LATEST ALASKA NEWS
Past sex case admissible in former Alaska pastor's...
A Fairbanks judge has ruled that a jury can hear about a former Alaska pastor's conviction involving his relationship with an underage girl in Virginia when he goes on trial on sex-abuse charges.
States, feds win marketing concession from...
Alaska is among 32 states that have won an agreement from Publishers Clearing House to modify its marketing to avoid misleading consumers into thinking they are sweepstakes winners, the Department of Law said today.
Alaska tourist industry sees jump in business
Tourism is showing some improvement in Alaska this year despite the sluggish economy. Indicators that include tour group numbers, hotel vacancies, customer spending and bed taxes suggest that tourism is better than last year.
Work will slow traffic on Glenn Highway at Eagle...
The Glenn Highway will have lane restrictions between the two Eagle River exits over the next two weekends due to a culvert installation project, the state Transportation Department said.
Mayor favors boost in community policing
A new study of how the Anchorage Police Department is working shows that the city can expand its "community policing" efforts even without adding any sworn officers, Mayor Dan Sullivan said Thursday.
Talkeetna doctor's trip to store saves him from...
TALKEETNA -- Talkeetna's only physician came within about 20 minutes of losing his life early Tuesday morning when a faulty stove pipe and 47 pounds of gunpowder in his log cabin clinic caused an explosion that blew out the back door and incinerated most of the building.
Alaska Railroad hires CEO with international rail...
Christopher Aadnesen will become the new chief executive of the state-owned Alaska Railroad Corp. later this month, the railroad said today.
Walker close to decision on governor's race
JUNEAU -- Bill Walker, who finished behind Gov. Sean Parnell last month's GOP gubernatorial primary, is close to deciding whether to continue his candidacy.
Kohring, Kott appealing convictions
ANCHORAGE - Convicted Alaska state legislator Vic Kohring argues in his appeal the jury should have heard about a looming child sex investigation of the government's star witness, former Veco Corp. chief Bill Allen.
Crawford hoping to unseat Young
State Rep. Harry Crawford, D-Anchorage, wants to become U.S. Rep. Harry, Crawford, D-Alaska.
Budget cuts threaten Native Arts Foundation
The publicly funded Alaska Native Arts Foundation has had its budget slashed, and it is not clear whether the organization dedicated to promoting the sale of Native art can continue to operate.
Alaska sues to lift Arctic drilling suspension
ANCHORAGE - The state claimed Thursday that the Interior Department illegally halted offshore drilling in Arctic waters, even though the department said there's no such moratorium in place.
Write-in option poses challenges, opportunity
JUNEAU - For U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the odds of waging a successful write-in candidacy to try to keep her job would be exceedingly long, the personal political stakes, sky high.
Deadline nears for Fire Island wind farm financing...
ANCHORAGE - Alaska electric utilities are still deciding whether to buy power from the proposed Fire Island wind farm.
Alaska sues over drilling moratorium
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- The state of Alaska filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to overturn the federal moratorium on offshore drilling in waters off Alaska's arctic coastline. Alaska - Offshore drilling - United States - Energy - United States Department of the Interior

Susitna builder looking to bid on ferry
Alaska Ship and Drydock, the shipyard that is constructing the experimental M/V Susitna ferry for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, also is interested in bidding on the construction of the new Alaska-class ferry design, supposing the design is considered economically feasible by the state.
Railroad line would help Port MacKenzie develop
Former Anchorage Mayor Rick Mystrom is one of the biggest proponents of a railroad line to Port MacKenzie, which could increase competition with the Anchorage port. But Mystrom believes the Matanuska-Susitna Borough rail development will be good for the city, creating business and jobs.
Former mayor hypes Mat-Su railroad spur to Port...
Former Anchorage Mayor Rick Mystrom has been pushing a huge railroad project -- for Mat-Su. It's a project the Matanuska-Susitna Borough is banking on to make its 11-year-old Port MacKenzie viable.
Southcentral feels 4.6 quake
A magnitude 4.6 earthquake rattled Southcentral Alaska on Wednesday morning, shaking buildings in Anchorage plus Palmer and other parts of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
Usibelli coal project sparks neighbor's protest
WASILLA - Usibelli Coal Mine is planning exploratory work on a project in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough that has sparked protest by neighboring landowners.
Mayor: Fed designation could harm inlet growth
WASILLA - The pending federal designation of critical habitat for Cook Inlet's beluga whales has Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Talis Colberg concerned.
