Mark Sabbatini

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Heidi Drygas, who is running for lieutenant governor, and Bill Walker, who is running for governor, smile outside the Juneau Empire’s offices after an interview this week. Walker said he’s hopeful voters will understand his decision to draw from the Alaska Permanent Fund to fund state government. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Walker hopes voters willing to accept hard truths

Former independent governor seeking office again after “I threw myself on the Permanent Fund grenade. ”

Heidi Drygas, who is running for lieutenant governor, and Bill Walker, who is running for governor, smile outside the Juneau Empire’s offices after an interview this week. Walker said he’s hopeful voters will understand his decision to draw from the Alaska Permanent Fund to fund state government. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Les Gara smiles outside of the Juneau Empire’s offices following an interview earlier this week. The former Anchorage lawmaker is the lone Democratic candidate in Alaska’s gubernatorial race. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Gara sticks to steady message on rocky campaign trail

Former Anchorage lawmaker seeking to become first Democrat elected governor since 1998.

Les Gara smiles outside of the Juneau Empire’s offices following an interview earlier this week. The former Anchorage lawmaker is the lone Democratic candidate in Alaska’s gubernatorial race. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A map shows more than 50 proposed cabin projects in the Tongass and Chugach National Forests the U.S. Forest Service is considering using $14.4 million in federal funds. About half of the projects are expected to be approved, with the public able to comment online about their preferences until Oct. 31. (U.S. Forest Service)

Cabin fever fueled by Forest Service funds

More than 50 proposed new Alaska sites, half in Tongass, draw strong opinions.

A map shows more than 50 proposed cabin projects in the Tongass and Chugach National Forests the U.S. Forest Service is considering using $14.4 million in federal funds. About half of the projects are expected to be approved, with the public able to comment online about their preferences until Oct. 31. (U.S. Forest Service)
Workers replace a failed log culvert with a small foot bridge over Switzer Creek in a project funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with some materials provided by the Alaskan Brewing Company. The federal government on Thursday announced an additional $1 billion in grants is being made available during the next five years for culvert repairs in areas where fish passage is blocked. (Courtesy Photo / Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition)

Cash flow: $1B in fed funds for freer fish

Grants to replace culverts impeding streams available to tribal, local and state governments

Workers replace a failed log culvert with a small foot bridge over Switzer Creek in a project funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with some materials provided by the Alaskan Brewing Company. The federal government on Thursday announced an additional $1 billion in grants is being made available during the next five years for culvert repairs in areas where fish passage is blocked. (Courtesy Photo / Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition)
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Les Gara, left, discusses hospitality industry issues during a forum Wednesday with independent candidate Bill Walker, right, at Louie’s Douglas Inn. The forum was hosted by the Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association, with the organization’s president and CEO Sarah Oates acting as the moderator. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Walker, Gara get into a bar debate

Candidates for governor talk about serving, shortages and ships during industry forum in Juneau

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Les Gara, left, discusses hospitality industry issues during a forum Wednesday with independent candidate Bill Walker, right, at Louie’s Douglas Inn. The forum was hosted by the Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association, with the organization’s president and CEO Sarah Oates acting as the moderator. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A bald eagle looks toward the Mendenhall Glacier near the visitor center on Tuesday. The U.S. Forest Service is proposing expanding a ban on mining and other mineral resource extraction activities from an area on the glacier a short distance from the existing face to several hundred yards inward, extending outward to the mountainsides along both sides. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Forest Service seeks input on expanding mineral extraction ban near glacier

Forest Service seeks input on expanding mineral extraction ban in recreation area

A bald eagle looks toward the Mendenhall Glacier near the visitor center on Tuesday. The U.S. Forest Service is proposing expanding a ban on mining and other mineral resource extraction activities from an area on the glacier a short distance from the existing face to several hundred yards inward, extending outward to the mountainsides along both sides. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Melanie Hardin, right, greets the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.’s Board of Trustees before her interview for the APFC’s executive director’s job Monday in Juneau, (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Permanent Fund board picks new executive director

Trustees work overtime selecting from three candidates after interviews Monday

Melanie Hardin, right, greets the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.’s Board of Trustees before her interview for the APFC’s executive director’s job Monday in Juneau, (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Screenshot / Alaska Public Media’s YouTube channel Bob Bird, left, chairman of the Alaskan Independence Party, and former Lt. Gov. Loren Leman make the case in favor of a state constitutional convention during a debate in Anchorage broadcast Thursday by Alaska Public Media.

Constitutional convention debate gets heated

Abortion, PFD factor into forum.

