Associated Press

BETHEL, Alaska (AP) — Starting next month, the management of king salmon on a southwestern Alaska river will transfer from state control to federal.

KYUK-AM reports that as of June 12, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will begin to oversee the salmon living on lower and middle Kuskokwim River. Under federal law, the switch is necessary when there is poor return of king salmon. By taking over the fishery, the service is responsible for ensuring that local people receive subsistence priority.

According to the report, the feds may announce gillnet fishing openings depending on the condition of the run.

Refuge Manager Ken Stahlnecker says one opening is already scheduled for June 12. He expects fishers will be allowed to harvest as many as salmons this year as last year: about 40,000 kings.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The remains of an Arkansas National Guardsman killed 65 years ago in a plane crash in Alaska have been returned to his home state.

Staff Sgt. Robert Dale Van Fossen was 21 when his plane went missing on Nov. 22, 1952, after he and other troops flew through harsh weather.

Wreckage was found eight days later, but the remains of many of those killed weren’t found until 2012, when the site was rediscovered by a Black Hawk helicopter on a routine training mission. Van Fossen’s remains were identified through DNA testing last year.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff to honor Van Fossen.

The governor signed a proclamation saying the state was proud to bring Van Fossen home, “to honor his life, accomplishments and service to his nation.”

A funeral is scheduled for Saturday.

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke (ZINK’-ee) will visit Alaska.

The state’s congressional delegation announced Zinke will arrive Saturday for a multi-day trip that will include a visit to Prudhoe Bay.

His itinerary also includes visiting Denali National Park and Preserve, which is celebrating its centennial, and meetings with Interior Department employees and the Alaska Federation of Natives in Anchorage.

On Wednesday, also in Anchorage, Zinke is scheduled to address an Alaska Oil and Gas Association conference.

Zinke, a former Montana congressman, was confirmed as Interior secretary earlier this year.

In a joint statement, Alaska’s congressional delegation says it looks forward to showing Zinke Alaska’s beauty and potential and the impact that Interior Department decisions have on Alaskans’ lives.

Gov. Bill Walker’s office says Walker also will meet with Zinke.

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — Fairbanks police officers shot and killed a car chase suspect after the man rammed law enforcement vehicles that had blocked his pickup at a Mitchell Expressway onramp.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports the suspect’s name has not been released.

Alaska State Troopers first spotted the man with outstanding felony warrants driving a white pickup Thursday.

Troopers chased him down the Richardson Highway, and Troopers Lt. Brian Wassmann says witnesses reported the suspect fired at officers.

Fairbanks police joined the chase and deployed a spike strip to deflate the pickup’s tires. The man rammed law enforcement vehicles and they closed in on him.

Wassmann says that’s when “Fairbanks police officers then discharged their weapons.”

The man was injured and taken to a local hospital, where he later died.

WASILLA, Alaska — An Anchorage man on probation for felony theft was arrested after a high-speed chase near Wasilla.

Nicholas Randazzo, 31, drove more than 100 mph as he tried to elude an officer Sunday night, troopers said.

Alaska Wildlife Troopers tried to stop a compact car near Mile 5 Knik-Goose Bay Road for suspected moving violations.

The driver accelerated, troopers said, ran red lights and passed cars in no-passing zones. The speed limit was 55 mph.

After 2.5 miles, the driver failed to negotiate a turn, slid into a ditch and struck a utility box.

Troopers say the driver tried to run but was subdued with a stun gun.

Randazzo was held without bail at Mat-Su Pretrial Facility on suspicion of felony eluding, reckless driving and resisting arrest.

WASILLA, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Department of Corrections has launched an investigation after an inmate at Goose Creek Correctional Center died while in custody, KTVA TV reports .

Officials tell KTVA and other media outlets that at 10 a.m. Saturday, Daniel Mark Brusehaber, a 60-year-old inmate, told corrections officers and medical staff he was having trouble breathing. Officials say that despite efforts to save Brusehaber, he was pronounced dead by emergency first-responders more than an hour later.

KTVA reports that the inmate had been in Goose Creek since mid-April on a probation violation and a DWI charge.

The station says his death marks the second in-custody death for 2017.

Alaska State Troopers and the Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an investigation, as is standard procedure. The Department of Corrections Professional Conduct Unit will also conduct an investigation.