State government

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Friday morning through Saturday for Juneau and much of the Southeast. (NWS screenshot)

Governor declares state emergency ahead of heavy rain to hit Juneau Friday

The state declaration comes after city and tribal officials declared a local emergency and requested state assistance.

 

Photo by Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal
Text messages between Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy and President Donald Trump.

Commentary: Alaska’s governor said he texts Trump. I asked for copies.

A couple of months ago, I was reporting on the typhoon that hit Western Alaska and stopped by a news conference convened by Gov. Mike… Continue reading

 

Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon 
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in Juneau on Thursday, April 27, 2023. To his side is a screen displaying significant budget deficits and exhausted savings accounts if oil prices perform as expected.

Disasters, dividends and deficit: Alaska governor unveils first-draft state budget

In his final year, Gov. Dunleavy again proposes to spend from savings in order to pay a larger Permanent Fund dividend

 

Holiday lights decorate the Governor’s House on Dec. 4, 2019 before the Governor’s Open House on Dec. 10. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Holiday lights decorate the Governor’s House on Dec. 4, 2019 before the Governor’s Open House on Dec. 10. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Senate Republicans confirm Rauscher, Tilton and open two vacancies in state House

The Alaska Republican Party is moving quickly after Republicans in the Alaska Senate confirmed Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s picks for two vacancies in the Senate on… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, talks to fellow lawmakers about rules for debate on House Bill 183 on Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Dunleavy appoints Rauscher and Tilton to Alaska Senate, opening two House vacancies

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has appointed state Reps. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, and Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, to two vacancies in the Alaska Senate. Each nomination will become… Continue reading

Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, talks to fellow lawmakers about rules for debate on House Bill 183 on Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl (D-Juneau) discusses a fisheries bill on the Senate floor on May 20, 2025. Kiehl recently spoke at the Oct. 6 Juneau Chamber of Commerce Luncheon alongside	(Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire file photo)

What does the future hold for the permanent fund dividend?

As Alaska braces for another challenging budget season, state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, is calling for realism in Governor Mike Dunleavy’s soon-to-be-released spending plan. Speaking… Continue reading

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl (D-Juneau) discusses a fisheries bill on the Senate floor on May 20, 2025. Kiehl recently spoke at the Oct. 6 Juneau Chamber of Commerce Luncheon alongside	(Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire file photo)
Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Governor’s early Christmas spirit is misplaced

“I told the president, it’s like Christmas every morning,” Gov. Mike Dunleavy said at last week’s staged event in Washington, D.C., where the Department of… Continue reading

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Then-Rep. Grier Hopkins, D-Fairbanks, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House, Wednesday, May 18, 2022. Hopkins is now the mayor of the Fairbanks North Star Borough. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Officials warn of possible lawsuit in wake of Alaska governor’s education funding veto

Among issues are if veto violates Alaska’s constitutional guarantee of adequately funded public schools.

Then-Rep. Grier Hopkins, D-Fairbanks, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House, Wednesday, May 18, 2022. Hopkins is now the mayor of the Fairbanks North Star Borough. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks about his decision to veto House Bill 57 during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Dunleavy vetoes $200 of $700 BSA increase as he signs state budget for coming year

Governor cites low oil prices for $122 million in total cuts to budget approved by Legislature.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks about his decision to veto House Bill 57 during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, speaks at a news conference Friday, March 15, 2024, with Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska state school board may vote Wednesday morning to limit local funding for public schools

Change to city-provided funds, originally targeted for 2026, could cost Juneau School District more than $2M.

Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, speaks at a news conference Friday, March 15, 2024, with Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The Alaska and American flags fly in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced a freeze on new state regulations. What does that mean?

Administrative order could affect a ballot measure Alaskans supported in 2024.

The Alaska and American flags fly in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Rep. Andi Story (D-Juneau), Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka), and Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) watch the vote tally during a veto override joint session on an education bill Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Andi Story (D-Juneau), Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka), and Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) watch the vote tally during a veto override joint session on an education bill Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill earlier this session at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. He vetoed a second such bill on Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill earlier this session at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. He vetoed a second such bill on Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
A sign for a store that accepts food stamps and exchange benefits transfer cards is seen in this 2019 photo. (Scott Heins/Getty Images)

Alaska gives food stamp recipients’ personal information to federal officials

Data sharing part of nationwide request by Trump administration; appears to be targeting migrants.

A sign for a store that accepts food stamps and exchange benefits transfer cards is seen in this 2019 photo. (Scott Heins/Getty Images)
Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, at center, sits among senators during a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Most Alaskans nominated for state boards and commissions get Legislature’s approval this year

One nominee was rejected on a 0-60 vote, which may be a first for the Alaska Legislature.

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, at center, sits among senators during a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
House Majority Leader Chuck Kopp (R-Anchorage), right, presents an overview of a bill reviving pensions for public employees during a House floor session Monday, May 12, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

House passes bill reviving pensions for public employees, Senate expected to consider it next year

Supporters say it avoids pitfalls in previous system nixed in 2006 due to multibillion-dollar shortfall.

House Majority Leader Chuck Kopp (R-Anchorage), right, presents an overview of a bill reviving pensions for public employees during a House floor session Monday, May 12, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Dunleavy threatens unprecedented veto of education funds in budget unless his policy goals are met

Line-item veto could leave districts with less money for months; legality of such action is questioned

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, D-Anchorage, speaks in the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Dunleavy administration is blocking billion-dollar audit of oil tax disputes, legislators say

Legislature close to passing bill mandating disclosure of executive-branch reports legislators request.

Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, D-Anchorage, speaks in the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)