Politics & Government

Coast Guard searches for Angoon boater after empty skiff found near Killisnoo Island

Coast Guard and Wrangell rescue teams are searching near Angoon for Roger Williams Jr., 35, after his empty skiff was found near Killisnoo Island.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read

Volunteers rescue hiker with suspected broken ankle on Anchorage's O'Malley Trail

Alaska Mountain Rescue Group volunteers carried a 33-year-old hiker with a suspected broken ankle off Anchorage's O'Malley Trail early Wednesday. He was taken to a hospital.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Times reports Democrats worked to recruit Alaska's second Dan Sullivan and other spoilers

The Times says the second Dan Sullivan and Gerald Heikes were recruited in an effort involving Peltola aides and national Democrats. Both groups deny it.

by Alaska News2w ago4 min read

Five rural Alaska early voting sites are closed less than a week before Election Day

Early voting sites in five rural Alaska communities are listed as temporarily closed days before the election. The state hasn't said why or when they'll reopen.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Rabbit Creek council asks Assembly to limit AI use of police plate-reader data

Rabbit Creek's community council voted 17-0 to ask the Assembly to rein in how AI handles police plate-reader data in the city's surveillance rules.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Search under way in Fairbanks and Huslia areas for missing Fairbanks man

Searchers are looking around Fairbanks and Huslia for Sterling Dewilde, 45, who was last heard from Sept. 11. Police ask anyone with information to call.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read

Two men wounded in early Wednesday shooting on Anchorage's Pine Street; no arrests

Two men were shot early Wednesday in the 800 block of Pine Street in Anchorage. Both survived with non-life-threatening injuries, and no arrests have been made.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read

Specialized emergency foster homes will get $40 more a day per child starting Nov. 26

Foster homes that specialize in emergency placements get $40 more a day per child starting Nov. 26. Other foster families' short-notice rate stays the same.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Coast Guard orders $5.8 million chromium cleanup at Base Kodiak's Hangar 1

The Coast Guard hired a Homer contractor for $5.8 million to clean up hexavalent chromium, a cancer-causing form of the metal, in a Base Kodiak hangar.

by Melinda Communities.News2w ago1 min read

Kodiak Borough asks lawmakers whether to keep village projects on its state funding list

Kodiak's borough will ask two lawmakers whether village projects, like Larsen Bay's eroding spillway, stay on its state funding list. Ten of 17 are villages'.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Coast Guard watched Russian navy ships map the seafloor in U.S. waters off Alaska

The Coast Guard told fishery managers it watched Russian navy ships map the seafloor in U.S. waters for the first time. Chinese research ships stayed busy, too.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readFrom Oct 5

Proposed rules would require Alaska prisoners' books and packages to come from sellers

Alaska's Corrections Department proposed that books and packages for prisoners come straight from sellers. Packages would need prior approval, too.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Alaska barber and hairdresser board proposes dropping school size and inspection rules

Alaska's barber and hairdresser board wants to drop the notary on exam applications, a 1,000-square-foot school minimum and pre-license school inspections.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read

White Tacoma backs into parked vehicle at Fairbanks Circle K and leaves, troopers say

A white Toyota Tacoma backed into a parked vehicle at a Fairbanks Circle K and drove off. The store's cameras caught it, and troopers want to hear from you.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read

JBER is buying four Alaska-winterized buses to carry kids in its youth program

JBER is buying four Alaska-winterized buses, with block heaters and seat belts for every passenger, to carry kids in its youth program. Cost: $565,095.

by Melinda Communities.News2w ago2 min read

Anchorage brewery sells limited Uncle Ted Ale to mark USS Ted Stevens commissioning

49th State Brewing's limited Uncle Ted Ale, made to mark the USS Ted Stevens commissioning, is almost sold out. Get it at the Anchorage pub while supplies last.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min readFrom Oct 3

Anchorage police would get state money to go after street racers and impaired drivers

Anchorage street racers, take note: the Assembly votes Nov. 4 on $2.5 million in state grants paying police to chase racers, speeders and impaired drivers.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Anchorage police ask for help finding Jess Rush, 65, last seen on Lake Otis Parkway

Anchorage police seek help finding Jess Rush, 65, last seen walking Lake Otis Parkway near Oak Street. He wore a black coat and pants. Call APD at 907-786-8900.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read

Seward council members question proposed property tax cut, float exemptions instead

Seward's council poked at a $500,000 property tax cut tied to a summer-only sales tax. Some want the money for year-round residents or young families.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago3 min read

North Pole council splits over adding a $110,000 chief of staff with director job vacant

North Pole's mayor budgeted $110,000 for help in his office. Some council members would rather fill the vacant director job, which Santa Claus says is required.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago3 min read