Students can get vaccinations Saturday
The first H1N1 vaccination clinic for students of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Colony High School.
Fairbanks chamber backs Mat-Su rail plan
FAIRBANKS - The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce has endorsed a plan by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and Alaska Railroad to extend track to industrial land near Anchorage.
Fairbanks chamber backs Mat-Su rail plan
FAIRBANKS -- The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce has endorsed a plan by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the Alaska Railroad Corp. to extend track to industrial land at Point MacKenzie. The Mat-Su Borough has developed a port there, on the north shore of Cook Inlet. They say it could handle exports of coal, limestone and other natural resources.
Mat-Su still strong amid weak economy
ANCHORAGE - While Alaska is feeling the effects of the down economy, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough is deflecting some of the economic problems with a string of important projects.
Mining company explores copper find
CANTWELL - A Canadian mining company has optioned a huge piece of land in the northern reaches of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough with the hope of hauling out copper.
Commission delays gravel vote
MAT-SU - The advisory vote on the controversial gravel ordinance by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Planning Commission was postponed until Oct. 19.
Absentee, other ballots could change outcomes
MAT-SU - Tuesday's elections mostly held the status quo for the three cities in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, but as the last ballots are counted, a few contests are still subject to change.
Mayors re-elected, sales taxes rejected in local...
Alaska voters in Fairbanks and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough rejected sales taxes Tuesday.
Voting information
All polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. MATANUSKA-SUSITNA BOROUGH Mayor Talis Colberg (incumbent) John Leiner Assembly District 3 Michelle Church (incumbent) Ronald Arvin Assembly District 6 Robert Wells (incumbent) Jim Turner Jim Colver Assembly District 7 Vern Halter Doyle Holmes School Board Seat A Neal Lacy Jamey Duhamel Michael Dunleavy Adam Boyd School Board Seat B Sarah Welton (incumbent) Robert Doyle James Tapley School Board Seat E Erick Cordero (incumbent) Julie Collins Dave...
Mat-Su sales tax is on ballot in election today
MAT-SU -- Voters in Matanuska-Susitna Borough will decide today whether to adopt a 3 percent sales tax.
Voting information for Tuesdayâ??s elections
MATANUSKA-SUSITNA BOROUGH Mayor Talis Colberg (incumbent) John Leiner Assembly District 3 Michelle Church (incumbent) Ronald Arvin Assembly District 6 Robert Wells (incumbent) Jim Turner Jim Colver Assembly District 7 Vern Halter Doyle Holmes School Board Seat A Neal Lacy Jamey Duhamel Michael Dunleavy Adam Boyd School Board Seat B Sarah Welton (incumbent) Robert Doyle James Tapley School Board Seat E Erick Cordero (incumbent) Julie Collins Dave Anderton Proposition No. 1 Areawide Property Tax...
Athletes sue school district in Mat-Su
WASILLA - Two Colony High School softball players and their parents have sued the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, claiming the district is not providing equal sports opportunities to girls.
Athletes sue Mat-Su schools over equal opportunity
WASILLA -- Two Colony High School softball players and their parents are suing the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, claiming that the district is not providing equal opportunities to girls for sports.
H1N1 shots on the way; schools hit hard
MAT-SU - With school attendance rates and sports teams being the latest victims of the H1N1 virus, a vaccine is on its way, according to Matanuska-Susitna Borough officials.
Two charged in death of Jeremy Ewing
PALMER -- Two people have been charged in connection with the death of Jeremy Ewing, the son of Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assemblyman Mark Ewing, according to Alaska State Troopers.
Developer defies borough order to open gate
DENALI STATE PARK - A month after the Matanuska-Susitna Borough released an order requiring a public road to Denali State Park be opened, a private gate still blocks access to the road.
School board races draw crowd of candidates
MAT-SU - After a crowded election on Oct. 6, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School Board will be filled with at least one new face.
Seven vie for three borough assembly seats
MAT-SU - With the sales tax, gravel ordinance and calls for division bringing the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly to the forefront of Valley conversations, expect a big turnout on Oct. 6 when voters will decide on the three seats up for election.
Colberg wins Mat-Su mayor race
ANCHORAGE - Former Alaska attorney general and Troopergate figure Talis Colberg was elected mayor of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough on Tuesday.

  Ex-Alaska atty gen wins mayoral election
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