News

Angela Rodell, Executive Director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, speaks about the positive results of the fund this year at the APFC office on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Permanent Fund continues to beat market, but returns drop slightly from last year

The investment managers at the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation have once again beaten the market.

Angela Rodell, Executive Director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, speaks about the positive results of the fund this year at the APFC office on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Archivist Zach Jones points out Wyatt Earp’s July 1900 application for a Nome liquour at the Alaska State Archives on Friday, July 27, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska state archive digitizes Wyatt Earp papers

Wyatt Earp was a snowbird. Last week, archivists at the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum announced the completion of a… Continue reading

Archivist Zach Jones points out Wyatt Earp’s July 1900 application for a Nome liquour at the Alaska State Archives on Friday, July 27, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Survey: Alaskans’ economic confidence rises

Alaskans are feeling more optimism about the state’s economy.

Angela Rodell, Executive Director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during their weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Permanent Fund hiring more workers in Juneau

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation will hire 10 new workers in Juneau, CEO Angela Rodell told the Juneau Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, earning a… Continue reading

Angela Rodell, Executive Director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during their weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Dr. Johnny Holland feeds his ballot into a counting machine while voting during a special election for mayor of Juneau at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library in 2016. The Alaska Division of Elections is considering new voting equipment statewide. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Prepping for 2018 election, state looks at 2020

The Alaska Division of Elections is in the middle of preparations for this fall’s statewide primary and general elections, but in a meeting Wednesday, the… Continue reading

Dr. Johnny Holland feeds his ballot into a counting machine while voting during a special election for mayor of Juneau at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library in 2016. The Alaska Division of Elections is considering new voting equipment statewide. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Russell Read, chief investment officer of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, is seen in an August 2016 photo provided by the corporation. (Courtesy photo)

Permanent Fund Corp. seeks new investment boss

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation is making a change at the top. Two weeks after chief investment officer Russell Read announced his resignation, the state-owned… Continue reading

Russell Read, chief investment officer of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, is seen in an August 2016 photo provided by the corporation. (Courtesy photo)
Election signs at the corner of 12th and C streets on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

New reports reveal primary fundraising frontrunners

Downtown Juneau has the candidates, but the Mendenhall Valley has the money. With 30 days to go before the Aug. 21 statewide primary, new reports… Continue reading

Election signs at the corner of 12th and C streets on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this Dec. 22, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after signing the tax bill and continuing resolution to fund the government, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. On Friday, the president signed two bills by Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Trump signs two bills from Alaska Rep. Don Young

President Donald Trump has signed a pair of bills from Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. In a Friday ceremony, the president signed House resolutions 219 and… Continue reading

In this Dec. 22, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after signing the tax bill and continuing resolution to fund the government, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. On Friday, the president signed two bills by Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
Larry Hartig, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, speaks to the Alaska Legislature in 2014. On Friday, Hartig was among the state commissioners who spoke in front of the Alaska Senate’s State Affairs Committee about the effects of Ballot Measure 1. (Juneau Empire file photo)

State officials: Ballot Measure 1 will make some construction projects impossible

In legislative hearing, experts testify about proposal’s side effects.

Larry Hartig, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, speaks to the Alaska Legislature in 2014. On Friday, Hartig was among the state commissioners who spoke in front of the Alaska Senate’s State Affairs Committee about the effects of Ballot Measure 1. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Job losses appear to be slowing across state

Alaska’s unemployment rate improved slightly in June, but detailed statistics show job losses continuing. According to figures from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce… Continue reading

Connie Hulbert, President and General Manager of AEL&P, helps prepare food as the company celebrate its 125th year in business with a public picnic at Cope Park on Friday, July 20, 2018. The public was also invited to tour the Gold Creek Power Plant. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Electric Light and Power reveals its historic roots

With sunny picnic and open house, company celebrates 125th anniversary.

Connie Hulbert, President and General Manager of AEL&P, helps prepare food as the company celebrate its 125th year in business with a public picnic at Cope Park on Friday, July 20, 2018. The public was also invited to tour the Gold Creek Power Plant. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Bill Walker signs House Bill 44 in a ceremony under a temporary tent Thursday evening at Jewel Lake in Anchorage while a curious child looks on. (Screenshot)

Walker signs bill that will block lawmakers’ per diem expenses if budget is late

A late budget will now bring consequences for Alaska’s lawmakers. In a Thursday evening ceremony in Anchorage, Gov. Bill Walker signed House Bill 44 into… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker signs House Bill 44 in a ceremony under a temporary tent Thursday evening at Jewel Lake in Anchorage while a curious child looks on. (Screenshot)
Juneau Empire File

Feds sign death certificate for Juneau Road construction

Nineteen months after Gov. Bill Walker killed the Juneau Access Project, the federal government has signed the death certificate.

