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Cocktail Mix-up: Mistake allows Alaska distilleries to keep serving mixed drinks until at least midsummer

A mistake by an employee of the Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office is allowing the state’s distilleries…

Gov. Bill Walker, right, speaks to KTVA-TV reporter Steve Quinn, left, on Tuesday morning, April 3, 2018 at the governor’s mansion. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

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Walker abandons push for $10M ANWR survey, instead asks for statewide 911 call center

Gov. Bill Walker is abandoning a push to spend up to $10 million on oil and gas survey…

The William Seward statue wears a cape of fresh snow in the Dimond Courthouse Plaza on March 27. Despite the snowfall, March precipitation was well below normal. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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March continues abnormally dry conditions in northern Southeast Alaska

Southern Southeast’s rainforest is enduring rare drought conditions, and while northern Southeast missed the official drought cutoff, March…

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‘Go Blue’ rally scheduled for Friday

Members of the Alaska State Legislature will hold a “Go Blue” rally Friday to demonstrate support for children…

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Alaska House approves $11.5 billion budget, sends it to Senate

With a 21-19 vote on Monday afternoon, the Alaska House of Representatives approved a $11.5 billion state operating…

The Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

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How much will the PFD be this year, and other answers to your questions

Here’s a simple guide to what’s happening in the Legislature, where things stand, and why. Q: What will…

Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, center, talks to Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, left, and Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla during a break in the floor session Friday, March 30, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

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Legislators move to reverse proposed PFD boost

With a rapid series of procedural moves Friday morning, the Alaska House of Representatives cut a proposed $2,700…

About 2 1/2 oz. of dried marijuana. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

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Wells Fargo forces closure of Alaska marijuana lab

Correction: Wells Fargo spokesman David Kennedy was misidentified in an earlier version of this article. He is David Kennedy,…

Angela Gonzalez, Indigenous Communications Manager for First Alaskans Institute, left, Andrea Sanders, director of its Native Policy Center, center, and Liz Medicine Crow, President/CEO of First Alaskans, speak at the Native Issues Forum at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Native Issues Forum addresses racism in Alaska

In 2017, Chris Apassingok of Gambell made a remarkable strike on a whale, helping bring home thousands of…

House Majority Leader Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage, left, and former Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, react to reporters questions about the state’s budget during a press conference at the Capitol on Thursday, March 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Alaska state budget remains stalemated in House of Representatives

Four days after narrowly approving a budget amendment that boosts the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, the Alaska House…

In this March 1, 2017 photo, a river otter sneaks a peek from under the dock at Twin Lakes. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

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Otter work together: Alaska Senate urges feds to control Southeast sea otter population

The Alaska Senate is urging the federal government to work with the State of Alaska to control the…

The William Seward statue wears a cape of fresh snow in the Dimond Courthouse Plaza on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Late-March snowstorm almost equals month’s average

This week’s snowstorm brought almost a month’s worth of snow to Juneau, according to measurements taken at Juneau…

The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

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Bill advancing in Alaska Senate could nix ‘good governance’ ballot measure

A bill is advancing in the Alaska Senate that has the potential to overwrite a ballot initiative planned…

The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

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Reps. Parish, Kito divided by vote to boost PFDs

Correction: The first version of this article incorrectly stated that one of the four pillars of the coalition…

From left to right, Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome; Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer; David Teal of the Legislative Finance Division; Gov. Bill Walker; Neil Steininger of the Office of Management and Budget; Sen. Anna MacKinnon, R-Eagle River; and Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel are seen at the signing ceremony for House Bill 321 on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in the governor’s cabinet room of the Alaska State Capitol. (Drew Cason | Alaska House Majority)

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Gov. Bill Walker signs ‘fast-track’ budget bill to avert shutdown of ferries, Medicaid

Gov. Bill Walker averted an impending shutdown of the Alaska Marine Highway System and the state’s Medicaid health…

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, smiles after shooting in the rifle competition of the 21st annual Legislative Shoot on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at the Juneau Gun Club. Micciche’s team, Majority Arms, took first place overall. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

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Team named for gun-control bill takes top honors at legislative shoot

Team HB 75, with Rep. Geran Tarr among its members, earned honors as the top-scoring team from the…

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Juneau Rep. Sam Kito III will not run for re-election in 2018

Rep. Sam Kito III ended months of speculation in a Monday interview with the Juneau Empire by declaring…

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives meet for a floor session Monday, March 19, 2018 in the Alaska State Capitol. (Brian Hild | Alaska House Majority)

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Alaska House of Representatives starts budget debate today

The Alaska House of Representatives begins debate today on amendments to Alaska’s proposed $11.3 billion state spending plan,…

In this Feb. 9 photo, University of Alaska Southeast assistant professor of Alaska Native Languages Lance Twitchell teaches a basic Northwest Coast Formline Art workshop at UAS. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

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House asks Walker to declare emergency for Alaska Native languages

The Alaska House of Representatives is urging Gov. Bill Walker to declare a “linguistic emergency” in order to…

Range officer Bruce Bowler dons his hearing protection before two teams participate in the pistol-shooting competition at the 21st annual Legislative Shoot on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at the Juneau Gun Club. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

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Alaska lawmakers, staff and more muster for 21st annual Legislative Shoot

For the 21st consecutive year, lawmakers, staff and their families gathered at the Juneau Gun Club for the…