News

This undated aerial photo provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows a herd of caribou on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska. The Biden administration is suspending oil and gas leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as it reviews the environmental impacts of drilling in the remote region.(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

US will review oil and gas leasing program in Alaska refuge

Interior secretary said she found “multiple legal deficiencies” in a prior review

 

Lawmakers will be back at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this file photo, on Aug. 16, and after spending several weeks on background hearings and public testimony, members of the work group say they're ready to get into solutions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Fiscal working group readies for policy proposals

Making progress.

 

Aaron Sousa / Unsplash The federal moratorium on evictions ended Saturday, and though rent-relief dollars are still being sent out there’s some concerns the number of evictions could rise.

Eviction moratorium ends, state and local leaders wait and see

Rent relief is flowing, but it’s too soon to tell if evictions will spike

 

In this Oct. 14, 2020 photo, housing activists erect a sign in Swampscott, Mass. A federal freeze on most evictions is set to expire soon. The moratorium, put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in September, was the only tool keeping millions of tenants in their homes. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

Will Alaska financing program ease eviction woes?

Federal moratorium on evictions is expiring.

In this Oct. 14, 2020 photo, housing activists erect a sign in Swampscott, Mass. A federal freeze on most evictions is set to expire soon. The moratorium, put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in September, was the only tool keeping millions of tenants in their homes. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
1

Panel rules some state limits on candidate contributions unconstitutional

In a 2-1 decision, the panel struck down certain contribution limits.

1
Capitol

Gov moves special session start date

Session to begin Aug. 16, after lawmakers request delay.

Capitol
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Constitution bars Alaska attorney general case, judge says

Judge says lawsuit over effective date clause is an action by the governor against the Legislature.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)
A line of cars evacuates the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska on July 28, 2021, after a tsunami warning was issued following a magnitude 8.2 earthquake. The tsunami warning for much of Alaska’s southern coast was canceled when the biggest wave, of just over a half foot, was recorded in Old Harbor. Alaska. (Sarah Knapp / Homer News)

Alaska quake produces prolonged shaking, small tsunami

The National Tsunami Warning Center canceled the warnings early Thursday.

A line of cars evacuates the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska on July 28, 2021, after a tsunami warning was issued following a magnitude 8.2 earthquake. The tsunami warning for much of Alaska’s southern coast was canceled when the biggest wave, of just over a half foot, was recorded in Old Harbor. Alaska. (Sarah Knapp / Homer News)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire There aren’t many patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 at Bartlett Regional Hospitals, seen here on Wednesday, but health officials are urging Alaksans to get vaccinated as a flood of new cases is straining health care systems in other parts of the state.

Officials encourage vaccination as hospitals in state near capacity

Hospitalizations remain low locally, but there’s concern about a surge.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire There aren’t many patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 at Bartlett Regional Hospitals, seen here on Wednesday, but health officials are urging Alaksans to get vaccinated as a flood of new cases is straining health care systems in other parts of the state.
file

State lawyer no longer with law department after social media report

Accusations remain unconfirmed.

file
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building in October 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Permanent Fund posts record earnings as lawmakers debate state deficit

Record earnings, lengthy debate.

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building in October 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Judge hears arguments in budget effective date suit

Superior Court Judge Herman Walker Jr. heard arguments in Anchorage

Gavel (Courtesy photo)
Mariya Lovishchuk, Executive Director of the Glory Hall -- Juneau’s homeless shelter and soup kitchen -- speaks Wednesday, July 17, 2019, about cuts in services that will take place starting next month with the elimination of state funding. Watch a full video online at juneauempire.com. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Video

WATCH: Glory Hall homeless shelter talks cuts in services

Juneau’s homeless shelter is hoping for a miracle.

Mariya Lovishchuk, Executive Director of the Glory Hall -- Juneau’s homeless shelter and soup kitchen -- speaks Wednesday, July 17, 2019, about cuts in services that will take place starting next month with the elimination of state funding. Watch a full video online at juneauempire.com. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Video
flers

2020 saw a decline in marriages statewide, but wedding-related businesses remain optimistic

Coming down the aisle?

flers
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)

Salmon returns set records in Bristol Bay while Southeast runs struggle

Prices are up all around.

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)
In this July 8, 2021 photo, first lady Jill Biden delivers remarks before the start of the finals of the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee at Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Jill Biden will attend the opening ceremony of the summer Olympic games in Tokyo. The White House announced the trip Tuesday, even as the city has entered a new state of emergency over a rise in coronavirus cases.(AP Photo / John Raoux)

FLOTUS stops in Alaska on her way to Tokyo Olympics

Alaska to Japan to Hawaii.

In this July 8, 2021 photo, first lady Jill Biden delivers remarks before the start of the finals of the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee at Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Jill Biden will attend the opening ceremony of the summer Olympic games in Tokyo. The White House announced the trip Tuesday, even as the city has entered a new state of emergency over a rise in coronavirus cases.(AP Photo / John Raoux)
Tweet

State conducts review after report links racist, antisemitic Twitter account to state lawyer

Limited ability to comment.

Tweet
Das Kapitol

With deadline looming, lawmakers skeptical of work group schedule

More meetings and public testimony.

Das Kapitol
justice

Coalition sues to fund power subsidies for rural Alaskans

Villages, cities among plaintiffs.

justice
Courtesy photo / Norwegian Cruise Line Large cruises ships like Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss, seen here near Ketchikan in this undated photo, are returning to Alaska after being shut down due to COVID-19. Trade group Cruise Lines International Association says the industry is ready to get back to business safely.

Cruises are coming back to Alaska prepared, industry exec says

Post-pandemic passengers.

Courtesy photo / Norwegian Cruise Line Large cruises ships like Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss, seen here near Ketchikan in this undated photo, are returning to Alaska after being shut down due to COVID-19. Trade group Cruise Lines International Association says the industry is ready to get back to business safely.