A board in the House Chambers at the Alaska State Capitol shows Monday’s vote tally of 39-20 to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of Senate Bill 140, one vote short of the two-thirds necessary. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Legislature fails by a single vote of 39-20 to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of education bill

Legislators warn bad blood may hamper other issues as numerous Republicans abandon earlier support.

 

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Saturay, March 16, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

 

With COVID-19 aid, more schools gave students and families experiencing homelessness prepaid cards to buy necessities like groceries and gas. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

Grocery cards and car repairs: How COVID aid changed the way schools can help homeless kids

Juneau student services specialist among those finding creative ways to provide assistance.

 

(Juneau Empire file photo)

Aurora forecast for the week of March 18

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute and available online, along with more data, at www.gi.alaska.edu/monitors/aurora-forecast. The listings below will… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Friday, March 15, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his veto of a wide-ranging education bill during a press conference Friday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Veto override vote on education bill expected to have consequences — and no assurance of extra funds

Retaliation by governor, fractured relationships within Legislature on other issues among concerns.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his veto of a wide-ranging education bill during a press conference Friday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Thursday, March 14, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Kaskanak Creek in the Bristol Bay’s Kvichak watershed is seen from the air on Sept. 27, 2011. Threats to the watershed and other sites were cited by the Environmental Protection Agency when it issued a decision barring permitting of the Pebble mine. But the Dunleavy administration and Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. have taken legal action to try to reverse that decision. (Photo provided by Environmental Protection Agency

State lawsuit claims federal government owes Alaska $700 billion for quashing Pebble mine

The federal government owes Alaska more than $700 billion in compensation for the 2023 Environmental Protection Agency action that blocked development of the massive and… Continue reading

Kaskanak Creek in the Bristol Bay’s Kvichak watershed is seen from the air on Sept. 27, 2011. Threats to the watershed and other sites were cited by the Environmental Protection Agency when it issued a decision barring permitting of the Pebble mine. But the Dunleavy administration and Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. have taken legal action to try to reverse that decision. (Photo provided by Environmental Protection Agency
Tongass National Forest (Photo by U.S. Forest Service)

New Department of Interior opinion promises to recognize expanded tribal jurisdiction in Alaska

Tribes can exert jurisdiction over allotments granted to individual Natives, opinion states.

Tongass National Forest (Photo by U.S. Forest Service)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Juneau Board of Education President Deedie Sorensen (left) and Vice President Emil Mackey, holding his son Emil Mackey IV, listen to discussion about next year’s budget for the school district during a meeting Thursday night at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé.

School board passes budget that cuts staff 12%, hopes for BSA increase that will save some jobs

Board members make wish list if state funding increases, as governor vetoes bill providing funds.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Juneau Board of Education President Deedie Sorensen (left) and Vice President Emil Mackey, holding his son Emil Mackey IV, listen to discussion about next year’s budget for the school district during a meeting Thursday night at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé.
Flags flank the entrance to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy vetoes sweeping education bill that includes $680 increase in per-student funding

Legislature expected to meet for veto override session Monday, unknown if enough votes exist.

Flags flank the entrance to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Wednesday, March 13, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 10, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 10, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. headquarters in Juneau is where most of the estimated 70 employees manage the state’s primary savings account. The corporation opened a satellite office in Anchorage last year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Intent language nixing Permanent Fund Corp.’s new Anchorage office added to House budget

Office opened last year without earmarked funds; APFC head says HQ could eventually move from Juneau

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. headquarters in Juneau is where most of the estimated 70 employees manage the state’s primary savings account. The corporation opened a satellite office in Anchorage last year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Alaska State Capitol on March 1. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

House passes bill altering wording of sex crimes against children

“Child sexual abuse material” replaces term “child pornography” in proposal passed by 39-1 vote.

The Alaska State Capitol on March 1. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Walter Soboleff Building occupies a central location in downtown Juneau on the former site of a historic building that burned in 2004. (Photo by Brian Wallace)

The C.W. Young Building: A phoenix rises from the ashes

Icebergs, shipwreck victims, historic fire and Native heritage part of downtown landmark’s history.

The Walter Soboleff Building occupies a central location in downtown Juneau on the former site of a historic building that burned in 2004. (Photo by Brian Wallace)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Tuesday, March 12, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Wednesday, March 7. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Experts bump Alaska oil price estimates slightly, boosting Permanent Fund dividend and budget

Extra payment of more than $200 expected for this year’s PFD.

The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Wednesday, March 7. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The Juneau Board of Education debates a school district consolidation plan after midnight Wednesday, near the end of an eight-hour meeting at the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé auditorium. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

School board sticks with consolidation plan for one high school after eight-hour debate of two-school alternative

Claims of plan for two grade 8-12 schools based on faulty and incomplete data, district leaders say.

The Juneau Board of Education debates a school district consolidation plan after midnight Wednesday, near the end of an eight-hour meeting at the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé auditorium. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Members of the Alaska House Finance Committee discuss their first-draft budget on Tuesday. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska House debuts new first-draft budget, but PFD and school funding are question marks

House Finance Committee awaiting new revenue estimates for the coming year before finishing draft.

Members of the Alaska House Finance Committee discuss their first-draft budget on Tuesday. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)