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Gov. Bill Walker meets with House District 33 independent candidate Chris Dimond and his supporters at the IBEW union hall to give his endorsement to Dimond on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Governor endorses Dimond for House seat

Gov. Bill Walker is out of his race for re-election, but he is jumping into others.

Gov. Bill Walker meets with House District 33 independent candidate Chris Dimond and his supporters at the IBEW union hall to give his endorsement to Dimond on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
State departments have an eye toward budget hikes

State departments have an eye toward budget hikes

Legislative and governor candidates have vowed across the state to further cut Alaska’s budget, but many state departments drafting their budget requests for the coming… Continue reading

State departments have an eye toward budget hikes
In this Sept. 6 file photo, Democratic nominee for governor of Alaska Mark Begich, right, speaks as Gov. Bill Walker listens during a chamber of commerce gubernatorial candidate forum on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, in Juneau, Alaska, On Friday, Oct. 19, Walker announced he was dropping his bid for re-election, though his name remains on the ballot. He threw his support behind Begich, who will face Republican Mike Dunleavy in November. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Walker’s support for Begich is ‘narrow’

When he gave a speech announcing his withdrawal from the election, Gov. Bill Walker told his audience that they should support Democratic candidate Mark Begich.… Continue reading

In this Sept. 6 file photo, Democratic nominee for governor of Alaska Mark Begich, right, speaks as Gov. Bill Walker listens during a chamber of commerce gubernatorial candidate forum on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, in Juneau, Alaska, On Friday, Oct. 19, Walker announced he was dropping his bid for re-election, though his name remains on the ballot. He threw his support behind Begich, who will face Republican Mike Dunleavy in November. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, speaks to his amendment to the state’s operating budget to inflation-proof the Alaska Permanent Fund in the Senate at the Capitol on Thursday, April 12, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Democratic Anchorage senator declaims pro-Dunleavy ads

A Democratic senator from Anchorage is asking a campaign backing Republican governor candidate Mike Dunleavy to stop using his voice and picture in pro-Dunleavy ads.… Continue reading

Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, speaks to his amendment to the state’s operating budget to inflation-proof the Alaska Permanent Fund in the Senate at the Capitol on Thursday, April 12, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
In this Oct. 2, 2018, file photo, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton talks with Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic, during The Atlantic Festival, in Washington. On Monday via Twitter, Clinton endorsed 17 Democratic governor candidates, including Alaska’s Mark Begich (Alex Brandon | The Associated Press)

Hillary Clinton endorses Begich for governor

Hillary Clinton has endorsed Mark Begich for governor. In an announcement Monday morning on Twitter, Clinton announced her support for a slate of Democratic governor… Continue reading

In this Oct. 2, 2018, file photo, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton talks with Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic, during The Atlantic Festival, in Washington. On Monday via Twitter, Clinton endorsed 17 Democratic governor candidates, including Alaska’s Mark Begich (Alex Brandon | The Associated Press)
Newly designed stickers by local artist Pat Race wait for voters during early voting at the State Office Building on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

In first two days, Juneau leads Alaska in early voting

Juneau is leading the state in early voting, according to preliminary figures from the Alaska Division of Election. According to the division, 240 registered voters… Continue reading

Newly designed stickers by local artist Pat Race wait for voters during early voting at the State Office Building on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Democratis gubernatorial candidate Mark Begich watches as Thunder Mountain High School senior students Tristan Weissmuller, center, and Briannah Letter work on a candidate voter page during their government class on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Fog leads to slimmer Juneau campaign stop for Mark Begich

Mark Begich is trying to defeat Mike Dunleavy, but he first had to beat Juneau’s morning fog. Alaska’s Democratic governor candidate arrived in Juneau Friday… Continue reading

Democratis gubernatorial candidate Mark Begich watches as Thunder Mountain High School senior students Tristan Weissmuller, center, and Briannah Letter work on a candidate voter page during their government class on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
FILE - In this Aug. 19, 2018 file photo, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy, second from left, stands near his campaign table at a meet-and-greet event in the lobby of Anchorage Baptist Temple in Anchorage, Alaska. As a kid growing up on the East Coast, Mike Dunleavy dreamed of coming to Alaska, of hunting caribou, fishing in wild streams and losing himself in the state’s vast, open spaces. Now, after nearly 35 years in his adopted state, the conservative Republican is vying to become Alaska’s next governor. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File) In this Aug. 19 file photo, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy, second from left, stands near his campaign table at a meet-and-greet event in the lobby of Anchorage Baptist Temple in Anchorage. (Becky Bohrer | The Associated Press File)

Arctic Slope Regional Corporation endorses Dunleavy

Republican governor candidate Mike Dunleavy picked up the endorsement of another major regional Native corporation on Friday when Arctic Slope Regional Corporation announced its endorsement.… Continue reading

FILE - In this Aug. 19, 2018 file photo, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy, second from left, stands near his campaign table at a meet-and-greet event in the lobby of Anchorage Baptist Temple in Anchorage, Alaska. As a kid growing up on the East Coast, Mike Dunleavy dreamed of coming to Alaska, of hunting caribou, fishing in wild streams and losing himself in the state’s vast, open spaces. Now, after nearly 35 years in his adopted state, the conservative Republican is vying to become Alaska’s next governor. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File) In this Aug. 19 file photo, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy, second from left, stands near his campaign table at a meet-and-greet event in the lobby of Anchorage Baptist Temple in Anchorage. (Becky Bohrer | The Associated Press File)
George Edwardson, board member for Inuit Circumpolar Council-Alaska and President of the Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope (ICAS) stands in front of the UK HQ of cruise industry giant Carnival Corporation. (Courtesy Photo | Jiri Rezac via Stand.earth)

Alaskans travel to UK to protest cruise’s heavy oils

Alaska indigenous leaders traveled to the United Kingdom this week to deliver a petition asking a cruise industry giant to stop using inexpensive fuel believed… Continue reading

George Edwardson, board member for Inuit Circumpolar Council-Alaska and President of the Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope (ICAS) stands in front of the UK HQ of cruise industry giant Carnival Corporation. (Courtesy Photo | Jiri Rezac via Stand.earth)
Former Alaska U.S. Senator Mark Begich greets and speaks to Juneau residents interested in his campaign for governor at the IBEWLocal 1547 Union office on Thursday, June 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Begich to visit Juneau, Dunleavy gets Trump endorsement

The latest from the campaign trail.

