Mark Sabbatini

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This late-April photo shows a damaged sticker on a door at Thunder Mountain High School reminding people to social distance and wear masks inside the building. Masks will not be required in school buildings this year. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

No mandatory masks or COVID-19 tests for new school year

No mandatory masks or COVID-19 tests for new school year

This late-April photo shows a damaged sticker on a door at Thunder Mountain High School reminding people to social distance and wear masks inside the building. Masks will not be required in school buildings this year. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau School District Bridget Weiss, shown in this September 2021 photo, shows an art project she completed as a kindergarten student at Harborview Elementary School. Weiss, superintendent since 2018, received a one-year extension of her contract until June of 2025 on Tuesday. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire File)

Superintendent gets contract extension, raise

Bridget Weiss, Alaska’s 2022 Superintendent of the Year, to preside over Juneau schools until 2025.

Juneau School District Bridget Weiss, shown in this September 2021 photo, shows an art project she completed as a kindergarten student at Harborview Elementary School. Weiss, superintendent since 2018, received a one-year extension of her contract until June of 2025 on Tuesday. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire File)
Screenshot from www.predictit.org A betting chart lists Sarah Palin as the strong favorite to win the special election for Alaska’s U.S. House seat next Tuesday despite polling suggesting she is the least likely of the three candidates on the ballot to prevail.

The odds are odd for special election

Palin a strong favorite and Peltola a 7-1 longshot, which differs from polls.

Screenshot from www.predictit.org A betting chart lists Sarah Palin as the strong favorite to win the special election for Alaska’s U.S. House seat next Tuesday despite polling suggesting she is the least likely of the three candidates on the ballot to prevail.
This May 2022 photo shows a ballot and return envelope in the state's special primary election. Tuesday is Election Day for the general election featuring three of the top vote-getters from the earlier ballot. Aug. 16 will also include a regular primary election. Only the special election will feature ranked choice voting. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Clarifying an election unlike any other

Confusion about unique ballot impairs otherwise lively vote next week.

This May 2022 photo shows a ballot and return envelope in the state's special primary election. Tuesday is Election Day for the general election featuring three of the top vote-getters from the earlier ballot. Aug. 16 will also include a regular primary election. Only the special election will feature ranked choice voting. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

It’s a week until the vote — do you know where your candidates are?

A few contenders planning Juneau and Southeast Alaska stops before Tuesday’s primary/special election

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with reporters about the state's budget at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, May 19, 2022. Dunleavy, who received a conditional endorsement from former President Donald Trump, was among the first prominent Alaska politicians to weigh in on the FBI's search of Trump's property. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska pols buzzwording about FBI raid

Reactions by Trump backers — and lack thereof by opponents — mirror national furor

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with reporters about the state's budget at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, May 19, 2022. Dunleavy, who received a conditional endorsement from former President Donald Trump, was among the first prominent Alaska politicians to weigh in on the FBI's search of Trump's property. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Alex Whetman, suffering leg cramps and numb hands moments after winning the inaugural Ironman Alaska on Sunday, found something sufficient to divert his attention a minute or so later while in the midst of explaining his victory to the surrounding cameras and voice recorders. Whetman, a Salt Lake City resident participating in his fifth Iron Man, finished with a time of 9 hours, 11 minutes and 17 seconds, more than 12 minutes ahead of the second-place finisher. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Ironman Alaska chills and thrills

Rain and numbing cold add extra challenge to inaugural race in Juneau, but warmth from locals shines

Alex Whetman, suffering leg cramps and numb hands moments after winning the inaugural Ironman Alaska on Sunday, found something sufficient to divert his attention a minute or so later while in the midst of explaining his victory to the surrounding cameras and voice recorders. Whetman, a Salt Lake City resident participating in his fifth Iron Man, finished with a time of 9 hours, 11 minutes and 17 seconds, more than 12 minutes ahead of the second-place finisher. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A blank wood sign at the seaplane dock welcomes people to Tenakee Springs, where the adjacent moss-covered helipad has been in disrepair and unusable for years. The town is struggling with numerous infrastructure deficiencies, along with a shrinking population and uncertain future. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Sharing shortfalls and stoutness in Tenakee Springs

Part 1 in a three-part series.

