Red and blue king crab fishery closed again in Southeast
Commercial fishing for red and blue king crab will be closed again this year for Southeast Alaska.
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Anchorage passes LGBT anti-discrimination measure 9 to 2
The ordinance extents protection from discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual identity, the first such measure passed in Alaska.
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Survey scans for elodea spread in Interior, finds naught
A variety of agencies in the state are working to eradicate the invasive aquatic plant elodea. This summer, elodea was detected and treated in Anchorage’s Lake Hood, and a survey to search for elodea along the Tanana River downstream of Fairbanks has just concluded.
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Sullivan calls in Corps to bash EPA over water rule
The controversial “Waters of the U.S.” rule took effect in most states this summer, redefining which bodies of water are covered by the Clean Water Act. While legal challenges progress, the WOTUS rule remains a political hot button. Sen. Dan Sullivan pushed that button at a hearing this morning.
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Fourth annual Capital Brewfest sells out despite rain
Juneau Rotary held its fourth annual Capital Brewfest on Saturday. The annual event showcases dozens of specialty and craft beers from around the state and beyond.
Aleutians monument fought as threat, derided as ‘straw man’
Alaska Congressman Don Young and other Republicans this morning attacked the idea that President Obama might create a marine national monument around the Aleutian Islands, with unknown effects on the fishing industry. But the administration has given no sign it’s considering the notion.
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Protesters flood Capitol steps in support of Planned Parenthood
A crowd gathered in the drizzle on the capitol steps Tuesday to show their support for Planned Parenthood. In recent weeks, Republican lawmakers have tried to strip the organization of its federal funding.
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Tourists spent more in Southeast this season
About a million cruise-ship passengers from around the world sailed through Southeast’s Inside Passage this season. Some ships continued on to Whittier, Kodiak and even Unalaska. The overall numbers are around the same as the previous two years. But destinations and businesses saw visitors willing to spend more, due to the improving national economy.
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Shell pulls out of the Arctic, citing lack of resource
After sinking eight years and more than $8 billion into the effort, Shell Oil is pulling out of the Arctic Ocean. The company dropped the surprising news in a Sunday-night press release.
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Buldir Island a ‘life changer’ for seabird researchers
Imagine spending three months on a windy island at the tip of the Aleutian Chain. There's no internet, no cell phones, and not much company -- besides the millions of seabirds who flock to Buldir Island to build their nests. For some wildlife biologists, that setup is paradise -- and they'll do just about anything for the chance to find out what life looks like from Buldir.
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Anchorage mayor tackles labor, sex trafficking in Alaska
A new working group in is bringing city, state, and federal resources to combat human trafficking across the state.
Murkowski: Shell decision shows how feds ‘chase business away’
Sen. Lisa Murkowski says news that Shell is pulling out of the Alaskan Arctic hit her hard.
“Heartsick. Kick in the gut. Just really devastated," she said.
Murkowski says dry holes are a fact of oil exploration, but she blames the federal government for curtailing Shell.
Shell to abandon Arctic offshore drilling ‘for the foreseeable future’
Shell Oil announced late Sunday night that it is abandoning offshore drilling in Alaska “for the foreseeable future.”
Meet the 3 candidates vying for Mat Su mayor’s seat
Three candidates are vying for the Matanuska Susitna Borough's mayor's seat. Incumbent Larry DeVilbiss seeks re-election, and he's is being challenged by Assemblyman Vern Halter and dark horse candidate Rosemary Vavrin. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6.
AK: High school students enter the world of nano-agriculture
High school students in Kodiak are doing college-level science. Maybe even Ph.D.-level science. World Bridge is a NASA-sponsored group that assigns Alaskan students to scientific research projects. At a recent competition in Italy, the group showed that their earthquake research could have a global impact, but that’s only one project they’re working on. They’ve also entered the world of nano-agriculture.
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State launches task force on human trafficking in Alaska
The Department of Labor approached Mayor Ethan Berkowitz's administration about finding new enforcement strategies for combating state-wide problems with labor and sex trafficking.
In wave of felony marijuana charges, both sides point at publicity
16 felony charges were filed by the state against three high-profile marijuana businesses operating ahead of finished commercial regulations.
Murkowski missed – didn’t duck – abortion vote, staffer says
Sen. Lisa Murkowski was absent today for a procedural vote on banning abortion after the 20th week. As her spokeswoman explains it, Murkowski did not intentionally duck the abortion vote, but missed it due to "prior travel commitments."
2015 Permanent Fund Dividend is $2,072
A record-breaking Permanent Fund Dividend of $2,072 was announced Monday morning, not from the Governor, but instead from 12-year-old student, because, according to Governor Bill Walker, the fund is really about the next generation.
25 walrus found dead, some decapitated off Cape Lisburne
Twenty-five walrus—including up to a dozen calves—have been found dead on a beach about 40 miles north of Point Hope. Now federal wildlife officials are investigating a possible criminal slaughter of the protected marine mammals.
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