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Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, left, congratulates Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, and Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, right, after being sworn in on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Tensions rise in discombobulated Alaska House

Until a majority is formed, the House will be at a standstill.

 

Government workers and their supporters hold signs during a protest in Boston, Friday, Jan.11, 2019. The workers rallied with Democratic U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and other supporters to urge that the Republican president put an end to the shutdown so they can get back to work. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Alaska receives almost 10 times more unemployment filings since shutdown began

There have been almost 10 times more unemployment filings from federal workers in Alaska than normal since the federal shutdown began. The Alaska Department of… Continue reading

 

The sunrise reflects off of downtown Juneau windows on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Fleeing the 49th state: Alaska’s population declines again

The exodus continues.

 

Hello? Cellphones banned on Senate floor

Sen. John Coghill said Tuesday evening he is considering a revision of a ban of cellphone usage on the Senate floor. Coghill is the Senate… Continue reading

State resumes online applications for PFD checks

Security concerns prompted closure last week.

Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, speaks during a legislative session at the Capitol in January 2017. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire file photo)

Anchorage rep pre-files bill on contraceptive access

On Monday, Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, filed House Bill 21, which aims to provide greater access to reproductive health care and prescription contraceptives for women… Continue reading

Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, speaks during a legislative session at the Capitol in January 2017. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire file photo)

Alaska begins issuing licenses compliant with REAL ID

Residents will need to get a new one by October 2020.

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, prepares to open a floor session of the Alaska Senate on April 27, 2018. (Daniel McDonald/Alaska Senate Majority)

Micciche files bill addressing ‘Schneider Loopholes’

Monday, Sen. Peter Micciche (R-Soldotna) filed SB 12 in an effort to eliminate “Schneider Loopholes” in state criminal code, a press release said. The early… Continue reading

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, prepares to open a floor session of the Alaska Senate on April 27, 2018. (Daniel McDonald/Alaska Senate Majority)

Alaska court upholds Republican recount win in House race

The result of the House District 1 race in Fairbanks was challenged.

In this Jan. 8, 2018 photo, a couple walks along the Airport Dike Trail as the evening light shines on Mt. McGinnis, left, and Stroller White Mountain. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Warmer temperatures could cost Alaska up to $700 million

The effects of climate change could be costly.

In this Jan. 8, 2018 photo, a couple walks along the Airport Dike Trail as the evening light shines on Mt. McGinnis, left, and Stroller White Mountain. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Students sit on the front steps of the Alaska Capitol on April 6, 2018. (James Brooks photo | Juneau Empire)

State minimum wage rose 5 cents on Jan. 1

Starting Jan. 1, 2019, Alaska’s minimum wage will be raised by 5 cents, from $9.84 to $9.89. The 5 cent raise is to adjust the… Continue reading

Students sit on the front steps of the Alaska Capitol on April 6, 2018. (James Brooks photo | Juneau Empire)
In this Nov. 6, 2018, file photo, Alaska Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy enters a campaign party as polls close on election day in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska’s new governor is heading into his first legislative session, where he’ll try to implement campaign promises on some politically thorny issues. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen, file)

Dunleavy’s promises on dividend, crime will be watched

JUNEAU — Mike Dunleavy is heading into his first legislative session as Alaska’s governor, faced with trying to implement campaign promises involving politically thorny issues.… Continue reading

In this Nov. 6, 2018, file photo, Alaska Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy enters a campaign party as polls close on election day in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska’s new governor is heading into his first legislative session, where he’ll try to implement campaign promises on some politically thorny issues. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen, file)
<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">File photo</span> Cruise ship visitors gather for their tours on the Seawalk in Juneau on Sept. 13, 2017.

Court ruling could impact peninsula cruise ports

A decision in a long-fought court case between the cruise industry and Juneau could have local ramifications for Seward, Homer and other cruise ports in… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">File photo</span> Cruise ship visitors gather for their tours on the Seawalk in Juneau on Sept. 13, 2017.
<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News</span> The open sign for Uncle Herb’s, Homer’s first marijuana retail store, lights up on opening day, Thursday, May 24 on Ocean Drive in Homer.

