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Latest State & Legislature

Sen. Robert Myers, a North Pole Republican, smiles while on the Senate floor in early May. On Saturday the Alaska House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill he sponsored that would require the state’s Department of Corrections to issue state IDs to anyone leaving the state’s custody who does not have one at the time of their release. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

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Bill to offer incarcerated people in Alaska state IDs upon release heads to governor

The House passed the bill unanimously Saturday afternoon.

Angela Harris (center) gives testimony Wednesday on Senate bill 53 to the House Judiciary Committee while she sits next to the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Matt Claman, an Anchorage Democrat (right) and a member of his staff, Emma Potter (left) Harris survived a stabbing by a known offender who was released because of his incompetence to face criminal charges. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

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Bill allowing up to 2 years of involuntary commitment in psychiatric facilities advances in Legislature

Senate passed the bill 14-6 on Monday, House heard testimony on Wednesday.

Rates of violent offenses in Alaska have outstripped national rates since 1993. Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer UCR data, 1979-2020. Alaska data for 2021 from Crime in Alaska 2021, Alaska Department of Public Safety. (Graph provided by UAA Alaska Justice Information Center)

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Rapes and aggravated assaults push Alaska’s violent-crime rates up; property-crime rates fall

Alaska’s rate of violent crimes has increased, a contrast to the national trends, and the increase is driven…

A Palmer man was convicted of ten felonies following three home invasions that resulted in two deaths, as well as setting the bodies and detached garage on fire. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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Palmer man convicted of murder in string of robberies

The man committed multiple home invasions near Wasilla, targeting houses allegedly involved in drug trafficking.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

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Alaska State Troopers: Teen kills 3 siblings, himself

The children who are dead were ages 5, 8, 17 and 15.

Anglers fish on the Kenai River on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

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Low early-run king numbers prompt restrictions

Off to a very slow start.

Image via Alaska Board of Fisheries

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Statewide shellfish meeting rescheduled

This comes after the board bumped back its Southeast and Yakutat shellfish meeting

Chum salmon, like the kind seen here as a man examines the fish ladder at the Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc. hatchery on Channel Drive on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, have had lower returns this year according to Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologists, even as fisheries in Bristol Bay are breaking records. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Salmon returns set records in Bristol Bay while Southeast runs struggle

Prices are up all around.

State Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, second from left, listens as Rep. Bart LeBon, far left,R-Fairbanks, foreground, speaks during a budget conference committee meeting in Juneau, Alaska, on Sunday, June 13, 2021. Alaska legislators who are leading negotiators on a committee tasked with hashing out differences on a state spending package said they would like to reach a tentative agreement as early as Sunday. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

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Lawmakers reach tentative deal on budget, dividend

Negotiators reached a tentative agreement Sunday on a package that includes an estimated $1,100 PFD.

This photo from the Alaska State Library Historical Collections shows Jalmar Kerttula. The longtime lawmaker has died. He was 92. (Courtesy Photo / Alaska State Library - Historical Collections)

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Longtime former Alaska lawmaker dies

He was 92.

This screenshot from a project by University of Alaska Southeast postdoctoral researcher John Harley shows Alaska’s cities and census-designated places. Darker-colored areas on the map are communities with higher social vulnerability indices. (Screenshot)

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Researcher hopes map project can aid pandemic response

Grant-funded effort offers a detailed look at where Alaska’s most at-risk populations live.

This photo shows absentee ballot paperwork sent to an Alaskan voter in July 2020. United States Postal Service workers in Juneau will not be able to act as witnesses for absentee ballots. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

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Primary Elections: Where to vote

Masks required in Juneau.

Dunleavy reverses decision to veto early education funds

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Dunleavy reverses decision to veto early education funds

Dunleavy says he won’t veto Head Start, Pre-K from HB 2001

Dunleavy signs ‘step-down’ compact with University of Alaska

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Dunleavy signs ‘step-down’ compact with University of Alaska

Plan will introduce cuts over three years rather than one

Are you a fisherman who’s been hurt on the job? This bill could help.

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Are you a fisherman who’s been hurt on the job? This bill could help.

By fishermen, for fishermen.

Scientists: Pebble Mine study doesn’t account for all risks

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Scientists: Pebble Mine study doesn’t account for all risks

Group says Army Corps study does not pass as credible science.

Bill would help immersion school teachers

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Bill would help immersion school teachers

Professor says it will help preserve Alaska Native languages.

Capitol Live: Republicans look into agency over rifle sticker uproar

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Capitol Live: Republicans look into agency over rifle sticker uproar

Follow along with live updates from Alaska’s Capitol.

Are hospitals in jeopardy? What about your dental care? Here’s a look at Dunleavy’s Medicaid plan

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Are hospitals in jeopardy? What about your dental care? Here’s a look at Dunleavy’s Medicaid plan

Lawmaker asks for cost analysis of sending patients out of state.

Senate votes to roll back conflict of interest restrictions

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Senate votes to roll back conflict of interest restrictions

Five Democrats voted no on the rollback.