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Staff pass through a COVID-19 screening checkpoint set up on the ground floor of the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. The new session of the Alaska State Legislature starts Jan. 19, and some lawmakers and their staff have already arrived in Juneau. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

New Legislature, same issues, says Juneau’s delegation

Alaska’s perennial problems are likely to dominate the session that starts next week, lawmakers say.

Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. New policies will require all staff and legislators to wear masks in chambers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

News

Legislative Council sets mask policy for upcoming session

Only one representative out of twelve legislators voted against the mask policy.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File
The U.S. Flag and Alaska state flag fly on the roof of the Alaska State Capitol on Oct. 17. With just over a month before legislative session is set to begin, some lawmakers are waiting to lock down digs. One factor: uncertainty about how — and for how long — lawmakers plan to meet.

News

Virus causes session housing headaches for state lawmakers

Uncertainty shaped short-term housing plans.

The Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. The state’s emergency declaration for COVID-19 ends Nov. 15, and lawmakers have asked Gov. Mike Dunleavy to call a special session to extend it. Dunleavy issued a second emergency declaration Friday but some lawmakers have said that violates state law. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Gov issues 2nd emergency declaration, but lawmakers cry foul

No mask mandate.

Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole, expresses his sadness about the effect the budget will have on his community during a Joint Session of Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Thursday, July 11, 2019. A recount has affirmed Cohhill lost a tight primary race. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

News

Recount affirms loss for state senator

He wishes winner the best.

Primary results suggest likely Legislature leadership shakeup

News

Primary results suggest likely Legislature leadership shakeup

Senate president likely loses her primary.

Lawmakers dive back into work

News

Lawmakers dive back into work

Things are moving fast.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, House Minority Leader Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, speak at the Alaska Chamber’s Legislative Fly-In, Wednesday. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

News

Alaska lawmakers vow this year will be different than last year’s fiasco

Legislative leaders from all parties say they want to work together and finish on time.

House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, looks on as Juneau Alaska Music Matters students from Glacier Valley School and singers from Sayéik: Gastineau Community School perform “Alaska’s Flag” on Tuesday.(Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

News

Just getting started: House provides first day fireworks while Senate seeks shift in power

Legislative session starts with split votes and objections.

Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, listens during a House floor session Sunday, July 21, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

News

Divided House leads to ‘disappointing’ day

Thirty-three were present, 30 votes were needed.

Capitol Live: House ‘Reverse sweep’ vote falls short

News

Capitol Live: House ‘Reverse sweep’ vote falls short

Live updates from the Capitol

Legislators use ‘symbolic’ vote to deliver verbal smackdown to vetoes

News

Legislators use ‘symbolic’ vote to deliver verbal smackdown to vetoes

The vote failed, but they said a lot.

Senate Finance member Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, center, studies the FY20 Budget during a Senate Finance Committee meeting at the Capitol on Tuesday, July 9, 2019. Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, left, and Sen. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage, right, listen in the background. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Legislative finance director points out potential ‘nightmare’ scenario

Time to fear the sweeper?

Even ‘right-leaning’ groups, bankers and builders are calling for an override

News

Even ‘right-leaning’ groups, bankers and builders are calling for an override

They had one message to the governor.

Capitol Live: There may not be enough lawmakers in Juneau to override vetoes

News

Capitol Live: There may not be enough lawmakers in Juneau to override vetoes

Live updates from inside the Capitol.

Capitol Live: Veto override vote fails

News

Capitol Live: Veto override vote fails

Live updates from inside the Capitol.

Special session starts with a manic Monday

News

Special session starts with a manic Monday

All roads — and planes — may lead to Wednesday.

Freshman legislators Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau; Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau; and Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau; reflected on what’s happened so far during a regular and special session and what they’re looking forward to working on next. (Michael Penn| Juneau Empire File)

News

Juneau legislators share highlights, expectations ahead of special session

There have been some highlights since January.

University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen in 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: State’s budget climate puts value of Alaska’s higher education at risk

Thousands of students could be affected by a governor veto.

Long-running, high-profile Grussendorf sex abuse case comes to conclusion

News

Long-running, high-profile Grussendorf sex abuse case comes to conclusion

He was sentenced in court today.