Site Logo
Dozens of amendments to a bill extending the state's disaster declaration are laid out on a table outside the Senate chambers on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. Lawmakers eventually passed the bill, but didn't adjourned until late in the evening. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire.)

News

Lawmakers pass disaster bill, wait for governor

Disaster disagreement.

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, speaks to Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, before a floor session to debate a bill over a disaster declaration in the state on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. The debate would take lawmakers into the evening Wednesday, as over 40 amendments were submitted on the bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Disaster debate drags out in Senate

Even if bill advances, governor might not sign it.

State officials are trying to facilitate the transfer of federal lands to the University of Alaska but where those lands are hasn’t yet been determined. What is known is the lands will be drawn from the state’s allotment of federal lands granted to it under statehood, seen here in this July 30, 2020 Bureau of Land Management map. (Courtesy Image / U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

News

State pushes for university land grant transfer

Stable fiscal future.

stock

News

Report recommends public database for police use of force

Mental health issues stand out.

The Alaska State Capitol remained closed to the public on Monday, April 26, 2021, but with high rates of vaccinations among staff, lawmakers have relaxed some of the health rules in place since the start of the session in January. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

With vaccines available, lawmakers relax rules at Capitol

Returning to normal.

In the past, Gov. Mike Dunleavy's cuts to the Alaska Marine Highway System drew out protestors, like those seen here in Juneau in this Feb. 11, 2020, file photo, but the governor has backed off cuts, and even partnered with lawmakers to use federal funds to bolster the system. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

News

Lawmakers, governor propose using $76 million in federal relief for ferries

“That’s the direction we’re going unless something derails it.”

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference promoting tourism on April 9, 2021. Dunleavy posted a video to social media saying he had received a COVID-19 vaccine, and urged Alaskans to do the same. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

News

Dunleavy urges to Alaskans to vaccinate

Sleeves up for summer.

From left to right, Reps. Neal Foster, D-Nome, Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, and Calvin Schrage, I-Anchorage, speak to reporters on Thursday, April 22, 2021. As the end of the legislative session approaches, some lawmakers are trying to speed up work on the budget. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

House passes school funding, sets sights on federal aid

Bill moves to the Senate.

Lawmakers on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives discuss an amendment on an education funding bill on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. Some House members are trying to pass a budget specifically for education, a departure from past years. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

With deadlines looming, lawmakers try to speed up school funding

Forward funding formula.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Bears, like this one looking for fish in a stream along the Steep Creek Trail at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Aug. 22, 2020, have been sleeping through the winter but they’re waking up and experts want residents to be prepared.

News

Bear in mind: What you need to know now that they’re waking up

A bear-raising situation.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here at a news conference on April 9, 2021, to promote the state’s tourism industry, announced Tuesday Alaska was joining Florida’s lawsuit against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for preventing cruise ship sailings. Dunleavy had said at the conference joining the suit was a possibility. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Alaska joins Florida lawsuit over cruise ship pause

CDC stands by decision.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, removes her face mask Monday moments after being removed from her committee chairmanship.

News

Senator removed as chair of Judiciary Committee

Multiple incidents, mostly around masking, led to the decision.

Kristi Peel checks in her electric vehicle with a volunteer ahead of a road rally held Saturday in Juneau for Earth Day. Previously, Peel said she was the proud owner of the first Chrysler PT Cruise in town. However, after about two decades and 80,000 miles, she purchased her late model Chevrolet Bolt. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

News

Rally generates excitement for electric vehicles

Going for green.

Juneauites enjoyed the sun on the downtown waterfront on Friday, April 16, 2021, but the city would normally be gearing up for cruise season. Gov. Mike Dunleavy released a proposal Friday for using more the $1 billion in federal relief money meant to boost local economies and update local infrastructure. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Dunleavy unveils proposals for over $1 billion in federal aid

Waiting for further guidance.

Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, speaks to reporters at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 15, 2021, about a bill of his to reform Alaska's elections. An earlier version of the bill drew sharp criticism but Shower says his bill is not meant to be partisan. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Polarizing election reform bill reintroduced with changes

Bill gets another run.

Doctors at Bartlett Regional Hospital, seen here in this January 2021 photo, often call consultants and specialist for medical advice, but a supreme court case out of Minnesota could make that dynamic legally questionable. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

News

Bill seeks to shield doctors from liability when consulting

‘Curbside consultations’ are protected under proposal.

Stock

News

Banking on ‘green’ for energy independence

A good investment.

A shop on South Franklin Street in downtown Juneau has its doors open on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. In a normal year shops like this would be preparing for the summer tourist season and the thousands of tourists brought to Juneau daily by cruise ships. But the growth of the cruising in Alaska has some residents concerned about the regions dependence on the industry. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Ballot initiatives seek to curb cruise ships

Three initiatives for city election.

In this October 2018 photo, Bjorn Dihle inspects the acid mine drainage flowing into the Tulsequah River from a containment pond filled by effluent from the Tulsequah Chief Mine in British Columbia, Canada. (Courtesy Photo | Chris Miller)

News

Elected officials: Safe mining needed for salmon

Virtual briefing focuses on transboundary waters.

This photo shows Unangax̂ Gravesite at Funter Bay, the site where Aleut villagers forcibly relocated to the area during World War II are buried. A bill recently passed by the Alaska House of Representatives would make the area part of a neighboring state park. (Courtesy photo / Niko Sanguinetti, Juneau-Douglas City Museum) DO NOT REUSE THIS PHOTO WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM JUNEAU DOUGLAS CITY MUSEUM. -BEN HOHENSTATT

News

Bill to preserve Unangax̂ Gravesite passes House

Bill now heads to the state Senate.