News of the North

Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - Alaska officials have released a court-ordered plan detailing how the state expects to keep psychiatric patients from being warehoused in hospitals and jails before being sent to treatment centers.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Alaska House and Senate sat in a joint session on Friday, Jan. 24 to vote on overrides to budgetary vetoes by Gov. Mike Dunleavy from the previous session.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The CBJ Docks and Harbors Department recently enlisted the help of the Juneau Citizen Patrol to crack down on crime in the harbors.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska’s employment was up an estimated 0.6 percent in December, or 1,900 jobs, from December 2018.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Governor Mike Dunleavy wants to meet with the Juneau Assembly.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - After dragging anchor from atop state tidelands in Gastineau Channel and ending up off Norway Point, the derelict Tugboat Lumberman is back in CBJ jurisdiction. It was moved to the inside of the cruise ship terminal dock.

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Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - All 4th and 5th graders in Juneau schools got to experience a live hookup to the historic Carnegie Hall as they heard a performance from the Juneau Symphony this morning.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The accident was reported on Egan Drive near Twin Lakes at 9:25 AM.

Wasilla, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska State Troopers said a 26-year-old Palmer man was shot and killed early Thursday morning by a Wasilla police officer assisting on a domestic violence call.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Marijuana shops in Alaska will be among the first nationally where onsite use would be permitted.

Ketchikan, Alaska (KINY) - The Ward Cove project got a huge boost Thursday from the federal government.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Winners included Alaska Wildlife Trooper Lt. Matt Dobson.

Juneau, Alaska (AP) - The commissioner of the Alaska Department of Corrections says the agency is not moving forward with a proposal to have inmates housed out of state.

Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - An attorney who previously fought cases against Alaska's biggest oil companies has turned to activism and donations to help an effort to increase oil taxes for the public's benefit.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - What are the pros and cons of oil taxes?

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Juneau School Board conducts a retreat Saturday morning.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Mary Wolf said they also want boat owners to make sure pumps are operating properly.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The helicopter was flying after the report of an emergency positioning indicating radio beacon.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - A door was busted down and the thief got away with a flat screen TV, two heaters, and a full propane tank.

Seattle, Washington (KINY) - One person is dead and a nine year old boy was among seven people wounded in a mass shooting downtown Wednesday.

Fairbanks, Alaska (AP) - A federal appeals court has reversed the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by four Fairbanks men who contend they were illegally imprisoned for nearly two decades.

Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - Federal prosecutors in Alaska say an Idaho man who illegally guided Alaska bear and moose hunts was fined $20,000 and ordered never to hunt in the state again.

Juneau, Alaska (AP) - The boards that regulate alcohol and the legal marijuana industry in Alaska would have their own administrators under a proposal pitched by the interim director of the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office as a way to improve operations.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Port Director Carl Uchytil presented his proposed two year budget for the Docks and Harbors Department to his board's Operations and CIP Committee during a meeting Tuesday evening.

Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) – Senate President Cathy Giessel or Rep. Jennifer Johnston may face a challenger for their seat in the 2020 election.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has introduced four pieces of legislation regarding his initiative of making Alaska open for business.

Juneau, Alaska (AP) - A state court judge said he erred when he put on hold a decision that would have allowed the recall effort against Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy to advance.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - A Soldotna man, David A. Powell, 54, was cited for criminal mischief.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Bradley Bethel, 32, was taken into custody late Tuesday.

Juneau, Alaska (AP) - A legislative panel has failed to reach an agreement on potential changes to the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend, leaving lawmakers with little guidance on a path forward on the thorny subject.

Saxman, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska State Troopers said Richard Headley, 47, of Ketchikan, was not hurt in the crash.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Rotary Club of Juneau honored five individuals and organizations with Vocational Service Awards at a luncheon held Jan. 14 at the Baranof Hotel.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - A number of Alaska Senators have shifted their committee duties after a shakeup by the Senate Committee on Committees.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Alaska Senate opened the 2nd session of the 31st Legislature with all 20 members present – including newly-appointed Sen. Joshua Revak.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Alaska House of Representatives gaveled in on Tuesday to begin the 2nd session of the 31st Legislature in Juneau, with new committee chairs being announced by the Committee on Committees.

