News

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl of Juneau, right, and lifelong Juneau resident Andrea Ebona Michel monitor election returns Tuesday night at a watch party hosted by U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola’a campaign at McGivney’s Sports Bar Grill downtown. Kiehl, a Democrat, was the lone state senator who was unopposed in his race. Both of Juneau’s Democratic state House representatives also won reelection. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Alaskans embrace red, blue and wait

Voters lean both left and right, with a lot to be decided in two weeks, in ranked choice election

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl of Juneau, right, and lifelong Juneau resident Andrea Ebona Michel monitor election returns Tuesday night at a watch party hosted by U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola’a campaign at McGivney’s Sports Bar Grill downtown. Kiehl, a Democrat, was the lone state senator who was unopposed in his race. Both of Juneau’s Democratic state House representatives also won reelection. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a sample ballot asking whether First Judicial District judges should be retained. Based on results released Tuesday and Wednesday, voters on Election Day overwhelmingly voted for retention. (Ben Hohesntatt / Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s judges heading toward retention along large margins

Outcomes much closer in the state’s Third Judicial District.

This photo shows a sample ballot asking whether First Judicial District judges should be retained. Based on results released Tuesday and Wednesday, voters on Election Day overwhelmingly voted for retention. (Ben Hohesntatt / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor, center, is seen at a March 2022 news conference featuring Alaska Division of Elections director Gail Fenumiai (left) and deputy attorney general Cori Mills (right). A group that lists Taylor as a director has published a series of scathing attack ads in the last days before the general election. (Photo by Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)

Records list AG Treg Taylor as member of political group behind scathing attack ads

Alaska Policy Partners mailers stand out and have caused candidates to defend themselves.

Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor, center, is seen at a March 2022 news conference featuring Alaska Division of Elections director Gail Fenumiai (left) and deputy attorney general Cori Mills (right). A group that lists Taylor as a director has published a series of scathing attack ads in the last days before the general election. (Photo by Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire A variety of fliers with varying amounts of accuracy from candidates and groups are filling mailboxes leading up to the Nov. 8 general election. TV and other ads also range from pure nonsense to completely accurate, although many fall into the “true from a certain point of view” category.

Fact-checking political advertisements

What’s accurate, what’s nonesense and what’s “true from a certain point of view”

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire A variety of fliers with varying amounts of accuracy from candidates and groups are filling mailboxes leading up to the Nov. 8 general election. TV and other ads also range from pure nonsense to completely accurate, although many fall into the “true from a certain point of view” category.
The fifth Governor of Alaska, Bill Sheffield, second from right, speaks to Alaska State Archives staff during a visit to present a copy of his book, “Bill Sheffield: A Memoir, From the Great Depression to the Governor’s Mansion and Beyond” at the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff Building in September 2018. Admiral Richard Knapp, right, who was Commissioner of Transportation during Gov. Sheffield’s administration, also attended the event. Sheffield died Friday at age 94. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Former Gov. Bill Sheffield dies at 94

Bill Sheffield, Alaska’s fifth governor and a prominent public service figure in the state, died in his Anchorage home Friday morning at the age of… Continue reading

The fifth Governor of Alaska, Bill Sheffield, second from right, speaks to Alaska State Archives staff during a visit to present a copy of his book, “Bill Sheffield: A Memoir, From the Great Depression to the Governor’s Mansion and Beyond” at the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff Building in September 2018. Admiral Richard Knapp, right, who was Commissioner of Transportation during Gov. Sheffield’s administration, also attended the event. Sheffield died Friday at age 94. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Jessica Cook, right, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor in Tuesday’s election, shows plans for her visit to Juneau to supporter Monica Southworth at the downtown Heritage Coffee on Friday afternoon. Cook, visiting town Thursday and Friday, was hoping to meet volunteers there to distribute “turf packets” that would assign them neighborhoods for last-minute door-to-door campaigning, but none showed up. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Cooking up the campaign’s final days

Candidates and supporters plot door-knocking, phone-banking and sign-waving for last-minute frenzy.

