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Senators Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with reporters in Begich's office at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, about their thoughts on the current legislative session. The senators said there were reasons to be optimistic about meaningful progress even with the full plate before the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

‘Work, actual work’ is underway in the state Senate

It may take a special session.

Senators Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with reporters in Begich's office at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, about their thoughts on the current legislative session. The senators said there were reasons to be optimistic about meaningful progress even with the full plate before the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
JDHS' Mila Hargrave pivots toward the hoop for a tough inside shot while tightly defended by TMHS' Sydney Strong. In the background JDHS' Kiyara Miller and TMHS' Kerra Baxter look on. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls notch wins with strong play in second half

two crosstown comebacks.

JDHS' Mila Hargrave pivots toward the hoop for a tough inside shot while tightly defended by TMHS' Sydney Strong. In the background JDHS' Kiyara Miller and TMHS' Kerra Baxter look on. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
JDHS' Orion Dybdahl contests a shot from TMHS' Thomas Baxter late in Saturday night's game. Thunder Mountain High School wound up winning 56-55 in overtime. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Juneau boys split weekend series

TMHS wins one, JDHS wins one.

JDHS' Orion Dybdahl contests a shot from TMHS' Thomas Baxter late in Saturday night's game. Thunder Mountain High School wound up winning 56-55 in overtime. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A city-owned grader moves snow before dawn on Feb. 4 on Tongass Boulevard in the Mendenhall Valley. City snow removal crews have been challenged by multiple winter storms and higher-than-average snowfall. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)

Snow and tell: City officials offer insight into removal challenges

“It’s really an intricate dance.”

A city-owned grader moves snow before dawn on Feb. 4 on Tongass Boulevard in the Mendenhall Valley. City snow removal crews have been challenged by multiple winter storms and higher-than-average snowfall. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
Kyle Worl competes in the two-foot high kick at the 2020 Traditional Games. The games this year are being held at Thunder Mountain High School on April 2-3 2022 (Courtesy Photo / Sealaska Heritage Institute)

Kicking for the stars: Registration opens for 2022 Traditional Games

The games will be held here at TMHS in April.

Kyle Worl competes in the two-foot high kick at the 2020 Traditional Games. The games this year are being held at Thunder Mountain High School on April 2-3 2022 (Courtesy Photo / Sealaska Heritage Institute)
A graphic shows employment by Alaska region and features the percent change in jobs from December 2020 to December 2021. (Graphic via February 2022 Alaska Economic Trends reports from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development)

Report: Alaska economy rebounding; inflation up

Prices in Alaska increased by 4.9% in 2021

A graphic shows employment by Alaska region and features the percent change in jobs from December 2020 to December 2021. (Graphic via February 2022 Alaska Economic Trends reports from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development)
Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, speaks on the floor of the House of Representatives on Friday, Feb. 3, 2022. Eastman has come under scrutiny for his membership in the Oath Keepers, a right-wing paramilitary group whose leaders have been charged with sedition for their role in the Jan. 6, riot at the U.S. Capitol. A House committee will meet next week to investigate the Oath Keepers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House to hold committee hearing on Oath Keepers

Not an investigation, says House majoirty leader.

Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, speaks on the floor of the House of Representatives on Friday, Feb. 3, 2022. Eastman has come under scrutiny for his membership in the Oath Keepers, a right-wing paramilitary group whose leaders have been charged with sedition for their role in the Jan. 6, riot at the U.S. Capitol. A House committee will meet next week to investigate the Oath Keepers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A man arrested Juneau in 2019 was sentenced to six years in prison United States District Court at the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau man sentenced for pulling a gun on police officer

Prior felonies exacerbated the sentence.

A man arrested Juneau in 2019 was sentenced to six years in prison United States District Court at the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
The House Labor and Commerce Committee speaks with Alaska's Congressional delegation on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill which is set to bring billions of dollars to the state. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Delegation: Work together to plan, optimize infrastructure money

No bickering.

The House Labor and Commerce Committee speaks with Alaska's Congressional delegation on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill which is set to bring billions of dollars to the state. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
In this Empire file photo, the MV Tazlina heads in to dock in Juneau. The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation is poised to bring a lot of money to Alaska for things like ferries, but when and how much isn't yet known as many of the programs are new. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Amount of infrastructure bill money coming to the state still a mystery

Guidelines are forthcoming.

In this Empire file photo, the MV Tazlina heads in to dock in Juneau. The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation is poised to bring a lot of money to Alaska for things like ferries, but when and how much isn't yet known as many of the programs are new. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Alaska Independent Coach Tour’s busses will be running with the same looks but new management after a joint venture between Huna Totem Corporation and Doyon, Limited founded a joint venture purchasing a controlling interest in the transport company. (Courtesy photo / AICT)

Huna Totem and Doyon announce new joint venture

Their aims are the promotion of sustainable, cultural tourism in transportation, lodging, and tour opportunities.

