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Members of the Alaska House of Representatives consider artificial intelligence legislation on Wednesday during a break in a session of the Alaska House of Representatives. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Debating faked images and video, Alaska lawmakers say AI could eventually be a person

Correction: The bill’s sponsor and Vance’s role on the House Judiciary Committee were misidentified in the original version of this article. The Alaska House of… Continue reading

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives consider artificial intelligence legislation on Wednesday during a break in a session of the Alaska House of Representatives. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The Boney Courthouse building in Anchorage holds the Alaska Supreme Court chambers. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Supreme Court schedules June 25 hearing for homeschool lawsuit appeal

Arguments to occur five days before the end of a hold on the lower court’s ruling.

The Boney Courthouse building in Anchorage holds the Alaska Supreme Court chambers. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, speaks on the House floor in 2023. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

By wide, bipartisan margin, Alaska House puts finishing touches on state capital budget

The Alaska House of Representatives approved a major increase to state spending on school repairs and renewable energy on Tuesday as it voted 39-1 to… Continue reading

Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, speaks on the House floor in 2023. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
With snow steadily falling and daylight fading, career fair participants pitched in with a final task for Angoon. Earlier in the season, the boys’ basketball team had split firewood as a fundraiser. Wood stoves heat many of the older homes in Angoon. They are a reprieve from high electricity and fuel prices, but only as long as a household can chop and move their own firewood — making the deliveries a lifeline for elders and their families. Participants help load and deliver firewood to elders and families in need. (Photo by Jenny Starrs)

Resilient Peoples and Place: An energy-secure Angoon

Career fairs involve youth in community’s future.

With snow steadily falling and daylight fading, career fair participants pitched in with a final task for Angoon. Earlier in the season, the boys’ basketball team had split firewood as a fundraiser. Wood stoves heat many of the older homes in Angoon. They are a reprieve from high electricity and fuel prices, but only as long as a household can chop and move their own firewood — making the deliveries a lifeline for elders and their families. Participants help load and deliver firewood to elders and families in need. (Photo by Jenny Starrs)
Peyton Wheeler takes a shot for Juneau Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé during Friday’s game against Thunder Mountain High School at Adair-Kennedy Field. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys, girls soccer teams get shutout wins against TMHS

Crimson Bears boys’ 7-0 win on Thursday followed by girls’ 6-0 victory over Falcons on Friday.

Peyton Wheeler takes a shot for Juneau Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé during Friday’s game against Thunder Mountain High School at Adair-Kennedy Field. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School boys’ basketball coach John Blasco and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé coach Robert Casperson talk following the final local game between the two schools on Feb. 24, due to a consolidation plan taking effect during the coming school year. Blasco said Monday he is stepping down with the intent of letting Casperson coach the consolidated team. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau School District coaches and advisors being released due to consolidation, will have to reapply for jobs

Preference will be given to “successful incumbents” and certified staff, according to district letter.

Thunder Mountain High School boys’ basketball coach John Blasco and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé coach Robert Casperson talk following the final local game between the two schools on Feb. 24, due to a consolidation plan taking effect during the coming school year. Blasco said Monday he is stepping down with the intent of letting Casperson coach the consolidated team. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore berths in Juneau Harbor in late October of 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Cruise ship employee arrested after stabbing multiple people aboard with scissors

South African man tried to deploy lifeboat, then attacked security staff, nurse and a passenger.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore berths in Juneau Harbor in late October of 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Members of the state House and Senate look at a tally board showing the failure of Bob Griffin to be confirmed to the Alaska state school board on Tuesday. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Legislature rejects Dunleavy-nominated state school board member

Two other nominees for boards and commissions fail to gain approval as lawmakers approve 78 of 81.

Members of the state House and Senate look at a tally board showing the failure of Bob Griffin to be confirmed to the Alaska state school board on Tuesday. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Members of the Alaska House Finance Committee discuss their first-draft budget on Tuesday, March 12. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska House nears vote on big increase for public school maintenance statewide

House Finance Committee approved the most school maintenance funding since 2011.

Members of the Alaska House Finance Committee discuss their first-draft budget on Tuesday, March 12. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Members of the Alaska House Finance Committee, at left, listen to budget aide Remond Henderson during a break in amendment discussions on Monday, March 27, 2023. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska House committee kills state-owned corporation’s plan to borrow up to $300 million

AIDEA did not identify specific projects or a timeline for spending.

