Maia Hood learns about chemical reactions during the March for Science at the Alaska Capitol on Saturday, April 14, 2018. (Richard McGrail | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Legislature unlikely to pass additional school funding

Though Alaskans rallied in the rain outside the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday, urging the Alaska Legislature to boost funding for education this year, it… Continue reading

Maia Hood learns about chemical reactions during the March for Science at the Alaska Capitol on Saturday, April 14, 2018. (Richard McGrail | Juneau Empire)

House prepares to vote on school funding boost

Correction: The first version of this article mis-stated the bill number for the funding increase. It is HB 339, not 399. Alaska schools may receive… 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. The amendment was voted down 11-9. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Senate votes to spend Permanent Fund to balance portion of state deficit

Editor’s note: This story has been updated. The prior version of this story is appended below. The Alaska Senate approved a bolstered state budget late… 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. The amendment was voted down 11-9. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, signs a committee report on Senate Bill 63 late Tuesday, April 10, 2018 in the Alaska State Capitol. Also pictured are a legislative staffer (standing), Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak (center) and Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage (right). (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Antismoking bill advances in Alaska House

The chief legislative antagonist of a statewide antismoking bill relaxed her opposition Tuesday evening, and a revised version of the measure now appears bound for… Continue reading

Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, signs a committee report on Senate Bill 63 late Tuesday, April 10, 2018 in the Alaska State Capitol. Also pictured are a legislative staffer (standing), Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak (center) and Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage (right). (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Kenni Linden is seen in an undated campaign photograph from a run for Palmer City Council. (Screenshot)

Lawmakers approve Walker’s new cabinet but balk at board nominee with Planned Parenthood background

The Alaska Legislature approved Gov. Bill Walker’s picks for his cabinet in a Tuesday joint session of the House and Senate, but it balked at… Continue reading

Kenni Linden is seen in an undated campaign photograph from a run for Palmer City Council. (Screenshot)
Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, discusses House Bill 25 on Monday, April 9, 2018 on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives with House Majority Leader Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage (left). (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Alaska House votes to boost access to birth control

After three years of work, the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday voted 21-17 to approve a bill that would allow doctors to prescribe up… Continue reading

Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, discusses House Bill 25 on Monday, April 9, 2018 on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives with House Majority Leader Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage (left). (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
The results of the 2017 National Assessment of Educational Progress show a gap beginning to develop between the performance of Alaska students and the performance of students nationwide.

National test scores bring more bad news for Alaska schools

New national test scores show Alaska students below national averages in reading and math skills, and the gap is widening. On Tuesday, federal officials publicly… Continue reading

The results of the 2017 National Assessment of Educational Progress show a gap beginning to develop between the performance of Alaska students and the performance of students nationwide.
Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole, is seen on March 6, 2018. (Daniel McDonald | Alaska Senate Majority)

Proposal to protect the PFD in the Alaska Constitution advances in the Senate

The Alaska Legislature’s in-house legal chief has broken a logjam in the Senate Judiciary Committee, allowing proposed constitutional protections for the Permanent Fund Dividend to… Continue reading

Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole, is seen on March 6, 2018. (Daniel McDonald | Alaska Senate Majority)

Minor revolt among Alaska senators fails to advance PFD amendment

A minor revolt in the Alaska Senate failed on Saturday to advance constitutional protections for the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend. Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole… Continue reading

A Municipality of Anchorage vote-by-mail drop box is seen in an undated photo. (Maria Athens | For the Juneau Empire)

After Anchorage success, state considers whether Alaska is ready for elections by mail

By the numbers alone, Anchorage’s first election held by mail has been a smashing success. Election Day was Tuesday, and almost 80,000 votes have already… Continue reading

A Municipality of Anchorage vote-by-mail drop box is seen in an undated photo. (Maria Athens | For the Juneau Empire)

Juneauites testify, ask Alaska Senate to boost school funding

Sitting in front of the Alaska Senate Finance Committee, Juneau schools superintendent Mark Miller held up a Magic 8-Ball. For the past several years, Miller… Continue reading

Report: Alaska marijuana revenue declines in February, expected to rebound in March

Alaska’s marijuana tax revenue dipped in February, according to a new report from the Alaska Department of Revenue. On Tuesday, the department said the state… Continue reading

Cocktail Mix-up: Mistake allows Alaska distilleries to keep serving mixed drinks until at least midsummer

A mistake by an employee of the Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office is allowing the state’s distilleries to continue serving cocktails through at least… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker, right, speaks to KTVA-TV reporter Steve Quinn, left, on Tuesday morning, April 3, 2018 at the governor’s mansion. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Walker abandons push for $10M ANWR survey, instead asks for statewide 911 call center

Gov. Bill Walker is abandoning a push to spend up to $10 million on oil and gas survey work in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker, right, speaks to KTVA-TV reporter Steve Quinn, left, on Tuesday morning, April 3, 2018 at the governor’s mansion. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

How much will the PFD be this year, and other answers to your questions

Here’s a simple guide to what’s happening in the Legislature, where things stand, and why. Q: What will the Permanent Fund Dividend be this year?… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, center, talks to Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, left, and Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla during a break in the floor session Friday, March 30, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Legislators move to reverse proposed PFD boost

With a rapid series of procedural moves Friday morning, the Alaska House of Representatives cut a proposed $2,700 Permanent Fund Dividend to $1,600 in an… Continue reading

Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, center, talks to Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, left, and Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla during a break in the floor session Friday, March 30, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
House Majority Leader Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage, left, and former Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, react to reporters questions about the state’s budget during a press conference at the Capitol on Thursday, March 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska state budget remains stalemated in House of Representatives

Four days after narrowly approving a budget amendment that boosts the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, the Alaska House of Representatives remains without the votes to… Continue reading

House Majority Leader Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage, left, and former Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, react to reporters questions about the state’s budget during a press conference at the Capitol on Thursday, March 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this March 1, 2017 photo, a river otter sneaks a peek from under the dock at Twin Lakes. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Otter work together: Alaska Senate urges feds to control Southeast sea otter population

The Alaska Senate is urging the federal government to work with the State of Alaska to control the population of sea otters in Southeast Alaska.… Continue reading

In this March 1, 2017 photo, a river otter sneaks a peek from under the dock at Twin Lakes. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Bill advancing in Alaska Senate could nix ‘good governance’ ballot measure

A bill is advancing in the Alaska Senate that has the potential to overwrite a ballot initiative planned for this fall’s election. On Tuesday evening,… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
From left to right, Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome; Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer; David Teal of the Legislative Finance Division; Gov. Bill Walker; Neil Steininger of the Office of Management and Budget; Sen. Anna MacKinnon, R-Eagle River; and Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel are seen at the signing ceremony for House Bill 321 on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in the governor’s cabinet room of the Alaska State Capitol. (Drew Cason | Alaska House Majority)

Gov. Bill Walker signs ‘fast-track’ budget bill to avert shutdown of ferries, Medicaid

Gov. Bill Walker averted an impending shutdown of the Alaska Marine Highway System and the state’s Medicaid health insurance program on Tuesday by signing a… Continue reading

From left to right, Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome; Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer; David Teal of the Legislative Finance Division; Gov. Bill Walker; Neil Steininger of the Office of Management and Budget; Sen. Anna MacKinnon, R-Eagle River; and Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel are seen at the signing ceremony for House Bill 321 on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in the governor’s cabinet room of the Alaska State Capitol. (Drew Cason | Alaska House Majority)