Screenshot / Alaska Public Media’s YouTube channel Bob Bird, left, chairman of the Alaskan Independence Party, and former Lt. Gov. Loren Leman make the case in favor of a state constitutional convention during a debate in Anchorage broadcast Thursday by Alaska Public Media.
Rep. Mary Peltola, an Alaska Democrat, delivers a speech on the U.S. House floor before Thursday’s vote approving her first bill, establishing an Office of Food Security in the Department of Veterans Affairs. It passed the House by a 376-49 vote, although its fate in the Senate is undetermined. (Screenshot from official U.S. House video)

Poll: Peltola’s a popular pol

Food for vets bill passes House, pollster says she is “the most popular figure in Alaska right now.”

Rep. Mary Peltola, an Alaska Democrat, delivers a speech on the U.S. House floor before Thursday’s vote approving her first bill, establishing an Office of Food Security in the Department of Veterans Affairs. It passed the House by a 376-49 vote, although its fate in the Senate is undetermined. (Screenshot from official U.S. House video)
A parking sign awaits the new executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund at its Juneau headquarters, Three finalists will be interviewed for the job during a public meeting Monday by the fund’s board of trustees, who are expected to deliberate and announce the new director immediately afterward. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Interviews, selection of new Permanent Fund CEO set for Monday

Three finalists seeking to manage $73.7B fund to appear before trustees at public meeting in Juneau

A parking sign awaits the new executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund at its Juneau headquarters, Three finalists will be interviewed for the job during a public meeting Monday by the fund’s board of trustees, who are expected to deliberate and announce the new director immediately afterward. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mindy and Will Jones, who lived next door to Resurrection Lutheran Church, talk to neighbor Elva Bontrager in their yard on Wednesday. The couple said they are sympathetic to disadvantaged residents staying at the church’s warming shelter during sub-freezing winter nights, but there have been incidents with people being loud and rowdy outside late at night. The church provided the warming shelter for the first time last winter and on Tuesday the city approved extending the number of days and hours the shelter can be open during the coming winter. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Longer season, hours OK’d for warming shelter

Extended operations for church’s second year as host seeks less frigid winter for homeless, neighbors

Mindy and Will Jones, who lived next door to Resurrection Lutheran Church, talk to neighbor Elva Bontrager in their yard on Wednesday. The couple said they are sympathetic to disadvantaged residents staying at the church’s warming shelter during sub-freezing winter nights, but there have been incidents with people being loud and rowdy outside late at night. The church provided the warming shelter for the first time last winter and on Tuesday the city approved extending the number of days and hours the shelter can be open during the coming winter. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau is scheduled to be the site where the board of trustees will select a new executive director on Monday, following the investigation into the firing of former CEO Angela Rodell last December being presented to state lawmakers on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Investigators: Permanent Fund CEO’s firing legal but departed from policy

Trustees acted legally, despite not following official policy, and governor didn’t influence decision

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau is scheduled to be the site where the board of trustees will select a new executive director on Monday, following the investigation into the firing of former CEO Angela Rodell last December being presented to state lawmakers on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Visitors take in the view from the porch of the U.S. Forest Service’s Mount Flemer Cabin in the Wrangell Ranger District. The Forest Service is preparing to accept public input on how to spend about $14.4 million in federal funds for new cabins and repairing existing ones in Alaska, including an anticipated 10 to 12 new cabins in the Tongass National Forest. (U.S. Forest Service photo)

Where to put a dozen new cabins in Southeast Alaska?

U.S. Forest Service seeking public’s input on spending $14.4M at new and upgraded state sites

Visitors take in the view from the porch of the U.S. Forest Service’s Mount Flemer Cabin in the Wrangell Ranger District. The Forest Service is preparing to accept public input on how to spend about $14.4 million in federal funds for new cabins and repairing existing ones in Alaska, including an anticipated 10 to 12 new cabins in the Tongass National Forest. (U.S. Forest Service photo)
A chart shows what critics claim is poor financial performance by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, especially in subsidizing private industry projects intended to boost the state’s economy, during its 55-year existence. The chart is part of a report released Tuesday criticizing the agency. (MB Barker/LLC Erickson & Associates/EcoSystems LLC)

AIDEA’s fiscal performance fishy, critics say

Report presented by salmon industry advocates asserts state business subsidy agency cost public $10B

A chart shows what critics claim is poor financial performance by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, especially in subsidizing private industry projects intended to boost the state’s economy, during its 55-year existence. The chart is part of a report released Tuesday criticizing the agency. (MB Barker/LLC Erickson & Associates/EcoSystems LLC)
A tree lies across Gastineau Avenue on Monday evening after falling between two homes and crushing at least one vehicle. Firefighters and police closed the street to traffic, and evacuated homes along the street as well as buildings extending down to Franklin Avenue. The evacuation is expected to last at least 24 hours. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Landslide damages building, prompts evacuation

No one hurt, according to Capital City Fire/Rescue.

