Alaska

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon speak during the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds’ annual meeting Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019, at Centennial Hall. The two governors were part of a panel discussion during the yearly gathering of state-owned investment funds. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Gov says warming Arctic could be good for Alaska

Alaska, Wyoming governors discuss state of the Arctic.

 

Air pollution in Juneau is being tracked in real time. Here’s what the first week shows

Breathe easy for now.

 

The Alaska Marine Highway System’s M/V Kennicott pulls away from the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal in this August 2014 photo. The Kennicott was the first vessel on the scene to help five Canadians who jumped into the water south of Bella Bella, British Columbia, Canada, to escape a sinking ship. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

One person still missing: M/V Kennicott rescues 5 after boat sinks

The AMHS ferry was the first vessel on the scene.

 

University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen makes a presentation to the university’s Board of Regents at the UAS Recreation Center on Sept. 15, 2016. A declaration of financial exigency that would have allowed University of Alaska to make drastic cuts was rescinded Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

University of Alaska rescinds emergency financial declaration

The financial picture still isn’t rosy.

University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen makes a presentation to the university’s Board of Regents at the UAS Recreation Center on Sept. 15, 2016. A declaration of financial exigency that would have allowed University of Alaska to make drastic cuts was rescinded Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Crown Princess, owned and operated by Princess Cruises, steams by the ruins of the Treadwell Mine’s salt water Pump House and toward Juneau’s downtown harbor in this September 2015 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Cruise ship complaint numbers for this year may surprise you

Complaints about cruise ship emissions and violations are both on track for year-over-year decreases, according to numbers from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. As… Continue reading

The Crown Princess, owned and operated by Princess Cruises, steams by the ruins of the Treadwell Mine’s salt water Pump House and toward Juneau’s downtown harbor in this September 2015 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
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Stranded: Ferry strikes leave visitors, businesses and locals high and dry

Ferry worker strike has left visitors to the region trapped.

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

The vote failed, but they said a lot.

Capitol Live: Veto override vote fails

Live updates from inside the Capitol.

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

They had one message to the governor.

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)

Legislative finance director points out potential ‘nightmare’ scenario

Time to fear the sweeper?

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)

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

Live updates from inside the Capitol.

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Capitol Live: Senate, House leaders answer questions about action-packed first day of special session

Live updates from the Capitol.

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Special session starts with a manic Monday

All roads — and planes — may lead to Wednesday.

Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, D-Sitka, present one of three papers as Rep. Adam Wool, D-Fairbanks, listens during a Bicameral Permanent Fund Working Group at the Capitol on Monday, July 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Legislators call for PFD ‘grand compromise’

Protecting the Permanent Fund will mean give and take.

Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, D-Sitka, present one of three papers as Rep. Adam Wool, D-Fairbanks, listens during a Bicameral Permanent Fund Working Group at the Capitol on Monday, July 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Capitol columns get some care

Here’s what’s going on.

Then and Now: This photo composite shows what the Willoughby District looked like back what it was an Alaska Native village, and now in current day. The historic photograph by Winter and Pond is not dated, but was was taken sometime between 1893 and 1943, according to the Alaska State Library Historical Collections. (Collection number ASL-PCA-87). The photo on the right was taken Monday, June 24, 2019, on Willoughby Avenue by Juneau Empire photographer Michael Penn.

The Willoughby District in downtown Juneau has a new Native name

A nod to indigenous history.

Then and Now: This photo composite shows what the Willoughby District looked like back what it was an Alaska Native village, and now in current day. The historic photograph by Winter and Pond is not dated, but was was taken sometime between 1893 and 1943, according to the Alaska State Library Historical Collections. (Collection number ASL-PCA-87). The photo on the right was taken Monday, June 24, 2019, on Willoughby Avenue by Juneau Empire photographer Michael Penn.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during an interview with the Juneau Empire at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. Wednesday he signed a bill that extends the term of the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Governor signs bill extending suicide prevention council. Here’s why it’s important.

They set the tone for suicide prevention in Alaska.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during an interview with the Juneau Empire at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. Wednesday he signed a bill that extends the term of the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Pebble Mine opposition: Wrong mine for the wrong place

Public comment period ends in days.

Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Live: Rally to stop Pebble Mine permitting happening outside Sen. Murkowski’s office

Live coverage of the Juneau “No Pebble Mine” rally.

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Champions of the Rainbow: Three Juneau LGBTQ+ advocates recognized for activism

It hasn’t always been a picnic.