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Politics

Alaska House approval of gas pipeline bill wraps up special legislative session

The Alaska House stamped its approval Wednesday on a $160 million spending bill for the state’s natural gas pipeline, ending the business of a special legislative session here after 12 days.
Nathaniel Herz
Alaska Senate OKs $160 million for gas line project; House vote, adjournment next
Anchorage

Federal bomb squad neutralizes fake nuke in Anchorage training exercise

The FBI says members of its premier bomb squad for defusing weapons of mass destruction visited the Port of Anchorage from Washington, D.C., this week to “practice their response in a winter environment.”
Chris Klint
Crime & Justice

Fairbanks man held on $200K bail for sex assault, trafficking charges

Benjamin Bane, 32, is facing seven counts of sex trafficking and sexual assault in what Alaska authorities describe as a string of offenses linked to drugs.
Chris Klint
FBI, authorities assist 9 sex trafficking victims in Anchorage sweep
Man faces sex trafficking charges; not linked to other recent Alaska cases
Anchorage, state to form human trafficking task force
Education

University of Alaska regents to weigh 9 percent tuition hike

The University of Alaska’s Board of Regents could approve their second tuition hike this year -- nearly double that of a 5 percent increase passed in February -- during a meeting Wednesday.
Chris Klint
University of Alaska Board of Regents approves tuition hike
Crime & Justice

Man pleas out in assault case of would-be pot robbers in Anchorage

Steven Holley said he's turning a bad situation into a learning experience. The 28-year-old avoided hard time after entering into a plea deal in a case involving alleged teenage robbers, one of whom he shot in the leg.
Jerzy Shedlock
Alleged pot dealer charged with assault for shooting would-be robber
Man charged in two murders intended to steal marijuana, Anchorage police say

Animal Planet introduces world to 'Dr. Dee, Alaska Vet' in Fairbanks-based reality show

In the first show, viewers travel with Dr. Dee Thornell as she does welfare checks on a black bear and a team of sled dogs, castrates a group of piglets and untangles a reindeer's antler growth. Film & TVSue Manning | Associated Press

Alaska's already high health insurance rates set to get even higher in 2016

Several thousand Alaskans who buy insurance on the individual market under the Affordable Care Act will see their premiums increase in 2016 at one of the highest rates in the country. The state already has the highest premiums in the nation.HealthTegan Hanlon

Mexico's Supreme Court opens door to legalizing marijuana use

The Mexican Supreme Court on Wednesday opened the door to legalizing marijuana, delivering a pointed challenge to the nation’s strict substance abuse laws and adding its weight to the growing debate in Latin America over the war against drugs.Nation-WorldElisabeth Malkin and Azam Ahmed | The New York Times

Native sports icon Big Bob Aiken dies in Anchorage

Big Bob Aiken billed himself as the world's largest Eskimo, a man whose strength and sense of humor made him a legend at the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics.SportsBeth Bragg

News & Politics

No injuries as 'incredibly devastating' fire rages through Bethel school building

Ayaprun Elitnaurvik, the Yup’ik immersion school, was flattened, and a boarding academy was damaged, while essential systems including boilers, the water plant and a large kitchen, which served all Bethel schools, were destroyed.Lisa Demer
2-semi wreck on Parks Highway sends 2 drivers to hospital
Governor's mansion undamaged after fire truck responds to smoldering embers
Spice emergency calls in Anchorage rise to new high in October

Have a news tip? Let us know at newstips@alaskadispatch.com

Multimedia

Science
Video: A Forensic Investigation | Indie Alaska
Wildlife
Photos: Costa's hummingbird visits Anchorage
Outdoors
Video: November sunrise bore tide
Arctic
Photos: Arctic Shield 2015

Popular columnists
Jeff Lowenfels  •  Heather Lende •  Shannyn Moore  •  Paul Jenkins  •  Elise Patkotak  •  Mike Dingman
Steven Haycox  •  John Havelock  •  Alan Boraas  •  Michael Carey  •  Rick Sinnott • Laureli Ivanoff

Voices

Overheated rhetoric, casual attitude toward gun death serve no one

OPINION: It is clear that we have created a Wild West mentality with regard to guns that does everyone, including gun advocates, a huge disservice.Lou Nathanson
Times are tough, but a University of Alaska budget increase is well worth the stretch
Happy talk doesn't matter. Alaska should never trade fish for mining
By now you'd think Alaska politicians would get wise about emails

Adventure

Surviving the pain, anguish of bear spray in the face

There’s no good way to sugarcoat it. Believe me, I’ve tried. But the fact remains: I was about eight miles into an Alaska hike when I accidentally blasted myself square in the face with pepper spray. Shane Castle
Is the Clark's nutcracker making a rare avian visit to Anchorage?
In contrast to McCandless, Scotsman adapts to Alaska Bush
Off-season visit to Alaska wildlife center especially rewarding for kids

Events

The heroin addict next door
Alaska Bird Club
Will Jacobs presents 'Becoming UAA, 1954-2014'
Living in the Age of Airplanes

Sports

Newest Alaska Ace: Former Stockton captain Garet Hunt

Hunt stands No. 7 all-time in ECHL penalty minutes, will fight anyone, and is renowned for his professional attitude, fitness and leadership.Doyle Woody
Native sports icon Big Bob Aiken dies in Anchorage
West's narrow win over Bartlett highlights 1st day of Cook Inlet Conference volleyball
Prep hockey: Eagle River, Colony post victories

Culture

Dining review: Speedy Asian cuisine in Mountain View at Tempura Express

I’m of two minds about Tempura Express.Mara Severin
Market Fresh: Fresh bread as a solace for early winter
Arts Scene: 'New Dances,' Alaska Sound Celebration and the 'Women of Lockerbie'
Hawaiian voyaging canoe made from Alaska spruce sails again

Arctic

Study: North Slope's volatile Pleistocene climate benefited big mammals, but only temporarily

The large mammals that roamed Alaska's North Slope 12,000 years ago enjoyed a 1,000-year golden age before a changing climate altered and fragmented their habitat, ultimately driving many to extinction, a study concludes.Yereth Rosen
Coast Guard anticipates high-tech future with new Arctic R&D center
Coast Guard wraps up busy season in the Arctic
Photos: Arctic Shield 2015

Nation/World

We Alaskans

Welcome to Umnak, a land of cows that assaults the senses

Umnak Island is part of the Fox Islands in the Aleutian chain, one step farther west than Unalaska. Population: 22 humans, 7,500 cows.Erin McKittrick
Reading the North: Children meet land, sea mammals
Cyder, my friend and my savior, the trails are lonelier without you
This is October on Kachemak Bay? Pinch me

Sponsored Content

The family business: Seine-to-table salmon for a sweet-tart burger

SPONSORED: Megan Spurklund grew up on a salmon seiner, and now that's where she's raising her son, too.Presented by Eat Alaska
Fish in a flash: Bear Tooth chef shares her go-to cod tacos recipe
Of farming, fishing and farmers marketing
A soup for all seasons: Warm broth, spring dill, summer's catch