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U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, seen here in this 2021 Empire file photo, introduced a bill Monday that would allow the federal government to seize Russian ships in American waters. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

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Alaska’s lawmakers seek to punish Russia

Economic punishments.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is currently working on a study for a second crossing across the Gastineau Channel, seen here on Aug. 22, 2021, to North Douglas Island. The public outreach portion of the study is set to begin in May, according to DOT. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Federal funds could pave way for a second crossing

An opportune time.

Pat Pitney was named President of the University of Alaska Friday after serving as interim president for over a year. She is the first woman to hold the position in UA's history. (Courtesy photo / University of Alaska)

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Pat Pitney named UA President

After shedding interim label, she’s the first woman to hold the post.

The MV Tazlina arrives in Juneau in this May 2020 photo. Federal relief dollars may be coming to the state to aide the Alaska Marine Highway System, but the unions that run the ships say workers are leaving the state. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

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Union reps say Alaska’s losing maritime workers

Retention is declining.

The front doors of the Alaska State Capitol was missing the sign notifying visitors of the building's masking requirement on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, after an early morning by lawmakers changed the rule. Masking rules have been in place since October 2020, much to the consternation of some lawmakers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Masks now optional in state Capitol

Masks since Oct. 2020.

Doug Simon with the Alaska Section of the Alaska Society of Civil Engineers gave a presentation on Alaska's infrastructure report card at the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. ASCE graded Alaska's overall infrastructure at a C-. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Engineers give Alaska’s infrastructure a C-

Workers needed.

Juneau members of Veterans for Peace Craig Wilson, left, and K.J. Metcalf, wave signs urging a diplomatic solution in Ukraine the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Juneau’s Veterans for Peace urge diplomacy amid Ukraine tensions

‘War is our default setting.’

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, gave her annual address to the Alaska State Legislature Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Capitol building in Juneau. Murkowski's speech emphasized bipartisanship and making Alaska ready for the opportunities brought by the recent infrastructure package. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Murkowski: Good things can come together with bipartisanship

Senator talks working across the aisle in annual address.

Senate Finance Committee members Sens. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, and Natasha Von Imhof, R-Anchorage, listen to public testimony for bills related to the Permanent Fund Dividend on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. The majority of callers accused lawmakers of stealing PFD money. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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PFD formula proposals provoke strong public reaction

Familiar arguments.

A class photo from the Sitka Industrial Training School ca. 1897-1929, shows young Alaska Native women who were taken from their homes are raised in one of Alaska's boarding schools. This week, the First Alaskans Institute is hosting a summit for survivors and others impacted by the boarding school system. (Courtesy photo / Alaska's Digital Archives)

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Boarding school summit to address generational trauma

‘They will be heard.’

Copies of the Alaska State Constitution are available outside the lieutenant governor's office on the third floor of the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Constitutional convention could change everything, or nothing

This article appears in the Juneau Empire’s Guide to the 2022 Alaska State Legislature.

Senators and members of the House of Representatives gather in the House Chamber for Gov. Mike Dunleavy's State of the State speech on Jan. 25, 2022. Both the House and Senate Chambers are located on the second floor of the Alaska State Capitol building. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Get to know your Capitol

Take a look around.

A student walks across the campus of the University of Alaska Southeast in this Feb. 4, 2021 file photo. An Anchorage Superior Court ruled Thursday against a group of UA students who had sued the state over funding for higher education scholarship programs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

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Students appeal Superior Court ruling on higher education funds

Supreme Court to weigh in.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to the Alaska Municipal League and Alaska Conference of Mayors winter meeting at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. The governor gave a presentation on the state finances which included a slide referencing the disagreements with his proposals some lawmakers were likely to have. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Dunleavy touts state finances, bond plan to municipal leaders

Bills and bonds.

African-American soldiers of Company L, 24th Infantry, famously known as "Buffalo Soldiers" on parade on 5th Avenue in Skagway, between Broadway and State streets, in front of the Daily Budget newspaper on July 4, 1899. A recent book from a University of Alaska Anchorage history professor traces the long history of Black Americans in Alaska. (Courtesy image / Alaska's Digital Archives)

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Book traces over 150 years of Black history in Alaska

Before the gold rush.

A map from the Alaska Redistricting Board shows proposed House Districts in Anchorage, two of which were the subject of a lawsuit against the board for their being paired together in a single senate seat. A judge ruled early Wednesday the board violated the Alaska State Constitution in its drafting of new legislative districts. (Screenshot / Alaska Redistricting Board)

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Judge says redistricting board did not follow constitutional process

Judge overturns maps Skagway, East Anchorage

The entrance to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services building in downtown Juneau on Jan. 14, 2021. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has twice proposed splitting the department using an executive order, but the Division of Legislative Legal Services has raised issues with the most recent order. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

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Legal memo cites issues with order to split state health department

Length and breadth.

Gubernatorial candidate Les Gara, right, announced as his running mate Jessica Cook, left, an Eagle River school teacher, at a news conference in Anchorage on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Erin Kirkland)

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Gara announces running mate in gubernatorial race

A shared vision.

Deputy Attorney General John Skidmore speaks at a press conference in Anchorage on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, to announce three bills introduced by Gov. Mike Dunleavy meant to address sex and human trafficking in the state. (Screenshot)

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Gov introduces bills to combat sexual assault, human trafficking

Punishments for patrons.

Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, seen here on Feb. 7, 2022, announced Thursday he was running to fill the Alaska State Senate seat soon to be vacated by Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson who's announced a bid for the U.S. Senate. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Anchorage rep announces bid for open Senate seat

A larger audience.