The Associated Press

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Anchorage OKs Independent Home Plan Review

The Anchorage Assembly voted to allow builders to carry out their own inspections instead of waiting for the city on Tuesday night. The vote was 9-2. The Municipal Building Department said such a practice would be a conflict of interest, but Mayor Dan Sullivan said he would not oppose the change, which covers structural review for safety and earthquake and snow load stability, but not other aspects of the city code. The builders argued that it was taking too long to get municipal inspectors to do it and they would rather pay to hire it out and not have the delay.

Alaska Railroad to Resume Freight Service

The Alaska Railroad is planning to resume freight traffic between Anchorage and Fairbanks on Tuesday after repairs were made to 500 feet of track washed out by flooding.

9th Circuit Court Rules Against Kivalina

A federal appeals court has ruled against the northwest Alaska village of Kivalina, which sued energy companies over claims that greenhouse emissions contributed to global warming that is threatening the community’s existence.

Suspect of Shooting North of Kiana Arrested

Alaska State Troopers say the suspect in a shooting of two brothers north of Kiana has been arrested and identified as a Kiana actor who went missing earlier this month after the death of his 74-year-old mother.

Kivalina Students Heading Back to School

Kivalina students will finally head back to classes Monday, five weeks after the fall semester was postponed because late summer storms damaged a water supply pipeline that left the school and teacher housing without clean water.

Double Shooting Near Kiana Under Investigation

A double shooting near Kiana is under investigation. Alaska authorities say two men were shot Tuesday night in an altercation at a cabin 40 miles upriver from the village of Kiana. Alaska State Trooper spokesperson Megan Peters says the trouble began when the two hunters stopped at a remote cabin.

Game Board Rejects Denali Wolves Buffer Zone

The Alaska Board of Game has rejected an emergency request for a buffer zone protecting wolves that leave Denali National Park and Preserve. Board Executive Director Kristy Tibbles says six members determined the request did not meet criteria for an emergency order.

Era Resumes Limited Service

Era Aviation has resumed some limited service in Alaska after the commuter airline grounded 12 airplanes over the weekend. Airline spokesman Steve Smith says flights this morning were being routed by dispatchers to provide service to those most affected by the weekend grounding.

Roundtable Votes to Move Land Exchange Deal Along

A group of stakeholders in the Tongass National Forest has voted to support a proposed land exchange in Southeast Alaska. The Tongass Futures Rountable voted yesterday (Thursday) to support the land exchange between the U.S. Forest Service and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority. The deal involves nearly 39,000 acres of federal and Mental Health Trust lands.

Ice Still Delays Shell Arctic Offshore Drilling

A spokesman for Shell Alaska says it will be at least Monday before a company drill ship can return to an offshore petroleum prospect in the Chukchi Sea. Curtis Smith says ice is still prevalent over the Royal Dutch Shell prospect 70 miles off the coast of northwest Alaska.

Man Accused In Hotel Shootout Arrested And Charged

Anchorage Police have charged 37-year-old Jason Barnum with three counts of attempted murder in the shooting of a police officer on Thursday at the Merrill Field Inn. Barnum was arrested Friday morning after his release from an Anchorage hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound suffered in the shootout.

Study of Rare Bird Conducted at Kodiak Refuge

A study was conducted on Kodiak Island this summer that could result in a seabird being placed on the endangered species list. The bird is the Kittlitz's Murrelet, a rare black-and-white seabird.

Parnell Declares Disaster in Kivalina

Governor Sean Parnell has issued a disaster declaration for Kivalina, a community within Northwest Arctic Borough. The declaration makes funds available to pay for expenses associated with emergency protective measures and immediate efforts to refill the community’s water holding tanks.

Anchorage to Pay $5.5M to Settle Rape Lawsuits

Anchorage will pay more than $5.5 million to settle 11 civil lawsuits filed by women who claimed they were raped by a police officer. Mayor Dan Sullivan’s office announced the settlement Tuesday in a news release.

Couple Admits to Planning Judge’s Murder

An Alaska couple has admitted to buying a gun, silencer and hand grenades, and having maps to a federal judge's homes, in what prosecutors say was a murder plot that developed from a dispute over paying taxes.

Fire Near Fairbanks Increases to 42,000 Acres

A wildfire burning on military land south of Fairbanks has grown to 42,000 acres, and smoke continues to cause hazy conditions. The Dry Creek Fire is growing because of shifting winds. The fire was more than 28,000 acres on Thursday, and spread 14,000 acres throughout the day.

Soldier Accused in Hazing Demoted, Loses Pay

One of the soldiers accused in the hazing-related death of a Fort Wainwright Army private has been demoted and forced to forfeit part of his pay. Sgt. Travis Carden was punished at Fort Bragg in a summary court-martial. He was demoted to specialist and must forfeit two-thirds of his pay for one month.

Stranded Beluga Whales Spotted in Turnagain Arm

A NOAA law enforcement officer says about 20 beluga whales were stranded in Turnagain Arm. Officer Noah Meisenheimer says he spotted the whales on the mudflats of Turnagain Arm at about 8 p.m. Tuesday. He says they were clustered up in a small pool at low tide.

Man Pleads Guilty To Disposing Hazardous Waste

An Anchorage man has pleaded guilty to illegally disposing of more than 204,000 pounds of hazardous waste. William Duran Vizzerra Jr. entered his plea Friday in U.S. District Court in Anchorage. Sentencing was scheduled for Nov. 14.

Former UAF Shooter Wins Gold Medal

Jamie Lynn Gray has won a gold medal in the 50-meter-three-poistion rifle event at the London Olympics. In a video posted on YouTube by the U.S. Olympic Committee, The former University of Alaska Fairbanks shooter said she went into the event with a plan.