When the McKinley fire started, local firefighters took the first calls
Many of the local firefighters are still at the scene, but their initial efforts were especially important, officials said, amid diminished staffing levels at the end of the fire season, and as other wildfires around the state were competing for staff and equipment.
Pentagon scraps Fort Greely missile plan
The Pentagon is canceling a project to improve its ground-based missile interceptors, most of which are housed at Fort Greely in the Interior of Alaska.
The latest on Southcentral wildfires: Aug. 21, 2019
The Caribou Lake Fire is threatening around 30 cabins near Homer. The blaze, 25 miles northeast of the city, grew to an estimated 700 acres on Wednesday.
The McKinley Fire raged through this area over the weekend. Here’s what it looks like now.
As the the McKinley wildfire continues to burn in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. leaving charred destruction in its wake, emergency crews work to protect area homes and property.
In a trickle of information, fire evacuees learn fate of homes
Residents displaced by the McKinley fire are gradually finding out about their homes and property, as state begins an assessment that will take days.
Alaskan Joe Balash resigns as assistant secretary of Interior
Joe Balash is one of the highest placed Alaskans in the Trump administration.
Wildfires crimp Alaska’s major transportation corridor, halting tourist operations, delaying groceries
Major wildfires that flared up in Southcentral Alaska over the weekend caused road closures and delays on some of the region's busiest road corridors, forcing re-routes and long delays for locals, buses filled with tourists and trucks trying to re-supply grocery stores.
Fires burn from Homer to Mat-Su, stalling traffic, as evacuees wait for news
Fire crews and additional resources are pouring in to Alaska to help contain multiple blazes burning on and off the road system. And while cooler, calmer weather has helped, there's still no rain forecast for the days ahead.
Initiative would increase state oil taxes, eliminate tax credits
Oil industry representatives say the initiative would hurt the industry.
Governor signs $1,600 PFD, says third special session would focus on full dividend
For the second time, Dunleavy vetoed funding to reimburse municipalities for school construction debt and to pay for Medicaid.
Southcentral fires burn, traffic at a crawl on highways, evacuees tell of heavy smoke and flames
"That was an experience coming down that highway," she said. " Trees just ablaze. Smoke so heavy you could only follow the tail lights of the truck or car ahead of you."
Watch: Dunleavy signs off on $1,600 PFD, agrees to restore funds to multiple budget items
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed a bill Monday that provides permanent fund dividends of $1,600. He says he expects to call a third special session this fall, solely to pay another roughly $1,400 per Alaskan in PFDs. Watch the video address here.
Gov. Dunleavy postpones budget signing, signals support for two more vetoed programs
Gov. Dunleavy has reversed himself and declared support for subsidized broadband internet for rural libraries and a free service allowing online tutors for students. The governor had previously vetoed the $809,200 in funding.
At least 50 structures lost in McKinley fire north of Willow
A 19-mile stretch of the Parks Highway was closed some 80 miles north of Anchorage, as authorities called for the evacuation of a subdivision that only has one road in and out.
Fires north and south of Anchorage close highways, trigger evacuations
High winds, dry conditions have caused the fires to grow rapidly.
Group seeking Dunleavy recall isn’t stopping at minimum as it continues to gather signatures
A Recall Dunleavy organizer says the campaign isn’t slowing down after the veto reversals.
Tali Birch Kindred, daughter of deceased state Sen. Birch, takes step toward trying to fill his seat
The daughter of recently-deceased state senator Chris Birch, Tali Birch Kindred, is seeking to replace him, according to documents she filed with state regulators Friday.
Homeless shelters and services to see reduced funding
With a state capital budget passed, the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation said it will dole out checks to charities that have been trying to keep Alaskans off the streets. But those checks will only go so far.
Dunleavy points to university budget cut agreement as a model
Nonprofit leaders have said they’re open to working with the governor. But it’s unclear how the approach will work in practice.
Murkowski now supports a ‘complete exemption’ for Tongass from Roadless Rule
A decision by the Trump administration over exempting the Tongass National Forest from the Roadless Rule is expected soon. That’s according to Sen. Lisa Murkowski who in an interview with CoastAlaska has hardened her stance on the hot-button issue.