Thumbs up, thumbs down

Thumbs up:

Hilcorp: Energy company goes from newcomer to major player on the North Slope, buying BP’s Alaska assets. Look for big things at Prudhoe Bay.

Info sharing: New technology allows hospitals and care centers to share medical info.

Giant pumpkin: Can we ever get enough of Alaska’s giant vegetables? There’s a new state fair record!

Thumbs down:

Wildfires: We loved the sunshine this summer, but it came at a price.

Budget battle: Long, wild road to state budget leaves Alaskans exhausted.

Bar wars: Alcohol purveyors at odds again. Can we sit down over beers/cocktails and figure this out?

– Sarah Erkmann Ward, Blueprint Alaska