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<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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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