News

Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Pebble Mine opposition: Wrong mine for the wrong place

Public comment period ends in days.

Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Lawmakers reject Wasilla as site for special session

Lawmakers considers it their right to determine the location.

Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, chairs the House Finance Committee with Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, right, as they work on House Bill 14 at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Legislators will collect pay despite not finishing budget on time

They’re reinterpreting a law from last year.

Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, chairs the House Finance Committee with Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, right, as they work on House Bill 14 at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy walks to the podium at a news conference Friday, June 14, 2019, in Wasilla, Alaska. Dunleavy has called lawmakers into special session July 8 in Wasilla, and his administration gave a tour of the recommended site at Wasilla Middle School to reporters. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Legislators face pressure for dividend decision

Alaska legislators face mounting pressure to decide the annual dividend paid to residents from Alaska’s oil-wealth fund, with Gov. Mike Dunleavy threatening additional special sessions… Continue reading

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy walks to the podium at a news conference Friday, June 14, 2019, in Wasilla, Alaska. Dunleavy has called lawmakers into special session July 8 in Wasilla, and his administration gave a tour of the recommended site at Wasilla Middle School to reporters. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Sen. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage, speaks in favor of a resolution to have a combined House/Senate committee to study a Permanent Fund Dividend solution at the Capitol on Monday, June 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

With no PFD attached, Legislature’s budget heads to governor’s desk

Another special session could be coming.

Sen. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage, speaks in favor of a resolution to have a combined House/Senate committee to study a Permanent Fund Dividend solution at the Capitol on Monday, June 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The ferry Columbia sails through Lynn Canal on April 29, 2019 in Southeast Alaska. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)

Ferry cuts in Legislature budget are heavy, but could have been worse

The governor can still veto funding.

The ferry Columbia sails through Lynn Canal on April 29, 2019 in Southeast Alaska. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)
In this May 24, 2019 photo, teachers and students from Northwest Montessori School in Seattle examine the carcass of a gray whale after it washed up on the coast of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, just north of Kalaloch Campground in Olympic National Park. Federal scientists on Friday, May 31 opened an investigation into what is causing a spike in gray whale deaths along the West Coast this year. So far, about 70 whales have stranded on the coasts of Washington, Oregon, Alaska and California, the most since 2000. (AP Photo/Gene Johnson)

Feds to investigate spike in gray whale deaths along West Coast

SEATTLE (AP) — U.S. scientists said Friday they will investigate why an unusual number of gray whales are washing up dead on West Coast beaches.… Continue reading

In this May 24, 2019 photo, teachers and students from Northwest Montessori School in Seattle examine the carcass of a gray whale after it washed up on the coast of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, just north of Kalaloch Campground in Olympic National Park. Federal scientists on Friday, May 31 opened an investigation into what is causing a spike in gray whale deaths along the West Coast this year. So far, about 70 whales have stranded on the coasts of Washington, Oregon, Alaska and California, the most since 2000. (AP Photo/Gene Johnson)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Governor preparing for Mat-Su special session, instead of Juneau

“Pretty much everything worked out” for session up north.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Behind the gridlock: Two arguments divide Senate on PFD

One key vote was absent.

Joe Geldhof, left, testifies before the Alaska House Finance Committee on Thursday, May 23, 2019, in Juneau, Alaska as Rep. Andy Josephson listens. The committee heard a bill that proposes a full Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend this year but seeks changes to the dividend formula going forward. (Becky Bohrer | Associated Press)

House committee gets blowback to PFD proposal

There were a lot of angry reactions.

Joe Geldhof, left, testifies before the Alaska House Finance Committee on Thursday, May 23, 2019, in Juneau, Alaska as Rep. Andy Josephson listens. The committee heard a bill that proposes a full Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend this year but seeks changes to the dividend formula going forward. (Becky Bohrer | Associated Press)

Lawsuit pits role of Legislature against power of governor

The governor called it “a friendly suit.”

Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai/Soldotna, and Rep. Dave Talerico, R-Healy, sit next to each other after Knopp voted not to confirm Talerico as Speaker of the House on Feb. 5. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Knopp censured by Alaska Republican Party

Knopp will no longer receive any official support from the Alaska Republican Party

Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai/Soldotna, and Rep. Dave Talerico, R-Healy, sit next to each other after Knopp voted not to confirm Talerico as Speaker of the House on Feb. 5. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

What the Legislature left on the table: Ferries, addiction treatment, new revenue

Local lawmakers express disappointment.

State seeks outside consultant for Medicaid overhaul plans

ANCHORAGE (AP) — Alaska is seeking an outside consultant to review the potential benefits of its plans to overhaul Medicaid, officials said. The Alaska Department… Continue reading

‘Dangerous and outrageous’: Bill introduced in Alaska House would treat abortion the same as murder

It’s familiar territory for David Eastman.

Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, walks with Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, as the House takes an at ease to wait for the conference committee on the crime bill to take place at the Capitol on Thursday, May 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Million dollar special session? Here’s how much it will cost the state.

Per diem could double the price tag.

Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, walks with Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, as the House takes an at ease to wait for the conference committee on the crime bill to take place at the Capitol on Thursday, May 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, speaks about the House passing a crime bill during a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, May 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers ask why Alaska still has ‘marriage defense’ against spousal rape

Marriage can still be used as defense in some assault cases.

Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, speaks about the House passing a crime bill during a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, May 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

State seeks to boost gun background check system reporting

Provision’s purpose is to prevent future violence, suicides.

Corps extends comment period for Pebble draft environmental impact statement

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Alaska District is extending the public comment period an additional 30 days for the Pebble Limited Partnership draft environmental… Continue reading

State revises contract for Alaska psychiatric hospital

State eyes bids for long-term operation.

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