Alaska Life

In early Alaska there were only small jails, so serious criminals were shipped to the McNeil Island federal penitentiary southwest of Tacoma, Washington.

Alaska tour operators often offer discounts to residents this time of year, but there’s also fun to be had in Seattle and Mexico.

The state fair in Palmer runs through Labor Day.

Fair-goers came dressed as characters from anime, video games and action hero movies and comics.

This week, Jeff and Jonathan are discussing healthy soil structure — particularly the role of worms.

Better to “look like a swamp rat,” one travel agent suggested after a TikTok trend gone awry.

Moving plants indoors requires the plant to adjust to the change in the intensity of light and humidity, so follow these steps for best results.

Sunday is Military Appreciation Day with discounted admission for active and retired military and veterans, and Monday is First Responders Day with discounted admission for police, firefighters and EMS workers.

She finally struck it rich with her Hidden Treasure claim, but along the way had a variety of jobs and adventures that were chronicled in her book “Lady Sourdough” and on film.

As rain pelts Southcentral Alaska, mushrooms (and wood frogs) are popping up everywhere.

Travel columnist Scott McMurren recently dug up a $99 fare from Anchorage to Guatemala on Avianca.

Recipe: This frosted smaller-volume pastry hits all the pie notes — inky blue, sweet/tart filling, flaky, salty crust.

Gardening columnist Jeff Lowenfels tackles a number of topics, from spuds to ‘shrooms.

Pies, cakes, jams, cookies and even savory ribs, here are 10 of our favorite ways to use berries.

There are plenty of rides, food and concerts as well as Kids’ Day, Family Day and more.

Myra Schmidt, around 22 years old, was killed in her isolated cabin in February 1919. Later that year, a jury convicted John “Whiskey Jack” Gaslow of her murder.

Nikki Corbett and illustrator Katie O’Connor won a grant and, while juggling their responsibilities as parents and small-business owners, designed a coloring book for teaching the Yup’ik alphabet to young language learners.

Whether you’re cruising on paved trails or bumping up and down on singletrack paths, bikes offer a chance to outrun the bugs and cover lots of miles.

As always, the fair has featured plentiful and large vegetables, farm animals, carnival rides, vendors, concerts — and of course, food.

Record rainfall has hit Southcentral Alaska. However, as the guys discuss this week, gardens — and gardeners — still thrive despite the wet conditions.

Leo’s Doner Kebab, The Pizza Box and City Boy Burgers each offer a different flavor experience.

Aside from the big Alaska State Fair kickoff, there’s the Anchorage Greek Festival, Alaska Runfest and much more.