Southcentral

State gives DOT Matanuska riverbed to armor the Old Glenn near Palmer

The Matanuska keeps eating the bank along the Old Glenn near Palmer, so the state gave DOT 65 acres of river bottom to fight back with rock. Indefinitely.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read

Kenai commission rejects family RV campground permit on Tundra Rose Lane, 4-1

Kenai's planning commission voted 4-1 to deny Nicole and David Smith a permit for a family RV park on Tundra Rose Lane, citing traffic and neighborhood character concerns.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min readFrom Sep 23

Anchorage planners back an 8-foot Girdwood fence near the Holtan Hills entrance

A Girdwood homeowner wants an 8-foot fence where code allows 4, citing Holtan Hills construction traffic. City planners say yes. A neighbor worries about moose.

by Maggie AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read

Southcentral Foundation seeks business zoning for 4.3 acres on Alaska Native Health Campus

Southcentral Foundation wants two Tudor Centre Drive lots on the Native health campus rezoned for business. It says no redevelopment is planned.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read

Air Guard rescues pilot with minor injuries after plane crash near Friday Creek

The Air Guard has flown four pilots out of crashes north of Anchorage since Sept. 10, two of them near Friday Creek, which is having a rough fall.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read

Anchorage Assembly member proposes writing police surveillance limits into city charter

Anchorage Assembly member Keith McCormick wants police surveillance limits locked into the city charter, where only voters could change them, including warrant rules for tracking and biometric data.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago3 min read

Kenai planners approve two Woodland Subdivision short-term rentals, one 3-2

Kenai OKs two Airbnbs in the Woodland Subdivision. Ash Avenue neighbors of 41 years lost 3-2, and one says she'll be back to oppose every permit.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read

Kodiak jury convicts former jail corrections officer of sexually assaulting a prisoner

A Kodiak jury found a 27-year-old former Kodiak Jail corrections officer guilty of third-degree sexual assault against a female prisoner. Sentencing is Feb. 8, 2027.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read

Chugach shareholders return former CEO Kompkoff to the board and reelect two directors

Chugach Alaska shareholders returned former CEO Gabriel Kompkoff to the board and reelected Violet Yeaton and Connie Hedrick at Saturday's annual meeting.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read

Dunleavy proclaims Charlie Kirk Day for a second year and Employment First Awareness Week

Dunleavy proclaimed Charlie Kirk Day for a second year Wednesday, two days after naming this Employment First Awareness Week for Alaskans with disabilities.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read

Bronson stays in governor's race, disputing Trump's account of deal to quit

Trump says Bronson agreed to quit the governor's race. Bronson says they remember the calls differently, and he is staying in.

by Alaska News4w ago2 min read

Follows: Trump endorses Wilson

Northeast Anchorage council urges "thorough and independent" study of Assembly spending

A Northeast Anchorage community council voted 19-0 to back the Assembly's spending study, and asked members and staff to skip the "half-hearted compliance."

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago3 min read

Giessel says free AIDEA land transfer takes over the Legislature's appropriation power

Giessel says giving 20,000 acres near Houston to AIDEA free takes the Legislature's power of the purse. Her math: a lease could bring in $14 million a year.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read

Planners back a permanent permit for Linda's Place shelter as neighbors raise concerns

City planners say Linda's Place should be a permanent shelter. The city and the shelter's paperwork give different schedules for its security walks.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read

LaFrance budget would add seven city plow operators, cut $1 million in snow contracts

Anchorage's 2027 budget would add seven city plow operators and spend $1 million less on snow contractors, nudging plowing toward city crews.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read

Air Guard flies two people hurt in avalanche near Eklutna Lake to Anchorage hospital

Air National Guard rescuers flew two people injured in an avalanche near Eklutna Lake to an Anchorage hospital Saturday. Officials urge avalanche gear and a buddy system as the season begins.

by Maggie AlaskaNews4w ago1 min read

Anchorage proposal would give tax-exempt property owners 90 days to certify they qualify

Anchorage's tax-exemption audit could run into 2032. One proposed fix: spread out the certification paperwork instead of letting it pile up in March.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read

Anchorage officials want to keep private plan review rules but warn of a conflict

Nearly all new homes in Anchorage's building safety area get plan checks from private reviewers. Officials want the rules kept but warn contractors pick them.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read

Senate committee votes to subpoena DNR commissioner over AIDEA land transfers

One invitation declined, another still pending. Senate Resources voted to subpoena DNR Commissioner John Crowther for Oct. 26 over free land transfers to AIDEA.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago4 min read

Follows: Giessel says governor kept DNR commissioner from legislative hearing on AIDEA land transfers

Alaska's EMS clinicians gather for 50th symposium after a year of licensing changes

Alaska's EMTs head to Girdwood for their 50th symposium with a new compact, fingerprint checks coming and, in some places, a struggle to keep volunteers.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Fish and Game lets tenders into Kodiak's herring B season with less than two weeks left

