Lower Skilak Lake Campground, Boat Launch Reopens
The Funny River fire is holding steady at just over 192,831 acres and is considered 46 percent contained.
Rain, Little Wind Helps Firefighters Combat Funny River Fire
Light rain and little wind has helped keep the Funny River fire from growing much for the past two days. It is 30 percent contained and as of Wednesday afternoon, it is estimated to have burned more than 183,000 acres on the central Kenai Peninsula.
Fairbanks Team Leads Firefighting Efforts on Kenai
Wednesday marked one week since the Funny River fire began burning on the Kenai Peninsula. Very early on in the fire, one group - Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team - from Fairbanks has been in control of the firefighting efforts.
Firefighters Shifting from Tyonek to Funny River
Officials overseeing the Tyonek wildfire on the west side of Cook Inlet said today that most firefighting personnel were being released from the fire, with some of them headed to the Kenai Peninsula to work on the Funny River fire.
Parnell Signs Budgets, Spares Veto Pen
Governor Sean Parnell signed the state operating and capital budgets Wednesday afternoon in downtown Anchorage, beginning with a speech to the Rotary Club, in which he said the Legislature met the spending targets he laid out for it.
Oil Companies, Munis Have Window to Appeal Pipeline Evaluation
Oil companies and Alaska municipalities have 30 days to decide whether to appeal a State Assessment Review Board decision to set the value of the trans-Alaska pipeline at $10.2 billion.
Anthony Mallott Named CEO of Sealaska
A second generation of Mallotts is taking over the helm at Sealaska. The regional Native corporation’s board of directors named Anthony Mallott as president and CEO during a shareholders’ meeting Tuesday night in Anchorage. He’s the son of former CEO and long-time board member Byron Mallott, who’s running for governor as a Democrat.
Senate Passes Bill to Grant More Tribal Jurisdiction
A bill that would give tribes greater jurisdiction over substance abuse, domestic violence and other misdemeanors was passed out of the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee last week despite objections from the state.
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.