Juneau, Alaska (AP) - Alaska lawmakers have begun a new legislative session in which they'll resume debates that have dominated recent sessions.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Juneau police say gunshots were reported on Cinema Drive on both Sunday and Monday evening. There were no reported injuries or property damage.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The investigation into the officer involved shooting that occurred early on the morning of December 28 in Juneau is close to completion.

Juneau, Alaska (AP) - A state court judge on Tuesday put on hold a decision that would have allowed supporters of an effort to recall Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy to begin a new signature-gathering phase.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Joint House and Senate Committee met on the eve of the legislative session Monday.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - A veteran of the office of Management and budget was tapped by the Governor to be the department director Monday.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Juneau Police said multiple vehicles were involved.

Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - The Alaska Volcano Observatory said smoke rose miles above a volcano on one of the Aleutian Islands.

Willow, Alaska (KINY) - Roger Delongchamp, 66, lost consciousness while responding to a call.

Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - An Alaska dentist, who gained notoriety after he was seen in a video riding a hoverboard and pulling teeth, was convicted of defrauding the Alaska Medicaid program

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Juneau police are seeking the public's assistance in identifying a robbery suspect.

Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - After 30 years of service to the State of Alaska, Colonel Barry Wilson has hung up his Stetson and is retiring from the Alaska State Troopers.

Washington, DC (AP) - Senator Lisa Murkowski said she's comfortable waiting to decide if more information is needed as part of the Senate's impeachment trial.

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Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Despite Taku winds and freezing temperatures, hundreds came out to the 2020 Women's March at the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Representative Geran Tarr has pre-filed the “Wage Disclosure Act” for consideration by the Alaska Legislature.

Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - The University of Alaska Board of Regents voted to increase the amount undergraduate students pay for college tuition by five percent beginning in fall semester 2020.

Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - The Regulatory Commission of Alaska has scheduled a public hearing on a sale between two oil giants, denying a request by the companies to approve the transaction without one.

Kenai, Alaska (AP) - An Alaska man has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for distributing large quantities of heroin throughout the Kenai Peninsula.

Juneau, Alaska (AP) - A new Alaska organization has raised thousands of dollars for a climate group through individual contributions from women attending its first meeting.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Governor Mike Dunleavy has established, via administrative order, the Alaska Marine Highway Reshaping Work Group.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana (AP) - Four coastal Louisiana tribes and one in Alaska say the U.S. government violated their human rights by failing to take action on climate change have submitted a formal complaint to the United Nations in Switzerland.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Juneau Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in locating 32-year-old Juneau resident, Bradley Arin Bethel.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior holiday Monday will be observed in Juneau.

Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - The 2020 Census will begin next week in rural Alaska. The Census always starts in remote parts of the nation's largest state out of tradition and necessity

Juneau, Alaska (AP) - The first winners of Alaska’s new Permanent Fund dividend raffle are expected to be chosen in a drawing later this month.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The City and Borough of Juneau's annexation filing is still pending action by the State Boundary Commission.

Fairbanks, Alaska (KINY) - Eric Palmer Rustad, 39, faces first-degree murder charges.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The National Weather Service ended a high wind watch and replaced it with a high wind warning.

Fairbanks, Alaska (KINY) - A Fairbanks woman faces a citation for negligent feeding game.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Juneau police have released the details in a shooting incident from Thursday morning.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Senator Bert Stedman expressed disappointment with comments made by Department of Transportation officials casting blame on the Legislature for the Alaska Marine Highway System’s current fiscal challenges during this week’s Marine Transportation Advisory Board meeting.

Unalaska, Alaska (AP) - The chief executive officer of an Alaska air ambulance company says one of its aircraft made an emergency water landing Thursday after takeoff from an Aleutian Islands airport.

Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - A review commissioned by the Archdiocese of Anchorage found credible evidence of sexual misconduct by 14 people who served in the archdiocese, a church leader announced Thursday.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Sierra Gadaire of Gastineau Guiding, Suzie Teerlink and Alicia Schuler of NOAA Fisheries, and Matt Creswell of CBJ Docks and Harbors were panelists on the discussion.

Juneau, Alaska (AP) - Goldbelt Inc. has amended a scheduled pay raise for its board of directors following concerns from shareholders about the size of the increase, an official said.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The CBJ Visitor Industry Task Force postponed a second public comment session planned for this evening.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - There were no reports of injury and Juneau Police are investigating.

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Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Sharon Gaiptman thought her brother Lenny had died near birth.

