CHICAGO (AP) — The major league-best Tampa Bay Rays placed closer Pete Fairbanks on the 15-day injured list because of inflammation in his left hip on Monday.
Manager Kevin Cash said Fairbanks texted that he was feeling better than he did when he left the ballpark on Sunday, though he was still sore.
Hypothermia death exposes hole in Fairbanks’ homeless care
February 14, 2023 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The case of a homeless man who froze to death in Alaska’s second-largest city of Fairbanks has exposed a hole in the safety net of care provided to a vulnerable population in one of the coldest places in the country.
December serving up baked Alaska and warming most of Arctic
December 5, 2022 GMTMuch of the Arctic is in a burst of freak December warming.
In Utqiagvik, Alaska’s northernmost community formerly known as Barrow, it hit 40 degrees (4.4 degrees Celsius) Monday morning.
Maine man appeals convictions, sentences in Alaska murder
October 25, 2022 GMTLEWISTON, Maine (AP) — A Maine man who was convicted of killing and sexually assaulting a woman in Alaska in 1993 is appealing his convictions and sentences.
Steven H. Downs, 48, filed a notice of his appeal Monday with the Alaska Court of Appeals, the Sun Journal newspaper reported.
Maine man sentenced for 1993 rape, murder of woman in Alaska
September 27, 2022 GMTFAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — A man convicted in a rape and murder at a University of Alaska Fairbanks dormitory that went unsolved for more than two decades was sentenced to 75 years in prison in Alaska.
Son of ex-Alaska lawmaker faces charges in father’s death
August 22, 2022 GMTJUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The son of a former Alaska lawmaker faces charges of manslaughter and evidence tampering in the death of his father, former state Rep. Dean Westlake, according to charging documents.
‘No obvious reasons’ why teen killed 3 siblings, himself
July 29, 2022 GMTJUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Authorities investigating the deaths of three children who were shot by their 15-year-old brother have not found any evidence that the shootings were planned, an Alaska State Troopers spokesperson said Thursday.
Alaska State Troopers: Teen kills 3 siblings, himself
July 28, 2022 GMTFAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — A 15-year-old boy shot and killed three siblings at a home near Fairbanks and was found dead with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities announced Wednesday.
Murkowski says she has tested positive for COVID-19
July 25, 2022 GMTJUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Monday that she recently tested positive for COVID-19.
She made the announcement on the social media.
In the brief statement, the Republican said she recently tested positive after experiencing flu-like symptoms.
Rain helps slow Alaska wildfire that prompted evacuations
July 12, 2022 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Some rain helped firefighters battling an Alaska wildfire that prompted evacuations.
About a half inch fell into early Monday, allowing crews to build more fire breaks to help control the wildfire started by lightning June 21.
Fire marshal’s office suspends fireworks for parts of Alaska
July 1, 2022 GMTJUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska State Fire Marshal's Office is suspending the use of fireworks across large portions of the state, citing fire dangers.
The state Department of Public Safety in a statement said the fire marshal's office, along with the Division of Forestry and Fire Protection, have suspended the use fireworks until further notice in the Kenai Peninsula, Matanuska-Susitna, Denali and Fairbanks North Star boroughs.
Helicopter pilot helping Alaska firefighters dies in crash
June 27, 2022 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A helicopter contracted to support firefighting efforts on an Interior Alaska blaze crashed after takeoff, killing the pilot, officials said Monday. The fatality was the first related to Alaska wildfires in 22 years.
Wildfire prompts evacuation order for areas near Anderson
June 25, 2022 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An evacuation order was issued Saturday for people living in about 45 homes in subdivisions near a community in Interior Alaska after winds pushed the Clear Fire closer to them.
Officers kill man in Fairbanks after he pointed gun at woman
June 21, 2022 GMTJUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A driver was fatally shot Monday by law enforcement after he pointed a gun at a female passenger while his car was blocked by police vehicles in Fairbanks, Alaska State Troopers said Monday.
An ocean first: Underwater drone tracks CO2 in Alaska gulf
May 26, 2022 GMTSEWARD, Alaska (AP) — In the cold, choppy waters of Alaska’s Resurrection Bay, all eyes were on the gray water, looking for one thing only.
