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Chum salmon are processed at Taku Smokeries in June 2011. New figures show a continued decline in the number of jobs available in Alaska. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska jobs numbers continue to fall

Alaska’s unemployment dipped from August to September, but the number of jobs in Alaska continues to fall, indicating the 49th state has not yet begun… Continue reading

Chum salmon are processed at Taku Smokeries in June 2011. New figures show a continued decline in the number of jobs available in Alaska. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott abruptly resigned form office Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott abruptly resigns

Gov. Walker describes comments to AP an ‘inappropriate overture to a woman.’

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott abruptly resigned form office Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Gov. Bill Walker speaks during an interview in his Capitol office on April 13, 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
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Gov. Bill Walker’s Juneau backers still support him after Mallott’s resignation

Mallott resigned. Now what?

Gov. Bill Walker speaks during an interview in his Capitol office on April 13, 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
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The owner of the Mendenhall Tower Apartments, top center has made a large donation to an independent expenditure group supporting Mark Begich’s campaign for governor. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Owner of Mendenhall Tower backs Begich

The owner of the Mendenhall Tower Apartments is backing Begich.

The owner of the Mendenhall Tower Apartments, top center has made a large donation to an independent expenditure group supporting Mark Begich’s campaign for governor. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this photo provided by Vincent Nusunginya, items fallen from the shelves litter the aisles inside a Safeway grocery store following a magnitude 6.8 earthquake on the Kenai Peninsula on Sunday Jan. 24, 2016, in south-central Alaska. The quake knocked items off shelves and walls in south-central Alaska and jolted the nerves of residents in this earthquake prone region, but there were no immediate reports of injuries. (Vincent Nusunginya via the AP)

Alaska plans statewide earthquake drill for Thursday

The Alaska division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is urging Alaskans to participate in “The Great Alaska Shakeout,” a statewide earthquake drill, at 10:18… Continue reading

In this photo provided by Vincent Nusunginya, items fallen from the shelves litter the aisles inside a Safeway grocery store following a magnitude 6.8 earthquake on the Kenai Peninsula on Sunday Jan. 24, 2016, in south-central Alaska. The quake knocked items off shelves and walls in south-central Alaska and jolted the nerves of residents in this earthquake prone region, but there were no immediate reports of injuries. (Vincent Nusunginya via the AP)
Snow-removal crews work in White Pass during the winter of 2015-2016. (Hal Hartman | Courtesy photo)

Keeping Klondike Highway open isn’t just a blast

The State of Alaska is looking for someone who enjoys working with explosives and coping with avalanches. Last week, the Alaska Department of Transportation and… Continue reading

Snow-removal crews work in White Pass during the winter of 2015-2016. (Hal Hartman | Courtesy photo)
This chart shows the number of aviation accidents in Alaska between Oct. 1, 2008 and Sept. 30, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

FAA: Aviation accidents up from 2017

New statistics from the Federal Aviation Administration show a slight year-over-year increase in the number of aviation accidents in Alaska. The figures were released Wednesday… Continue reading

This chart shows the number of aviation accidents in Alaska between Oct. 1, 2008 and Sept. 30, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
In this file photo from 2015, a protester stands next to rubber boots on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol during a rally to bring attention to the long-term protection of transboundary waters, principally the Taku, Stikine and Unuk watersheds. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska’s congressional delegation pens another transboundary letter

It urges the State Department to protect Alaska’s watersheds.

In this file photo from 2015, a protester stands next to rubber boots on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol during a rally to bring attention to the long-term protection of transboundary waters, principally the Taku, Stikine and Unuk watersheds. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
This screenshot of a video provided by the Fairbanks Police Department shows Alaska State Troopers and Fairbanks officers shortly before the fatal shooting death of 20-year-old Cody Eyre on Dec. 24, 2017. (Screenshot)

Fairbanks police release video of fatal shooting

Two weeks after the Alaska Department of Law declined to criminally charge the Fairbanks Police Department in the shooting death of 20-year-old Cody Eyre, the… Continue reading

This screenshot of a video provided by the Fairbanks Police Department shows Alaska State Troopers and Fairbanks officers shortly before the fatal shooting death of 20-year-old Cody Eyre on Dec. 24, 2017. (Screenshot)
Legislative candidates answer questions during a forum sponsored by the Juneau Empire, along with the League of Women Voters of Juneau, Juneau Votes! and KTOO at KTOO on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. From left: Senate District Q candidates Don Etheridge and Jesse Kiehl, House District 33 candidates Chris Dimond and Sara Hannan and House District 34 candidates Jerry Nankervis and Andi Story. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau candidates share views on legal abortion

Most say they are in favor of state abortion rights if Roe v. Wade is overturned.

Legislative candidates answer questions during a forum sponsored by the Juneau Empire, along with the League of Women Voters of Juneau, Juneau Votes! and KTOO at KTOO on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. From left: Senate District Q candidates Don Etheridge and Jesse Kiehl, House District 33 candidates Chris Dimond and Sara Hannan and House District 34 candidates Jerry Nankervis and Andi Story. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Legislative candidates answer questions during a forum sponsored by the Juneau Empire, along with the League of Women Voters of Juneau, Juneau Votes! and KTOO at KTOO on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. From left: Senate District Q candidates Don Etheridge and Jesse Kiehl, House District 33 candidates Chris Dimond and Sara Hannan and House District 34 candidates Jerry Nankervis and Andi Story. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Issues of childcare, senior care stand out at legislative forum

The candidates spoke in particular about Alaska’s youngest and oldest residents.