A blank wood sign at the seaplane dock welcomes people to Tenakee Springs, where the adjacent moss-covered helipad has been in disrepair and unusable for years. The town is struggling with numerous infrastructure deficiencies, along with a shrinking population and uncertain future. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A telephone booth, one of two in Tenakee Springs, awaits callers near the recreational boat harbor at the edge of town. While full-size phone booths have all but vanished in the United States, the two in Tenakee are all the more remarkable because both allows calls to be made free of charge. The drawback is the calls can only be local and calling cards for long-distance numbers aren’t always available for purchase. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Trivial Tenakee tidbits

Random bits of weirdness from a town with two phone booths and no bathhouse committee applicants

A telephone booth, one of two in Tenakee Springs, awaits callers near the recreational boat harbor at the edge of town. While full-size phone booths have all but vanished in the United States, the two in Tenakee are all the more remarkable because both allows calls to be made free of charge. The drawback is the calls can only be local and calling cards for long-distance numbers aren’t always available for purchase. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
An unofficial 4 1/2-mph speed limit sign implores people to slow down from the official 10 mph limit while driving ATVs and bicycles on the dirt road passing through a trio of family homes on the outskirts of Tenakee Springs. A suggestion to impose an official 5 mph limit in some parts of the community where children frequent has been unsuccessfully made recently to the city council. No cars or trucks, except for two essential public service vehicles, are allowed in the town. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Choosing the road less traveled

Part three of a three-part series.

An unofficial 4 1/2-mph speed limit sign implores people to slow down from the official 10 mph limit while driving ATVs and bicycles on the dirt road passing through a trio of family homes on the outskirts of Tenakee Springs. A suggestion to impose an official 5 mph limit in some parts of the community where children frequent has been unsuccessfully made recently to the city council. No cars or trucks, except for two essential public service vehicles, are allowed in the town. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Kevin Allred, left, and his son, Flint, discuss options for finding building project materials in front of the elder Allred’s house along the main street in Tenakee Springs on Tuesday. Both are among the high percentage of residents who say they make a living dong “odd jobs.” That diversity of skills proves useful in other ways in the tiny community such as when the father made a mechanical hand from spare parts for his son when he broke his hand a year ago. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Seeking the upsides of downsizing

Part 2 in a three-part series

Kevin Allred, left, and his son, Flint, discuss options for finding building project materials in front of the elder Allred’s house along the main street in Tenakee Springs on Tuesday. Both are among the high percentage of residents who say they make a living dong “odd jobs.” That diversity of skills proves useful in other ways in the tiny community such as when the father made a mechanical hand from spare parts for his son when he broke his hand a year ago. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This March 2020 photo shows Juneau’s City Hall. Friday was the first day for candidates to file for October’s municipal election. By the end of the day, only one certified candidate was listed on the CBJ website. However, all three Assembly members with expiring terms said they intent to run again. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

A unique challenge to huge hike in assessments

Owner wants Juneau Assembly, not courts, to resolve dispute about property values.

This March 2020 photo shows Juneau’s City Hall. Friday was the first day for candidates to file for October’s municipal election. By the end of the day, only one certified candidate was listed on the CBJ website. However, all three Assembly members with expiring terms said they intent to run again. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Congressional candidates Mary Peltola, left, Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III discuss Southeast Alaska and other issues during a midday forum Monday hosted by KINY radio. The three candidates are the finalists for the special election Aug. 16 fill the remainder of the late Rep. Don Young’s term and also are competing in the primary for the general election on that date. (Screenshot / KINY radio webcast)

3 House candidates debate in Juneau

Mary Peltola, Nick Begich III and Sarah Palin make cases before Aug. 16 special election

Congressional candidates Mary Peltola, left, Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III discuss Southeast Alaska and other issues during a midday forum Monday hosted by KINY radio. The three candidates are the finalists for the special election Aug. 16 fill the remainder of the late Rep. Don Young’s term and also are competing in the primary for the general election on that date. (Screenshot / KINY radio webcast)
A voter casts a ballot in the special primary election to fill Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The general election for that race is Aug. 16. Candidates for that race and others have raised millions this election cycle, but it raises a few questions, such as who's giving and why? (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Who donates to campaigns and why?

$1.5M from a business tycoon, $50 from a retiree, $8 from Planned Parenthood – what’s the reward?

A voter casts a ballot in the special primary election to fill Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The general election for that race is Aug. 16. Candidates for that race and others have raised millions this election cycle, but it raises a few questions, such as who's giving and why? (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy Photo / Alaska Federation of Natives Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds up a bill providing state recognition of the 229 federally recognized Alaska Native tribes after signing it Thursday during a ceremony at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. He also signed a bill authorizing tribes to establish compact schools under a pilot program.

