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Gov. Mike Dunleavy held a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, June 17, 2021, to say he was ready to call lawmakers into yet another special session if they didn't rectify issues with the budget passed earlier this week by Friday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy calls on lawmakers to solve budget conflict

Another special session could be coming.

 

This June 10 photo shows Gov. Mike Dunleavy. The governor is holding a news conference on Thursday to address the spending plan recently passed by the Legislature. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Watch: Dunleavy holds budget news conference

It’s slated for 2:45 p.m. Thursday.

 

Tensions were running high during the Senate debate over the budget, and Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, spoke to Sen. Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, about comments he made on the floor on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

State avoids shutdown, but PFD questions remain

Capitol reopened, and lawmakers prepare for take off.

 

(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House passes budget, fails key vote affecting PFD

House leaders left open the potential for continued talks or even possibly another vote.

(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, looks on as Senators vote whether to adjourn the long-awaited budget vote on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Budget talks were derailed Tuesday after lawmakers and the governor balked at the budget proposal.

Budget talks break down as shutdown looms

Legislative leadership met for most of the day Tuesday.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, looks on as Senators vote whether to adjourn the long-awaited budget vote on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Budget talks were derailed Tuesday after lawmakers and the governor balked at the budget proposal.
Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, spoke to the Empire on Monday, June 14, 2021, about the final budget proposal for the state which he helped craft. Some lawmakers said they felt bullied by the budget's contents. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers decry ‘bully tactics’ in budget proposal

Legislative leverage.

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, spoke to the Empire on Monday, June 14, 2021, about the final budget proposal for the state which he helped craft. Some lawmakers said they felt bullied by the budget's contents. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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)

Lawmakers reach tentative deal on budget, dividend

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

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)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

‘A lot of work to do’: Officials hope for summer bounce in vaccinations

Zink said just six months ago she didn’t think the state would have as much vaccine stock as it does now.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The Biden Administration announced it would reverse a decision by the previous administration to remove the Roadless Rule from the Tongass National Forest, seen here on Sun, March 30, 2021. Conservationists praised the decision while others called it suppressing Alaska's economic opportunities. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Roadless Rule announcement draws mixed reaction from Alaskans

Roadless reversal riles some.

The Biden Administration announced it would reverse a decision by the previous administration to remove the Roadless Rule from the Tongass National Forest, seen here on Sun, March 30, 2021. Conservationists praised the decision while others called it suppressing Alaska's economic opportunities. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Chef Lionel Uddipa of Red Spruce and his team prepare a dish of seared Alaskan scallop with Red Spruce miso, shio koji, calamansi, candied kumquat and herring egg bottarga for a charity dinner highlight the seafood cuisines of Alaska and Louisiana at Forbbiden Peak Brewery on Tuesday.

Two seafood states on one plate

Sea-ing things in common.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Chef Lionel Uddipa of Red Spruce and his team prepare a dish of seared Alaskan scallop with Red Spruce miso, shio koji, calamansi, candied kumquat and herring egg bottarga for a charity dinner highlight the seafood cuisines of Alaska and Louisiana at Forbbiden Peak Brewery on Tuesday.
University officials are hoping that increased collaboration between the University of Alaska’s three schools of education will result in more Alaskans becoming teachers. The Univerity of Alaska Southeast, seen here in this October 2020 file photo, offers teacher training and retention programs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Help wanted: Alaskans to teach Alaska’s students

New consortium and marketing campaign aims to retain and recruit teachers

University officials are hoping that increased collaboration between the University of Alaska’s three schools of education will result in more Alaskans becoming teachers. The Univerity of Alaska Southeast, seen here in this October 2020 file photo, offers teacher training and retention programs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
From left to right, Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau; Martin Stepetin Sr. and Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a signing ceremony for a bill protecting a cemetery in Funter Bay at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

‘We don’t want anyone to forget what happened here’

Bill protecting Unangax̂ cemetery signed in Juneau.

From left to right, Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau; Martin Stepetin Sr. and Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a signing ceremony for a bill protecting a cemetery in Funter Bay at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
In this July 13, 2007, file photo, workers with the Pebble Mine project test drill in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, near the village of Iliamma. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)

Proposed conservation plans could affect Pebble Mine

Agreement would restrict development.

In this July 13, 2007, file photo, workers with the Pebble Mine project test drill in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, near the village of Iliamma. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives an interview in the state Capitol on Monday, June 7, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The governor urged legislative action on his proposal for the dividend paid to residents from the Permanent Fund. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Dunleavy urges lawmakers to act on PFD plan

Governor urged lawmakers to act on his proposal to put a new PFD formula in the state constitution.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives an interview in the state Capitol on Monday, June 7, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The governor urged legislative action on his proposal for the dividend paid to residents from the Permanent Fund. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé softball team were crowned state champions on Jun 5, 2021, winning the championship for the first time in approximately eight years, said coach Lexie Razor. (Courtesy photo / Shaley Hunt)

JDHS softball takes home state championship

High temps didn’t stop the softball team from bringing the heat.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé softball team were crowned state champions on Jun 5, 2021, winning the championship for the first time in approximately eight years, said coach Lexie Razor. (Courtesy photo / Shaley Hunt)
Without a budget to vote on, many lawmakers were absent from the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, June 7, 2021, as negotiations continue in committee. But even the conference committee isn’t scheduled until later in the week as deep divisions among lawmakers remain. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Divisions slow budget work as deadline looms

Two weeks left in special session.

Without a budget to vote on, many lawmakers were absent from the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, June 7, 2021, as negotiations continue in committee. But even the conference committee isn’t scheduled until later in the week as deep divisions among lawmakers remain. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Cunard cruise ship Queen Elizabeth sails through Cook Inlet Thursday, May 16, 2019, for a port call in Anchorage. Federal officials say a lawsuit in Florida could block cruise ships from visiting Alaska in summer 2021. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

CDC: Florida lawsuit imperils summer cruises to Alaska

CDC lawyers say injunction win would “end cruising in Alaska for the season.”

The Cunard cruise ship Queen Elizabeth sails through Cook Inlet Thursday, May 16, 2019, for a port call in Anchorage. Federal officials say a lawsuit in Florida could block cruise ships from visiting Alaska in summer 2021. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
The Alaska State Capitol was quiet on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, with several lawmakers excused even as negotiations over the state's budget continue. Lawmakers said they couldn't say when the budget might be put to a vote, but talks were moving to the more contentious items in the budget.

With nothing to vote on, many lawmakers head home

Session ends June 19.

The Alaska State Capitol was quiet on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, with several lawmakers excused even as negotiations over the state's budget continue. Lawmakers said they couldn't say when the budget might be put to a vote, but talks were moving to the more contentious items in the budget.
Members of a bicameral conference committee of lawmakers, seen here at their first meeting on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, will meet again Wednesday, June 2. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Budget talks to resume Wednesday

19 days left.

Members of a bicameral conference committee of lawmakers, seen here at their first meeting on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, will meet again Wednesday, June 2. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
COVID-19 vaccines, like these seen at a March 13, 2021 Department of Veteran’s Affairs vaccine clinic, will be available at Alaska three main airports and open to anyone who wants one. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

Vaccines for visitors: Shots now available at 3 Alaska airports

Ages 12 and up.

COVID-19 vaccines, like these seen at a March 13, 2021 Department of Veteran’s Affairs vaccine clinic, will be available at Alaska three main airports and open to anyone who wants one. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)