Members of the Alaska House Finance Committee, at left, listen to budget aide Remond Henderson during a break in amendment discussions on Monday, March 27, 2023. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, listens to a presentation during a House Education Committee meeting on Friday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, listens to a presentation during a House Education Committee meeting on Friday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to two residential fires within 12 hours this week, including one Thursday morning that destroyed a house and adjacent travel trailer. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Update: Man arrested for arson after fire in travel trailer destroys adjacent Mendenhall Valley home

Juneau resident arrested at scene, also charged with felony assault following Thursday morning fire.

Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to two residential fires within 12 hours this week, including one Thursday morning that destroyed a house and adjacent travel trailer. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board members including Gabrielle Rubenstein (wearing white) meet with staff and advisors on Oct. 30, 2023, to discuss a proposal to raise the fund’s rate of return by making riskier investments. The idea stalled when advisors suggested the strategy and timing are ill-advised. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Permanent Fund board calls special meeting Wednesday due to leaked emails alleging improper behavior

Ellie Rubenstein accused of setting up meetings between APFC staff and her business associates.

Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board members including Gabrielle Rubenstein (wearing white) meet with staff and advisors on Oct. 30, 2023, to discuss a proposal to raise the fund’s rate of return by making riskier investments. The idea stalled when advisors suggested the strategy and timing are ill-advised. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Lt. Daniel Schuerman, the ship’s operations officer, shows the 5-inch/54-caliber Mark 45 gun on the foredeck of the USS William P. Lawrence during a tour Sunday in Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Navy brings out big guns for visitors aboard destroyer as crew works on community projects during Juneau stop

USS William P. Lawrence open to public tours until its scheduled departure Wednesday

Lt. Daniel Schuerman, the ship’s operations officer, shows the 5-inch/54-caliber Mark 45 gun on the foredeck of the USS William P. Lawrence during a tour Sunday in Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Walter Soboleff Jr. leads a traditional Alaska Native dance during the beginning of the Juneau Maritime Festival at Elizabeth Peratrovich Plaza on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A strong show of seamanship at 14th annual Juneau Maritime Festival

U.S. Navy and Coast Guard get into tug-of-war after destroyer arrives during record-size gathering.

Walter Soboleff Jr. leads a traditional Alaska Native dance during the beginning of the Juneau Maritime Festival at Elizabeth Peratrovich Plaza on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Red clothing is worn and displayed as a sign of a unified call for action during a rally in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Sunday to commemorate the annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Rally seeks future where Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day is not necessary

More than 50 people gather at Capitol to share stories of missing family, efforts to address issue.

Red clothing is worn and displayed as a sign of a unified call for action during a rally in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Sunday to commemorate the annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
An airplane equipped with instruments to allow for flight in cloudy conditions is ready for passengers at the Haines airport on Thursday. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Local air carrier adopts new tech with aim to make travel in Southeast Alaska safer, more reliable

More precise GPS, FAA OK for new routes expected to lead to fewer cancellations, increased safety.

An airplane equipped with instruments to allow for flight in cloudy conditions is ready for passengers at the Haines airport on Thursday. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
The University of Alaska Southeast class of 2024 receive their degrees during a commencement ceremony Sunday at the UAS Recreation Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

New University of Alaska Southeast graduates cherish the moment and the challenges yet to come

More than 300 degree recipients honored during Sunday’s commencement ceremony.

The University of Alaska Southeast class of 2024 receive their degrees during a commencement ceremony Sunday at the UAS Recreation Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Pastor Tari Stage-Harvey offers an invocation during the annual Blessing of the Fleet and Reading of Names at the Alaska Commercial Fishermen’s Memorial on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Loved ones gather for reading of 264 names on Fishermen’s Memorial and the Blessing of the Fleet

Six names to be engraved this summer join tribute to others at sea and in fishing industry who died.

Pastor Tari Stage-Harvey offers an invocation during the annual Blessing of the Fleet and Reading of Names at the Alaska Commercial Fishermen’s Memorial on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Lisa Pearce (center), newly hired as the chief financial officer for the Juneau School District, discusses the district’s financial crisis in her role as an analyst during a work session Feb. 17 at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. Seated next to Pearce are Superintendent Frank Hauser (left) and school board member Britteny Cioni-Haywood. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Lisa Pearce, analyst who unveiled Juneau School District’s crisis, hired as new chief financial officer

Consultant for numerous districts in recent years begins new job when consolidation starts July 1.

Lisa Pearce (center), newly hired as the chief financial officer for the Juneau School District, discusses the district’s financial crisis in her role as an analyst during a work session Feb. 17 at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. Seated next to Pearce are Superintendent Frank Hauser (left) and school board member Britteny Cioni-Haywood. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)