politics

Waterways in Southeast Alaska are seen from the air in this 2021 photo by a member of the Central Council Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. The Native tribe is among many in the U.S. and Canada seeking faster and more definitive action by the two countries to cleanup polluted mining sites and safeguard areas against harm from future industrial activity. Complaints about contaminated sites in some border areas, including the Tulsequah Chief mine in British Columbia about 20 miles from Alaska near Juneau, have gone largely unaddressed for many years. (Courtesy Photo / CCTHITA)

U.S.-Canada summit leads to renewed calls for transboundary mining cleanups

Indigenous leaders — including Rep. Peltola, U.S. and Canadian tribes — seek joint oversight of areas

 

Heidi Drygas, executive director of the 8,000-member Alaska State Employees Association, addresses a rally outside the Alaska State Capitol on Friday where participants protested the workforce shortage facing various agencies including the state Division of Public Assistance. Drygas on Tuesday gave qualified support to an order by Gov. Mike Dunleavy eliminating the four-year degree requirement for most state jobs, stating it is a small part of a big issue involving poor wages, benefits and morale among employees. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Change by degrees: Dunleavy nixes college requirement for most jobs

Dunleavy nixes college requirement for most jobs; some say it fails to fix real workforce problems.

 

Joey Tillson, a state Division of Public Assistance employee in Ketchikan, addresses a state employees’ rally while wearing what she called a warrior hat in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Friday. Participants are trying to convince lawmakers to remedy staffing shortages allegedly caused by problems such as poor wages and poor treatment. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

State employees sound the horns on food stamp crisis during rally

Staff and union leaders hope food stamp crisis gets lawmakers to remedy workforce issues, threats.

 

Mitchell Haldane, Sealaska’s carbon offset administrator, surveys forest land owned by the Juneau-based Alaska Native corporation that has earned more than $100 million since 2016 by putting the property into California’s carbon credits markets, which is paying to keep the land unharvested for 100 years. (Screenshot from YouTube video by Sealaska Corp.)

Could it be easy being — and making — green?

State, Alaska Native corporations among those who see carbon market potential, but questions remain.

Mitchell Haldane, Sealaska’s carbon offset administrator, surveys forest land owned by the Juneau-based Alaska Native corporation that has earned more than $100 million since 2016 by putting the property into California’s carbon credits markets, which is paying to keep the land unharvested for 100 years. (Screenshot from YouTube video by Sealaska Corp.)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Katie Botz, a Juneau school bus driver honored by Gov. Mike Dunelavy for her advocacy on behalf of abuse victims, stands to applause during his recognition of her during the State of the State speech Monday night at the Alaska State Capitol.

‘A victory for all of us’: Juneau woman recognized among Resilient Alaskans for her advocacy

Katie Botz’s presence — and brief absence — as a victims advocate led to a big win and governor’s honor.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Katie Botz, a Juneau school bus driver honored by Gov. Mike Dunelavy for her advocacy on behalf of abuse victims, stands to applause during his recognition of her during the State of the State speech Monday night at the Alaska State Capitol.
Anti-Trump protesters across the street from the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage wave signs at people departing the Save America Rally on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Random bits of weirdness from a weekend at the Trump rally in Anchorage

A yuge collection.

Anti-Trump protesters across the street from the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage wave signs at people departing the Save America Rally on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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)

Senate president says he won’t run again

“Honor and a privilege.”

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)
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.

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)
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.’

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)
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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.

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)
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)