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Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a March 8, news conference at the Alaska State Capitol. On Tuesday, Dunleavy released the state's updated revenue forecast and called for Permanent Fund Dividend payments of $3,700. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

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Gov calls for $3,700 PFD after updated revenue forecast

A lot riding on oil prices.

A car is shown at a gas pump, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, at a gas station in North Miami, Fla. Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Alaska state lawmakers are moving to temporarily suspend the state's motor fuel tax as oil prices rise. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

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Lawmakers move to pump the brakes on motor fuel tax

.08 cents per gallon.

Reps. Clavin Schrage, I-Anchorage, left, and David Eastman, R-Wasilla, discuss a bill on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives to enact limits on individual contributions to political campaigns, on Monday, March 14, 2022. House members spent several hours debating amendments to the bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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House floor debate turns from election spending to security

No donations limits.

President Joe Biden announces that along with the European Union and the Group of Seven countries, the U.S. will move to revoke "most favored nation" trade status for Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Friday, March 11, 2022, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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Alaska lawmakers applaud ban on Russian seafood

Alcohol, seafood and diamonds.

The Wooshkeetaan Kootéeyaa totem pole was re-installed at its new home in the attrium of the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022. Workers from Alaska Electric Light and Power helped install the pole. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Totem pole rededication ceremony emphasizes tradition, togetherness

“It represents history.”

Alaska Sen. Tom Begich, left, and Rep. Zack Fields, right, both Anchorage Democrats, joined a news conference Thursday to talk up President Joe Biden's agenda in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Democratic state lawmakers praise Biden’s impact in Alaska

Bills’ benefits.

district

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Juneau lawmaker’s bills would increase per-student funding

A modest increase.

This Empire file photo shows students at Floyd Dryden Middle School, Jan. 11, 2021, with desks separated to accommodate for COVID-19 social distancing protocols. The Juneau School District announced masks would become optional indoors on April 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

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Juneau schools to make masks optional starting April 4

A little breathing room.

This Empire file photo shows the mill facility at the Kensington Gold Mine on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. A new study from the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage tries to imagine what the state's mining industry could look like in 20 years. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire file)

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Economists explore mining’s future in Alaska

A lot of variables.

At a news conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, Gov. Mike Dunleavy outlined his plan to have the state divest its assets from Russia. The disruption in the global market could be beneficial to Alaska, the governor said, if it is able to develop its resources. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Alaska pushes ahead with Russian divestment

Costs likely to increase

Concept art from the U.S. Forest Service's draft environmental impact statement should what a proposed expansion at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center could look like. The Forest Service is currently taking public comment on the expansion and will hold an open house at the visitor center on March 15. (Courtesy Image / U.S. Forest Service)

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Forest Service presents revised Mendenhall expansion plans

Four alternatives.

Cap

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APOC decision allows unlimited contributions to candidates

Legislative action needed.

Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, spoke to the Senate Education Committee on Thursday, March 3, 2022, regarding a bill that would prevent transgender athletes from competing as the sex they identify with. (Screenshot)

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Hearing held for restrictive transgender sports bill

Opponents say courts will strike it down.

Speaker of the Alaksa House of Representatives Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, speaks to lawmakers on Jan. 18, 2022. In a statement Wednesday the House Majority Coalition announced a $1,300 boost to this year’s Permanent Fund Dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

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House leadership proposes $1,300 ‘energy relief check’

Dividend amount under debate.

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney spoke to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Thursday, March 3, 2022, emphasizing the system’s importance to the state’s workforce. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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UA seeks to rebuild enrollment

UA President: Infrastructure jobs are coming, Alaskans could fill them.

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney stopped by the Empire offices in Juneau on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, to talk about the system's future. Mostly recovered from budget cuts and the COVID-19 pandemic, Pitney said the university is ready to start building Alaska's workforce. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

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Pitney: UA ready to train Alaska’s workforce

‘Getting people through the pipeline.’

This photo composite shows Alaska’s congressional delegation, from left to right, Sen. Dan Sullivan, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Rep. Don Young, all Republicans. Following President Joe Biden's State of the Union address Alaska's delegation called for increased U.S. energy development. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)

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Delegation urges energy production following State of the Union

Unified on Ukraine, divided elsewhere.

The offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation got some rate sun on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, as Alaska's lawmakers urged the corporation's Board of Directors to divest from Russian assets in response to the invasion of Ukraine. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Permanent Fund to hold Russian assets as lawmakers urge divestment

Many states are divesting.

In this September 2019 Empire file photo, prescriptions drugs, vitamins, hormones, and other drugs left in the drug drop box in the lobby of the Juneau Police Department are displayed. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)

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Alaska to receive $58M in opioid settlement

A settlement with opioid manufacturers has awarded the state of Alaska $58 million, the Department of Law announced…

Rep. Kevin McCabe, R-Big Lake, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. McCave introduced bills to enact a reciprocal tax on Washington state after lawmakers in that state forwarded a bill that would tax refined fuel to Alaska and House members passed a resolution urging Washington lawmakers not to pass the bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Alaska lawmakers push back on proposed Washington state legislation

Withdrawn fuel tax provision proves unpopular with lawmakers.