State of Alaska

Tanner crab fishing stays closed around Kodiak, Chignik and South Peninsula in 2027

No Tanner crab season off Kodiak, Chignik or the South Peninsula this winter, the second in a row. Surveys found crab, just not enough to make a fishery.

by Bill AlaskaNews4d ago2 min readFrom Nov 2

Troopers arrest Chugiak 16-year-old after 122 mph pursuit in Wasilla

Troopers say a 16-year-old Chugiak driver raced another car on Knik Goose Bay Road, then fled at up to 122 mph before being stopped. No injuries were reported.

by Walter AlaskaNews5d ago2 min read

State closes Dalton Highway over Atigun Pass due to high avalanche activity

DOT closed the Dalton Highway at Atigun Pass Saturday after high winds, blowing snow and avalanche danger. Closures there can last about 48 hours, and the road can strand travelers for days.

by Maggie AlaskaNews5d ago1 min read

Prince William Sound salmon value falls 45% below average as pink harvest hits a 1970s low

Prince William Sound's salmon were worth just over half the usual this year. Seiners averaged $74,100, down from $223,000 last year, as pinks hit a 1970s low.

by Bill AlaskaNews5d ago2 min read

Fish and Game forecasts a strong 49 million sockeye run in Bristol Bay next summer

Fish and Game forecasts 49.3 million Bristol Bay sockeye for 2027, a "strong" run after this year's dip below 50 million. Its forecasts have run low on average.

by Bill AlaskaNews5d ago2 min read

AIDEA lets its director sign binding Ambler Road deals and move an estimated $86 million

AIDEA's board told its director to sign binding Ambler Road agreements and move an estimated $86 million more toward the road, weeks before Dunleavy leaves.

by Melinda Communities.News5d ago3 min readFrom Nov 4

Anchorage man gets 60 years for 2023 murder of John Martin III near Dimond credit union

Ryan Dummler got 60 years for murdering John Martin III, who was asleep outside a credit union when Dummler walked up. Ten minutes later, he reported for work.

by Walter AlaskaNews6d ago2 min read

Regulators approve Chugach fuel charges that shift typical bills by less than $1

Regulators OK'd Chugach Electric's quarterly fuel charges. Typical bills move less than a buck: up 73 cents in the North district, down 84 cents in the South.

by Walter AlaskaNews6d ago2 min read

Fish and Game's wildlife storytelling night returns to Palmer Nov. 13

Fish and Game's wildlife storytelling night returns to Palmer Nov. 13. Last year's had a bear hunt, a harrowing outhouse trip and real moose in the parking lot.

by Maggie AlaskaNews6d ago2 min read

16-year-old dies after being found unresponsive near Pillar Creek Beach in Kodiak

A 16-year-old boy was found unresponsive near Pillar Creek Beach in Kodiak on Friday and could not be revived. Troopers say they don't suspect foul play.

by Walter AlaskaNews6d ago1 min read

Unharvested shrimp rolls into winter limit in a lightly fished Southeast trawl fishery

Shrimp trawlers near Wrangell and Petersburg can catch up to 250,000 pounds this winter. So few boats are fishing that their catch is confidential.

by Walter AlaskaNews6d ago2 min read

Fish and Game closes Uganik and Uyak herring districts in the Kodiak Area

Fish and Game closed Uganik and Uyak to commercial herring fishing Friday, leaving six Kodiak districts open. The notice does not say why the two closed or how much herring was caught.

by Bill AlaskaNews6d ago2 min read

PeaceHealth seeks state approval for $7 million robotic surgery project in Ketchikan

PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center asked the state to approve a $6.97 million robotic surgery system, funded by a federal grant.

by Walter AlaskaNews6d ago2 min read

Alaska LNG's first construction work moves to 2027 after a planned April start passes

Alaska LNG told regulators in February that gravel and camp work would start April 15. By October it was still planning and surveying. Now it's 2027.

by Walter AlaskaNews6d ago3 min read

Alaska Supreme Court revives opioid lawsuit against Carrs, Safeway and Fred Meyer owners

Alaska's Supreme Court revived the state's suit claiming Carrs, Safeway and Fred Meyer pharmacies helped fuel the opioid crisis. Back to trial court it goes.

by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago3 min read

North Slope co-op plans to lay Anaktuvuk Pass fiber across the snow in 2028

The North Slope's phone co-op asked the state for 3 more miles for its Anaktuvuk Pass fiber line. Crews would unspool the cable across the snow in early 2028.

by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago4 min read

Ambler Road hunting closure up for Nov. 20 vote traces to a confidential agreement

The Board of Game votes Nov. 20 on closing a strip along the Ambler Road to hunting and trapping. A confidential road memo called for backing one.

by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago4 min read

Follows: Board of Game moves Ambler Road hunting closure up to a Nov. 20 web conference

Prince of Wales wolf trapping season stays at 31 days as estimate dips below state goal

Prince of Wales trappers get their usual 31 days on wolves this winter, though the wolf estimate slipped below the state's new target of 200 to 300.

by Bill AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read

Fish and Game closes West Behm Canal to sea cucumber divers for the rest of the season

Fish and Game shut West Behm Canal to sea cucumber divers for the season after they hit the harvest cap. It's the third Southeast area closed this season.