Palmer, Alaska (KINY) - David Stanton, 55, lost control of a 1996 Nissan truck and slid into oncoming traffic.

Juneau, Alaska (AP) - Tribes will have to have longer periods of records under new proposed federal rules.

Juneau, Alaska (AP) - The chairman of the board that regulates legal marijuana in Alaska is being replaced, Gov. Mike Dunleavy's office announced Wednesday.

Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - A study commissioned by Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy's administration recommends running ferries as day boats where possible and providing long-term contracts to private companies to help fill service gaps.

Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - Governor Mike Dunleavy held a press conference Wednesday at Turnagain Elementary School unveiling the Alaska Reads Act.

Homer, Alaska (AP) - Alaska State Troopers say a 68-year-old Homer man died in an explosion inside a home northeast of the Kenai Peninsula city.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska Department of Transportation provided an update on the Yandukin Drive project to the Assembly Public Works and Facilities Committee.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - A grant application, money for a recycling facility and improvements to Aspen Avenue highlighted the meeting of the Assembly Public Works Committee.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - An Assembly Committee discussed a way to start an overhaul of Juneau's main sewer system.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - A Juneau based organization affiliated with an international organization aimed at combating climate change spoke about their effort on Action Line.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Louisa Nathan-Jackson, 18, was charged with assault in the second degree.

Kenai, Alaska (AP) - The man threatened to carve the flesh of the judge's children.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Parts of Juneau will feel the impact of Taku Winds again tonight and Thursday.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The City and Borough of Juneau Airport Board approved a bid award in the amount of $16,184,600 to Dawson Construction for the demolition, reconstruction, and renovation of approximately 35,000 square feet of terminal space at Juneau International Airport.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The preferred calendar ends the first semester before the winter break.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The school budget, a visit from OSHA, and routine matters highlighted the agenda of the Juneau Board of Education Tuesday.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The League of Women Voters continues to support the Juneau School District in a variety of ways.

Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - The Coast Guard has restored VHF-FM communications within the majority of Prince William Sound. The vicinity of western Prince William Sound, Wells Passage, Whittier and Passage Canal are still without VHF-FM coverage and are awaiting repairs.

Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - The University of Alaska Board of Regents will convene Jan. 16-17 in Anchorage to discuss the university’s budget, consider a 5 percent tuition increase and hear about the enrollment strategies planned by each university.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Traditional games athlete and coach Kyle Worl is one of two Alaskans chosen for the state’s “Southeast Champions for Kids” award this year.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - A lecture series sponsored by the Sealaska Heritage Institute and devoted tot he revitalization of indigenous languages starts up Wednesday.

Modesto, California (KINY) - The final defendant in a multi-state drug ring, Joseph Vasquez, 32, received the harshest sentence of 320 months in jail.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Timothy Flood, 28, pled guilty to sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree in a hearing before Superior Court Judge Amy Mead.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Assembly decided to spend more time on scooters bikes and other new methods of transportation.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Assembly introduced two ordinances that would sell land for a senior housing project and provide a $2 million grant to make the housing more affordable.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The state has found a way to get revenue from remote sales like internet, mail, catalogue and phone sales and Juneau would like to cash in.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The CBJ has proposed a solution for properties that have kept CBJ officials busy in recent years.

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Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The disabled tugboat broke loose of its anchor in the Gastineau Channel and drifted south Saturday.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The January edition of Alaska Economic Trends, published by the Research and Analysis Unit in the State Department of Labor and Workforce Development features the Job Forecast for 2020.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Brock McCourt, 37, was charged with felony theft.

Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - The state employee worked for Kenai juvenile justice.

Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - A man survived for weeks after his home burned down.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The perennially troubled tug boat broke free of its anchor point at around 5 p.m. on Saturday night.

Girdwood, Alaska (KINY) - Three hikers are safe after an avalanche near Girdwood.

Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - Authorities have released the names of the officers involved in the officer-involved shooting that occurred on Tuesday morning at a remote location along the Alaska Highway.

Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - A working group in Alaska tasked with fixing a public safety program has completed a list of recommendations to send to state lawmakers after meeting an Anchorage this week.

The House voted 32-7 to send to the senate fast track legislation that provides 24 million for the marine highway system to keep running and 45 million for medicaid.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A federal study says more shrubs growing on Arctic tundra likely will have little effect on the abundance of most bird species until the vegetation grows tall.