Copper River School District Superintendent Michael Johnson has been named Alaska’s new education commissioner. The Juneau Empire reports that the state school board confirmed Tuesday the Johnson will start in the new position on July 1. The position became open earlier this year when Commissioner Mike Hanley stepped down. Johnson, who oversees a rural school…
Associated Press
North Slope Borough employee admits to stealing from police evidence room
A former North Slope Borough Police Department employee has pleaded guilty to stealing from a police evidence room and destroying case files. KTUU-TV reports that according to a plea agreement filed Friday in federal court, former evidence custodian Margaret Ann Solomon has admitted to taking at least $109,600 from an evidence room and destroying the…
Two women died rafting on Kongakut River
Two women died Wednesday after their raft flipped in the rapids of the Kongakut River.
Manslaughter charge filed in drug death of Soldotna man
A Kenai resident suspected of selling drugs to a man who died is being held on suspicion of manslaughter. Alaska State Troopers say 37-year-old Richard Paul Morrison is being held without bail pending arraignment at Wildwood Pretrial Facility. Troopers began an investigation Dec. 30 after the unexpected death of 37-year-old Jeremy Vandever of Soldotna. Investigators…
Permanent Fund bill stalls in House committee
A compromise bill to use Alaska Permanent Fund earnings to help stem the state’s multibillion-dollar deficit has failed to make it out of the House Finance Committee.
Sullivan drops bid for Senate race
Former Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan says he is withdrawing from the Republican field challenging incumbent U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski in the August primary. Alaska’s junior U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, the state’s former attorney general, was elected in 2014. During that election cycle, there was ample opportunities for confusion as both Sullivans were on the ballot…