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Mark Sabbatini

The KBBI Public Radio office and studio is on Kachemak Way, as seen in this photo taken July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

News

Emergency alerts, Gavel Alaska under threat as Trump seeks to nix public broadcasting funds, officials say

“Alaska is going to be a very tough spot if the federal funding goes away,” PBS CEO Paula…

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis is shown here underway, June 3, 2025, from Pascagoula, Mississippi. The Storis is the Coast Guard’s first new polar icebreaker acquisition in 25 years and will expand U.S. operational presence in the Arctic Ocean. (Photo courtesy of Edison Chouest Offshore)

News

Coast Guard icebreaker Storis begins maiden voyage, scheduled to be commissioned in Juneau in August

Ship will initially be homeported Seattle until infrastructure upgrades in Juneau are complete.

State Sen. Lyman Hoffman (D-Bethel) exits the Senate Chambers after the Senate on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, adjourns until next January. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Alaska Legislature adjourns a day early in ‘smoothest ending in 20 years’ following months of budget battles

Lawmakers speed through final votes on veto override on education funding bill, budget with $1,000 PFD.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill earlier this session at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. He vetoed a second such bill on Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Dunleavy vetoes 2nd bill increasing education funding; override vote by legislators likely Tuesday

Bill passed by 48-11 vote — eight more than needed — but same count for override not certain.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Dunleavy orders freeze on state employee hiring, travel and new regulations due to fiscal crunch

Exemptions allowed for certain occupations and “mission-critical” purposes.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Dunleavy threatens unprecedented veto of education funds in budget unless his policy goals are met

Line-item veto could leave districts with less money for months; legality of such action is questioned

Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower (R-Wasilla), right, explains why he is changing his vote on a compromise education bill during Wednesday’s floor session at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Education funding bill passes Legislature with veto-proof margin

Education commissioner tells school districts to support governor’s policy goals or risk losing funds.

State Sen. Löki Tobin (D-Anchorage) reviews an amendment on an education bill with other senators during a break in floor debate Monday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Update: Effort to rush compromise education bill through Legislature hits snag due to ‘drafting error’

Bill returned to Senate, which passed it 19-1, to fix error in amendment; House vote expected by Wednesday.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

News

Dunleavy’s veto of education funding bill puts pressure on lawmakers during final month of session

Governor also previews new bill with $560 BSA increase, plus additional funds for policy initiatives.

Rhiannon Giddens and Dirk Powell, the featured guest artists for the 50th Alaska Folk Festival, perform the final concert of the weeklong event at Centennial Hall on Sunday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Community

50th Alaska Folk Festival is one for the records

Capacity crowds, Grammy-winning artists, sellout of merchandise, future film make for resounding week.

Welcome messages in multiple languages are painted on windows at the University of Alaska Anchorage at the start of the semester in January. (University of Alaska Anchorage photo)

News

Juneau refugee family gets ‘leave immediately’ notice; four people affiliated with UAA have visas revoked

Actions part of nationwide sweep as Trump ignores legal orders against detentions, deportations.

The Alaska State Senate meets Thursday, where a bill boosting per-student education funding by $1,000 was introduced on the floor. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Education bill with $1,000 BSA hike — and nothing else — gets to Senate floor; veto by Dunleavy expected

Senate president says action on lower per-student education funding increase likely if veto override fails.

‘Wáats’asdiyei Joe Yates, Raye Lankford, X̱’unei Lance Twitchell and Rochelle Adams pose with the Children’s and Family Emmy Award award Lankford and Twitchell won for co-writing the an episode of the PBS animated children’s show “Molly of Denali.” (Photo courtesy of ‘Wáats’asdiyei Joe Yates)

News

‘Molly of Denali’ episode wins best writing honor at 2025 Children’s and Family Emmy Awards

First Emmy win for animated PBS show goes to episode co-writers X̱’unei Lance Twitchell and Raye Lankford.