The Associated Press
Comment Period Extended On NPR-A Plan
The comment period on a draft plan for the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska has been extended. The Bureau of Land Management says the agency will take comments on the plan and an accompanying environmental impact statement until June 15. The previous deadline was Friday.
Alaska Air Guard rescues hikers near Whittier
Two teenage boys who fell on a mountain near Whittier were picked up by an Alaska Air National Guard helicopter.
The Guard says the 16-year-olds fell and suffered injuries Saturday while climbing the mountain.
Coast Guard Rescues Five from Fishing Vessel
Coast Guard crews have rescued five people after their 55-foot fishing tender boat lost steering in high seas about 50 miles southeast of Cordova.
Shell Clears New Hurdle for Arctic Drilling
A federal appeals court has sided with the federal government in giving the go-ahead to Shell Oil to drill in the Alaska Arctic this year.
Murkowski Not Satisfied With Response On Allen
Senator Lisa Murkowski says she’s not satisfied with the explanation she received on the government’s handling of a key witness in an Alaska corruption case.
Anchorage Cab Driver Charged With Assault
Anchorage police say a cab driver has been charged with sexual assault. Paul Velasco was arrested Tuesday and ordered held on $100,000 bail. Police say Velasco on May 1 took a call for a woman wanting a ride from East Sixth Avenue to her home on Newell Street. Police say Velasco instead took the 42-year-old woman to a trailer court and assaulted her.
Gov Signs Suicide Prevention Bill
Gov. Sean Parnell has signed legislation requiring suicide prevention training for certain teachers, administrators, counselors and specialists in Alaska public schools.
Plans Made For Juneau Cruise Ship Passenger Fees
Plans are already being made in Juneau for using millions of dollars expected to come from cruise ship passenger fees this year. Juneau is expecting nearly 1 million cruise ship passengers this summer. The city now is slicing up its piece of the pie for projects and programs in fiscal year 2013.
Israel Keyes Attempts To Flee Courtroom
The man charged with kidnapping and murdering an Anchorage barista attempted to flee today at a hearing in federal court. U.S. marshals say 34-year-old Israel Keyes was quickly subdued.
Joule Decides Against Re-Election
Longtime Kotzebue state Rep. Reggie Joule has decided to not seek re-election. Joule, first elected to the state House in 1996, had earlier filed as a candidate to run again this year. In a House majority news release, Joule said he ultimately opted against doing so after much consultation with his family.
Anchorage Schools Appeal For Help With Vandalism
The Anchorage School District is again appealing to the public to help prevent summer vandalism at public schools. Director of security Gardner Cobb says there's a pattern of vandalism that occurs every year when school gets out.
Sparse Data Challenges NOAA In Mapping Arctic
The deputy administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the challenges for the agency in Arctic waters are huge as the region opens up to more vessel traffic.
Families File Lawsuit In Clam Digger Deaths
A seafood company is being accused in a lawsuit of failing to provide gear and training for five clam diggers killed last year in a boating accident.
Jurors Hear Secret Conversations At Militia Trial
Jurors in the trial of Fairbanks militia leader Schaeffer Cox have heard secret conversations with a man who infiltrated the group.
Alaska Guide Found Guilty on Smuggling Charge
An Alaska river guide and former National Parks Service ranger has pleaded guilty to helping a client smuggle a 10,000-year-old mammoth fossil out of Alaska.
Climber Dies After Fall on Mount McKinley
National Park officials say a climber has died of injuries after falling during a climb of Alaska's Mount McKinley.
Juneau Man Presumed Missing at Sea
A 65-year-old Juneau man is presumed missing at sea after his unmanned skiff was discovered in the waters of southeast Alaska.
Alaska Unemployment Hits 6.9 Percent
Alaska's unemployment rate last month dropped to 6.9 percent, its lowest level since December 2008. The state labor department says the preliminary, seasonally adjusted rate is slightly lower than March, when unemployment stood at 7 percent. Unemployment in April 2011 stood at 7.5 percent.
Murkowski Wants Additional Review Of Fish
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski is proposing to have the environmental and economic impacts of genetically modified fish studied before the fish are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Nearby Residents Won’t See Effects Of F-22 Flight Restrictions
The Air Force says people who live near F-22 bases shouldn’t see significant changes in how or where the aircraft are flying following new restrictions that will limit how far away from bases the stealth fighter jets can fly.