by Bill AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read

Couple seeks five more years for their floathome in Camp Coogan Bay near Sitka

A couple wants five more years to keep their floathome moored on state tidelands in Camp Coogan Bay near Sitka. Comments to the state are due Nov. 18.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1w ago1 min read

State energy agency says it never talked to firm that listed its power cable as a partner

A firm pitching an undersea AI data center in Cook Inlet called the state's planned power cable a "Strategic Partner." The state says they never talked.

by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago3 min read

Follows: Kenai asks to join the federal review of a proposed undersea data center in Cook Inlet

State energy board votes on nearly $5 million solar loan for Red Dog Mine

The state energy board votes Thursday on a nearly $5 million loan for solar at Red Dog Mine, sized to stay just under the line where the Legislature gets a say.

by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read

State proposes approving revised cleanup plan for old Hiland Mountain prison range

State plans to approve a revised cleanup of Hiland Mountain prison's old shooting range, removing 1,150 cubic yards of tainted soil. Comments are due Dec. 4.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read

Alaska energy authority faces a $410 million gap for two Railbelt grid projects

Alaska's energy authority wants $142.3 million from lawmakers for a Cook Inlet power cable and still needs $268 million for a Healy line. That's $410 million.

by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read

Follows: A second power link to Kenai would run under Cook Inlet

Free one-on-one computer help offered twice a week at the Mat-Su Job Center

Stuck on an online job application, a sketchy email or Excel? Free tutors at the Mat-Su Job Center in Wasilla will sit down with you twice a week.

by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago1 min read

Comment closes on giving the energy authority state land at Bradley Lake at no cost

The state proposes giving land around Bradley Lake hydro to the Alaska Energy Authority at no cost. Comment closed Tuesday. It's tied to expansion financing.

by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago3 min read

Egan Drive's winter 45 mph speed limit is now in effect in Juneau through Jan. 31

Egan Drive's speed limit near Fred Meyer in Juneau is 45 mph through Jan. 31, down from 55 mph. The stretch sees heavy crashes in winter, and a permanent traffic signal fix isn't expected until 2027.

by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read

Fastwyre asks the state to let it end cable TV in Galena and Unalaska after 41 years

Fastwyre wants to unplug cable TV in Galena and Unalaska on New Year's Eve, saying new gear isn't worth it for 70 accounts. Customers get to keep the box.

by Melinda Communities.News1w ago3 min read

AIDEA board approves up to $10 million stake in Augustine volcano geothermal project

AIDEA's board OK'd up to $10 million for a stake in a company that wants to tap the heat under Augustine, an active volcano in Cook Inlet. The terms come later.

by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read

State's draft plan would replace, not repair, Kodiak's Sargent Creek Bridge

Kodiak's cracked Sargent Creek Bridge was in line for a temporary fix. The state's draft road plan now calls for a $6.8 million replacement in 2029.

by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read

Simpler and Stutes lead Kodiak-area races, but neither is decided

Simpler leads the Kodiak House race by 431 votes and Stutes leads for Senate. Only 77 absentee and early ballots from the House district are counted so far.

by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read

Follows: Independent groups report spending more than the candidates raised in Kodiak's House race

State proposes more riverbed for Alyeska to protect buried pipeline near Coldfoot

A river north of Coldfoot is wearing away toward the buried trans-Alaska pipeline. The state wants to give Alyeska more riverbed for a rock structure.

by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago3 min read

Juneau pushes state to keep a second Douglas Island bridge in its road plan

Juneau told the state a second bridge to Douglas Island is "a must" for its next road plan. The state's draft has no money for it. DOT says it's still active.

by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read

State transportation department urges drivers to slow down as Alaska roads turn wintry

The state transportation department wants Alaskans to slow down as roads turn wintry, since speed limits assume good conditions. Also: stop tailgating the plow.

by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago1 min read

Gambier Bay king crab fishery planned for 28 hours is now scheduled for 124

Gambier Bay's king crab fishery was supposed to last 28 hours. After a reopening and an extension, it's now scheduled for 124, with no word on the catch.

by Bill AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read

Southeast Alaska pink salmon harvest forecast at 67 million fish, most since 2013

Biologists forecast a 2027 Southeast Alaska pink salmon harvest of 67 million, the most since 2013. They also sped up the net behind the forecast.

by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago3 min readFrom Oct 28

Alaska's child care aid system goes offline this weekend ahead of Dec. 1 changes

Alaska's child care assistance system goes dark this weekend so the state can get it ready for Dec. 1, when more working families qualify for help.

by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read

Mountain Village's boil water notice nears a year as the state seeks engineers for upgrades

Mountain Village has been under a boil water notice for nearly a year because of low pressure. The state now wants engineers to design new pumps and mains.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read

Fish board to weigh resident-first kings, Homer Spit nets and helicopter anglers

Alaska Board of Fisheries meets Dec. 1-4 in Seward on 50 Lower Cook Inlet proposals: resident king salmon priority, Homer Spit closures, helicopter limits and hatchery plans.

by Bill AlaskaNews1w ago3 min read

Anchorage airport noise study to present land use options on Nov. 18

Anchorage's airport noise study shows land use options Nov. 18. In August, the only flight change that cut the homes in its noise zone drew doubts.

by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago3 min read