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Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, about the upcoming special election to fill the U.S. House of Representatives vacated following the death of Don Young last week. Screenshot)

Dates set for race to fill House seat

State officials set the dates Tuesday for the special elections to fill Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, recently vacated by the… Continue reading

Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, about the upcoming special election to fill the U.S. House of Representatives vacated following the death of Don Young last week. Screenshot)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s executive order to split the Department of Health and Social Services, its Juneau offices seen here on Monday into two new departments became law over the weekend, but the split won’t go into effect until July.

State begins process for health department split

Still some concerns.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s executive order to split the Department of Health and Social Services, its Juneau offices seen here on Monday into two new departments became law over the weekend, but the split won’t go into effect until July.
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Alwen Carrillo calls out to his teammates during a game earlier this season. The Crimson Bears on Wednesday will take on top-seeded Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School to open the state tournament. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File) Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Alwen Carrillo calls out to his teammates during a game earlier this season. The Crimson Bears on Wednesday will take on top-seeded Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School to open the state tournament. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

JDHS boys ready for state tournament

They’re shipping off to Anchorage.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Alwen Carrillo calls out to his teammates during a game earlier this season. The Crimson Bears on Wednesday will take on top-seeded Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School to open the state tournament. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File) Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Alwen Carrillo calls out to his teammates during a game earlier this season. The Crimson Bears on Wednesday will take on top-seeded Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School to open the state tournament. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
An arch at the State Library, Archives and Museum was vandalized late last week, leaving it lopsided. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

State museum art installation vandalized

The state will repair the arch, but it will take some time.

An arch at the State Library, Archives and Museum was vandalized late last week, leaving it lopsided. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This Friday, March 18 photo shows an Air Force C-17 at Juneau International Airport as it ferried gear to Juneau for a hazardous materials exercise with the city and other organizations. (David Rigas / Juneau Empire)

City and military hold hazardous material exercise

The exercise will test the city’s response to a hazmat emergency.

This Friday, March 18 photo shows an Air Force C-17 at Juneau International Airport as it ferried gear to Juneau for a hazardous materials exercise with the city and other organizations. (David Rigas / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Rep. Don Young answers a reporter's question after filing paperwork for reelection at the Alaska Division of Elections in Anchorage, Alaska. Young, the longest-serving member of Alaska’s congressional delegation, died Friday, March 18, 2022. He was 88. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Special election for House seat begins to take shape

Begich and Constant will run for seat previously filled by Young.

U.S. Rep. Don Young answers a reporter's question after filing paperwork for reelection at the Alaska Division of Elections in Anchorage, Alaska. Young, the longest-serving member of Alaska’s congressional delegation, died Friday, March 18, 2022. He was 88. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
This May 21, 2019, photo shows people attending a rally against anti-abortion laws at the Dimond Courthouse Plaza in Juneau, Alaska. Alaska voters this year will be asked if they want a constitutional convention, and simmering anger over the legislature’s failure to settle the issue of how big a check residents should receive from the state’s oil wealth fund could provide a tail wind for groups seeking to change the constitution on a range of hot button topics, such as abortion. (Michael Penn/ Juneau Empire File)

State constitutional convention measures stoke partisan fear

Alaska is one of three states where voters will decide this fall whether to call a convention.

This May 21, 2019, photo shows people attending a rally against anti-abortion laws at the Dimond Courthouse Plaza in Juneau, Alaska. Alaska voters this year will be asked if they want a constitutional convention, and simmering anger over the legislature’s failure to settle the issue of how big a check residents should receive from the state’s oil wealth fund could provide a tail wind for groups seeking to change the constitution on a range of hot button topics, such as abortion. (Michael Penn/ Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, meetings with international exchange students at the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. The students, who each come from different counrties, have been living with host families in Sitka and Juneau and attending local high schools. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Yes it’s cold, but exchange students say they’ll miss Alaska

It’s different from the movies.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, meetings with international exchange students at the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. The students, who each come from different counrties, have been living with host families in Sitka and Juneau and attending local high schools. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Don Young smiles during a sit-down in the Juneau Empire's offices last June. Young died on Friday, according to the longtime U.S. representative's office. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Don Young dies at 88

On his way home to Alaska.

Rep. Don Young smiles during a sit-down in the Juneau Empire's offices last June. Young died on Friday, according to the longtime U.S. representative's office. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
The Mendenhall River is one of Juneau’s many water systems that was affected by the drought from 2016 to 2019. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Project looks into causes, effects of 2016-2019 drought

Hotter weather and less rain drove the three-year drought.

The Mendenhall River is one of Juneau’s many water systems that was affected by the drought from 2016 to 2019. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Attorney for the State of Alaska Matthew Singer defends the Alaska Redistricting Board to the Alaska Supreme Court on Friday, March 18, 2022. The Court will return a decision on the state's new electoral districts by April 1. (Screenshot)

Alaska Supreme Court takes up redistricting case

A decision is expected by April 1.

