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<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.

Alaska Marine Highway System takes step to replace old ferry

KODIAK (AP) — The Alaska Marine Highway System has taken the first step in the process of finding a shipyard to build a ferry to… Continue reading

A black bear sporting numerous lacerations on its face hunts for salmon along Steep Creek at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Gov. Dunleavy names acting head of fish and game

The Republican governor’s office announced that Doug Vincent-Lang would take the job.

A black bear sporting numerous lacerations on its face hunts for salmon along Steep Creek at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Jury rules napkin promise must be honored in news site case

ANCHORAGE (AP) — An Alaska jury has ordered the buyer of a news website to make good on a payment promise she had scrawled on… Continue reading

Mike Dunleavy, left, is sworn into office as Alaska’s governor by Superior Court Judge Paul Roetman in Kotzebue, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 3, 2018. Poor visibility forced Dunleavey’s swearing-in ceremony to be held in Kotzebue instead of Noorvik, Alaska, his wife’s hometown. (Stanley Wright/Alaska Governor’s Office via AP)

Dunleavy sworn in as Alaska governor after location changes

JUNEAU — Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy was sworn into office Monday, taking his oath in a school gym in the western Alaska city of Kotzebue… Continue reading

  • Dec 5, 2018
  • By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
  • State News
Mike Dunleavy, left, is sworn into office as Alaska’s governor by Superior Court Judge Paul Roetman in Kotzebue, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 3, 2018. Poor visibility forced Dunleavey’s swearing-in ceremony to be held in Kotzebue instead of Noorvik, Alaska, his wife’s hometown. (Stanley Wright/Alaska Governor’s Office via AP)
Earthquake-weary Alaskans still grappling with damage

Earthquake-weary Alaskans still grappling with damage

ANCHORAGE — Life was beginning to return to normal Monday in Alaska following the powerful earthquake near Anchorage, but people nervous about aftershocks were still… Continue reading

Earthquake-weary Alaskans still grappling with damage
Alaska selfie-takers told to stay off quake-buckled road

Alaska selfie-takers told to stay off quake-buckled road

ANCHORAGE — With sizable shockwaves still emanating from last week’s powerful earthquake, authorities in Alaska are urging the selfie-taking public to stay away from a… Continue reading

Alaska selfie-takers told to stay off quake-buckled road
In this Dec. 1, 2014 photo, Gov. Bill Walker, left, and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott join hands on stage at the end of inauguration ceremonies at Centennial Hall. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Gov. Walker reflects on rocky tenure, his legacy

To some, Walker was a cool-headed leader who was dealt a bad hand and did what he thought was best for Alaska. For others, he was the guy who stole their dividend check.

In this Dec. 1, 2014 photo, Gov. Bill Walker, left, and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott join hands on stage at the end of inauguration ceremonies at Centennial Hall. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Uncounted ballot investigated in tied Alaska House race

JUNEAU — State election officials said Monday they are trying to determine whether a ballot apparently marked for Democrat Kathryn Dodge in a tied state… Continue reading

Appeals court ruling mixed on Alaska campaign finance laws

Appeals court ruling mixed on Alaska campaign finance laws

The case brought by three individuals and an Alaska Republican Party district challenged elements of state campaign finance law.

Appeals court ruling mixed on Alaska campaign finance laws
Annie Bartholomew, Program Director and host for KXLL-FM, has helped find five songs from Alaska artists in the first round of nominees intended to replace the state’s existing telephone hold music. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

State phone lines will feature Portugal. The Man as hold music

You’ll hear it still. Portugal. The Man’s Grammy award-winning single “Feel It Still” was named Monday as one of five songs that will replace the… Continue reading

Annie Bartholomew, Program Director and host for KXLL-FM, has helped find five songs from Alaska artists in the first round of nominees intended to replace the state’s existing telephone hold music. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this file photo, Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, reads one of the two versions of HB 111 dealing with oil tax credits during a Conference Committee hearing at the Capitol on Wednesday, July 12, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File) In this file photo, Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, reads one of the two versions of HB 111 dealing with oil tax credits during a Conference Committee hearing at the Capitol on Wednesday, July 12, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Republicans pick Giessel as new Alaska Senate president

Republicans have maintained control of the Alaska Senate and chose Sen. Cathy Giessel of Anchorage to be the new president of the chamber. Giessel would… Continue reading

