Associated Press

Authorities in Alaska’s largest city say a severely injured man initially believed to have been stabbed was more likely mauled by a bear.

Anchorage police say the man collapsed after stumbling out of the woods Wednesday night in a greenbelt area officials say is a corridor for wildlife including black and brown bears, and moose.

Police spokeswoman Jennifer Castro said Thursday that hospital medics found the wounds to the man’s chest were more consistent with an animal attack rather than injuries from a knife.

The man remains in critical condition at the hospital.

State fish and game biologists are inspecting the scene.

Castro says police at the scene saw what looked like the marks of something being dragged.

The man’s name was not immediately released.

Senate President Kevin Meyer says he sees the work by his chamber as largely done after it approved changes to state oil and gas tax credits and passed a plan to use Alaska Permanent Fund earnings to help fund state government.

The Senate approved both bills Monday, as lawmakers sought to finish what they could ahead of the start of the Alaska Native gathering known as Celebration. Hotel rooms booked for the event starting Wednesday meant some lawmakers will be losing their rooms for a few days and prompted plans for a break in the special session the rest of this week.

The House also approved the compromise tax credit bill but the permanent fund bill remains in committee. Three tax bills from Gov. Bill Walker are positioned for a floor vote in the House, provided they have support to move.

Longtime Alaska state Sen. Johnny Ellis says he will not seek re-election.

Ellis is the latest legislator to announce his retirement. Ellis’ announcement came Wednesday, which was the candidate filing deadline.

Ellis, an Anchorage Democrat, was first elected to the Senate in 1992. Prior to that, he served three terms in the House.

A release from Senate Democrats said Ellis’ most satisfying accomplishments in public life included work to help Alaskans with disabilities and work on changes to the state’s criminal justice system.

Senate Minority Leader Berta Gardner said it’s almost impossible to imagine the Senate without Ellis.

Other legislators who have said they won’t seek re-election this year include Republican Sens. Bill Stoltze and Lesil McGuire and Republican Reps. Kurt Olson and Mike Hawker.

Kodiak College says it is cutting some programs that are no longer in demand to save money during a difficult fiscal time for the state.

KMXT reports that Kodiak College asked the University of Alaska Anchorage to stop admitting students to the undergraduate certificate in construction technology and the undergraduate certificate in industrial safety program support.

Kodiak College Director Alan Fugleberg says those certificates aren’t in high demand and the low enrollment doesn’t justify the expense of hiring a teacher.

Fugleberg says Kodiak might offer some of the classes from those programs through the continuing education program it is building.

He says the college is also removing the Associate of Applied Science degree program in computer systems technology because of low enrollment.

Anchorage police are investigating a Memorial Day shooting that left a man with a wound to his upper body.

An Anchorage couple suspected of hiding jewelry and other items and claiming they were stolen has been indicted on federal fraud charges.

Prosecutors say 41-year-oid Arnold Flowers II and 31-year-old Miranda Flowers are charged with 14 counts of wire fraud and scheming to defraud.

Arnold Flowers also faces narcotics and gun charges.

Prosecutors say the couple on Jan. 19 reported their home had been burglarized. They filed an insurance claim for $82,000 in damage and stolen electronics, jewelry and clothes.

Investigators found many of the items March 29 in a storage unit belonging to the couple.

A search of their home turned up cocaine and guns. Prosecutors say Arnold Flowers’ past convictions prohibit him from possessing guns.

Online court records did not list an attorney for the couple.