Associated Press

ANCHORAGE — Three environmental groups are turning up legal pressure on a federal agency to require a cleanup of polluted Fairbanks air.

The groups in June sued the Environmental Protection Agency to force an agency decision on whether to accept a state plan to reduce unhealthy fine particulate produced by wood stoves and other sources.

The groups Wednesday sent a letter to the EPA announcing their intent to sue again because the agency has missed a deadline to require the Fairbanks North Star Borough to address pollution controls.

A letter giving 60-day notice is required before a lawsuit can be filed.

Earthjustice is representing the groups. Attorney Kenta Tsuda says federal law requires the EPA to designate the Fairbanks borough as a “serious non-attainment area” that would trigger additional pollution controls.

ANCHORAGE — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will investigate the death of a man by electrocution Tuesday in Eagle River.

Anchorage Police Department spokeswoman Anita Shell said that Donald Emmert, 57, died as he worked on a well.

Anchorage Police Sgt. Todd Kearns says Emmert was associated with Chugiak-based Sullivan Water Wells.

Kearns says Emmert was working alone and raising a truck boom when it apparently touched overhead electrical wires.

Police and medics reached the scene at about 10:30 a.m.

An autopsy has been scheduled.

JUNEAU, Alaska — Sarah Palin’s political action committee raised just under $150,000 during the last fundraising quarter, far less than it brought in during the same period in the last three election years.

As of June 30, Sarah PAC reported having about $170,000 available.

Disclosures show a sizable chunk of money went to consultants. Sarah PAC only donated to two candidates, giving $5,000 each to Colorado U.S. Senate candidate Darryl Glenn and Paul Nehlen, who’s challenging House Speaker Paul Ryan in Wisconsin.

Palin launched Sarah PAC in 2009, following her failed Republican vice presidential run. Between April and June 2010, the comparable period, Sarah PAC raised about $865,000.

During that period in 2012, Sarah PAC raised almost $780,000 and ended with about $1.2 million on hand. Sarah PAC raised about $465,000 for the quarter in 2014.

SITKA, Alaska — The city of Sitka has announced that construction will start on the second phase of an oceanside sidewalk project thanks to more than $1.3 million in state funding.

The Sitka Sentinel reports that the money awarded through the Alaska Transportation Alternatives Program will help cover the cost of extending the walkway. The Sitka Sea Walk project is one of 12 projects funded statewide in the program under the state’s transportation department.

City Engineer Dan Tadic said the next phase of construction will extend the sea walk by more than 1,700 feet.

Officials expect construction to begin in 2018.

The first part of the walkway had been completed in 2013, with funding from the Legislature and the cruise ship passenger excise tax.

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — A weekend explosion at a Fairbanks home left five people injured.

Alaska State Troopers just after 3:30 p.m. Sunday received a call of the explosion at a home on Rosie Creek Road west of the city.

No fire broke out afterward.

Emergency medical responders moved five people to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.

Two were seriously injured.

Troopers say a propane leak appears to be the cause of the explosion.

The state fire marshal is investigating.

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — The city of Fairbanks is offering a $5,000 signing bonus to police officers from other communities who make a lateral move to join the Fairbanks Police Department for three years.

Fairbanks Police Chief Randall Aragon told the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner the department is in “crisis mode” in attracting new officers.

He says the department has lost its edge in recruiting and retaining officers because other Alaska police departments offer better salaries and benefits.

Patrol officer Ron Dupee, the president of the local Public Safety Employees Association, says the department has 48 authorized, sworn positions and that eight are not filled.

He said six more officers are expected to leave the department by the end of 2017 and two are seeking employment elsewhere.

Dupee said traffic patrols have been cut because of vacancies.