James Brooks

A road north of Juneau would have to negotiate the steep terrain of the east side of Lynn Canal, pictured here in a February 2014 Juneau Empire file photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau Access money stays in Alaska’s capital budget

A proposal to transfer $21.3 million into the accounts of the Juneau Access project stayed within the state’s $1.5 billion capital construction and renovation budget,… Continue reading

A road north of Juneau would have to negotiate the steep terrain of the east side of Lynn Canal, pictured here in a February 2014 Juneau Empire file photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen on May 10, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Alaska hospitals, nursing homes face budget gap in Legislature’s bill

Alaska’s Medicaid program may run out of money as soon as the second week of June, leaving doctors, hospitals and nursing homes with unpaid bills… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol is seen on May 10, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage (left) speaks to Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River (standing center), Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton (standing right) and Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River (seated) before the final vote Friday, May 11, 2018 on House Bill 44. (Brian Hild | Alaska House Majority)

Legislature will boot ballot measure if governor signs ‘government accountability’ bill

The Alaska Legislature has likely removed a ballot measure from this fall’s statewide election. In a 39-1 vote Friday night, the Alaska House of Representatives… Continue reading

Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage (left) speaks to Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River (standing center), Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton (standing right) and Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River (seated) before the final vote Friday, May 11, 2018 on House Bill 44. (Brian Hild | Alaska House Majority)
Conference Committee members Rep. Steve Thompson, R-Fairbanks, left, shakes hands with Sen. Donald Olson, R-Golovin, after the committee finished its work on the budgets at the Capitol on Thursday, May 10, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Legislature’s session will dodge record for fewest bills

In the final days of the two-year legislative session, lawmakers were making up for lost time. At the end of their first year, the 30th… Continue reading

Conference Committee members Rep. Steve Thompson, R-Fairbanks, left, shakes hands with Sen. Donald Olson, R-Golovin, after the committee finished its work on the budgets at the Capitol on Thursday, May 10, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alaska Legislature adjourns after passing $10.4 billion operating budget

Alaska Legislature adjourns after passing $10.4 billion operating budget

The Alaska Legislature adjourned its 2018 session just before 2 a.m. Sunday morning after passing a $10.4 billion state operating budget that funds ferries, health… Continue reading

Alaska Legislature adjourns after passing $10.4 billion operating budget
Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna (left), receives a hug from Emily Nenon, Alaska government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. The action network was a major supporter of Senate Bill 63, and the pair were celebrating the passage of SB 63 on Saturday, May 12, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Legislature bans smoking in bars, restaurants and other public places

After six years of work, the Alaska Legislature on Saturday afternoon approved a statewide ban on smoking in most public places across Alaska. Senate Bill… Continue reading

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna (left), receives a hug from Emily Nenon, Alaska government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. The action network was a major supporter of Senate Bill 63, and the pair were celebrating the passage of SB 63 on Saturday, May 12, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Test of tsunami warning system causes brief alarm

Test of tsunami warning system causes brief alarm

An error with Alaska’s emergency alert system caused a false tsunami warning alarm about 7 a.m. Friday morning. Bryan Fisher, incident commander for the Alaska… Continue reading

Test of tsunami warning system causes brief alarm
Alaska election officials respond to revealed hack attempt

Alaska election officials respond to revealed hack attempt

As the Alaska Legislature held a Thursday hearing examining the security state’s election system, the Alaska Division of Elections responded to claims that a hacker… Continue reading

Alaska election officials respond to revealed hack attempt
The Alaska State Capitol is seen on May 10, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Alaska lawmakers near deal to finish budget, may adjourn session soon

House and Senate negotiators reached a breakthrough compromise on the state’s operating budget Thursday, approving a $10.5 billion spending plan for the coming fiscal year.… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol is seen on May 10, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Alcohol bill on the rocks

A bill cutting serving sizes at the state’s breweries and distilleries appears likely to die in the Legislature this year, lawmakers said Wednesday. Rep. Adam… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker watches from the House gallery as legislators discuss Senate Bill 26 on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Walker still opposes The Road

Gov. Bill Walker has not changed his opposition to the Juneau Access road project. Reading a prepared statement, Walker press secretary Austin Baird said Tuesday… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker watches from the House gallery as legislators discuss Senate Bill 26 on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Senate plans millions for Juneau road

Correction: A previous version of this article mischaracterized the speech given by DOT Southcoast Region Director Lance Mearig to the Chamber of Commerce. This article… Continue reading

Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, signs the conference committee report on Senate Bill 26 on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Legislature passes landmark bill spending Permanent Fund

In a pair of landmark votes Tuesday, the Alaska Legislature agreed to harness the Alaska Permanent Fund to the needs of state government. In separate… Continue reading

Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, signs the conference committee report on Senate Bill 26 on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Mendenhall River. (Photo by Kerry Howard)

April finishes wetter, cooler than average in Juneau

April is normally the driest month of the year in Juneau, but this April will go into the books wetter and cooler than normal, according… Continue reading

Mendenhall River. (Photo by Kerry Howard)

Alaska lawmakers are trying to slash breweries’ serving sizes

Correction: A one-third cut in brewery sample sizes would be a decline from 36 ounces to 24 ounces, not 12 ounces as originally written here.… Continue reading

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, prepares to open a floor session of the Alaska Senate on April 27, 2018. (Daniel McDonald | Alaska Senate Majority)

Alaska Senate approves work-for-Medicaid program

In a caucus-line vote Thursday, the Alaska Senate approved a bill that would require healthy Alaskans to work or volunteer at least 20 hours per… Continue reading

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, prepares to open a floor session of the Alaska Senate on April 27, 2018. (Daniel McDonald | Alaska Senate Majority)
Young marijuana plants grow indoors under lights at the Fireweed Factory in Juneau on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska marijuana tax collections set another record

Alaska’s March marijuana tax revenue topped $1 million and set a new monthly record, according to figures released last week by the Alaska Department of… Continue reading

Young marijuana plants grow indoors under lights at the Fireweed Factory in Juneau on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Bar owners push for restrictions on distilleries, breweries

Bar owners push for restrictions on distilleries, breweries

In Alaska’s bar wars, the establishment has struck back. On Wednesday evening, bar and liquor store owners launched a wave of public testimony urging the… Continue reading

Bar owners push for restrictions on distilleries, breweries

House votes to borrow $1 billion for oil and gas deal

In a 23-15 vote Thursday afternoon, the Alaska House of Representatives approved a plan to borrow a billion dollars from global bond markets and send… Continue reading

Legislature’s new plan protects Permanent Fund, but not dividend

House and Senate negotiators agreed Wednesday on a proposal to put limits on the Legislature’s ability to spend from the Alaska Permanent Fund, but the… Continue reading