State government

A long line of residents pick up groceries at the Southeast Alaska Food Bank on Aug. 20, 2022. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Lawsuits for backlogged public assistance programs result in mandatory monthly progress reports by state

Alaska agrees to such reports for cash assistance after judge orders similar requirement for food stamps.

 

Children’s coats hang in a hallway at Hillcrest Childcare Center in Anchorage o n April 18. The second and final report of a child care task force holds recommendations for expanding subsidies that families receive, speeding the caregiver licensing and hiring process and other steps intended to address the state’s shortage of affordable child care. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Task force report identifies ways to make child care more available and affordable in Alaska

More eligibility for subsidies, faster hiring process, dual use of school spaces among recommendations.

 

The city of Hoonah is seeking to incorporate as a borough with a large tract of surrounding area that includes most of Glacier Bay National Park and a few tiny communities. (Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development photo)

New Xunaa Borough gets OK in published decision, but opponents not yet done with challenges

State boundary commission reaffirms 3-2 vote; excluded communities likely to ask for reconsideration.

 

Pauline Plumb and Penny Saddler carry vegetables grown by fellow gardeners during the 29th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Dunleavy says he plans to reestablish state Department of Agriculture via executive order

Demoted to division status after statehood, governor says revival will improve food production policies.

Pauline Plumb and Penny Saddler carry vegetables grown by fellow gardeners during the 29th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy (left) talks with U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and local leaders during an Aug. 7 visit to a Mendenhall Valley neighborhood hit by record flooding. (Photo provided by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy (left) talks with U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and local leaders during an Aug. 7 visit to a Mendenhall Valley neighborhood hit by record flooding. (Photo provided by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy explains details of his proposed state budget for next year during a press conference Thursday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Gov. Dunleavy’s budget nixes education increase, pays $3,838 PFD and incurs $1.5B deficit

Proposal sets up battle with Legislature that in past has resulted in more school money and smaller PFDs.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy explains details of his proposed state budget for next year during a press conference Thursday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A network of pipelines, seen on Aug. 23, 2018, snakes through a portion of the Greater Prudhoe Bay Unit on Alaska’s North Slope. Oil production is expected to increase in coming years, but revenue is expected to decline, in large part because of lower oil prices, accordign to the newest forecast from the Alaska Department of Revenue. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Lower prices dim expectations for Alaska oil earnings in coming years, revenue forecast says

North Slope production is expected to start rising, but revenues to state will decline this decade.

A network of pipelines, seen on Aug. 23, 2018, snakes through a portion of the Greater Prudhoe Bay Unit on Alaska’s North Slope. Oil production is expected to increase in coming years, but revenue is expected to decline, in large part because of lower oil prices, accordign to the newest forecast from the Alaska Department of Revenue. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy talks to members of the media about the upcoming legislative session before the annual Holiday Open House at the Governor’s Residence on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy: No surprises in upcoming budget; energy and education will again be big policy goals

Governor also optimistic about Trump, says cancelled post-election announcement wasn’t about Cabinet job.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy talks to members of the media about the upcoming legislative session before the annual Holiday Open House at the Governor’s Residence on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Division of Elections officials on Thursday display scanned ballots from the Nov. 5 election on screens for attorneys monitoring a recount of a measure to repeal ranked choice in the state. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Recount of ranked choice repeal upholds voters’ rejection — and increases margin by six votes

State elections officials declare measure failed by 743 votes out of 335,767 cast, or 49.88%-50.12%.

Alaska Division of Elections officials on Thursday display scanned ballots from the Nov. 5 election on screens for attorneys monitoring a recount of a measure to repeal ranked choice in the state. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The 2024 Together Tree is delivered to the Governor’s Residence on Dec. 3 after being harvested near Hoonah. (U.S. Forest Service photo)

Governor’s Holiday Open House a bit thinner this year — if 17,050 cookies and 90 lbs. of fudge can be called that

Students from TMMS, JDHS, Faith Christian School and JAMM will perform during three-hour event Tuesday.

