politics

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.

 

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, speaks to reporters after filing for re-election Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at the Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska, setting up a race against a primary challenger endorsed by former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Video

Murkowski makes candidacy official

‘A feud from outside.’

 

A proposal from the Alaska Redistricting Board would substantially change Juneau's legislative districts. One of the latest proposals, seen here, would put parts of Auke Bay and the Mendenhall Valley in the same district as downtown Juneau and Douglas Island. The Northern Lynn Canal communities of Haines, Skagway and Kluckwan would be placed in the same district as the Mendenhall Valley. (Courtesy image / Alaska Redistricting Board)

Hitting the road: Redistricting maps to be shown in local hearings

Redistricting roadshow.

 

Opinion: Fisheries management is the answer to the PFD battle

Opinion: Fisheries management is the answer to the PFD battle

Maybe the answer is fish.

Opinion: Fisheries management is the answer to the PFD battle
Scenes from the Women’s March on Juneau in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Missing, murdered, forgotten: Women’s March holds up indigenous women

The red dresses were a symbol.

Scenes from the Women’s March on Juneau in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Writers’ Weir: Chickadee Politics

Writers’ Weir: Chickadee Politics

Suspended by rope from the eaves the feeder hangs between me and the morning sun. Shadows dance across my newspaper as three chickadees, dart between… Continue reading

Writers’ Weir: Chickadee Politics
Opinion: In the new year, instead of raking leaves, let’s turn one over

Opinion: In the new year, instead of raking leaves, let’s turn one over

It becomes easier to play the victim card than try to understand another’s viewpoint.

Opinion: In the new year, instead of raking leaves, let’s turn one over
‘Protect Mueller’ protest breaks out in Juneau

‘Protect Mueller’ protest breaks out in Juneau

In a way, the protest was a year in the works.

‘Protect Mueller’ protest breaks out in Juneau
U.S. Rep. Don Young, left, and Alyse Galvin are shown prior to a debate Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Galvin, an independent who won the Alaska Democratic primary, is challenging Young, a Republican who is the longest serving member of the House. (Mark Thiessen | Associated Press)

In debate, Rep. Young likens migrant caravan to invasion

Immigration was one of the hot-button issues in Friday night’s debate with independent Alyse Galvin.

U.S. Rep. Don Young, left, and Alyse Galvin are shown prior to a debate Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Galvin, an independent who won the Alaska Democratic primary, is challenging Young, a Republican who is the longest serving member of the House. (Mark Thiessen | Associated Press)
Metro Creative Connection stock image

Tabachnick, Weldon leading municipal candidates in fundraising

Two mayoral candidates are well ahead of the pack in terms of money raised among municipal candidates.

Metro Creative Connection stock image
Alaska agrees to allow small political signs while lawsuit proceeds

Alaska agrees to allow small political signs while lawsuit proceeds

The Alaska Department of Transportation and the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union appear to have reached partial agreement on the issue of campaign signs along state roads.

Alaska agrees to allow small political signs while lawsuit proceeds
In this Aug. 31, 2018 photo, President Donald Trump holds up a list of his administration’s accomplishments while speaking at a Republican fundraiser at the Carmel Country Club in in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo | Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Opinion: We have ourselves to blame for Trump’s rise

I was making breakfast and packing my kid’s lunch the other day, listening to the news on public radio, and I was surprised to hear… Continue reading

In this Aug. 31, 2018 photo, President Donald Trump holds up a list of his administration’s accomplishments while speaking at a Republican fundraiser at the Carmel Country Club in in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo | Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
The three candidates for the Juneau School District’s Board of Education, Kevin Allen, left, Elizabeth Siddon, center, and Paul Kelly, talk at the Labor Day picnic at Sandy Beach on Monday, Sept. 3, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Labor Day picnic gives attendees chance to meet candidates

Nadine Lefebvre, the president of the Juneau Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, prepared to read the winning raffle numbers at Monday’s annual Labor Day picnic. Before… Continue reading

The three candidates for the Juneau School District’s Board of Education, Kevin Allen, left, Elizabeth Siddon, center, and Paul Kelly, talk at the Labor Day picnic at Sandy Beach on Monday, Sept. 3, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol. (Juneau Empire File)

The Democratic primary is still a party affair

This month’s Democratic Party primary was supposed to lay out a welcome mat for “independent thinkers.” That’s how Casey Steinau, the state chairperson, described the… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol. (Juneau Empire File)

Senate’s budget fix highlights list of Legislature’s new bills

Lawmakers last week put what are likely the last big pieces of this year’s budget fix on their agenda. On Friday, the members of the… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, talks with Alaska Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 in the Alaska Capitol before Sullivan was presented with a legislative resolution in support of oil and gas drilling within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Legislature officially asks to drill Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The Alaska House’s representative for the North Slope welcomed U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan to the Capitol with a gift Friday: A fresh resolution proclaiming the… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, talks with Alaska Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 in the Alaska Capitol before Sullivan was presented with a legislative resolution in support of oil and gas drilling within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Erika McConnell, seen here in on Feb. 23, 2017, has been named Alaska’s new top regulator for alcohol and marijuana. (Contributed photo)

State’s new alcohol and marijuana regulator has Anchorage roots

Erika McConnell is an Anchorage resident who wears glasses and a toothy smile. She enjoys reading, the outdoors and caramels. On March 20, she’ll chew… Continue reading

Erika McConnell, seen here in on Feb. 23, 2017, has been named Alaska’s new top regulator for alcohol and marijuana. (Contributed photo)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, is applauded after giving his annual speech to a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

In speech, Sullivan focuses on jobs but neglects Trump, immigration, health care

In 31 minutes, Sen. Dan Sullivan’s annual address to the Alaska Legislature contained no mentions of the Affordable Care Act, no references to immigration and… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, is applauded after giving his annual speech to a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Senate Majority unveils plan including spending cap, big cuts and Permanent Fund spending to fix the budget

The leaders of the Alaska Senate have unveiled a proposal to fill Alaska’s $2.7 billion budget gap with the earnings of the Alaska Permanent Fund… Continue reading

Senate passes ANWR drilling resolution, which faces final concurrence vote in the House

The Alaska Senate agrees with the House: Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is good for the state. On Wednesday, the Senate voted 18-2… Continue reading