In this file photo, Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, reads one of the two versions of HB 111 dealing with oil tax credits during a Conference Committee hearing at the Capitol on Wednesday, July 12, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File) In this file photo, Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, reads one of the two versions of HB 111 dealing with oil tax credits during a Conference Committee hearing at the Capitol on Wednesday, July 12, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this Nov. 4 photo, Alaska Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy stands with his wife, Rose, on stage during a GOP rally in Anchorage. For the first time ever, a U.S. governor will be sworn into office above the Arctic Circle. Dunleavy will become Alaska’s top elected official Dec. 3, when he takes the oath of office in Noorvik, a tiny Inupiat Eskimo village above the Arctic Circle and more than a thousand miles from the state capital of Juneau. (Becky Bohrer | Associated Press)

Dunleavy to be sworn in above Arctic Circle

Most of Alaska’s previous governors took their oaths in Juneau.

In this Nov. 4 photo, Alaska Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy stands with his wife, Rose, on stage during a GOP rally in Anchorage. For the first time ever, a U.S. governor will be sworn into office above the Arctic Circle. Dunleavy will become Alaska’s top elected official Dec. 3, when he takes the oath of office in Noorvik, a tiny Inupiat Eskimo village above the Arctic Circle and more than a thousand miles from the state capital of Juneau. (Becky Bohrer | Associated Press)
A gavel is seen in an undated file photo.

Council picks judge nominees — but which governor will have the say?

The Alaska Judicial Council has picked a list of finalists for judgeships across the state, and now it’s time for the governor to have his… Continue reading

A gavel is seen in an undated file photo.
<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Courtesy Alaska Department of Corrections</span> This photo, courtesy of the Alaska Department of Corrections, shows the Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward, Alaska. This photo, courtesy of the Alaska Department of Corrections, shows the Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward. (Courtesy Alaska Department of Corrections)

Spring Creek holds town hall

On Monday night, the Spring Creek Correctional Center opened its doors to the public, inviting them to the maximum security prison for an open discussion… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Courtesy Alaska Department of Corrections</span> This photo, courtesy of the Alaska Department of Corrections, shows the Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward, Alaska. This photo, courtesy of the Alaska Department of Corrections, shows the Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward. (Courtesy Alaska Department of Corrections)
<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News</span> Sarah Vance smiles at a GOP victory party Tuesday at Land’s End.

Election: Vance defeats Seaton, Dunleavy poised to be governor

Alaskans spoke Tuesday night, and they said they wanted Republican Mike Dunleavy for their next governor. Voters in Alaska House District 31 also chose political… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News</span> Sarah Vance smiles at a GOP victory party Tuesday at Land’s End.
Green Elephant Gardens gardener Scott Jones cares for a marijuana plant on Green Elephant’s first day of operation in June 2017. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire file)

Two years on, Alaska’s marijuana industry keeps growing

October collections might set a new record.

Green Elephant Gardens gardener Scott Jones cares for a marijuana plant on Green Elephant’s first day of operation in June 2017. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire file)
Hotel workers strike for a wage increase in front of a Marriott hotel Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, in San Francisco. Alaska’s minimum wage is set to rise to $9.89 per hour on Jan. 1. (Ben Margot | The Associated Press)

Alaska’s minimum wage to rise Jan. 1

Inflation increased, so the wage will rise.

Hotel workers strike for a wage increase in front of a Marriott hotel Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, in San Francisco. Alaska’s minimum wage is set to rise to $9.89 per hour on Jan. 1. (Ben Margot | The Associated Press)
The Holland America Line ship Amsterdam sits at port in Juneau on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. The Amsterdam is one of nine ships that have received Notice of Violations for air opacity issued by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska negotiating settlements with cruise companies over air, water violations

Closed-door meetings decide how much cruises will pay for summer violations.

The Holland America Line ship Amsterdam sits at port in Juneau on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. The Amsterdam is one of nine ships that have received Notice of Violations for air opacity issued by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
An unused sexual assault evidence kit, colloquially known as a “rape kit,” is seen Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire file) An unused sexual assault evidence kit, colloquially known as a “rape kit,” is seen Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire file)

Department of Public Safety proposes permanent fix for rape evidence kit backlog

Testing all of the kits is expected to take years.

An unused sexual assault evidence kit, colloquially known as a “rape kit,” is seen Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire file) An unused sexual assault evidence kit, colloquially known as a “rape kit,” is seen Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire file)
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