Former Alaska U.S. Senator Mark Begich greets and speaks to Juneau residents interested in his campaign for governor at the IBEWLocal 1547 Union office on Thursday, June 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sealaska Plaza and the Sealaska Heritage Institute are seen during a dedication ceremony Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. Sealaska Corp., the regional Native Corporation for Southeast Alaska, says it is not making an endorsement in the new-look governor’s race. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Tlingit & Haida, Sealaska Corp. decline to endorse gov candidate

Sealaska Corp. will not make an endorsement in the new-look Alaska governor’s race.

Sealaska Plaza and the Sealaska Heritage Institute are seen during a dedication ceremony Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. Sealaska Corp., the regional Native Corporation for Southeast Alaska, says it is not making an endorsement in the new-look governor’s race. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Education commissioner Michael Johnson is seen in a photo provided by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. (Courtesy photo)

State school board to hold work session

The State Board of Education and Early Development will meet at 3 p.m. today, Oct. 24 for a work session. The work session will take… Continue reading

Education commissioner Michael Johnson is seen in a photo provided by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. (Courtesy photo)
Sara Hannan, running as an Democrat for state House District 33, talks about her campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Trauma in Vladivostok turns into Juneau resolve for candidate Sara Hannan

For Sara Hannan, there is a night in Vladivostok that she’ll always remember.

Sara Hannan, running as an Democrat for state House District 33, talks about her campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Republican Mike Dunleavy, left, and Democrat Mark Begich, right, are the two leading candidates in the race to replace incumbent independent Gov. Bill Walker. (Composite image)

After Walker quits, governor race now ‘down to the wire’

Mike Dunleavy still leads the race to become Alaska’s next governor, latest poll shows.

Republican Mike Dunleavy, left, and Democrat Mark Begich, right, are the two leading candidates in the race to replace incumbent independent Gov. Bill Walker. (Composite image)
The Fairbanks Four — Marvin Roberts, left to right, Kevin Pease, Eugene Vent, and George Frese — hold up four fingers, symbolizing the Fairbanks Four, in the David Salmon Tribal Hall after they were freed in December 2015 in Fairbanks. (Rachel D’Oro | The Associated Press file)

Federal judge dismisses Fairbanks Four lawsuit

A federal judge ruled against the Fairbanks Four in an opinion issued Monday.

The Fairbanks Four — Marvin Roberts, left to right, Kevin Pease, Eugene Vent, and George Frese — hold up four fingers, symbolizing the Fairbanks Four, in the David Salmon Tribal Hall after they were freed in December 2015 in Fairbanks. (Rachel D’Oro | The Associated Press file)
Angela Rodell, executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, speaks in July 2018. An APFC spokeswoman said the corporation has declined an invitation to a Saudi investment conference. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation not attending Saudi conference

But not for political reasons.

Angela Rodell, executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, speaks in July 2018. An APFC spokeswoman said the corporation has declined an invitation to a Saudi investment conference. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Andi Story is running for Alaska House District 34. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

For House candidate Andi Story, the secret to success is mobilization

The House District 34 candidate believes making good decisions involves bringing as many ideas into play as possible.

Andi Story is running for Alaska House District 34. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Republican governor candidate Mike Dunleavy, left, and Democratic governor candidate Mark Begich, right, faced each other in their first head-to-head debate just 90 minutes after incumbent independent Gov. Bill Walker announced he was suspending his campaign. (Composite image)

Begich, Dunleavy meet in first head-to-head debate

Begich praised Walker’s decision. Dunleavy didn’t say the incumbent’s name.

Republican governor candidate Mike Dunleavy, left, and Democratic governor candidate Mark Begich, right, faced each other in their first head-to-head debate just 90 minutes after incumbent independent Gov. Bill Walker announced he was suspending his campaign. (Composite image)
Libby Bakalar, left, receives her ballot from election official Tami Burgett, right, as Michael Grubbs waits during early voting at the State Office Building on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Voting is on the 8th floor of the State Office Building from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. The Elections Office in the Mendenhall Mall Annex is also open for voting during the same times plus Saturday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 4, noon-4 p.m. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Quiet start to early voting

Byron Mallott is usually one of the first early voters when polls open at the State Office Building. This year, the first person in line… Continue reading

Libby Bakalar, left, receives her ballot from election official Tami Burgett, right, as Michael Grubbs waits during early voting at the State Office Building on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Voting is on the 8th floor of the State Office Building from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. The Elections Office in the Mendenhall Mall Annex is also open for voting during the same times plus Saturday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 4, noon-4 p.m. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Assembly member and legislative candidate Jerry Nankervis chairs a public safety committee meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Door to door, Nankervis seeks understanding in House District 34

Walking from house to house during his legislative campaign, Jerry Nankervis faces a perpetual guessing game. When the door opens, will it be someone he… Continue reading

Assembly member and legislative candidate Jerry Nankervis chairs a public safety committee meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)