The Alaska House of Representatives is asking Congress to fix a problem with a program that pays money to rural school districts affected by the decline of the timber industry. On Monday, the House voted 35-4 to pass a resolution urging Congress to reinstate the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. Congress failed to renew the […]
Posted inSoutheast News
Wrangell shuts down barge ramp over safety concerns; freight haulers look at options
Confronted with an engineering report that cited “concern for potential failure of the ramp,” the borough on Thursday evening, March 13, notified freight haulers that the municipally owned barge ramp downtown was closed, immediately.The borough made arrangements for the weekly freight barge to use the old sawmill dock atthe Marine Service Center as a temporary […]
Posted inEconomy, News
New Alaska revenue forecast worsens state’s big projected budget deficits
The state of Alaska is still facing a significant budget deficit despite a revised state revenue forecast published Wednesday by the Alaska Department of Revenue. Oil revenue makes up about 40% of Alaska’s general-purpose revenue, leaving state finances unstable and dependent upon estimated oil prices. The Department of Revenue updates its outlook twice per year, and its […]
Posted inNews, Economy
British Columbia introduces toll measure to counter tariffs; Sullivan suggests acting against BC
The government of British Columbia filed legislation Thursday that would permit the province to levy tolls on vehicles between the Lower 48 and Alaska. The bill, known formally as the Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act, had been expected since BC Premier David Eby announced his intentions last week. Introducing the bill at the British Columbia Legislative […]
Posted inPublic Safety, News
Anchorage lawmaker proposes ‘red flag’ bill to prevent gun deaths with court-ordered interventions
Alaska has the fifth-highest rate of gun deaths in the nation, with an average of 175 people dying each year by gun, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An estimated 70% of gun deaths every year in Alaska, or 120 people, die by suicide. House Bill 89, sponsored by Anchorage Democratic Rep. Andy […]
Posted inNews, Environment
A volcanic eruption near Anchorage this year is growing more likely, scientific observers say
A 2025 volcanic eruption at Mount Spurr near Anchorage is “likely” according to a new bulletin by the Alaska Volcano Observatory. The timing of the eruption and its size remain uncertain, the observatory said in a notice published Tuesday, and it’s also possible that there may be no eruption at all. Spurr, whose summit is 75 […]
Posted inSoutheast News
‘Molly of Denali’ episode wins best writing honor at 2025 Children’s and Family Emmy Awards
An episode of the animated PBS Kids show “Molly of Denali” co-written by Juneau resident and Alaska Native language expert X̱’unei Lance Twitchell won the award for Writing for a Preschool Animated Series at the third annual 2025 Children’s and Family Emmy Awards on Saturday. It is the first Emmy for the series that debuted in 2019 as […]
Posted inSoutheast News, Economy
AIDEA-Vigor talks aim to keep shipyard operating
Thirteen days after the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority notified Vigor Alaska that AIDEA would not renew Vigor’s contract to operate the AIDEA-owned Ketchikan Shipyard when the current agreement expires on Nov. 30, the two entities on Thursday released a joint statement that they have “commenced discussions this week to ensure the Ketchikan Shipyard […]
Posted inSports
MisChiefs best Glacier Bears during rematch at state championships
In a rematch of the 2A Region V championship game the Metlakatla MisChiefs once again got the better of the Haines Glacier Bears 58-34 on Friday and kept their season alive for one more game in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 2A State Basketball Championships at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. Metlakatla plays on Saturday […]
Posted inEducation, Local News
After funding cuts, Chatham school board approves budget revision with $70,000 deficit
The Chatham School Board met Tuesday to amend its budget for this year as district administrators continue to grapple with the loss of Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act funding. That federal funding is designed to help school districts near federal lands, and brought nearly $13 million to Alaska in 2023. When Congress failed […]