A tree lies across Gastineau Avenue on Monday evening after falling between two homes and crushing at least one vehicle. Firefighters and police closed the street to traffic, and evacuated homes along the street as well as buildings extending down to Franklin Avenue. The evacuation is expected to last at least 24 hours. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Zack Clark, right, of the visiting Simply Three string trio borrows a violin from Arlo Carlton, 12, to demonstrate a technique during a workshop Friday evening at Sitʼ Eeti Shaanáx̱ Glacier Valley Elementary School for a dozen students in grades 6-12 who are alumni of the Juneau Alaska Music Matters (JAMM) program. The students performed a 30-minute concert Saturday night at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé before Simply Three took the stage to perform the finale of the fall Juneau Jazz & Classics festival. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

JAMM students jazz up festival finale

Alumni of local youth music program get tips from pro trio before taking center stage at JDHS.

Zack Clark, right, of the visiting Simply Three string trio borrows a violin from Arlo Carlton, 12, to demonstrate a technique during a workshop Friday evening at Sitʼ Eeti Shaanáx̱ Glacier Valley Elementary School for a dozen students in grades 6-12 who are alumni of the Juneau Alaska Music Matters (JAMM) program. The students performed a 30-minute concert Saturday night at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé before Simply Three took the stage to perform the finale of the fall Juneau Jazz & Classics festival. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A total of 145 boys from 10 Southeast Alaska high schools dash out from the starting line at the Capital City Invite at A Káx Yaa Andagan Yé (Sandy Beach) on Saturday morning. The 5K race for boys’ and girls’ teams was the region’s largest cross-country race of the season, and final regular season competition before the regional championship in Sitka this weekend. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Many merry after massive muddy meet

Juneau’s cross-country runners and coaches in sunny spirits about chances going into championships

A total of 145 boys from 10 Southeast Alaska high schools dash out from the starting line at the Capital City Invite at A Káx Yaa Andagan Yé (Sandy Beach) on Saturday morning. The 5K race for boys’ and girls’ teams was the region’s largest cross-country race of the season, and final regular season competition before the regional championship in Sitka this weekend. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Jim Scheufelt, right, explains how his newly purchased Ford Mustang Mach-E operates to a couple of visitors at the ninth annual Juneau EV EBIKE Roundup on Saturday. He said he has always driven Fords because his father worked for the company, but decided this year to make the switch from gas to electric. He said his wife drives a similar model and their son an electric Ford Focus, making them “an all-EV household.” (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

EV owners rally ’round rain, resourcefulness and solar rays

Ninth annual event celebrates Juneau’s electric vehicle growth as one of fastest in U.S.

Jim Scheufelt, right, explains how his newly purchased Ford Mustang Mach-E operates to a couple of visitors at the ninth annual Juneau EV EBIKE Roundup on Saturday. He said he has always driven Fords because his father worked for the company, but decided this year to make the switch from gas to electric. He said his wife drives a similar model and their son an electric Ford Focus, making them “an all-EV household.” (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Nick Begich III, a Republican candidate for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, talks about wanting to maximize mining in the state to provide materials beneficial to electric vehicles during the 9th annual Juneau EV EBIKE Roundup on Saturday. Begich, who finished third among the major candidates for the seat in the August special election and remains in that spot in polls about six weeks before the November general election, spent Saturday at numerous campaign-related events in town. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire).

Begich: Third climb is the charm

Republican challenger staying the course despite trailing in recent recent polling and fundraising

Nick Begich III, a Republican candidate for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, talks about wanting to maximize mining in the state to provide materials beneficial to electric vehicles during the 9th annual Juneau EV EBIKE Roundup on Saturday. Begich, who finished third among the major candidates for the seat in the August special election and remains in that spot in polls about six weeks before the November general election, spent Saturday at numerous campaign-related events in town. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire).
Screenshot from complaint filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission An image purportedly from the computer screen of a digital media specialist for Gov. Mike Dunleavy shows numerous files and folders of alleged campaign advertising. A complaint filed against the governor, plus other individuals and organizations, claims administrative staff is illegally doing paid campaign work on behalf of the governor.

Dunleavy faces more accusations in campaign complaint

Governor’s response calls allegations “specious and unfounded.”

Screenshot from complaint filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission An image purportedly from the computer screen of a digital media specialist for Gov. Mike Dunleavy shows numerous files and folders of alleged campaign advertising. A complaint filed against the governor, plus other individuals and organizations, claims administrative staff is illegally doing paid campaign work on behalf of the governor.