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People pack the room to give public testimony on the Alaska Marine Highway System in the House Transportation and Public Facilities committee on March, 12, 2019 in Juneau, Alaska. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Frustrations run high as many testify in support of ferry system

Many did not get a chance to speak.

 

File photo

Alaska approves regulations for marijuana consumption in retail shops

But don’t expect an influx in smoking cafes.

 

An aerial shows the footprint of the test well drilled in the mid-1980s on land owned by the Kaktovik Native village corporation within the 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The well is 14 miles east of Kaktovik and the melting the Beaufort Sea is at the top of the picture. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Senate passes ANWR resolution urging lease sales

It will go to the House next.

 

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race defending champion Joar Ulsom, of Norway, talks to fans before the ceremonial start of this year’s race Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. Ulsom and 51 other mushers will officially start the race Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Willow, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen

Norwegian maintains Iditarod lead

ANCHORAGE (AP) — Norwegian musher Joar Ulsom retook the lead in the world’s most famous sled dog race, but he missed out on a pair… Continue reading

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race defending champion Joar Ulsom, of Norway, talks to fans before the ceremonial start of this year’s race Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. Ulsom and 51 other mushers will officially start the race Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Willow, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen
Robb Arnold, chief purser on the Alaska Marine Highway’s Malaspina ferry, talks about the proposed cuts to the ferry system on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Unions prep to push back against proposed ferry cuts

Hundreds of Marine Highway jobs could be cut.

Robb Arnold, chief purser on the Alaska Marine Highway’s Malaspina ferry, talks about the proposed cuts to the ferry system on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Nikoosh Carlo, left, and Michael LeVine, members of Gov. Bill Walker’s climate change task force, talk about upcoming recommendations on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy dissolves climate change action team

The team was supposed to last until 2020.

Nikoosh Carlo, left, and Michael LeVine, members of Gov. Bill Walker’s climate change task force, talk about upcoming recommendations on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Budget bill language would give unprecedented power to governor’s office

Under bill, OMB Director Arduin could override Legislature’s appropriating power.

Juneau Empire reporters Kevin Baird, left, and Mollie Barnes interview Gov. Mike Dunleavy at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Empire Exclusive: Read our full conversation with Gov. Mike Dunleavy on the budget

Gov. says businesses will come back to Alaska if budget is balanced.

Juneau Empire reporters Kevin Baird, left, and Mollie Barnes interview Gov. Mike Dunleavy at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Jeremy Woodrow, interim executive director of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, speaks to the House Fisheries Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Chinese tariffs challenge Alaska seafood, new markets emerge

Alaska pollock required in school lunches

Jeremy Woodrow, interim executive director of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, speaks to the House Fisheries Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Kevin Clarkson, Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s choice for Attorney General, answers questions in front of the House Judiciary Committee on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

AG designee says only 10 percent of his work related to controversial social issues

Clarkson says it’s not his job to support the law, it’s to enforce it.

Kevin Clarkson, Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s choice for Attorney General, answers questions in front of the House Judiciary Committee on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Empire file photo Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, will co-chair the House Education Committee.

House finally organized: Hannan, Story get assignments

Committees can start working on legislation

Juneau Empire file photo Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, will co-chair the House Education Committee.
In this Feb. 4, 2019 file photo, former Speaker nominee Rep. Bryce Edgmon, Dillingham, right, shares a laugh with Speaker nominee Rep. David Talerico, R-Healy, as Speaker Pro Tempore Rep. Neal Foster, Nome, presides over the House. Edgmon was elected Speaker of the House on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

A whirlwhind week at the state capitol

Looking back on the week in the Alaska Legislature.

In this Feb. 4, 2019 file photo, former Speaker nominee Rep. Bryce Edgmon, Dillingham, right, shares a laugh with Speaker nominee Rep. David Talerico, R-Healy, as Speaker Pro Tempore Rep. Neal Foster, Nome, presides over the House. Edgmon was elected Speaker of the House on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy eyes repeal of alcohol, pot boards

JUNEAU — Gov. Mike Dunleavy wants to repeal the boards tasked with regulating alcohol and marijuana in Alaska, according to documents from state officials. The… Continue reading

Murkowski knocks Green New Deal’s ‘impossible’ timeline, wary of ‘PFD over everything else’

Murkowski talks economy, ANWR, shutdowns and Trump.

The M/V Tustumena returns to Homer on Aug. 1, 2010, after spending the day in Seldovia, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)

Governor proposes cutting ferry funding at the end of the summer

New budget calls for 75 percent reduction

The M/V Tustumena returns to Homer on Aug. 1, 2010, after spending the day in Seldovia, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with his cabinet members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy releases budget

Proposed cuts could impact university system, public schools

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with his cabinet members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

No-bid contract for psychiatric institute raises questions

A previous report advised against privatizing the institute.

The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Marijuana industry testifies against governor’s control board nominee

“There’s this undercurrent of trying to push back the marijuana industry.”

Andy Jones, Director of the Department of Health and Social Services’ Office of Substance Misuse, right, speak about the fiscal impacts of the opioids on the state along with Michael Duxbury, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, center, and Laura Brooks, Director of Health and Rehabilitation for the Department of Corrections, in front of the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

The opioid crisis costs Alaska more than $1B per year, and it’s going to keep being costly

The cost of an epidemic.

Andy Jones, Director of the Department of Health and Social Services’ Office of Substance Misuse, right, speak about the fiscal impacts of the opioids on the state along with Michael Duxbury, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, center, and Laura Brooks, Director of Health and Rehabilitation for the Department of Corrections, in front of the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin presents the governor’s supplemental budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Budget director’s history of cutting with ‘hatchet, not a scalpel’ sparks concern

How much power should the position have?

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin presents the governor’s supplemental budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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