Wasilla planning clerk says role lacks authority to sign commission resolutions

Wasilla's planning clerk says she lacks authority to sign Planning Commission resolutions or minutes. The acting city planner post sits vacant, raising legal questions.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago3 min read

Sitka hires Gerrie Cotter as municipal administrator at $200,000 a year

Sitka hired Gerrie Cotter, a township administrator, as city administrator at $200,000 a year. Her stated reason for leaving: more natural beauty.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min readFrom Oct 13

Follows: Sitka Assembly votes to negotiate contract with Gerrie Cotter for municipal administrator

LaFrance names 11 to Anchorage boards and asks the Assembly to confirm them Nov. 4

Mayor Suzanne LaFrance named 11 people to seven Anchorage boards, asking the Assembly to confirm them Nov. 4. Five fill vacant seats, six incumbents return for terms through 2029.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Eaglecrest has brought in $2.77 million of its $4.26 million budget, report shows

Juneau's $1.68 million for Eaglecrest is already in, about 40% of the ski area's budget. Season pass sales have reached about $941,000 so far.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Alaska optometrists can hand routine tasks to unlicensed staff starting Nov. 26

Alaska optometrists can hand routine tasks to unlicensed staff starting Nov. 26. The state asked the public what it thought of the rules. Nobody answered.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago3 min read

Murkowski endorses Democrat Kreiss-Tomkins

Three days after Trump called her a disgrace, Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for governor. Wilson vowed to work to unseat her.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Troopers arrest Deering man after reports he assaulted multiple people in the village

Nome troopers arrested a Deering man Tuesday after reports he assaulted multiple people and damaged property in the village. The school sheltered in place.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read

Paratroopers carry out the first armed drone strike on JBER's Richardson Training Area

Paratroopers at JBER flew armed drones into live-fire drills this fall, the first armed drone strike on the base's Richardson Training Area, the Army says.

by Alaska News2w ago2 min read

New Anchorage super PAC funded by D.C. group reports $1.6 million against Peltola

A super PAC with an Anchorage address and a D.C. backer reported a $1.6 million ad buy against Mary Peltola, two weeks before the Senate election.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min readFrom Oct 24

Follows: Outside groups report $67.4 million in Alaska Senate race, most of it against a candidate

Health director says audit fixes are in place as follow-up work continues

Anchorage's health director says the fixes promised after a block grant audit are in place. Officials said follow-up on several findings is still in the works.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago3 min read

Missing child found unharmed on family's Sterling property after evening search

A child reported missing in Sterling on Monday was found unharmed on the family's own property after a search that included a thermal drone.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read

Central Mat-Su firefighters will hand out free reflective treat bags Saturday

Central Mat-Su Fire Dept hands out free reflective treat bags Saturday, 1 to 7 pm, at five stations. • Ester holds a free Halloween festival Saturday, Kodiak runs a haunted house Friday and Saturday for food bank donations.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Womens Bay service area board to review fire and road budget update on Nov. 3

Womens Bay's fire department has about $1.2 million in reserve, more than twice its budget for the year, according to an update its board gets Nov. 3.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read

Alaska election officials ask judge to dismiss DOJ's Senate suit by Nov. 2

State of Alaska officials asked a judge to toss DOJ's Senate suit by Nov. 2. The U.S. can't step in, they argue, "much less" for a favored candidate.

by Alaska News2w ago2 min read

Follows: Judge fast-tracks Peltola campaign's bid to dismiss DOJ's Alaska Senate suit

Juneau Assembly splits 5-4 on paying $80,000 to restore arts grants the arts council kept

Juneau's arts council kept grant money meant for local artists to cover its own costs. On a 5-4 vote, the Assembly added $80,000 so the grants go out anyway.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Juneau Assembly drops e-bike trail rules and takes aim at e-motos citywide

Juneau scrapped its e-bike trail rules to go after e-motos citywide. A trail group says young teens on 50-mph electric dirt bikes are damaging a bike park.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

DGA-backed group spends $601,000 in one day on Alaska's governor's race

A group backed by the Democratic Governors Association spent $601,000 in one day on Alaska's governor's race, half for Kreiss-Tomkins and half against Wilson.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Seward moves city elections to November to share ballot day with borough and state

Seward's City Council voted to move city elections from October to November starting in 2027, putting them on the same ballot day as the borough and state.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Follows: Seward council takes up moving city elections to November, starting in 2027

Juneau Assembly keeps harbors as raw fish tax default but adds an exception

Juneau's Assembly kept harbors as the default for raw fish tax money but gave itself an out for "extenuating fiscal circumstances," which have no set threshold.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Anchorage man charged with possessing child sexual abuse material

A 38-year-old Anchorage man was charged last week with possessing child sexual abuse material. Palmer police say they arrested him with APD's help.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read