Control board approves rules for onsite marijuana use

JUNEAU — Alaska regulators last Thursday approved rules for onsite consumption of marijuana at specially designated shops, a significant step for the cannabis industry in… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News</span> The open sign for Uncle Herb’s, Homer’s first marijuana retail store, lights up on opening day, Thursday, May 24 on Ocean Drive in Homer.
Kathryn Dodge, a candidate for an Alaska House of Representatives seat from Fairbanks, testifies in her lawsuit challenging results of a recount on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. The Alaska Supreme Court appointed Superior Court Judge Eric Aarseth as a special master to prepare a report on the appeal of a recount of in the race between Dodge, a Democrat, and Republican Bart LeBon. LeBon held a one-vote lead after the recount. (AP Photo/Dan Joling)

Judge backs Alaska Division of Elections in vote recount

ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Division of Elections properly recounted votes in a state House race decided by one vote, a Superior Court judge decided Thursday.… Continue reading

Kathryn Dodge, a candidate for an Alaska House of Representatives seat from Fairbanks, testifies in her lawsuit challenging results of a recount on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. The Alaska Supreme Court appointed Superior Court Judge Eric Aarseth as a special master to prepare a report on the appeal of a recount of in the race between Dodge, a Democrat, and Republican Bart LeBon. LeBon held a one-vote lead after the recount. (AP Photo/Dan Joling)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy and his wife, Rose, welcome Juneau residents at the Governor’s Open House on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy budget draft includes full dividend, not back pay

JUNEAU — Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s initial budget draft includes a full payout from Alaska’s oil-wealth fund for residents next year, but not money Alaskans missed… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and his wife, Rose, welcome Juneau residents at the Governor’s Open House on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this file photo, Rep. Cathy Munoz, R-Juneau, greets Airlift Northwest pilots Randy Aspeluind, left, and Tyler Cousins during a bill signing by Gov. Sean Parnell at the air ambulance company’s hangar at the Juneau International Airport on Wednesday, April 23, 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Former Rep. Muñoz back in state government

Cathy Muñoz was in Legislature from 2008-2016.

In this file photo, Rep. Cathy Munoz, R-Juneau, greets Airlift Northwest pilots Randy Aspeluind, left, and Tyler Cousins during a bill signing by Gov. Sean Parnell at the air ambulance company’s hangar at the Juneau International Airport on Wednesday, April 23, 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau residents file through the dining room for cookies at the Governor’s Open House on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Amid holiday fanfare, Dunleavy ready to get to work

He’ll submit a budget this week.

Juneau residents file through the dining room for cookies at the Governor’s Open House on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this Jan. 16, 2017, file photo, then Rep.-elect Gary Knopp sits in his office at the Alaska Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. Republican state lawmaker Knopp is seeking to create a bipartisan majority coalition in the House after leaving a fragile GOP caucus that he said was “doomed to fail.” Knopp says he wanted to start talks on the potential creation of a bipartisan coalition, with just weeks before the start of the new legislative session. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Republican leaves GOP caucus

A Republican state lawmaker is seeking to create a bipartisan majority coalition in the House after leaving a fragile GOP caucus that he said was… Continue reading

In this Jan. 16, 2017, file photo, then Rep.-elect Gary Knopp sits in his office at the Alaska Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. Republican state lawmaker Knopp is seeking to create a bipartisan majority coalition in the House after leaving a fragile GOP caucus that he said was “doomed to fail.” Knopp says he wanted to start talks on the potential creation of a bipartisan coalition, with just weeks before the start of the new legislative session. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">AP file Photo/Mark Thiessen</span> In this Feb. 20, 2015 file photo, Alaska Cannabis Club CEO Charlo Greene prepares to roll a joint at the medical marijuana dispensary in Anchorage.

Alaska credit union to serve marijuana businesses

ANCHORAGE — A credit union will launch a pilot program to begin serving marijuana businesses in Alaska, giving the cash-reliant industry a financial option after… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">AP file Photo/Mark Thiessen</span> In this Feb. 20, 2015 file photo, Alaska Cannabis Club CEO Charlo Greene prepares to roll a joint at the medical marijuana dispensary in Anchorage.

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