Peter Segall

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A Juneau resident holds up a Recall Dunleavy signature collection page when the campaign first began in August, 2019, but the Alaska Supreme Court ruled Friday the campaign's application for recall was legally sufficient. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)

State Supreme Court sides with recall campaign, draws Dunleavy’s ire

High court affirms superior court decision.

 

Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree, right, is sword in by Justice Dario Borghesan in Anchorage on July 1, 2021. Winfree will take over after former Chief Justice Joel Bolger retired earlier this year. (Courtesy photo/Alaska Court System)

State Supreme Court has new Chief Justice

Governor announces appointment to high court.

 

Alaska State Capitol

Lawmakers announce PFD working group

First meeting Wednesday.

 

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here speaking at a Jun 17, 2021 news conference at the Alaska State Capitol, announced $215 million in vetoes to the state budget Thursday, and called on lawmakers to come together to solve the state's fiscal issues. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Gov announces $215M in vetoes —lawmakers’ per diem payments, PFD are among cuts

Announcement prompts strong pushback.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here speaking at a Jun 17, 2021 news conference at the Alaska State Capitol, announced $215 million in vetoes to the state budget Thursday, and called on lawmakers to come together to solve the state's fiscal issues. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Members of the House Republican Minority Caucus talk amongst themselves during an at ease on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday, June 28, 2021. House members reached a deal on an operating budget and avoided a government shutdown but members of the minority said they had been repeatedly pushed out of the process. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers pass budget again; send to Gov ahead of shutdown deadline

More work and a work group ahead.

Members of the House Republican Minority Caucus talk amongst themselves during an at ease on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday, June 28, 2021. House members reached a deal on an operating budget and avoided a government shutdown but members of the minority said they had been repeatedly pushed out of the process. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Firefighter medic Andy Tighe snaps a photo of the breakaway plus-class cruise ship Norwegian Bliss while Captain Tracy Mettler operates a fireboat in the Tongass Narrows in Ketchikan, Alaska, on June 4, 2018. President Joe Biden signed into law Monday, May 24, 2021, legislation that opens a door for resumed cruise ship travel to Alaska after the pandemic last year scrapped sailings. (Dustin Safranek / Ketchikan Daily News)

Alaska’s cruise season ‘good to go’

Ships expected late July.

Firefighter medic Andy Tighe snaps a photo of the breakaway plus-class cruise ship Norwegian Bliss while Captain Tracy Mettler operates a fireboat in the Tongass Narrows in Ketchikan, Alaska, on June 4, 2018. President Joe Biden signed into law Monday, May 24, 2021, legislation that opens a door for resumed cruise ship travel to Alaska after the pandemic last year scrapped sailings. (Dustin Safranek / Ketchikan Daily News)
Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, spoke to the Empire on Monday, June 14, 2021, about the final budget proposal for the state which he helped craft. Some lawmakers said they felt bullied by the budget's contents. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers decry ‘bully tactics’ in budget proposal

Legislative leverage.

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, spoke to the Empire on Monday, June 14, 2021, about the final budget proposal for the state which he helped craft. Some lawmakers said they felt bullied by the budget's contents. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) in the Alaska Capitol on Feb. 11, 2021 in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)

Public pushback puts pause on DMV proposal

Lawmakers shutter plan to close six rural DMVs

Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) in the Alaska Capitol on Feb. 11, 2021 in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during an August news conference. On thursday, Dunleavy withdrew an executive order reorganizing the state’s largest department, the Department of Health and Social Services, after lawmakers sought to block it. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Governor withdraws DHSS split order

Reorganizing the department remains a priority.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during an August news conference. On thursday, Dunleavy withdrew an executive order reorganizing the state’s largest department, the Department of Health and Social Services, after lawmakers sought to block it. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
The Department of Health and Social Services, its headquarters seen here in Juneau on Monday, March 8, 2021, could be split into two departments by an executive order from the governor. However, some lawmakers have raised concern about the legality of the order, saying it could lead to costly litigation. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers question whether proposed department split is legal

Governor maintains executive order is within his powers, others are less sure.

