A new shelter for battered women and their children is opening in the western Alaska town of Bethel, a $9 million facility operators call a crucial step in addressing the growing problem of domestic abuse in the largely native region.

Former Alaska state Rep. Ralph Samuels says he will run for governor, presenting a formidable challenge to incumbent Sean Parnell in the Republican primary.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thunder Mountain’s Cameron Fronimos is excelling in something he has been around most of his life: wrestling.

ANCHORAGE – The Minerals Management Service on Monday conditionally approved plans by Shell Oil Co. to drill three exploratory wells next year in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska’s northwest coast.

Former Juneau resident Clif Towle died Dec. 2, 2009, at Providence Hospital in Everett, Wash., due to complications from a stroke. He was 77.

ANCHORAGE – The world’s most famous sled dog race is feeling squeezed by the poor economy.

FAIRBANKS – A $45 million state fish hatchery now under construction won’t have onsite housing for employees or laboratories for University of Alaska, Fairbanks researchers when it opens next summer.

ANCHORAGE – A count of Alaska’s Steller sea lion pups indicates the state’s two populations are headed in different directions for recovery.

FAIRBANKS – Alaskans are looking to the federal stimulus program to get broadband Internet access to remote villages.