News of the North

Juneau, Alaska (AP) - The Alaska House has passed a version of the state operating budget that leaves for later debate over how much to pay residents from the state’s oil-wealth fund for this year’s dividend.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use for children aged 12 to 15 on Monday. This lowers the current youngest age from 16 to 12. Alaskan children will likely be able to get theirs as soon as Wednesday.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - A COVID-19 variant has been discovered in Juneau. The P.1 strain has been found in a case first reported two weeks ago--after the State of Alaska Public Health Lab analyzed it.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - An update on the cyberattack on the Alaska Court System was provided on Action Line Monday by Juneau Superior Court Judge Amy Mead who also serves as the administrator of the First Judicial District.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska Congressman Don Young along with Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico has introduced the STOP Act, legislation that works to prohibit the exporting of sacred Native American items and increase penalties for stealing and illegally trafficking indigenous cultural property.

Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - Officials in Anchorage have reported that the city sewer system is clogging up because people are flushing wipes and other items.

Seattle, Washington (AP) - The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is piloting a new virtual queuing program and touchless check-in kiosk system.

Palmer, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska State Troopers responded to a report of a helicopter crash Sunday afternoon in the area of Outer Springer Loop and Kaye Marie Lane in Palmer.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Juneau-Douglas and Thunder Mountain high school track and field teams hosted the Capital City Invitational over the weekend, the first in-person meet they have competed in this season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The proposed fireworks ordinance is back before the Assembly of Whole Monday evening.

The aroma of lupine lingered in the air at my mother’s deathbed. It was the day of my last conversation with Patricia Anne (Cox) Stolpe.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Temperature normals in Southeast Alaska show a marginal increase in max temperatures over the past few decades, as well as increased rain activity in some communities.

Juneau, Alaska (AP) - The U.S. Interior Department says it will not pursue a Trump administration proposal that critics feared would have weakened rules for exploratory oil and gas drilling in Arctic waters.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Now with more than 20 coronavirus cases in five Southeast communities, all possibly related to the Ketchikan High School Bill Weiss Wrestling Tournament and a small schools Region V Tournament at the same venue, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District is still working diligently with the city’s Emergency Operations Center to discover exactly what happened.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Three new resident cases of COVID-19 were reported in Juneau on Friday.

Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is reminding Alaskan boaters "don't poo in the blue."

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Juneau Assemblymember Michelle Bonnet Hale is up for reelection this year.

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Attorneys for a Utah man who pleaded guilty to murder in the beating death of his wife on an Alaska cruise say he had brain abnormalities that a defense expert deemed consistent with injuries caused by playing contact sports.

(AP) - Cruise lines can soon begin trial voyages in U.S. waters.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Juneau Assemblymember Michelle Bonnet-Hale went on the record with her position on the proposed charter amendments seeking to reign cruise ship visits to Juneau while a guest on Action Line.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Juneau-Douglas girls soccer team returned to normal on Thursday: an early morning wake-up call for the airport, a two-hour plane trip, a four-hour bus trip, a win on the road and a bus trip to a hotel.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé boys basketball team and Crimson Bears All-State senior forward Cooper Kriegmont were finalists for youth Directors’ Awards presented by the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame this week.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - UnCruise Adventures begins their season in Alaska starting with the Safari Cruise on Friday, May 7, from Juneau.

Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy established a task force on broadband with the signing of Administrative Order Number 322 on Thursday.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The City and Borough of Juneau reported 5 cases of COVID-19 in Juneau on Thursday.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Juneau-Douglas and Thunder Mountain High School baseball teams played long into the night under the Adair Kennedy stadium lights on Wednesday, with the Crimson Bears earning a 14-5 win over the Falcons.

PALMER, Alaska (AP) — A man involved in the 2016 execution-style killing of a teenager near Anchorage was sentenced to 99 years in prison.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - A proposed addition to Capital City Fire Rescue's budget was a major topic of discussion with Fire Chief Rich Etheridge on Action Line.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - As part of Public Service Recognition Week, the City and Borough of Juneau and Capital City Fire Rescue is honoring Assistant Fire Chief Ed Quinto.

Bethel, Alaska (AP) - A southwest Alaska village that lost its water plant in a fire will be without its temporary water treatment plant during river breakup.

Metlakatla, Alaska (KINY) - Two individuals with outstanding warrants originating from Ketchikan were reported on Metlakatla Island after arriving on a skiff, and when authorities made contact both fled.

Washington (AP) - The Biden administration is detailing steps to achieve its goal of conserving about one-third of America’s lands and waters by 2030.

Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - Kelly Shrein of Northwood Elementary in Anchorage School District was announced to be the 2021-2022 Alaska Teacher of the Year.

Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - Alaska Communications Systems Group Inc. on Thursday reported first-quarter profit of $606,000.

Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - The Justice Department’s massive prosecution of those who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 has not been without its problems, including a potential instance of mistaken identity.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - After previously receiving a collection of recordings of Southeast Native Radio and other valuable programs in 2010, Sealaska Heritage Institute is moving forward with processing the recordings through a grant that supports the preservation of rare and unique audio.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - HB63, The bill that aims to transition the Alaska Marine Transportation Advisory Board into an Operations Board and also provides a transportation plan for the system, passed the House floor Wednesday.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The City and Borough of Juneau will have multiple opportunities throughout the month of May for people 18 and up to get the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy announced on Wednesday that he is putting forth an amendment to his proposed legislation that allows for Alaska Native Vietnam War veterans to have a chance at land allotments once promised to them by the government.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Three new resident COVID-19 cases were reported in Juneau for Wednesday.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Juneau Commission on Aging's 2020 Juneau Senior Needs Survey was discussed in-depth on Action Line Wednesday.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - A community event will emerge next month following its pandemic hiatus.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Juneau Economic Development Council is analyzing the impacts of the proposed amendments to the City and Borough of Juneau Charter that aim to reign in cruise ship visits.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska Airlines is working with water company "Boxed Water Is Better" to swap in-flight plastic bottles to paper-based packaged water to passengers as a part of their joint mission to address plastic pollution.

Juneau, Alaska (AP) - A derelict tugboat that the U.S. Coast Guard says had been abandoned has been sunk in waters off southeast Alaska.

Albuquerque, New Mexico (AP) - From the nation’s capitol to Indigenous communities across the American Southwest, top government officials, family members and advocates are gathering as part of a call to action to address the ongoing problem of violence against Indigenous women and children.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The 2021 Native Youth Olympics Traditional Games will stream live from the Thunder Mountain High School gymnasium this Saturday and Sunday.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The acting superintendent of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District released a statement responding to the warning letter from the Region V Executive Committee of the Alaska Schools Activities Association concerning Ketchikan High School not following the COVID-19 mitigation plans for wrestling events last month.

Tongass National Forest, Alaska (KINY) - The Tongass National Forest safety team has won the 2020 USDA Forest Service Group Safety Award.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - COVID Community Updates with the CBJ Emergency Operations Center will now occur on the first Tuesday of the month, as opposed to every week.

Tuluksak, Alaska (KINY) - The state of Alaska is delivering almost 1300 gallons of drinking water to Tuluksak since their temporary water filtration system must be taken offline due to river ice break-up.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The 2021 southern Native Youth Olympic Traditional Games have been rescheduled to May 22 and 23. They were postponed last week due to a COVID-19 outbreak in Ketchikan.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - CBJ Emergency Operations reported one new resident case of COVID-19 in Juneau on Tuesday. Public Health says it is from out-of-state travel.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The citizen's group looking to reign in cruise ship visits to Juneau is on the street now with petition booklets for three separate charter amendments.

DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE, Alaska (AP) — Officials say a skier from Colorado has died after falling into a crevasse on a glacier in Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé girls soccer team defended their home pitch against Thunder Mountain on Monday night at Adair Kennedy, winning on a last minute kick from the corner flag that was redirected in the box.

Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - An advocacy group is evaluating the use of tiny homes to provide housing for people who are homeless in the southeast Alaska city of Sitka.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Norwegian Cruise Lines has announced that they are going to donate $10 million in total to several Alaskan communities.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The City Clerk gave signature booklets to the group advocating for the three ballot initiatives that could change Juneau's relationship with cruise ships.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - UnCruise Adventures has announced that due to the high demand for its sailings, it will be restarting its Alaska sailings from Juneau on May 7.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - After their absence in 2020, the 50 state flags along Egan highway have returned atop the streetlights.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - In an event sponsored by Juneau Litter Free, volunteers went out Saturday in the annual city-wide cleanup day.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The City and Borough of Juneau reported 10 new resident cases of COVID-19 between May 1 and 3.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Four hundred fifteen full- and part-time students and vocational-technical students are receiving scholarships from Sealaska for the 2021-2022 school year.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The LeConte ferry's May 5 schedule was canceled in order to add a sailing to Sitka. This is needed to accommodate traffic that was originally scheudled for the Matanuska.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Juneau-Douglas and Thunder Mountain High School track teams got their feet wet on Friday and competed through the sunshine on Saturday in their first dual meet of the season at Falcons Field.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Alaska state Senate passed SJR 13, which aims to "improve broadband internet access, speed, capacity and affordability throughout the state" on a 17-0 vote on Monday, according to a release from the Senate Majority.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Juneau Senator Jesse Kiehl believes what Governor Dunleavy did with the legislation extending the COVID-19 disaster declaration is risky.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - There will be another public meeting on the Centennial Hall expansion project on Tuesday, May 4, from 12 to 1:15 p.m. It will be a repeat of April 29's meeting for those who could not participate due to the internet outage.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Juneau-Douglas and Thunder Mountain girls softball teams met in a cross-town conference clash on Saturday at Melvin Park and the Crimson Bears swept the Falcons, winning 9-1 in the opener and 13-6 in the non-conference night cap.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé baseball team put up 36 runs in two games on Saturday at Adair Kennedy Field, topping the visiting Petersburg Vikings 13-2 and 23-1 in non-conference action.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - A cyberattack has caused the Alaska Court System to disconnect most of its operations from the internet, they do not believe any confidential court documents or employee information has been compromised.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Capital City Fire and Rescue responded to a car fire in the Fred Meyer parking lot Thursday.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Alaska State House decided Sunday to move work on the state's budget to the House Rules Committee, House Speaker Louise Stutues said it was to facilitate a better working relationship with the House Minority and allow more time for conversation.

Wasilla, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska State Troopers received reports Friday of a pickup truck with a police siren and lights that was attempting to pull over motorists in the area of Pittman Road and Peninsula Drive in Wasilla.

PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona man has been indicted in Alaska on a federal charge of abusive sexual contact involving a 16-year-old girl who was seated next to him on a flight from Phoenix to Anchorage.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Around 7:20 a.m. on Saturday, May 1, a 4.7 magnitude earthquake occurred 58 miles west of Elfin Cove. At this time, there are no tsunami warnings or advisories in place.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - At 10 a.m. on Saturday, the 31st annual Blessing of the Fleet for commercial fishing vessels and other boats went underway at the Memorial Wall near Taku Smokeries.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A co-owner of a boutique resort in Homer, Alaska, says FBI agents served a search warrant this week and claimed they were looking for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's laptop that was stolen during the riot in January at the U.S. Capitol. Marilyn Hueper says agents took laptops and a cellphone.

NENANA, Alaska (AP) — This year's Nenana Ice Classic in Alaska has ended but not without a pandemic year twist.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears softball and baseball teams earned wins in the rain on Friday night. The softball girls toppled Thunder Mountain and the baseball boys stopped Petersburg.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Sealaska Heritage Institute has received funding to digitize hundreds of recordings of interviews with "notable Elders, clan leaders, and other Native people," according to a release from SHI.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Juneau reported seven new cases of COVID-19 for April 29 and 30 combined.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - After months-long debate on House Bill 76, the bill that extends the COVID-19 disaster declaration after it was left to expire earlier this year, was signed by Governor Mike Dunleavy on Friday. Shortly after, the governor issued a proclamation that officially ends the disaster declaration.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - After the Region V Executive Committee of the Alaska School Activities Association warned Ketchikan High School on Thursday of possible sanctions due to not following Region V policies concerning COVID-19 mitigations at the recent Kayhi wrestling tournament, ASAA Executive Director Billy Strickland said things will change.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - In the wake of the Juneau Assembly's decision this week to proceed with by mail elections in the future, comes a petition that calls for the public to weigh in first with an advisory vote.

Metlakatla, Alaska (KINY) - There are reports on Metlakatla island of an animal thought to be outside of the range of Alaska.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - A Klawock man has been indicted by a grand jury for attempted murder in the first degree. according to a dispatch posted by Alaska State Troopers Thursday.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - University of Alaska Southeast will delay the Juneau campus commencement due to the internet and data outage in Juneau. It "should be uploaded by 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 2," according to an email sent Thursday evening.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Zoom meeting with an opportunity for public input and comment on the expansion of Centennial Hall will proceed as planned at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 29, despite the internet and data outage in Juneau.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska Communications says they are experiencing a "voice, internet, and data outage" for businesses and consumers in Southeast Alaska, according to a post by the company. Juneau Police Department issued a statement that says 9-1-1 and JPD phone lines are currently disabled. Call 907 321-5911 if there is an emergency.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Region V Executive Committee of the Alaska School Activities Association has warned Ketchikan High School of possible sanctions due to not following Region V policies concerning  COVID-19 mitigations at the recent Kayhi wrestling tournament.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Travel Juneau is on record in opposition to the proposed charter amendments that would restrict cruise ship visits.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The CDC says cruise lines remain on course to set sail again by mid-July.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Commencement exercises for the University of Alaska Southeast will be virtual for the Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan campuses and available at 5 p.m. Friday.