It wasn’t a spout from humpback whales that power through this scenic fjord, or a sea otter lazing on its back, munching a king crab.
Arrival of final 2 F-35s completes complement at Alaska base
April 18, 2022 GMTFAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — The final two F-35A Joint Strike Fighter jets have arrived at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, completing the full complement of 54 aircraft.
Col. David “Ajax” Berkland of the 354 Fighter Wing at Eielson called it “a really significant day for us in terms of the buildup of Eielson Air Force Base.”
USO Tour for NFLers includes ice fishing, moose sighting
April 14, 2022 GMTWhen Kenny Moore was told the USO tour he signed up for was heading to Fairbanks, Alaska, he hesitated. Should he go, he wondered?
The Indianapolis Colts cornerback sure is happy he did.
“I never thought about going to Alaska before, it is just so far north,” he says.
Cajun fiddler Michael Doucet breaks hip on tour in Alaska
April 5, 2022 GMTCajun fiddler Michael Doucet fell and broke his hip in Alaska, and his Grammy-winning band had to perform there without him.
His brother, guitarist David Doucet, wrote about the accident on his Facebook page and reposted the message on the page for the band, Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet.
Utah climber fined, banned for making false rescue claim
April 2, 2022 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A Utah physician was fined and banned from climbing Mt. Denali for five years after he made false claims to get himself and his friends rescued off the mountain, the Anchorage Daily News reported.
Iditarod punishes 3 mushers for sheltering dogs in windstorm
March 27, 2022 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A fierce winter storm in the last stretch of this year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog, which ultimately forced six mushers to scratch the same day, now has cost three other mushers for sheltering their dogs instead of leaving them outside in the harsh conditions.
Alaska air pollution holds clues for other Arctic climates
March 24, 2022 GMTFAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — In the pristine expanse of Alaska’s interior lies a dirty secret: some of the most polluted winter air in the United States can be found in and around Fairbanks.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough, which includes Alaska’s second largest city, routinely exceeds limits set by the U.S.
Vicious winter storm knocks 6 mushers out of the Iditarod
March 20, 2022 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Three additional mushers running at the back of the pack have scratched from this year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race after accepting assistance during a massive ground storm.
Man found guilty in 1993 Alaska university rape, murder
February 10, 2022 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A jury in Alaska found a man guilty on Thursday of the rape and murder of a woman at a university dormitory that went unsolved for more than two decades until a DNA match for the assailant was found using genetic genealogy tracing.
Moose attacks Iditarod rookie’s sled team, injures 4 dogs
February 9, 2022 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A large bull moose spent more than an hour stomping on the sled dog team of a rookie Iditarod musher in the wilds of Alaska last week — and the attack didn't end even after Bridgett Watkins emptied her gun into the animal.
Audio tapes of Maine man played at cold case murder trial
February 3, 2022 GMTFAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — Audio recordings of a Maine man speaking to police were played Wednesday for jurors hearing murder and rape charges against him in connection with the death of a 20-year-old student in Alaska in 1993.
Trial of Maine man in Alaska woman’s death underway
January 20, 2022 GMTFAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — The trial of a Maine man who is charged in the death of a woman at an Alaska university in the 1990s is underway after numerous delays.
Steven Downs, 47, of Auburn, is on trial for charges including murder and sexual assault in the death of 20-year-old Sophie Sergie in 1993.
Trial in Alaska university cold case death to start soon
January 8, 2022 GMTAUBURN, Maine (AP) — A Maine man is set to go on trial for murder in the death and sexual assault of a woman in Alaska nearly three decades ago.
Jury selection in the case of Steven Downs, 47, of Auburn, Maine, is scheduled for Monday in Fairbanks, Alaska, the Sun Journal reported.
Deep snow prompts aggressive moose behavior in Alaska
January 7, 2022 GMTFAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — It’s not just people who are a bit irritated by the deep snow this winter in Alaska.
A wildlife official in Alaska tells Fairbanks television station KTVF-TV that the deep snowfall and strong winds that have been prevalent across the state this winter have prompted moose to act more aggressively toward humans.
