Airline shares fall as oil prices rise

Airlines stocks fell on Tuesday as fuel prices rose, suggesting that investors may be nervous that recent fare increases may not be enough.

Hecla posts record sales and profits

Hecla Mining Co. reported record sales and profits in 2011, despite a series of accidents that led to the deaths of two miners and injuries to others.

NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS,Associated Press

Fantasy camp for those who love to fly

Eric Mueller's vacation started when his plane filled with smoke. Soon, people slid down an emergency chute, inflated life vests and climbed into a raft. Mueller loved every minute of it.

SCOTT MAYEROWITZ,AP Airlines Writer

Rising sales point to better year for housing

The housing market is flashing signs of health ahead of the spring-buying season. Sales of previously occupied homes are at their highest level since May 2010.

DEREK KRAVITZ,AP Real Estate Writer

Panel: All adults should get whooping cough shots

A federal advisory panel wants all U.S. adults to get vaccinated against whooping cough.

MIKE STOBBE,AP Medical Writer

Fights over school funding, oil taxes loom in Legislature

The Legislature passed the one-third mark for its 2012 session, which started Jan. 17, and it appears a bruising fight may be shaping up over increased funding for schools as well as for oil and gas tax legislation, which was always considered to be the major issue going into the session.

By Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Health care costs are biting Alaskans, businesses harder

Rising medical costs are biting hard. Health care spending in Alaska is now running at $7.5 billion a year, and if trends continue, it will double by 2020.

By Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Essential Air Service, grants for Alaska preserved in FAA bill

After five years and nearly two dozen short-term extensions of the Federal Aviation Administration budget, the state that relies on air transportation more than any other can breathe a little easier.

By Andrew Jensen, Alaska Journal of Commerce

FAA to implement ADS-B nationwide within a decade

A small aviation company is making big strides in getting its technology to become an industry standard. A long-awaited reauthorization from the Federal Aviation Administration adds widespread installation real-time safety technology in 2020.

By Jonathan Grass, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby trades big fish for big prizes

The Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby is revamping for 2012 in a proactive response to concerns about the resource.

By Andrew Jensen, Alaska Journal of Commerce