Attorney for the State of Alaska Matthew Singer defends the Alaska Redistricting Board to the Alaska Supreme Court on Friday, March 18, 2022. The Court will return a decision on the state's new electoral districts by April 1. (Screenshot)
Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, assigned to the 180th Fighter Wing, fly in formation after being refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 97th Air Refueling Squadron, during U.S. Northern Command Exercise Arctic Edge 2022, March 15, 2022. (U.S. Air Force / Staff Sgt. Taylor Crul)

Military wraps up major cold-weather exercise

More than a thousand servicemembers traveled to Alaska from across North America for the exercise.

Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, assigned to the 180th Fighter Wing, fly in formation after being refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 97th Air Refueling Squadron, during U.S. Northern Command Exercise Arctic Edge 2022, March 15, 2022. (U.S. Air Force / Staff Sgt. Taylor Crul)
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File In this April 24, 2015, filephoto, a worker empties oilfield wastewater from a tank truck into storage tanks on Carl and Justin Johnson’s ranch near Crossroads, N.M. Labor shortages, supply problems and volatile prices have made oil companies cautious about new drilling even as U.S. politicians push for increased production.

Ukraine war ups pressure for US oil; industry faces hurdles

Rhetoric about quickly ramping up U.S. crude output is at odds with the industry’s reality.

AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File In this April 24, 2015, filephoto, a worker empties oilfield wastewater from a tank truck into storage tanks on Carl and Justin Johnson’s ranch near Crossroads, N.M. Labor shortages, supply problems and volatile prices have made oil companies cautious about new drilling even as U.S. politicians push for increased production.
An improvised heating device sparked a February fire in a vehicle near Donna’s, totally destroying the vehicle. (Courtesy photo / Capital City Fire/Rescue)

Fire marshal: Homemade heating device sparked February car fire

No one was injured, but the vehicle was immolated.

An improvised heating device sparked a February fire in a vehicle near Donna’s, totally destroying the vehicle. (Courtesy photo / Capital City Fire/Rescue)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

State House passes campaign contribution limits bill

Bill would set a $2,000 limit on what someone could contribute to a candidate per campaign period.

(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
From left to right: Chairman of Goldbelt Inc.'s Board of Directors Todd Antioquia, Sealaska Corporation Board of Director's Chair Joe Nelson; Sealaska CEO Anthony Mallot; Goldbelt President and CEO McHugh Pierre and University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Karen Carey at the Centennial Hall on Thursday, March 17, 2022 for the Juneau Economic Development Corporation's annual innovation summit. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Looking at next 50 years of ANCSA, Native corp leaders stress commitment to place

The next 10,000 years.

From left to right: Chairman of Goldbelt Inc.'s Board of Directors Todd Antioquia, Sealaska Corporation Board of Director's Chair Joe Nelson; Sealaska CEO Anthony Mallot; Goldbelt President and CEO McHugh Pierre and University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Karen Carey at the Centennial Hall on Thursday, March 17, 2022 for the Juneau Economic Development Corporation's annual innovation summit. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Anthony Mallott, president and CEO of Sealaska Corp. reflected on the 50th Anniversary of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act during the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce weekly lunch on Thursday.

Mallott looks back — and forward — 50 years after ANCSA

Native corporates are big business in Alaska

Anthony Mallott, president and CEO of Sealaska Corp. reflected on the 50th Anniversary of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act during the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce weekly lunch on Thursday.
Ketchikan resident Jack Finnegan, left, owner of Fishability, and Bonnie, center, and Stormy Hamar, who own Kasaan Arts, Museum, and Canoes stand outside the Sealaska Heritage Building on Feb. 8. Earlier Tuesday, each business owner was named a winner of the Path to Prosperity contest, put on by nonprofit Spruce Root. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Entrepreneurs get a boost on the Path to Prosperity

Spruce Root awards $50,000 in prizes

Ketchikan resident Jack Finnegan, left, owner of Fishability, and Bonnie, center, and Stormy Hamar, who own Kasaan Arts, Museum, and Canoes stand outside the Sealaska Heritage Building on Feb. 8. Earlier Tuesday, each business owner was named a winner of the Path to Prosperity contest, put on by nonprofit Spruce Root. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
A former Army Special Forces medic is raising money to go to Ukraine and set up a triage station there for casualties of the Russian invasion. (Courtesy photo / Brent Kunzler)

Skagway man prepares to head to Ukraine to provide medical aid

He’s raising money to set up an aid station inside the Ukrainian border.

A former Army Special Forces medic is raising money to go to Ukraine and set up a triage station there for casualties of the Russian invasion. (Courtesy photo / Brent Kunzler)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, talks with a reporter after attending at an event to celebrate the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in Washington. Murkowski spoke the the Alaska House of Representatives Special Committee on Tribal Affairs Thursday about what the bill means for Alaska. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Alaskans laud Violence Against Women Act reauthorization

‘Extraordinary step forward.”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, talks with a reporter after attending at an event to celebrate the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in Washington. Murkowski spoke the the Alaska House of Representatives Special Committee on Tribal Affairs Thursday about what the bill means for Alaska. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)