Senate majority pauses retirement bill after new estimates

JUNEAU — The Alaska Senate majority announced Monday that legislation calling for increased local contributions to the public employees’ retirement system was on hold given… Continue reading

Kasilof River sees big personal use sockeye salmon harvest

JUNEAU — Fishermen harvested nearly 533,000 salmon in Cook Inlet personal-use fisheries last year and the Kasilof River saw its highest sockeye salmon harvest to… Continue reading

  • Apr 4, 2016
  • By Rashah McChesney

Air Force to assign F-35 fighters to Alaska’s Eielson base

FAIRBANKS (AP) — Alaska’s Eielson Air Force Base will host two new squadrons of F-35 fighter jets, the Air Force announced Monday.The base 26 miles… Continue reading

  • Apr 4, 2016

Vermillion pleads guilty to manslaughter

Update:A day before Paul Vermillion was scheduled to go to trial for murder, he accepted an agreement and pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter… Continue reading

Fall semester priority registration kicks off

Kenai Peninsula College continually reminds students to stay on track to graduate in the shortest time possible, saving both time and money, by tackling 15… Continue reading

  • Apr 3, 2016
  • By Kelly Sullivan
  • Schools

Students help port keep docks free of sea lions

ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) — The Port of Astoria is trying to keep its docks free of sea lions with railings welded and painted by Knappa… Continue reading

Students take animal dissection to the next step

CROSWELL, Mich. — Students all over the U.S. dissect animals as a kind of high school rite of passage. Not many, though, stuff and mount… Continue reading

  • Apr 3, 2016
  • By MIKE HOUSEHOLDER
  • Schools

Around the District

School board to meet The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets at 6 p.m. in the borough building at 148 N. Binkley… Continue reading

Murder trial delayed one day

The trial for an Anchorage man accused of murder in the 2013 death of Genghis Muskox in Cooper Landing has been postponed by one day.Originally… Continue reading

  • Apr 3, 2016
  • By Staff Report
The storefront of Black Dog Firearms on Friday, April 1 in Soldotna.

Slow sales leads Black Dog Firearms to close

There were days this winter when no one came through the doors of Black Dog Firearms in Soldotna. The slowdown led to the business’s closure… Continue reading

The storefront of Black Dog Firearms on Friday, April 1 in Soldotna.
Jordan Tackett (left) plays a ring-toss game against her mother during the Autism Extravaganza awareness fair at Soldotna Preparatory School on Saturday, April 4. Tackett, who is autistic, was among those who came to play games and socialize during the event.

Autism Extravaganza held at Soldotna High School

At stations scattered through the two gymnasiums of Soldotna Preparatory School, children with autism played a ring-toss game, won cupcakes in a circle of musical… Continue reading

Jordan Tackett (left) plays a ring-toss game against her mother during the Autism Extravaganza awareness fair at Soldotna Preparatory School on Saturday, April 4. Tackett, who is autistic, was among those who came to play games and socialize during the event.
Storyteller James Bennett relates a travel story during a storytelling evening on Friday, April 1 at Odie's Deli in Soldotna.

Photos: Telling tales

Odie’s Deli in Soldotna was crowded Friday night for a live storytelling event with the date-appropriate theme of “foolishness.” A group of raconteurs including the… Continue reading

Storyteller James Bennett relates a travel story during a storytelling evening on Friday, April 1 at Odie's Deli in Soldotna.

State finds trooper’s actions justified in Sterling shooting

State investigators have found that the actions of an Alaska State Trooper who fatally shot a man in Sterling in October were justified.The Alaska Office… Continue reading

Report analyzes short-term economic impacts of budget cuts

The Legislature must take strides to reduce the deficit, but the transition will be smoother if it is a multi-year process, according to a new… Continue reading

Fewer Alaskans sign up online for Permanent Fund dividend

ANCHORAGE — Fewer people signed up online for this year’s Alaska Permanent Fund dividend, and fewer residents have chosen to donate a portion of their… Continue reading

  • Apr 2, 2016
  • By Rachel D'oro

State schools chief cancels test after connection problems

JUNEAU — The Alaska education department announced Friday that it is canceling its computer-based statewide student assessments this year, citing technical disruptions and concerns with… Continue reading

  • Apr 2, 2016
  • By Becky Bohrer

Pot initiative backer cites concern with Alaska smoking bill

JUNEAU — Public smoking restrictions that recently passed the Alaska Senate could hurt proposed cannabis cafes in the state, a sponsor of the initiative that… Continue reading

  • Apr 2, 2016
  • By Becky Bohrer

Fishing officials work to get young people fishing permits

KODIAK (AP) — People in the fishing industry are looking for ways to help young fishermen join the workforce.During the ComFish conference in Kodiak this… Continue reading

  • Apr 2, 2016

In West, region of guns and suicide, outreach to curb deaths

MONTROSE, Colorado — Keith Carey is a gunsmith in Montrose, a town with a frontier flavor set amid the mesas of western Colorado. He’s a… Continue reading

  • Apr 2, 2016
  • By DAVID CRARY

Legislative Information Office schedule for April 4

Monday 1:00 p.m.The House Resources Committee will sponsor a public hearing to discuss SB 32 Timber Sales and HB 112 Repeal CFEC; Transfer Functions to… Continue reading