The Department of Health and Social Services, its headquarters seen here in Juneau on Monday, March 8, 2021, could be split into two departments by an executive order from the governor. However, some lawmakers have raised concern about the legality of the order, saying it could lead to costly litigation. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Members of the Alaska House of Representatives gather for a Finance Committee meeting on Monday, March 1, 2021 even after a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19. Meetings were canceled last week after Rep. Mike Cronk, R-Tok, tested positive. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Work continues even with new cases at the Capitol

“Hell or high water.”

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives gather for a Finance Committee meeting on Monday, March 1, 2021 even after a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19. Meetings were canceled last week after Rep. Mike Cronk, R-Tok, tested positive. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, speaks to colleagues on Friday, Feb 12, 2021. Edgmon, who served as speaker of the house in 31st Legislature, was named Monday as a co-chair of the House Finance Committee. A full list of committee assignments is expected soon. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Alaska House on the verge of organizing

Some leadership has been named

Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, speaks to colleagues on Friday, Feb 12, 2021. Edgmon, who served as speaker of the house in 31st Legislature, was named Monday as a co-chair of the House Finance Committee. A full list of committee assignments is expected soon. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File There’s money in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s bond proposal package for projects like the one taking place at Aurora Harbor, seen here in this Nov. 5, 2020, file photo, but Juneau’s Sen. Jesse Kiehl doesn’t think there’s enough local investment.

Governor’s $356M bond proposal gets cool reaction from lawmakers

Legislators cautious on revisions, additions

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File There’s money in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s bond proposal package for projects like the one taking place at Aurora Harbor, seen here in this Nov. 5, 2020, file photo, but Juneau’s Sen. Jesse Kiehl doesn’t think there’s enough local investment.
Newly elected Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, after being unanimously elected to the position on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Pool)

Senate organizes, elects Micciche as president

Legislature is stalled.

Newly elected Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, after being unanimously elected to the position on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Pool)
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Ed Sniffen appointed as Attorney General

Acting AG since August.

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photo by James Brooks/Anchorage Daily News, Pool Members of the Alaska House of Representatives take their oaths of office on Tuesday, Jan. 19, in the Alaska State Capitol at Juneau. Members were allowed to remove their COVID-19 masks as they took the oath.

State House remains unorganized after first day

They’ll try again Wednesday.

photo by James Brooks/Anchorage Daily News, Pool Members of the Alaska House of Representatives take their oaths of office on Tuesday, Jan. 19, in the Alaska State Capitol at Juneau. Members were allowed to remove their COVID-19 masks as they took the oath.
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Lawmakers weren’t at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Friday, but the House Finance Committee met electronically to discuss Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed budget.

New revenue or no service, lawmakers weigh options

Time is short.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Lawmakers weren’t at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Friday, but the House Finance Committee met electronically to discuss Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed budget.
The Holland America Line cruise ships Eurodam, left, and Nieuw Amsterdam pull into Juneau’s downtown harbor on May 1, 2017. Holland America extended its pause on sailings to Alaska until mid-May as the company tries to find ways to sail under new health regulations. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Cruise lines announce sailings pause

Exact dates not set.

The Holland America Line cruise ships Eurodam, left, and Nieuw Amsterdam pull into Juneau’s downtown harbor on May 1, 2017. Holland America extended its pause on sailings to Alaska until mid-May as the company tries to find ways to sail under new health regulations. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Division of Elections staff conducted an audit of the ballots for Measure 2 at the division’s offices at the Mendenhall Mall on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. DOE announced the audit found no changes from the original count and the results remained the same as originally certified. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Ballot Measure 2 audit shows no changes

Alaska’s election comes out clean.

Division of Elections staff conducted an audit of the ballots for Measure 2 at the division’s offices at the Mendenhall Mall on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. DOE announced the audit found no changes from the original count and the results remained the same as originally certified. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai, left, explains the recount process to DOE staff and members of the State Review Board during a recount of votes from Anchorage House District 27 where a Democratic challenger ousted a Republican incumbent by just 13 votes. Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Snyder victory confirmed, legislative leadership makeup less clear

It was an 11-vote margin.

Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai, left, explains the recount process to DOE staff and members of the State Review Board during a recount of votes from Anchorage House District 27 where a Democratic challenger ousted a Republican incumbent by just 13 votes. Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)