The 2024 Together Tree is delivered to the Governor’s Residence on Dec. 3 after being harvested near Hoonah. (U.S. Forest Service photo)
Signs at the front of the Alaska State Capitol on Sunday indicate a designated entrance for legislators and their staff, and direct members of the public to a separate door. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Security screenings for people entering Alaska State Capitol to be considered by legislators Thursday

Signs already designating separate entrance for public, bids from security providers received.

Signs at the front of the Alaska State Capitol on Sunday indicate a designated entrance for legislators and their staff, and direct members of the public to a separate door. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Three cruise ships are docked along Juneau’s waterfront on the evening on May 10, 2023, as a Princess cruise ship on the right is departing the capital city. A “banner” year for tourism in 2023, when a record 1.65 million cruise passengers visited the state, lifted workers’ average wages in the Southeast region, the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development reported. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Wages for Alaska workers are up, but total jobs remain lower than pre-pandemic levels

The average hourly wage in Alaska was $33.60 in 2023, putting the state in 11th place among all 50 states and the District of Columbia,… Continue reading

Three cruise ships are docked along Juneau’s waterfront on the evening on May 10, 2023, as a Princess cruise ship on the right is departing the capital city. A “banner” year for tourism in 2023, when a record 1.65 million cruise passengers visited the state, lifted workers’ average wages in the Southeast region, the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development reported. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Looking through the dining room and reception area to the front door. The table will be covered with holiday treats during the afternoon open house. The Stickley slide table, when several extensions are added, provides comfortable seating for 22 dinner guests. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

The Governor’s House: Welcoming Alaskans for more than 100 years

Mansion has seen many updates to please occupants, but piano bought with first funds still playable.

Looking through the dining room and reception area to the front door. The table will be covered with holiday treats during the afternoon open house. The Stickley slide table, when several extensions are added, provides comfortable seating for 22 dinner guests. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Alaska souvenir name signs are seen on Monday at a gift shop in the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Oliver was the most popular name for baby boys born in Alaska in 2023, according to the state’s annual vital statistics report. Nora was tied as the fourth-most-popular among the names for baby girls, according to the report. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska births and deaths both declined in 2023, and population total held steady, state says

Fewer Alaska babies were born in 2023 than in previous years, but there were also fewer deaths in the state than in prior years, when… Continue reading

Alaska souvenir name signs are seen on Monday at a gift shop in the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Oliver was the most popular name for baby boys born in Alaska in 2023, according to the state’s annual vital statistics report. Nora was tied as the fourth-most-popular among the names for baby girls, according to the report. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, is seen on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

False citations show Alaska education official relied on generative AI, raising broader questions

Commissioner Bishop said documents a first draft, appeared on state’s website due to technical error.

Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, is seen on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy sits in the Cabinet Room at his Anchorage office Tuesday. (Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal)

Data centers face growing opposition Outside. Gov. Mike Dunleavy wants them in Alaska.

Amid a growing backlash to the factory-sized data centers that power the global internet, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy has started pitching his state as a… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy sits in the Cabinet Room at his Anchorage office Tuesday. (Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal)
Snow falls on the Alaska Capitol and the statue of William Henry Seward on Monday, April 1, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Capitol may begin screening all visitors in 2025, according to draft security proposal

An airport-style security screening checkpoint could be coming to the Alaska State Capitol, ending decades of open public access. In a public notice published Oct.… Continue reading

Snow falls on the Alaska Capitol and the statue of William Henry Seward on Monday, April 1, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Produce is on display at a Juneau market on Wednesday. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska again lags in processing food stamp applications, new court filings show

Alaska’s Department of Health is again slipping into a backlog of food stamp applications. The news comes from state data included in a filing from… Continue reading

Produce is on display at a Juneau market on Wednesday. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
Fall sun hits the University of Alaska Fairbanks entrance sign on September 13, 2023. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

For some University of Alaska faculty, the next paycheck could be $0

University officials say they have made headway on problem, faculty will be paid “as soon as possible.”

Fall sun hits the University of Alaska Fairbanks entrance sign on September 13, 2023. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
A maintenance worker cleans the front of the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau on April 2, 2024. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Expanded access to food stamps, health care becomes law in Alaska

The law takes advantage of waivers to allow more Alaskans to access federal aid programs.

A maintenance worker cleans the front of the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau on April 2, 2024. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)