A buildup of hazardous gas at Alaska’s Red Dog mine in recent weeks forced the huge zinc and lead operation to fit workers with respirators and ramp up air monitoring at the mine and in nearby villages. Since November, reactive ore and waste rock at the remote Northwest Alaska mine has been generating higher-than-usual amounts […]
Posted inSoutheast News
Hundreds warned to evacuate in downtown Juneau amid high avalanche risk
Alaska’s capital city advised downtown residents in avalanche zones to evacuate their homes late Friday morning. Avalanche risk mounted as a result of increased snowfall, higher temperatures and forecasted rain, triggering an emergency alert. City and Borough of Juneau Emergency Programs Manager Ryan O’Shaughnessy said the city is monitoring the risk closely and working with […]
Posted inNews, Environment & Natural Resources, Economy
Alaska offers free rocks and dirt, helping big state-backed construction projects
The state of Alaska is preparing to give away millions of dollars worth of gravel to public corporations, a move that would amount to millions of dollars in assistance to some of the state’s biggest construction projects. According to a Q&A posted by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the beneficiaries could include the proposed […]
Posted inLocal News
Haines Highway cleared of avalanche that caught three vehicles
At about 8:15 a.m. Friday, Haines school counselor Kristen Brumfield was in her Nissan Xterra about halfway through her 34-mile commute south along the Haines Highway. Then the whole world turned white. “I took my foot off the gas and swore,” she said. “I heard a [sound] and I hit something and then stopped.” When […]
Posted inTransportation, Southeast News
Lack of crew will keep state ferry tied up again this summer
Though the state will have two ferries that could operate next summer on the popular route between Bellingham, Washington, and Alaska, it will park the Kennicott at the dock in Ketchikan, keeping it out of service for the fourth summer in a row due to a persistent crew shortage. The Alaska Marine Highway System has […]
Posted inNews, Health
Insurance premiums spike while people wait for Congress to do something
Congress returns to work this week after a holiday break, with several members continuing to search for a political compromise to save millions of Americans from dramatic increases in their health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act. Two Wrangell residents who spoke to the Wrangell Sentinel on condition of anonymity to protect their financial […]
Posted inNews, State of Alaska
Alaska Family and Community Services commissioner leaves state post for Trump administration job
The commissioner of Alaska’s Department of Family and Community Services has departed that position to take a job with the Trump administration. Kim Kovol has accepted a job with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced last week. Her last day working for the state was on Friday, and Tracy Dompeling, the […]
Posted inNews, Health
National Native helpline for domestic violence and sexual assault to open Alaska-specific service
A national support line for Native survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault has begun work to launch an Alaska-specific service. Strong Hearts Native Helpline is a Native-led nonprofit that offers 24-hour, seven-day-a-week support for anonymous and confidential calls from people who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault. The line is staffed by Native […]
Posted inSoutheast News
Lone caretaker at Point Retreat Lighthouse found dead in apparent suicide
A Big Lake man working as the operator and groundskeeper of the Point Retreat Lighthouse was found dead on Saturday due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Alaska State Troopers reported Tuesday. Joseph Alaniz, 42, was the only person at the lighthouse about eight miles west of Juneau on the northern tip of Admiralty Island, […]
Posted inNews
White House floats military action to take Greenland
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is considering options to acquire Greenland, including possible military operations, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday, renewing a push for the Danish territory that follows the stunning U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro without congressional approval over the weekend. Trump and his top officials have professed a […]