Chilkat Valley News · Chugiak, AK
Ryan Odsather joined the Haines Borough Police Department in October. Originally from Chugiak, Alaska, Odsather previously worked at the Chugiak Fire Department and at the Skagway Police and Fire Department. He will attend the 18-week police academy in Sitka in January. Odsather sat down on Nov. 6 with Chilkat Valley News reporter Lizzy Hahn to talk about his new role. Editor’s note: This conversation has been edited for clarity and brevity. Advertisement Continue reading — subscribe to unlock the full article.
The Seattle Times · Anchorage, AK
Nearby: Anchorage, AKBy BECKY BOHRER The Associated Press JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska voters have elected a Democrat for governor for the first time since 1998, part of a national midterm elections wave that gave the party sweeping wins in state governments across the country.Former state lawmaker Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins defeated three Republicans, including one endorsed by President Donald Trump. His victory means Democrats will control the governor’s office in 30 states, including several they flipped after years of Republican control in places such as Iowa, Georgia, Ohio and Texas.Kreiss-Tomkins, often referred to as JKT, completed a political comeback three years after leaving the state House. He traveled throughout Alaska to build his coalition and focused on affordability, advocated for full funding of public schools and called for all oil and gas producers to pay corporate income tax.
Anchorage Daily News · Anchorage, AK
Nearby: Anchorage, AKA room of the Black Angus Inn on Gambell Street in Anchorage on Oct. 19. (Marc Lester / ADN) This story has been made free to access as a public service. This story was reported, and made available without a subscription, with support from the Alaska Community Foundation. If you’d like to help us continue expanding local news coverage and access to essential information, you can subscribe or make a tax-deductible donation to ADN. A yellow cab idled at the entrance of the Black Angus Inn in Anchorage’s Fairview neighborhood. One of the cab’s doors opened and a mother with three of her six children spilled out into the fall sunshine on a bright October day.The family juggled cardboard trays of McDonald’s burgers, chicken nuggets, fries and sodas. A hotel worker scurried to hold the door open and help carry the food inside.The woman, who didn’t want her name shared publicly, said her family came to Anchorage from Samoa to care for her mother, who was in failing health.
Alaska Beacon · Anchorage, AK
Nearby: Anchorage, AKThe campaign of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mary Peltola sued the Alaska Division of Elections on Friday in an attempt to make public the names of Alaskans whose absentee ballots have been rejected by the division. The suit was filed Friday in Anchorage Superior Court by Alaskans For Mary, and it named the Division, its director and Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom as defendants. Alaskans for Mary has asked for expedited consideration and is requesting both an injunction and temporary restraining order that could expose the names before the election is certified later this month. In an emailed statement about the lawsuit, Alaskans for Mary said, “We are confident that Mary will win this race.
Alaska Beacon · Anchorage, AK
Nearby: Anchorage, AKA rare viral disease has emerged in an outbreak in Alaska’s largest city that appears to be expanding, state health officials report. There are now four new cases in Anchorage of mpox, a viral disease formerly called monkeypox that is spread through close contact and can be fatal. None of the patients reported traveling outside the state in month-long period before becoming infected. It is the highest number of annual mpox cases in Alaska since 2022, when five cases were diagnosed in the state amid a global outbreak. Between 2023 and 2025, there were only two Alaska cases. Three of the Anchorage cases emerged in October and were reported last week through a state Department of Health alert intended to raise awareness in the public and among healthcare providers. The fourth case was reported to state officials on Thursday, said Dr. Joe McLaughlin, Alaska’s state epidemiologist.
Alaska Beacon · Houston, AK
Nearby: Houston, AKThe Alaska Department of Natural Resources on Tuesday approved a scaled-down version of a controversial land transfer to a state-owned corporation, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority. According to a final finding and decision published Tuesday afternoon, DNR has approved a plan that would give approximately 6,800 of land for free to the state-owned corporation. That’s less than the 19,500 acres that had been earmarked for transfer in a preliminary July decision. DNR further said it will impose conditions on the transfer, including the right for local residents to use roads and trails in the area. DNR will also include a reversion clause that returns the land to the state agency if AIDEA fails to develop it.