Alaska Independent Coach Tour’s busses will be running with the same looks but new management after a joint venture between Huna Totem Corporation and Doyon, Limited founded a joint venture purchasing a controlling interest in the transport company. (Courtesy photo / AICT)
This picture shows the City and Borough of Juneau City Hall on Dec. 20, 2021. City officials are considering changes to CBJ’s real estate price disclosure rules. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

CBJ considers real estate disclosure rule changes

Officials hope for more compliance and greater transparency

This picture shows the City and Borough of Juneau City Hall on Dec. 20, 2021. City officials are considering changes to CBJ’s real estate price disclosure rules. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin arrives to Federal court, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in New York. Palin is due back in a New York City courtroom more than a week after her libel trial against The New York Times was postponed because she tested positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo / John Minchillo)

Palin resumes court battle with Times after COVID illness

Opening statements to the jury were initially scheduled for last week, but were postponed.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin arrives to Federal court, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in New York. Palin is due back in a New York City courtroom more than a week after her libel trial against The New York Times was postponed because she tested positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo / John Minchillo)
Brian Lauth, closing manager for Super Bear Supermarket IGA, bags groceries Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. Next month, the Finance Committee for the City and Borough of Juneau will consider whether to exempt grocery purchases from the city’s sales tax. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire File)

CBJ to consider ending sales tax on food

Long-running debate set to resume.

Brian Lauth, closing manager for Super Bear Supermarket IGA, bags groceries Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. Next month, the Finance Committee for the City and Borough of Juneau will consider whether to exempt grocery purchases from the city’s sales tax. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy photo / Kevin and Carlene Allred Greens grow in the Tenakee Springs greenhouse run by Kevin and Carlene Allred. The greenhouse produces fresh produce all year long using geothermal heat.

Nourishing a community

Tenakee couple uses geothermal heat to produce fresh veggies

Courtesy photo / Kevin and Carlene Allred Greens grow in the Tenakee Springs greenhouse run by Kevin and Carlene Allred. The greenhouse produces fresh produce all year long using geothermal heat.
Former Alaska Psychiatric Institute staff psychiatrist Dr. John Bellville speaks during a news conference on Jan. 10, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. The state of Alaska has settled a lawsuit with Bellville, who was one of three former state employees who claimed they were wrongfully fired when Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy took office. Under the agreement, announced Wednesday Feb. 2, 2022, Bellville will receive $275,000, reflecting lost wages, damages and attorney's fees. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen, File)

State of Alaska, psychiatrists settle case over firings

Under the settlement, the state agrees to pay a combined $495,000.

Former Alaska Psychiatric Institute staff psychiatrist Dr. John Bellville speaks during a news conference on Jan. 10, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. The state of Alaska has settled a lawsuit with Bellville, who was one of three former state employees who claimed they were wrongfully fired when Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy took office. Under the agreement, announced Wednesday Feb. 2, 2022, Bellville will receive $275,000, reflecting lost wages, damages and attorney's fees. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen, File)
Kelly Stewart, formerly acting assistant principal of Thunder Mountain High School, has now been permanently appointed to the position. (Courtesy photo / Kelly Stewart)

Thunder Mountain High School fills assistant principal post

She has more than 20 years of experience in education.

Kelly Stewart, formerly acting assistant principal of Thunder Mountain High School, has now been permanently appointed to the position. (Courtesy photo / Kelly Stewart)
This May 4, 2021 image shows teacher Graciela Olague-Barrios working with two infants at Cuidando Los Ninos in Albuquerque, N.M. According to a recent report by the U.S. Chamber Foundation, childcare is in short supply across the country. Local experts say Juneau lacks affordable, reliable child care. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)

Child care challenges keep workers sidelined

Referral network leader says ‘it’s a broken business model.’

This May 4, 2021 image shows teacher Graciela Olague-Barrios working with two infants at Cuidando Los Ninos in Albuquerque, N.M. According to a recent report by the U.S. Chamber Foundation, childcare is in short supply across the country. Local experts say Juneau lacks affordable, reliable child care. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
A Juneau man arrested in 2019 for more than a dozen charges including multiple sexual-related felonies was found guilty during a jury trial on Feb. 1, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau man found guilty in child sex abuse case

The defendant was found guilty of fourteen separate charges.

A Juneau man arrested in 2019 for more than a dozen charges including multiple sexual-related felonies was found guilty during a jury trial on Feb. 1, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A scheduled floor session of the Alaska House of Representatives was canceled Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, following a positive COVID-19 case in the body and close contacts among roughly half the members. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Positive COVID test leads to canceled House floor session

Members isolating.

A scheduled floor session of the Alaska House of Representatives was canceled Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, following a positive COVID-19 case in the body and close contacts among roughly half the members. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)