Authorities locate mother of baby found in box in Alaska
January 5, 2022 GMTJUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Authorities have located the mother of a baby found abandoned in a cardboard box in frigid conditions in Fairbanks last week, Alaska State Troopers reported Wednesday.
A unit within the troopers that handles major cases identified and located the mother Tuesday, and she was taken to a Fairbanks-area hospital for evaluation and medical care, troopers said in a statement.
Alaska man who threatened US senators pleads guilty
January 5, 2022 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A rural Alaska man who threatened to kill the state's two U.S. senators in a series of profanity-laced voice messages left at their offices in Washington, D.C., has pleaded guilty to making the threats in exchange for having other charges dropped.
Baby abandoned in box on frigid Alaska street corner
January 4, 2022 GMTJUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A newborn baby was reported in stable and healthy condition Monday after being found days earlier abandoned in a cardboard box in frigid temperatures near a rural intersection around Fairbanks, according to authorities in Alaska.
Alaska judge allows evidence about alternative suspects
December 16, 2021 GMTLEWISTON, Maine (AP) — A Maine man charged in a young woman's killing 28 years ago at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks will be allowed to present evidence about three alternative suspects at his trial next month.
Alaska man pleads not guilty to threatening 2 US senators
November 22, 2021 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A man charged with threatening the lives of Alaska’s two U.S. senators pleaded not guilty on Monday and judge decided that he will remain in custody.
Jason Weiner, an attorney for Jay Allen Johnson, entered the plea on his client's behalf during Johnson's arraignment in U.S.
Alaska officials consider more charges in Safeway shooting
November 9, 2021 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Authorities have released the name of the man shot and killed as he exited a grocery store in Fairbanks as the prosecutor said he is considering additional charges against the alleged shooter.
Alaska supermarket shooting suspect charged with murder
November 9, 2021 GMTFAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — Authorities said Monday that a gunman who killed a man outside of an Alaska grocery store over the weekend didn't break stride as he continued inside and sprayed gunfire across the store, wounding one other person.
State drops open container citation against Alaska lawmaker
October 26, 2021 GMTJUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — An open container citation issued to an Alaska state lawmaker has been dismissed because the trooper who issued the citation is no longer in state employment after being accused of sexual abuse of a minor.
Eielson to receive Air Force’s first nuclear microreactor
October 20, 2021 GMTFAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — A base in interior Alaska has been chosen by the U.S. Air Force to receive its first nuclear microreactor.
Eielson Air Force Base was selected in a project that began in 2019, when a National Defense Authorization Act requirement to identify potential sites for development and operation of a microreactor by 2027 began, Fairbanks television station KTVF reported.
‘Into the Wild’ bus on display during preservation work
October 12, 2021 GMTFAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — A bus that people sometimes embarked on deadly pilgrimages to Alaska’s backcountry to visit can now safely be viewed at the University of Alaska Fairbanks while it undergoes preservation work.
Man accused of threatening 2 US senators to remain in jail
October 9, 2021 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A man upset over the impeachment of former President Donald Trump, illegal immigration and the direction he thinks the country is headed is accused of threatening the lives of Alaska’s two Republican U.S.
Alaska man faces charges over threatening Murkowski’s life
October 7, 2021 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An Alaska man faces federal charges after authorities allege he threatened to hire an assassin to kill U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, according to court documents unsealed Wednesday.
Indiana man survives grizzly attack in Denali National Park
August 24, 2021 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A 55-year-old Indiana man is recuperating in stable condition Tuesday at a Fairbanks hospital after being mauled by a bear in Denali National Park and Preserve.
The man, who has not been identified, was hiking alone Monday evening in Thoroughfare Pass south of the park road when a grizzly with two 1- or 2-year-old cubs attacked him, the park said in a statement Tuesday.
Clean energy projects highlighted in Granholm’s Alaska tour
August 13, 2021 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm plans to spend two days in Alaska traveling with Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski to showcase what Granholm’s office calls the state's status as “America’s living laboratory.”
Bristol Bay region sees record-setting sockeye salmon run
July 20, 2021 GMTFAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — It has been a record-breaking year for sockeye salmon catches in Alaska's Bristol Bay Nushagak District this year, an official said.