Legislative candidates answer questions during a forum sponsored by the Juneau Empire, along with the League of Women Voters of Juneau, Juneau Votes! and KTOO at KTOO on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. From left: Senate District Q candidates Don Etheridge and Jesse Kiehl, House District 33 candidates Chris Dimond and Sara Hannan and House District 34 candidates Jerry Nankervis and Andi Story. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Stephanie Quinn-Davidson, left, of Yes for Salmon, holds up what she says is habitat protection regulation as she debates the merits of Ballot Measure 1 with Kim Reitmeier, representing Stand for Alaska, during a Get Out the Native Vote Southeast forum at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Salmon ballot measure splits Native tribal, corporate interests

Alaska Native organizations are divided in their stances on this fall’s Stand for Salmon ballot measure.

Stephanie Quinn-Davidson, left, of Yes for Salmon, holds up what she says is habitat protection regulation as she debates the merits of Ballot Measure 1 with Kim Reitmeier, representing Stand for Alaska, during a Get Out the Native Vote Southeast forum at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich debate during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. Polls and financial disclosure forms show Dunleavy with a significant lead in the four-way governor’s race. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy leads Alaska’s four-way governor race

Republican Mike Dunleavy has a significant lead in financial and popular support with less than one month remaining in Alaska’s four-way governor race, according to… Continue reading

Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich debate during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. Polls and financial disclosure forms show Dunleavy with a significant lead in the four-way governor’s race. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A black bear is seen at the Alaska State Capitol at 4:12 p.m. Thursday in this photo taken by Megan Wallace and provided to the Empire. The bear wandered downtown Juneau at the start of the evening rush hour, lingering outside Dimond Courthouse, the Capitol, Key Bank and a bear statue. (Megan Wallace | Courtesy photo)

Black bear visits Capitol, courthouse

A black bear caused a brief stir in downtown Juneau on Thursday afternoon after it wandered onto the front steps of the Alaska Capitol, meandered… Continue reading

A black bear is seen at the Alaska State Capitol at 4:12 p.m. Thursday in this photo taken by Megan Wallace and provided to the Empire. The bear wandered downtown Juneau at the start of the evening rush hour, lingering outside Dimond Courthouse, the Capitol, Key Bank and a bear statue. (Megan Wallace | Courtesy photo)
Former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, left, and Gov. Bill Walker pass Mike Dunleavy’s name plate during a Special Native Issues Forum for governor candidates at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. Libertarian candidate Billy Toien, out of picture to the left, requested the name plate. Dunleavy did not attend the forum. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Governor candidates critical as Dunleavy misses forum

Tuesday’s gubernatorial forum was almost more about who wasn’t there than it was about who was there.

Former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, left, and Gov. Bill Walker pass Mike Dunleavy’s name plate during a Special Native Issues Forum for governor candidates at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. Libertarian candidate Billy Toien, out of picture to the left, requested the name plate. Dunleavy did not attend the forum. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alaska lawmakers likely won’t vote on pay before election

Alaska lawmakers likely won’t vote on pay before election

Lawmakers are considering a proposal to reduce their expense payments, but they are not likely to vote on the proposal before the Nov. 6 general election.

Alaska lawmakers likely won’t vote on pay before election
Mainframe Operator Will Muldoon lifts 500 freshly printed Permanent Fund Dividend checks from the printer at the state’s secure printing facility in Juneau on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Check it out: Permanent Fund Dividend checks flow from printers this week

With the soft sound of smoothly operating electronics, workers in the State Office Building are printing money. This week, the thousands of paper checks that… Continue reading

Mainframe Operator Will Muldoon lifts 500 freshly printed Permanent Fund Dividend checks from the printer at the state’s secure printing facility in Juneau on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
At forum, Southeast candidates say income tax is necessary to defeat Alaska budget deficit

At forum, Southeast candidates say income tax is necessary to defeat Alaska budget deficit

Five of the six candidates running for Statehouse in northern Southeast agree that Alaska needs an income tax. In Tuesday’s Get Out the Native Vote… Continue reading

At forum, Southeast candidates say income tax is necessary to defeat Alaska budget deficit
Attempting to unseat Don Young, Alyse Galvin brings campaign to Juneau

Attempting to unseat Don Young, Alyse Galvin brings campaign to Juneau

When Don Young was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1973, Alyse Galvin was eight years old. Now, the 53-year-old Galvin is attempting to unseat the longest actively serving member of the House.

Attempting to unseat Don Young, Alyse Galvin brings campaign to Juneau
Alaska governor vows to fix ‘loophole’ in sex crime laws

Alaska governor vows to fix ‘loophole’ in sex crime laws

Gov. Bill Walker is responding to public outrage over the recent sentencing of an Anchorage man by vowing to “fix a loophole” in Alaska’s criminal… Continue reading

Alaska governor vows to fix ‘loophole’ in sex crime laws