Jessica Cook, right, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor in Tuesday’s election, shows plans for her visit to Juneau to supporter Monica Southworth at the downtown Heritage Coffee on Friday afternoon. Cook, visiting town Thursday and Friday, was hoping to meet volunteers there to distribute “turf packets” that would assign them neighborhoods for last-minute door-to-door campaigning, but none showed up. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the University of Alaska Southeast Juneau campus on a rainy day. UA administration and faculty have reached a tentative end to 14 months of negotiations. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

UA administration and faculty union reach tentative deal

While 14-month negotiation has ended, unfair labor practice complaints process still ongoing.

This photo shows the University of Alaska Southeast Juneau campus on a rainy day. UA administration and faculty have reached a tentative end to 14 months of negotiations. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski prepares to meet officials at the Sealaska Heritage Institute during a visit to Juneau on Tuesday. She was planning to visit the city on Wednesday, but moved up and rescheduled much of her trip when a stop in Bethel was cancelled due to weather concerns. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Murkowski seeks capital opportunities amid election storm

Senator discusses energy, earmarks and last-minute campaigning during unscheduled stop in Juneau.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski prepares to meet officials at the Sealaska Heritage Institute during a visit to Juneau on Tuesday. She was planning to visit the city on Wednesday, but moved up and rescheduled much of her trip when a stop in Bethel was cancelled due to weather concerns. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mendenhall River and Mendenhall Lake, heavily used by rafters and other non-motorized vessel operators, are the targets of a lawsuit by Gov. Mike Dunleavy that seeks to seize state control of the waters from the federal government. The lawsuit is based on claiming the state owns the submerged lands beneath the waters, which the federal government has failed to recognize. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Gov sues to seize Mendenhall lake, river from feds

Lawsuit filed a week before election claims state owns submerged land; feds disagree.

Mendenhall River and Mendenhall Lake, heavily used by rafters and other non-motorized vessel operators, are the targets of a lawsuit by Gov. Mike Dunleavy that seeks to seize state control of the waters from the federal government. The lawsuit is based on claiming the state owns the submerged lands beneath the waters, which the federal government has failed to recognize. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Bar-tailed godwits stand on the beach at Marion Bay in Australia's Tasmania state on Feb. 17, 2018. A young bar-tailed godwit appears to have set a non-stop distance record for migratory birds by flying at least 13,560 kilometers (8,435 miles) from Alaska to the Australian state of Tasmania, a bird expert said Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. (Eric Woehler)

Alaska-Australia flight could place bird in record books

A young bar-tailed godwit appears to have set a non-stop distance record for migratory birds.

Bar-tailed godwits stand on the beach at Marion Bay in Australia's Tasmania state on Feb. 17, 2018. A young bar-tailed godwit appears to have set a non-stop distance record for migratory birds by flying at least 13,560 kilometers (8,435 miles) from Alaska to the Australian state of Tasmania, a bird expert said Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. (Eric Woehler)
AP Photo / Jae C. Hong Pulling a sled with fuel containers in the lagoon, Joe Eningowuk, 62, left, and his 7-year-old grandson, Isaiah Kakoona, head toward their boat through the shallow water while getting ready for a two-day camping trip in Shishmaref, Alaska, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Rising sea levels, flooding, increased erosion and loss of protective sea ice and land have led residents of this island community to vote twice to relocate. But more than six years after the last vote, Shishmaref remains in the same place because the relocation is too costly.

Climate Migration: Alaska village resists despite threats

Traditional lifestyle is vulnerable to climate change effects

AP Photo / Jae C. Hong Pulling a sled with fuel containers in the lagoon, Joe Eningowuk, 62, left, and his 7-year-old grandson, Isaiah Kakoona, head toward their boat through the shallow water while getting ready for a two-day camping trip in Shishmaref, Alaska, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Rising sea levels, flooding, increased erosion and loss of protective sea ice and land have led residents of this island community to vote twice to relocate. But more than six years after the last vote, Shishmaref remains in the same place because the relocation is too costly.
In this July 13, 2007, 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)

Report on Pebble Mine project urges more scrutiny for projects

The report also says Congress should explore legislative actions.

