 30; Casualty of care: Ex-Marine grapples with VA system; 2 Alaska newspapers sold to foundation; Juneau to hold March special election for new mayor; Police say drug deal preceded Anchorage shooting deaths; Family looks for answers as Juneau stabbing case grows cold; Senate advances Port Spencer as Arctic port; Researchers say less Arctic sea ice means more precipitation; Southeast electronic duo Whiskey Class premieres new music video; On Kenai, bear management strives for happy medium
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AVCP lays off 30 employees, cites economy
The Association of Village Council Presidents, or AVCP, has laid off 30 employees, citing budget concerns.
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Casualty of care: Ex-Marine grapples with VA system
The Department of Veterans Affairs in Alaska has made healthy strides in improving care over the last few years. But some patients still fall through the cracks. In the first of a two-part story, an ex-Marine explains his difficulties navigating care and benefits through the VA, and the effect its had on his life.
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2 Alaska newspapers sold to foundation
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner is being sold. The newspaper reports that a non-profit foundation created by the late wife of the paper’s founder Charles W. Snedden is purchasing the News-Miner.
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