“We’re approaching 27 million total run,” said Tim Sands, a state Department of Fish and Game area management biologist.
Alaska GOP leaders endorse challenger to US Sen. Murkowski
July 11, 2021 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The leaders of Alaska's Republican Party on Saturday endorsed a challenger to incumbent U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who has been one of the GOP's most outspoken critics of former President Donald Trump, the Anchorage Daily News reported.
Favorable weather helps keep Alaska wildfire from resort
July 8, 2021 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Favorable weather conditions have allowed firefighters to bolster protections for structures even as a wildfire burning in interior Alaska had grown on the opposite end, a fire official said Thursday.
Firefighters defend Alaska resort from advancing wildfire
July 6, 2021 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A wildfire burned close to a vacation destination in interior Alaska on Tuesday, but fire officials believed Chena Hot Springs Resort would be spared.
“They’re pretty confident that they’re going to be able to defend the resort, based on the measures that we’ve set up and the personnel we have on scene,” said Tim Mowry, a spokesperson for the Alaska Division of Forestry.
Evacuation order issued after wildfire nears Alaska resort
July 6, 2021 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Authorities on Monday advised residents and guests at an Alaska hot springs resort to evacuate immediately after a nearby wildfire intensified.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough issued the evacuation order when the fire reached a point less than a mile (1.6 kilometers) behind Chena Hot Springs.
Threat level low as wildfire nears Alaska hot springs resort
July 3, 2021 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A wildfire burning near a hot springs resort close to Fairbanks crossed a ridgeline Friday two miles south of Chena Hot Springs Resort, a fire official said.
About 100 firefighters moved back to set up protective measures around structures at the resort, along with recreational cabins and a few homes at the end of Chena Hot Springs Road.
Budget plan includes money for 500-mile Alaska hiking trail
June 1, 2021 GMTJUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A proposed 500-mile (804 kilometer) hiking trail from south-central Alaska to Fairbanks aimed at drawing more adventurers to the state has garnered support from the governor, tourism officials and others, and it could get a funding boost to help begin stitching it together.
Fairbanks detective cites sexual harassment in resignation
May 25, 2021 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The only female detective in the Fairbanks Police Department cited relentless sexual harassment when quitting on the spot Monday.
Alana Malloy, a 16-year department veteran, also cited retaliation after she spoke up as other grounds for her resignation Monday, Alaska’s News Source reported.
Alaska man gets pistol from his car to stop robbery attempt
March 31, 2021 GMTFAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — A Fairbanks man stopped an attempted robbery at a gas station by pointing his gun at the suspect and holding him until law enforcement arrived...
Pandemic puts pause on on-site use for some Alaska pot shops
March 22, 2021 GMTJUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Regulators amid much fanfare in early 2020 approved two cannabis lounges in Alaska, making it one of the few states where customers would be allowed to use marijuana at retail pot shops...
Supreme Court won’t get involved in Fairbanks Four case
March 8, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Four men who say they were illegally imprisoned for nearly two decades for the murder of a teenager in Alaska will have their lawsuit go forward after the U...
Police error prompts call to toss evidence in Alaska killing
February 4, 2021 GMTAUBURN, Maine (AP) — An attorney for a former Maine resident who is facing trial for an Alaska killing is trying to exclude evidence due to misinformation from police...
Program allows some Alaska Native Vietnam vets to get land
August 8, 2020 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Stewy Carlo had a short life, but he lived every moment. While serving in the Army, he bought a 1951 Mercedes and motored around Europe...
‘Into the Wild’ bus likely lands a home at Fairbanks museum
July 31, 2020 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An infamous bus appears headed to a new home at a museum in Fairbanks after being removed from Alaska’s backcountry to deter people from making dangerous, sometimes deadly treks to visit the site where a young man documented his demise in 1992...
Two more Alaskans die of illness caused by coronavirus
April 5, 2020 GMTTwo more Alaskans died of the COVID-19 illness brought on by the coronavirus and 14 more people were diagnosed with the disease, the state Department of Health and Social Services said Saturday.
A middle-aged man from Anchor Point developed symptoms and subsequently died of COVID-19 out of state March 29, the department said.