Sally Jewell Breezes Past Energy Committee
President Barack Obama's pick to head the Interior Department, Sally Jewell, CEO of outdoor retailer REI, cruised through a committee vote Thursday morning.
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Landslide Transforms Mountain Near Matanuska Glacier
A large landslide has transformed a mountainside near the Matanuska Glacier. Locals noticed the landslide in mid-February. It left a black streak of rock and debris on the unnamed mountain at least a mile long. One expert says it's impossible to pinpoint what caused this particular landslide, but they are becoming more common in northern climates.
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New UAA Sports Complex Named ‘Alaska Airlines Center’
The new sports complex currently under construction at the University of Alaska Anchorage now has a name – the Alaska Airlines Center. UAA and Alaska Airlines announced the $6.3 million partnership on Thursday.
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Ostebo: Sequestration Will Hit USCG In Alaska Less
Federal spending cuts known as sequestration will have less of an impact on the Coast Guard in Alaska than elsewhere in the country. That’s the word from Rear Admiral Thomas Ostebo, who is in charge of the Coast Guard’s District 17, which encompasses the entire state.
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CONFESSED: Leroy Dick Tells Judge He Killed VPSO Madole
At a first felony appearance before the magistrate at the Dillingham courthouse Wednesday morning, Leroy B. Dick, Jr, 42, of Manokotak, initially refused legal counsel, telling the judge: "To be honest, I could say I'm guilty of the crime."
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‘Stand Your Ground’ Bill Passes Alaska House
The Alaska House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a “Stand Your Ground” bill on a 33-5 vote. House Bill 24 expands what’s known as the “castle doctrine,” which allows people to use deadly force to protect their homes and businesses from intruders.
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Oil Tax Debate Continues On Senate Floor
Debate on whether the state’s oil tax system should be overhauled continued in fits and spurts on Wednesday. By early evening, the Senate had considered seven amendments to a bill flattening the tax rate on oil companies and shifting incentives for credits.
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Murkowski Introduces New Revenue Sharing Bill
Senator Murkowski introduced a new revenue-sharing bill that faces an uncertain future in the Senate.
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Iditarod Officials Release Results Of Investigation Into Unalakleet Dog Death
On March 15, volunteers with the Iditarod Trail Committee discovered a five-year-old husky had been buried and asphyxiated by drifting snow in Unalakleet. Wednesday, ITC released the results of an investigation into the death.
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VPSO Thomas Madole Killed in Manokotak
A Village Public Safety Officer has been shot and killed in the community of Manokotak, about 25 miles southwest of Dillingham. VPSO Thomas O. Madole, 54, is dead of an apparent gunshot wound. The Alaska State Troopers arrested Leroy B. Dick, Jr., 42, of Manokotak. Dick is being held at the Dillingham jail, facing charges of murder in the first degree.
Ethics Committee To Investigate Rep. Young
The U.S. House Committee on Ethics is creating a subcommittee to investigate whether Congressman Don Young violated code of conduct. The subcommittee will probe Young’s expenses and travel costs.
Oil Tax Overhaul Goes To Senate Floor
Legislation that would overhaul the state’s oil tax system has been moving its way through the Senate. Tuesday, the bill made it to the floor. While there wasn’t a formal debate on the bill, Democrats in the minority took advantage of the procedural motions to raise questions about how the changes would affect the state treasury.
CEO: SEARHC Hit Hard By Federal Spending Cut
A healthcare organization with thousands of patients in Southeast Alaska expects a massive hit to its budget. The Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, or SEARHC for short, says it’s the result of federal spending cuts known as “sequestration.”
Board of Fisheries Meeting In Anchorage
The state Board of Fisheries started its meeting in Anchorage Tuesday. Board members heard Alaska Fish and Game staff reports, as well as one from the Upper Cook Inlet Task Force. The task force was formed last year to consider options in making changes to how late run Kenai River king salmon are managed.
Oil Tax Overhaul Poised For Senate Floor Debate
Governor Sean Parnell’s oil tax overhaul is poised for debate Tuesday on the Senate floor. For weeks committees have been reviewing the bill and making changes to it and this is the first time it will appear before the full Senate.
Defense Secretary Announces Missile Defense Buildup At Fort Greely
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced on Friday, a buildup at the missile-defense base at Fort Greely in response to threats by North Korea. The announcement has generated cautious enthusiasm about an economic boost in the Delta Junction area.
Heavy Lift Ship Arrives to Retrieve Kulluk
Shell's Kulluk drill rig is almost ready to leave Alaska waters. The heavy lift vessel that will take the damaged oil rig to Asia for repairs arrived in Unalaska on Sunday afternoon. The Xiang Rui Kou was escorted to its anchorage in Captains Bay by three tugs.
Alaska Senate Set To Approve Anti-Genetically-Engineered Salmon Resolution
A resolution opposing genetically engineered salmon is likely to pass the Alaska Legislature this week. The so-called “Frankenfish” resolution cleared the Senate Resources Committee on Friday, its last stop before a vote on the Senate floor. The resolution unanimously passed the House about a month ago.
Anchorage Walmart Manager Shot By Customer
An Anchorage Wal-Mart manager was undergoing surgery Saturday night after being shot by a customer apparently upset about being told his service dog need to be on a leash. Jason Mahi was allegedly shot by Daniel Pirtle, 45, a double amputee, who now faces assault and misconduct involving weapons.