News

The University of Alaska Southeast. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

UA Regents address accrediting agency concerns

Regents commit to inclusivity.

The University of Alaska Southeast. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Alaska State Office Building in downtown Juneau on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Southeast loses jobs, but still has one of the lowest unemployment rates in state

It’s not all bad news.

The Alaska State Office Building in downtown Juneau on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

DOT respond to concerns over Silvertip Station closure

The Department of Transportation is responding to concerns over the closure of the Silver Tip Maintenance Station near Hope, which housed equipment and operators responsible… Continue reading

Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion Trees burned by the Swan Lake Fire and knocked down by gusts of wind can be seen here along the Sterling Highway on Aug. 30.

Senator Micciche asks for clarification on Swan Lake Fire Management

In the wake of the Swan Lake Fire, Sen. Peter Micciche (R-Kenai/Soldotna) is requesting a frank discussion on wildlife management policies. Micciche sent a letter… Continue reading

Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion Trees burned by the Swan Lake Fire and knocked down by gusts of wind can be seen here along the Sterling Highway on Aug. 30.
Lemon Creek Correctional Center pictured on April 13, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska prisoners to be sent out of state

Prisons are almost at capacity.

Lemon Creek Correctional Center pictured on April 13, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this Empire file photo, University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen, left, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire in April 2016. Attending the interview with Johnsen is University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Rick Caulfield. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

No confidence vote, delay shake up University of Alaska

Consolidation backtrack.

In this Empire file photo, University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen, left, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire in April 2016. Attending the interview with Johnsen is University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Rick Caulfield. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Cash only? Bill could change the way Southeast’s marijuana businesses work

SAFE Banking Act might be the end of cash-only operations.

EPA sued after it withdraws proposed restrictions on mine

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency improperly withdrew proposed restrictions on mining activity in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday by critics… Continue reading

In this Empire File photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, listens as Attorney General Kevin Clarkson describes three constitutional amendments that would be a foundation of his administration’s fiscal plan during a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Governor Dunleavy announces executive order regarding union employee dues

Employess must opt in.

In this Empire File photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, listens as Attorney General Kevin Clarkson describes three constitutional amendments that would be a foundation of his administration’s fiscal plan during a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Governor visits controversial mine project north of Haines

City officials weren’t notified, which concerned some citizens.

In this Jan. 14, 2019 photo, Clarice “Bun” Hardy, who is of Inupiaq heritage, stands on the beach with her dog, Marley, in the Native Village of Shaktoolik, Alaska. On Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, the American Civil Liberties Union’s Alaska branch demanded that the city pay $500,000 to compensate the former 911 dispatcher who says her colleagues at the police department failed to investigate her report that a man had raped her in her home. The ACLU accused the Nome Police Department of “a systemic and disastrous failure” to keep Alaska Native women safe from sexual assault. (AP Photo/Victoria Mckenzie)

ACLU: Police failed to protect Native women

NOME — The American Civil Liberties Union on Tuesday accused police in this small Alaska city of “a systemic and disastrous failure” to keep Native… Continue reading

In this Jan. 14, 2019 photo, Clarice “Bun” Hardy, who is of Inupiaq heritage, stands on the beach with her dog, Marley, in the Native Village of Shaktoolik, Alaska. On Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, the American Civil Liberties Union’s Alaska branch demanded that the city pay $500,000 to compensate the former 911 dispatcher who says her colleagues at the police department failed to investigate her report that a man had raped her in her home. The ACLU accused the Nome Police Department of “a systemic and disastrous failure” to keep Alaska Native women safe from sexual assault. (AP Photo/Victoria Mckenzie)
FILE- In this August 2009, file photo, provided by the Department of Defense, a Cook Inlet beluga whale calf, left, and an adult breach near Anchorage, Alaska. Conservation groups are suing a federal agency over rules they say could harm beluga whales and other marine mammals in Alaska’s Cook Inlet. An attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, which is challenging the rules along with Cook Inletkeeper, says the lawsuit was filed Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, against the National Marine Fisheries Service. The agency has said its analysis indicates that the rules will not contribute to or worsen the observed decline of the Cook Inlet beluga whale population. (Christopher Garner/Department of Defense via AP, File)

Groups sue over rules they say could harm belugas in Alaska

JUNEAU (AP) — Conservation groups are suing a federal agency over rules they say could harm beluga whales and other marine mammals in Alaska’s Cook… Continue reading

FILE- In this August 2009, file photo, provided by the Department of Defense, a Cook Inlet beluga whale calf, left, and an adult breach near Anchorage, Alaska. Conservation groups are suing a federal agency over rules they say could harm beluga whales and other marine mammals in Alaska’s Cook Inlet. An attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, which is challenging the rules along with Cook Inletkeeper, says the lawsuit was filed Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, against the National Marine Fisheries Service. The agency has said its analysis indicates that the rules will not contribute to or worsen the observed decline of the Cook Inlet beluga whale population. (Christopher Garner/Department of Defense via AP, File)
In this file photo from Jan. 29, Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin presents the governor’s supplemental budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

State’s budget director Arduin is out

New director to be named soon.

In this file photo from Jan. 29, Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin presents the governor’s supplemental budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
A man rides a fat bike on the Homer Spit beach as the M/V Kennicott leaves on Sept. 1, 2019, out of Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer New)

Ferry system to stop winter service to Kodiak Island

KODIAK — An Alaska ferry system has released a new schedule that stops service to and from Kodiak Island in the winter, officials said. The… Continue reading

A man rides a fat bike on the Homer Spit beach as the M/V Kennicott leaves on Sept. 1, 2019, out of Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer New)

Group submits signatures in early phase of recall effort

The Recall Dunleavy group said it collected 49,006 signatures since launching Aug. 1.

Oregon man arrested in 1978 death of Alaska teen

ANCHORAGE — A 62-year-old Oregon man is under arrest in connection with the 1978 rape and death of a teenage Anchorage girl, Alaska State Troopers… Continue reading

Clarified alcohol regs could curb fundraisers, community events in local breweries

The proposed regulations wouldn’t allow the Brewery to Bathroom 0.5K Relay for Life benefit run.

University still in limbo as restructuring moves forward

What will restructuring look like?

BP sheds Alaska assets, sells to Hilcorp Alaska for $5.6B

BP is selling all of its assets in the state.

AP Photo | Andrew Harnik Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner gives a thumbs up outside the Supreme Court in June 2018 in Washington. From left are, Liberty Justice Center’s Director of Litigation Jacob Huebert, plaintiff Mark Janus, Rauner, and Liberty Justice Center founder and chairman John Tillman. The Supreme Court ruled that government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining, dealing a serious financial blow to organized labor.

‘We’re going to fight them all the way’: Alaska union plans to fight legal ruling over dues

The attorney general is calling for stricter rules for union dues.

AP Photo | Andrew Harnik Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner gives a thumbs up outside the Supreme Court in June 2018 in Washington. From left are, Liberty Justice Center’s Director of Litigation Jacob Huebert, plaintiff Mark Janus, Rauner, and Liberty Justice Center founder and chairman John Tillman. The Supreme Court ruled that government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining, dealing a serious financial blow to organized labor.
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