Juneau Empire File
In this file photo from April 5, 2017, Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, stands to speak in the House chambers against a bill establishing October 25 of each year as African American Soldiers’ Contribution to Building the Alaska Highway Day. The bill passed 39-1 with Rep. Eastman casting the only no vote. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Ruling: Alaska lawmaker violated ethics laws by disclosing complaint to press

The ethics subcommittee of the Alaska House of Representatives ruled Thursday that Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, violated state law by leaking the existence of a confidential ethics complaint to the press.

In this file photo from April 5, 2017, Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, stands to speak in the House chambers against a bill establishing October 25 of each year as African American Soldiers’ Contribution to Building the Alaska Highway Day. The bill passed 39-1 with Rep. Eastman casting the only no vote. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this August 2017 file photo, Juneau Police Department officers serve notices of eviction to homeless Juneauites living on Mental Health Trust Authority land in downtown Juneau. A legislative committee has suggested the Trust’s CEO, Mike Abbott, might be guilty of a crime for leaking an under-development audit. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Mental Health Trust boss accused of leaking audit

A legislative audit committee has suggested the executive director of the Alaska Mental Health Trust could be charged with a crime for giving an under-development… Continue reading

In this August 2017 file photo, Juneau Police Department officers serve notices of eviction to homeless Juneauites living on Mental Health Trust Authority land in downtown Juneau. A legislative committee has suggested the Trust’s CEO, Mike Abbott, might be guilty of a crime for leaking an under-development audit. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
In a photo provided by the office of the governor, Gov. Bill Walker signs Senate Bill 63, a statewide public smoking ban, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at the Lucky Wishbone restaurant in Anchorage. Standing at right is Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the legislative sponsor of the bill. On Walker’s lap is Stella Micciche, one of Micciche’s daughters. Also visible, from right to left behind Walker are Dr. Jay Butler, Alaska’s chief medical officer; Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage; Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage; Micciche; Rep. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage; and the smile of Emily Nenon of the American Cancer Society. (Courtesy photo)

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker signs bill banning indoor smoking

Effective Oct. 1, ban mirrors similar regulations approved by Bethel, Juneau, Anchorage.

In a photo provided by the office of the governor, Gov. Bill Walker signs Senate Bill 63, a statewide public smoking ban, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at the Lucky Wishbone restaurant in Anchorage. Standing at right is Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the legislative sponsor of the bill. On Walker’s lap is Stella Micciche, one of Micciche’s daughters. Also visible, from right to left behind Walker are Dr. Jay Butler, Alaska’s chief medical officer; Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage; Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage; Micciche; Rep. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage; and the smile of Emily Nenon of the American Cancer Society. (Courtesy photo)
In this photo provided by the Alaska Division of Elections, Carolyn Brown (left) and Judy Andree of the Juneau Chapter of the League of Women Voters examine materials before visiting Lemon Creek Correctional Center on July 10, 2018. The division and league have begun a pilot program to allow eligible Alaska inmates to register to vote and seek absentee ballots. (Samantha Miller | Courtesy Photo)

Pilot program aids voter registration, absentee balloting for eligible prisoners in Alaska

Volunteers visit prisons in Juneau, Fairbanks.

In this photo provided by the Alaska Division of Elections, Carolyn Brown (left) and Judy Andree of the Juneau Chapter of the League of Women Voters examine materials before visiting Lemon Creek Correctional Center on July 10, 2018. The division and league have begun a pilot program to allow eligible Alaska inmates to register to vote and seek absentee ballots. (Samantha Miller | Courtesy Photo)
Juneau’s cost of living rises; is now more expensive than Anchorage or Fairbanks

Juneau’s cost of living rises; is now more expensive than Anchorage or Fairbanks

Juneau’s cost of living has risen in the past year, according to new figures from the Council for Community and Economic Research. Each year, the… Continue reading

Juneau’s cost of living rises; is now more expensive than Anchorage or Fairbanks
This image from the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation’s Wednesday presentation to the Alaska Legislature shows the major components of the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline. (screenshot)

Gas pipeline negotiations continue

Correction: The proposed pipeline would be 807 miles, not 907 miles. The multibillion-dollar trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline project is still advancing, state lawmakers were told… Continue reading

This image from the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation’s Wednesday presentation to the Alaska Legislature shows the major components of the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline. (screenshot)
A salmon is seen in an undated file photo. (Juneau Empire)

Alaska fisheries ballot battle becomes more expensive

This year’s fish fight is already half as expensive as the 2014 ballot battle over Alaska’s oil and gas tax system. According to new filings… Continue reading

A salmon is seen in an undated file photo. (Juneau Empire)