In this July 13, 2007, 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)
Republican Kelly Tshibaka, center, a Republican, looks on Thursday, prior to a U.S. Senate debate in Anchorage. She faces U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, left, and Democrat Pat Chesbro, right, in the Nov. 8 general election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Policy divides clear in fiery forum

Murkowski and Tshibaka attack each other as liars and extremists, Chesbro stays relatively low-key

Republican Kelly Tshibaka, center, a Republican, looks on Thursday, prior to a U.S. Senate debate in Anchorage. She faces U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, left, and Democrat Pat Chesbro, right, in the Nov. 8 general election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Screenshot Republican Nick Begich, left, challenges Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola about her retaining much of former Rep. Don Young’s staff during a statewide televised debate Wednesday.

Begich attacks Young’s staff

Former chair of Congressman’s campaign says staff ignored calls to watch TV, let lobbyists pen bills

Screenshot Republican Nick Begich, left, challenges Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola about her retaining much of former Rep. Don Young’s staff during a statewide televised debate Wednesday.
Question

Candidate questionnaires

Candidates for statewide office fielded questions from the Empire.

Question
Then-Lieutenant Governor candidate Edie Grunwald speaks at a Charlie Pierce campaign event at Paradisos restaurant in Kenai on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Grunwald announced she is withdrawing from the race after gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce was sued last week by a woman who said he sexually harassed her when she worked as an assistant. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion File)

Pierce running mate Grunwald urges support for Dunleavy

Edie Grunwald withdraws from campaign.

Then-Lieutenant Governor candidate Edie Grunwald speaks at a Charlie Pierce campaign event at Paradisos restaurant in Kenai on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Grunwald announced she is withdrawing from the race after gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce was sued last week by a woman who said he sexually harassed her when she worked as an assistant. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion File)
Bill Egan, president of the original Alaska constitutional convention and a future governor, signs the proposed Alaska Constitution in the gymnasium, now Signers’ Hall, on Feb. 5, 1956. (Photo courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks)

Constitution convention has great potential — for better or worse

Some on both sides of ballot measure express dire fears, others say reasonable solutions possible

Bill Egan, president of the original Alaska constitutional convention and a future governor, signs the proposed Alaska Constitution in the gymnasium, now Signers’ Hall, on Feb. 5, 1956. (Photo courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks)
Two residents stand in voter booths Monday morning which marked the start for early and absentee in-person voting across the state for the Nov. 8 general election. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Early voting opens for statewide election

Check out the where and when here

Two residents stand in voter booths Monday morning which marked the start for early and absentee in-person voting across the state for the Nov. 8 general election. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, left, Republican challenger Kelly Tshibaka, center, and Democratic challenger Pat Chesbro discuss Arctic security, climate change and other issues during a debate Saturday at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage. (AP Photos/Mark Thiessen)

Senate trio tackles trio of tough issues

Candidates discuss Arctic security, climate change and public safety at AFN debate

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, left, Republican challenger Kelly Tshibaka, center, and Democratic challenger Pat Chesbro discuss Arctic security, climate change and other issues during a debate Saturday at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage. (AP Photos/Mark Thiessen)
This combination image consisting of screenshots from the AFN convention livestream shows the four gubernatorial candidates who will appear on statewide ballots, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Democratic former state Rep. Les Gara, Republican former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and independent former Gov. Bill Walker. (Screenshots)

Gubernatorial candidates take widely varying stances in AFN forum

Four contenders at AFN debate see different fixes for public safety, prison deaths and housing

This combination image consisting of screenshots from the AFN convention livestream shows the four gubernatorial candidates who will appear on statewide ballots, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Democratic former state Rep. Les Gara, Republican former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and independent former Gov. Bill Walker. (Screenshots)