Alaska News

Senate votes to begin debate on health care overhaul

The Senate voted 60-39 Saturday to clear the way for consideration of historic legislation to overhaul the nation's health care system, but reluctant Democratic moderates sent strong signals that the bill has an uncertain future. Alaska's senators were split.

Palin's book tour whips up populist fervor

In the first few days of a cross-country book tour to promote her memoir, Sarah Palin's supporters have greeted her with a populist fervor unmatched in Internet-age Republican politics. From her first stop last week in Grand Rapids, Mich., to Saturday's event in Washington, Pa., thousands of people have lined up for hours.

McCain downplays campaign tensions

Photos : Palin book tour

Police seeking three in suspicious death

Anchorage police were looking for three potential witnesses late Saturday in connection with the suspicious shooting death of a man in a South Anchorage apartment.

Neighbor describes the fight: Part 1

Neighbor describes the fight: Part 2

Criminal deportations show spike in Pacific Northwest

Deportations of illegal immigrants with criminal records from Alaska, Oregon and Washington this past year jumped by nearly 40 percent, while overall removals dropped for the first time in five years, according to new data released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Alaska Ear

Alaska politics and political hijinks

Sarah Palin in Mad Magazine

Another view from Mad Magazine

New York Post article on Levi Johnston

Mystery fish all the buzz in Barrow

Alaska is 50 years old, relatively young as compared to, say, Massachusetts or Delaware. But in a land of extremes -- weather, lifestyles, growth -- a lot can happen in 50 years.

Settlement near in sex abuse lawsuit, Fairbanks diocese says

The Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks said it's near a financial settlement with a committee representing almost 300 alleged victims of clergy sex abuse.

Blind broadcaster follows his faith, passion for radio

He had only been here once before, but six years ago, Brian Blair felt a calling to move north.

Hit-and-run lands one driver in the hospital

Anchorage police are looking for a stolen Jeep Cherokee involved in a hit-and-run accident that put a man in the hospital Saturday.

McCain downplays campaign tensions

U.S. Sen. John McCain said Saturday he enjoyed reading running mate Sarah Palin's new memoir and downplayed any tension between their campaign aides as "no big deal."

Alaska black bear dies at Oregon zoo

Oregon Zoo officials say Pete, an 18-year-old black bear who loved to lounge in a tractor tire, has been euthanized because of his age and debilitating arthritis.

BP donation to fund Stevens record work

Oil giant BP has donated $1 million to the University of Alaska Fairbanks toward cataloging and processing papers from the congressional career of former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens.

2009 salmon harvest 11th largest in history

This year's commercial salmon harvest was the 11th largest in state history. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game said nearly 162 million salmon were harvested in 2009.

Logger hurt when tree he was cutting falls

A logger suffered a broken leg and possible back injury in Ouzinkie on Friday when a tree fell on him, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Man is given 5 years for military fund theft

A Fairbanks man who stole money from a Fort Wainwright military support fund has been sentenced to five years in prison.

East-side residents oppose creek plan

A tree-lined, wandering creek just east of Muldoon Road near the intersection of DeBarr is turning into a battleground for east-side residents.

Craig man pleads guilty to sea otter hide sales

A Craig man who conspired to sell the hides of sea otters illegally killed in Southeast Alaska has pleaded guilty in federal court to two felony violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the U.S. attorney said Friday.

Boston man charged in child sex case

For more than a year, John Mark Felton chatted online with an Anchorage father of two, planning a visit to meet the family so he could molest a 6-year-old boy, according to documents filed in federal court.

Mayor Sullivan vetoes Assembly vote on debt payoff

Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan on Friday vetoed an Assembly action from Tuesday that he says would hurt his efforts to ease his difficulty of balancing the city budget in a time of tight revenue.

Postal Service retreats on Santa letters ruling

North Pole elves have good reason to celebrate again, thanks to a decision by the U.S. Postal Service to resume a Santa Claus letter program that's thrilled children from around the world for decades.

North Pole volunteers push to keep Santa mail service

Sherry Johnston, Levi's mother, is sentenced to 3 years

Sherry Johnston was sentenced Friday to three years in prison for dealing the prescription painkiller OxyContin. Johnston is the mother of Levi Johnston, who is the father of former Gov. Sarah Palin's grandchild, Tripp.