Glennallen, Alaska (AP) - State fire officials say a brush fire near downtown Glennallen has destroyed two uninhabited structures, but no homes are being threatened.

Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - A bill that would require state recognition of Alaska’s 229 federally recognized tribes has passed out of two House committees.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Alaska Senate voted 14-6 to approve Extending the COVID disaster declaration during Wednesday's lengthy floor session.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Work on the Egan Drive project is scheduled to resume beginning the week of May 10.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The CBJ Docks and Harbors Board of Directors will be asked to approve a motion at its meeting Thursday evening that calls for updating the Assembly on its revised budget given the absence of large cruise ships for the upcoming season.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Two new residents with COVID-19 have been reported for Wednesday in Juneau. Public Health says one case is attributed to out-of-state travel and the other is under investigation.

Ketchikan, Alaska (KINY) - The southern Native Youth Olympics Traditional Games, which was scheduled to be held this weekend in Ketchikan, has been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - A survey conducted by the City and Borough of Juneau gives insight into the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Over 2,000 people took the survey. Eighty-four percent had already received one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Travel Juneau is inviting stakeholders to come to a Zoom public meeting on Thursday at 5 p.m. to discuss the expansion of Centennial Hall.

WASHINGTON (KINY) - Nine million dollars in federal funding from the Environmental Protection Agency has been awarded to the Alaska Native villages of Tuluksak and Stebbins to improve drinking water access, according to a release from the EPA on Wednesday.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Department of Homeland Security is extending the REAL ID full enforcement date by 19 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Juneau is home to the Alaska Spelling Bee champion.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced $589,000 in grants to support the conservation of fish and wildlife species in Alaska.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Juneau Planning Commission took several actions at its regular meeting Tuesday evening.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska Congressman Don Young has announced Wednesday his 2022 campaign for Alaska’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Norwegian Cruise Lines has donated one million dollars to the City and Borough of Sitka to help mitigate the economic impact from the ongoing cruise ship suspension.

Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - A candidate for a U.S. Senate seat in Alaska has previously written articles in support of an organization that espoused gay conversion therapy, questioned the integrity of elections and described the “Twilight” books and movies as evil.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) – A sinkhole at the intersection of North Franklin and Third Streets has spurred traffic,  parking and Capital Transit changes.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Two new COVID-19 cases were reported in Juneau Tuesday, according to the CBJ Emergency Operations Center.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The State of Alaska has agreed to pay the lost wages and other damages incurred by former employee Keren Lowell, who was barred from her job at the Alaska State Council on the Arts after speaking out publicly in opposition to the Dunleavy Administration’s fiscal policies.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Human remains were found in a freezer in the woods near Mile 112 of the Tok Cutoff in Interior Alaska Monday morning.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Royal Caribbean Group has pledged support for an online marketplace program exclusively for Alaska businesses supported by the BuyAlaska Program and Voyij.com.

Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - The Alaska National Guard will station a Black Hawk helicopter and crew in Bethel as part of the state’s response to potential spring flooding.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Frogs and salamanders in the Tongass National Forest are impacted by a fungus that affects amphibians all over the world.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Coast Guard Sitka aircrew assisted three mariners and their two dogs after their vessel ran aground in the Gilkey River, Alaska over the weekend.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Two juveniles were shot in the Fairbanks area Saturday evening when two groups at an underage party near 9 mile of the Richardson Highway got into an altercation.

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Unable to travel to the state basketball tournament over COVID-19 concerns, the Juneau-Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears are hustling to play at a tournament in California as a club team this weekend. 

The Mt. Edgecumbe High School Braves topped the Sitka Wolves in the final game of their best two-out-of-three Region V 3A basketball tournament series championship.

JUNEAU, ALASKA (KINY) - The Mt. Edgecumbe High School Lady Braves beat the Sitka Lady Wolves with a last-second shot on Wednesday night inside the B.J. McGillis Field House.

JUNEAU, ALASKA (KINY) - The 2021 Region V Virtual Cheer Champions were announced on Tuesday.

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.