Site Logo
A Walker-Drygas campaign sign stands across from the governor’s mansion in Juneau. Financial forms recently filed with the state showed contributions to gubernatorial campaigns up sharply from the same time period four years ago. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

News

Governor race contributions triple from last cycle, filings show

Eliminating individual donation limits results in top tickets raising nearly $3M since February.

Bill Allen, former chief executive of VECO Corp. leaves federal court on Oct. 28, 2009 in Anchorage. Allen, a former oil services executive who was a key figure in a corruption scandal that rocked Alaska politics, has died. He was 85. (AP Photo /Al Grillo, File)

News

Bill Allen, key figure in Alaska corruption scandal, dies

Bill Allen, a central figure in a corruption scandal that rocked Alaska politics, has died. He was 85.

In this April 11, 2018 photo state Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, walks out of the Senate chambers and to a reception to honor him and Sen. Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage, at the Capitol. Both were retiring from the legislature. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

News

Dennis Egan, former state lawmaker and Juneau mayor, dies

He fought hard to keep the capital here in Juneau.

This March 13, 2020, photo shows then-Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, on the floor of the House. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

News

Former state rep accused of voter misconduct will have a trial in August.

The trial is expected to last 10 days, and the precise start date has not yet been set.

Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage speaks during a rally urging the Alaska government, particularly the Permanent Fund Corp., to divest itself from any Russian investment. Legislation to require divestment did not pass the Legislature. The state still holds millions of dollars in Russian investments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

News

State still holds millions in Russian investments

Llegislation that would have required the state to sell its Russia holdings did not pass.

A Pride flag hangs in downtown Juneau on Thursday, June 2, 2022, in honor of June as Pride Month. A number of Juneau's Pride events are being sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness Juneau, who say LGBTQ youth are at higher risk for depression and suicidal ideation. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Pride Month is here, statewide LGBTQ protections aren’t

Events to focus on fostering community.

This April 12 photo shows Alaska Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, who will not be seeking reelection. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

News

Alaska Senate minority leader doesn’t plan to run this year

“In my heart and my mind, I’ve moved away from the job.”

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, seen here in this June 16, 2021, file photo, announced Wednesday he will not seek relelection in the Alaska State Senate, where he has served since 2013. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

News

Senate president says he won’t run again

“Honor and a privilege.”

A magnet promoting the Alaska Reads Act released sits atop a stack of Alaskan-authored and Alaska-centric books. Lawmakers passed the Alaska Reads Act on the last day of the legislative session, but several members of the House of Representatives were upset with the bill, and the way it was passed. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

News

In last-minute move, Legislature passes early reading overhaul

Underlying inequities.

Lawmakers from both bodies of the Alaska State Legislature mingle in the halls of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, the last day of the legislative session, following the Senate's passing of the state's budget bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Update: Legislature passes budget with minutes to spare

To the governor’s desk.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with reporters about the state's budget at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, May 19, 2022. The governor said lawmakers had sent a complete budget, and that there was no need for a special session. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Dunleavy: No need for special session

Cuts to come.

t

News

Senate effectively kills restrictive transgender sports bill

Bipartisan group of senators votes to table controversial bill.

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, chair of the bicameral conference committee tasked with hammering out differences in the state's budget bill, signs the committee report as members finished their work on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire

News

Committee compromises on PFD in budget plan

Process moves forward as deadline looms.

This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. The Capitol will be the site of a committee hearing next month that will focus on the recent firing of Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. CEO Angela Rodell. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

News

Legislature modernizes definition of consent in sexual assault cases

Change made with unanimous support in Legislature.

In this October 2019 photo, Zac Watt, beertender for Forbidden Peak Brewery, pours a beer during the grand opening for the Auke Bay business in October 2019. Alcoholic beverage manufacturers and dispensers recently came to an agreement on a bill that could bring live music and extended hours to breweries. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

News

House approves major update to state alcohol laws, including changes for breweries

“A lot of the controversy … has been resolved.”

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives on Saturday, May 14, 2022, rejected the budget bill passed by the Senate earlier in the week. The bill will now go to a bicameral committee for negotiations, but the end of the legislative session is May 18. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Update: Budget to be shaped by committee as session nears end

Close vote.

Members of the House Majority Coalition spent most of Friday, May 13, 2022 in caucus meetings at the Alaska State Capitol, discussing how to proceed with a large budget bill some have called irresponsible. With a thin majority in the House of Representatives, there's a possibility the budget could pass. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

House schedules Saturday floor session for budget debate

Close vote expected.

A floor session of the Alaska House of Representatives was delayed Thursday, May 12, 2022, as lawmakers discussed in private how to move forward with a packed budget bill passed by the Alaska Senate. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

With thin margins in the House, floor debate is delayed

Delayed to the call.

Pamela Miller, executive director of Alaska Community Action on Toxics, speaks at a rally at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, May 12, 2022, calling on lawmakers to pass legislation regulating PFAS chemicals, so-called 'forever chemicals' that have been found to contaminate water and cause health issues. PFAS contamination has been found at several sites around the state, mainly around airports where the chemicals are used in fire-fighting foams. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Activists call for PFAS action

Forever chemicals.

Flag

News

Senate tables restrictive transgender sports bill

Debate will continue.