Kodiak's summer-to-fall herring season is finally letting tenders in, with less than two weeks to go. The B season opened July 1 and closes Oct. 25.

by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Anchorage Assembly approves Tozier Tract land swap with nonbinding housing targets

Anchorage agreed to trade the Tozier Tract, land it spent decades trying to get, for four downtown parking lots. Its housing targets are only recommendations.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago3 min readFrom Oct 6

Follows: Anchorage proposes trading the Tozier Track to the state housing agency for downtown parking lots, with housing required

State commission again proposes letting Cook Inlet setnetters fish beach seines

The Board of Fisheries put Cook Inlet setnetters on beach seines. Their permits don't cover seines. The state's permit commission is trying to change that.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Follows: East side Cook Inlet setnetters must prove recent fishing to stay in the fishery

House candidate Sheldon Prout amends disclosure to describe 2025 advance work for vice president

Kodiak House candidate Sheldon Prout amended his disclosure, calling his 2025 vice president office work a seven day advance job. Rival Kathy Simpler has outraised him nearly five to one.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

After ending builder's contract, Mat-Su weighs $573,155 to finish Academy Charter design

Mat-Su terminated the contractor on Academy Charter's new high school in August. Now it wants to pay the designer $573,155 to finish the job's plans.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Whittier council meets behind closed doors on firing city manager, takes no action

Whittier's council voted 4-3 to talk privately about firing its city manager, spent an hour behind closed doors, then adjourned without acting.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Cordova Planning Commission approves permit for rental cabin built without a permit

Cordova commissioners approved a permit for a rental cabin built without one. Owners must connect to city utilities by Nov. 2 and fix unapproved septic systems to keep the structure standing.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

AFN's 60th convention brings candidates, subsistence and resolutions

AFN marks 60 years at its Oct. 22-24 convention in Anchorage, with Alaska's congressional delegation, a candidates forum and resolutions on the agenda.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

LaFrance appoints deputy Loren Crawford as Anchorage's municipal treasurer

Anchorage has a new treasurer, or will once the Assembly signs off. Loren Crawford has been running the office as acting treasurer since August.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Kodiak Electric's 20-year Coast Guard energy contract is worth $31.3 million

Kodiak's electric co-op will upgrade the Coast Guard base's heat, lights and water over 20 years. Price tag: $31.3 million. Competition: none possible.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Follows: Kodiak Electric signs 20-year contract to upgrade energy systems at Coast Guard Base Kodiak

Mat-Su Assembly weighs $2.5 million grant to refrigerate the ice at Big Lake rink

Mat-Su Assembly holds a hearing Oct. 20 on accepting $2.5 million to refrigerate Big Lake Lions rink's ice. A week of 45 degree weather can melt the natural ice now, pushing teams elsewhere.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Kodiak parks fees rise to $6 a session for adult swimming, skating and racquetball

A swim, a skate or an hour of racquetball in Kodiak now costs adults $6, a dollar more than before. Renting the whole pool or rink went up a lot more.

by Alaska News4w ago2 min read

Wasilla man wins a federal design patent for his fish bonker after a 3½-year wait

Wasilla's Cody Christopher now holds a federal design patent on his fish bonker, protecting the club's look for 15 years after a 3½-year wait.

by Alaska News4w ago1 min read

Kratom coalition hires Frank Bickford to lobby Alaska lawmakers and agencies

A kratom group is paying Frank Bickford $30,000 a year to lobby Alaska. It backs banning concentrated 7-OH, not the leaf. So does a draft Anchorage ordinance.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Copper Valley's first 20-year transportation plan lists $848 million in projects

The Copper Valley has no city or borough government, so its planning group wrote the region's first 20-year transportation plan. Comments are due Nov. 6.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Trump pardons two Anchorage diesel shop owners onstage at Wasilla campaign rally

Trump pardoned two Anchorage diesel shop owners onstage in Wasilla. He said they faced 10 years for fixing an engine. The charge maxed out at five.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Rule would require attorney general's OK for Alaska agencies to sue or settle

A proposed rule would make state agencies get the attorney general's OK to sue, settle, appeal or hire lawyers. Does it cover the Permanent Fund? Law won't say.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Kenai parks director hopes to bring mural costs and artist options in January

Kenai wants murals on its blank walls. Step one: get the artist to call back. The parks director hopes to have costs and options by January.

by Alaska News1mo ago2 min read

State proposes giving ENSTAR, not Hilcorp, a lease to store natural gas beneath Kenai

The state is leaning toward ENSTAR, not Hilcorp, to store gas under Kenai, saying Hilcorp turned in about a quarter of the data it asked for. It's not final.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

Progressive group behind Alaska Voter Guide went by 907 Action until August

Alaska Voter Guide isn't the state's pamphlet. It's a progressive political group that went by 907 Action until August. Steven Spielberg gave it $5,000 in 2024.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read