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

News

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…

News

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…

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

News

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…

News

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…

News

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.…

News

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…

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)

News

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…

The Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

News

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…

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)

News

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…

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)

News

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…

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

News

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…

The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

News

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…

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)

News

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…

News

Wild sheep, goats test positive for pathogen in Alaska

KENAI — The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has announced that several wild sheep and goats tested…

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, smiles after shooting in the rifle competition of the 21st annual Legislative Shoot on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at the Juneau Gun Club. Micciche’s team, Majority Arms, took first place overall. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

News

Team named for gun-control bill takes top honors at legislative shoot

Team HB 75, with Rep. Geran Tarr among its members, earned honors as the top-scoring team from the…

News

Juneau Rep. Sam Kito III will not run for re-election in 2018

Rep. Sam Kito III ended months of speculation in a Monday interview with the Juneau Empire by declaring…

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives meet for a floor session Monday, March 19, 2018 in the Alaska State Capitol. (Brian Hild | Alaska House Majority)

News

Alaska House of Representatives starts budget debate today

The Alaska House of Representatives begins debate today on amendments to Alaska’s proposed $11.3 billion state spending plan,…

In this Feb. 9 photo, University of Alaska Southeast assistant professor of Alaska Native Languages Lance Twitchell teaches a basic Northwest Coast Formline Art workshop at UAS. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

News

House asks Walker to declare emergency for Alaska Native languages

The Alaska House of Representatives is urging Gov. Bill Walker to declare a “linguistic emergency” in order to…

123rf.com Stock Photo

News

Alaska finances better, not good, new report suggests

The State of Alaska will earn more money from oil than previously expected, but it still faces a…

Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, presents House Bill 321, the “fast-track” supplemental budget bill, Friday, March 16, 2018 on the floor of the Alaska Senate. (Daniel McDonald | Alaska Senate Majority)

News

Alaska Legislature passes bill to avert shutdown of Medicaid, ferries

The Alaska Legislature on Friday morning approved a stopgap spending plan that keeps the Alaska Marine Highway System…