Tribal recognition bill arrives with lessons

Pilot program allowing Alaska Native compact schools adds heft to ceremony.

Courtesy Photo / Alaska Federation of Natives Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds up a bill providing state recognition of the 229 federally recognized Alaska Native tribes after signing it Thursday during a ceremony at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. He also signed a bill authorizing tribes to establish compact schools under a pilot program.
Ryan Anderson, right, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, discusses his experiences during his 22 years at the department before his presentation during the weekly Juneau Chamber of Commerce lunch at The Moose Lodge. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Changing course on ferry plans

Federal funds, COVID-19 issues means improvements rather than privatization, commissioner says.

Ryan Anderson, right, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, discusses his experiences during his 22 years at the department before his presentation during the weekly Juneau Chamber of Commerce lunch at The Moose Lodge. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alaskans for Better Government members La quen náay Liz Medicine Crow, Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson and ‘Wáahlaal Gidáak Barbara Blake embrace on the floor of the Alaska State Senate on Friday, May 13, 2022, following the passage of House Bill 123, a bill to formally recognize the state's 229 already federally-recognized tribes. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is scheduled to sign the bill during a ceremony Thursday during a ceremony in Anchorage. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Alaska Natives welcome tribal recognition by state at least

Dunleavy to sign bill Thursday; advocates say it advances cooperative relations.

Alaskans for Better Government members La quen náay Liz Medicine Crow, Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson and ‘Wáahlaal Gidáak Barbara Blake embrace on the floor of the Alaska State Senate on Friday, May 13, 2022, following the passage of House Bill 123, a bill to formally recognize the state's 229 already federally-recognized tribes. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is scheduled to sign the bill during a ceremony Thursday during a ceremony in Anchorage. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
David Keith, right, chats with Bartlett Regional Hospital Board Member Hal Geiger during a meet-and-greet Friday at the Andrew P. Kashevaroff Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum. Keith, an Oklahoma hospital leader who spent eight years at medical centers in Anchorage as during his three-decade career in health care, was publicly named the new chief executive officer at Bartlett on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Bartlett names new CEO

David Keith, an Oklahoma hospital executive with experience in Alaska, is board’s unanimous pick

David Keith, right, chats with Bartlett Regional Hospital Board Member Hal Geiger during a meet-and-greet Friday at the Andrew P. Kashevaroff Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum. Keith, an Oklahoma hospital leader who spent eight years at medical centers in Anchorage as during his three-decade career in health care, was publicly named the new chief executive officer at Bartlett on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Tenakee Springs residents celebrate the debut of a new seaplane serving the community and other parts of Southeast Alaska during a cookout on June 9, 2021. The town’s post office, left, was forced to close temporarily in recent days because there was no staff, although a visiting employee is now helping one or two days a week. It’s one of a number of short- and long-term problems the tiny island town is facing as it tries to cope with an ageing and shrinking permanent population, as well as more general problems such as worker and supply shortages. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Troubling times in Tenakee Springs

Post office closure, absence of fire and other emergency staff, among short- and long-term hardships

Tenakee Springs residents celebrate the debut of a new seaplane serving the community and other parts of Southeast Alaska during a cookout on June 9, 2021. The town’s post office, left, was forced to close temporarily in recent days because there was no staff, although a visiting employee is now helping one or two days a week. It’s one of a number of short- and long-term problems the tiny island town is facing as it tries to cope with an ageing and shrinking permanent population, as well as more general problems such as worker and supply shortages. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
A chart shows job approval ratings by party affiliation for U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski between Jan. 20, 2021 and June 30 of this year. The 22% increase since the beginning of Joe Biden’s presidency is among the biggest for senators. A different poll shows her losing to a Republican challenger among voters of that party in Alaska, but winning reelection due to cross-over votes from Democrats under the new ranked choice voting system. (Source: Morning Consult)

Poll: Murkowski’s net approval up 22% during Biden administration

Morning Consult survey says Alaska incumbent’s popularity rising more than almost any other senator

A chart shows job approval ratings by party affiliation for U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski between Jan. 20, 2021 and June 30 of this year. The 22% increase since the beginning of Joe Biden’s presidency is among the biggest for senators. A different poll shows her losing to a Republican challenger among voters of that party in Alaska, but winning reelection due to cross-over votes from Democrats under the new ranked choice voting system. (Source: Morning Consult)