Site Logo
Andy Jones, Director of the Department of Health and Social Services’ Office of Substance Misuse, right, speak about the fiscal impacts of the opioids on the state along with Michael Duxbury, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, center, and Laura Brooks, Director of Health and Rehabilitation for the Department of Corrections, in front of the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

The opioid crisis costs Alaska more than $1B per year, and it’s going to keep being costly

The cost of an epidemic.

Capitol Live: Economy to take a hit, no matter the budget outcome

News

Capitol Live: Economy to take a hit, no matter the budget outcome

Live updates from inside the Alaska State Capitol.

Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, left, asks a question of Attorney General Kevin Clarkson about Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s four crime bills as Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Wasilla, listens at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Senators open to public comment on crime bills

The bills aim to ‘reset the stage’ for addressing crime rates.

Amanda Price, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, right, watches as Kathryn Monfreda, bureau chief of the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Statewide Services, presents the Uniform Crime Reporting Annual Report to House members during an informational meeting at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Crime data will be much more accurate under new system

Costs to municipal agencies remain unknown.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Wasilla, listens to Attorney General Kevin Clarkson speak about Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s four crime bills at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Ethics restrictions too broad, some lawmakers say

They believe the intentions of the law are good.

Capitol Live: Senators examine new crime bill, will take public comment

News

Capitol Live: Senators examine new crime bill, will take public comment

The bill is one of four major ones.

Ferry system braces for budget cuts

News

Ferry system braces for budget cuts

Dwindling budget could mean loss of services.

House Speaker Jim Duncan, D-Juneau, confers with Majority Leader Russ Meekins on Feb. 3, 1981, after the 22-day gridlock over House organization was broken late the previous afternoon following a series of parliamentary maneuvers. (Mark Kelley | Juneau Empire File)

News

Key legislator in 1981 House gridlock offers advice for current reps

The two are quite different sessions.

US Senator questions Facebook over policies surrounding ivory sales

News

US Senator questions Facebook over policies surrounding ivory sales

He worked with Alaska Native artists to resolve an issue with Etsy last year.

Capitol Live: Reps react to ‘atrocious’ sexual assault statistics

News

Capitol Live: Reps react to ‘atrocious’ sexual assault statistics

Alaska’s rates of assault are much higher than the national average.

Capitol Live: Without organization, House committees gather as ‘informational meetings’ anyway

News

Capitol Live: Without organization, House committees gather as ‘informational meetings’ anyway

House Reps. attempt to stay updated.

Dunleavy’s candidate screening process under scrutiny

News

Dunleavy’s candidate screening process under scrutiny

Some nominees have been “found wanting.”

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin presents the governor’s supplemental budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Budget director’s history of cutting with ‘hatchet, not a scalpel’ sparks concern

How much power should the position have?

Gray-Jackson hoping Black History Bill passes this month

News

Gray-Jackson hoping Black History Bill passes this month

Honoring African-American contributions.

Here’s when Alaska’s U.S. senators will be at the Capitol

News

Here’s when Alaska’s U.S. senators will be at the Capitol

Tentative dates set for Murkowski, Sullivan speeches in Juneau.

Donna Arduin, right, director of the Office of Budget and Management, speaks with Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, at a Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. Sen. Stedman is Co-Chair of the Committee. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Capitol Live: Annual salaries of key figures in the governor’s office

They’ll be back Monday.

Should Alaska privatize prisons? Dems upset over budget director’s ties to industry

News

Should Alaska privatize prisons? Dems upset over budget director’s ties to industry

Lawmakers are sending a letter to the governor.

Commerce commissioner wants to reduce regulations, grow economy

News

Commerce commissioner wants to reduce regulations, grow economy

“The true enemy of the environment is poverty.”

Southeast Alaska mayor pleads guilty to soliciting prostitution

News

Southeast Alaska mayor pleads guilty to soliciting prostitution

Klawock mayor pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge.

Capitol Live: What’s happening at the Capitol today

News

Capitol Live: What’s happening at the Capitol today

Get the latest on what’s happening on the hill.