News

Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Maassen named new chief justice of Alaska Supreme Court

Longtime private attorney appointed to court in 2012 expects to continue predecessor’s approach.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)
In this photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB investigator Clint Crookshanks, left, and member Jennifer Homendy stand near the site of some of the wreckage of the DHC-2 Beaver, Wednesday, May 15, 2019, that was involved in a midair collision near Ketchikan. The National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday that the Federal Aviation Administration should tighten rules about minimum visibility during flights and require more weather training for pilots who fly around Ketchikan. (Peter Knudson/NTSB via AP)

Safety board recommends new measures for Alaska air tours

The board wants regulations for Ketchikan similar to requirements in Hawaii and the Grand Canyon.

In this photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB investigator Clint Crookshanks, left, and member Jennifer Homendy stand near the site of some of the wreckage of the DHC-2 Beaver, Wednesday, May 15, 2019, that was involved in a midair collision near Ketchikan. The National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday that the Federal Aviation Administration should tighten rules about minimum visibility during flights and require more weather training for pilots who fly around Ketchikan. (Peter Knudson/NTSB via AP)
The ranked choice outcome for Alaska’s U.S. Senate race is shown during an Alaska Public Media broadcast on Thursday. Incumbent Lisa Murkowski defeated fellow Republican Kelly Tshibaka by getting more than 50% of votes when two lower-finishing candidates were eliminated, with votes from people opting for Democrat Pat Chesbro as their first choice providing the necessary margin. Murkowski supporters note she won more first-choice votes than Tshibaka and thus would have prevailed without ranked choice voting, while Tshibaka supporters claim the challenger would have prevailed back in August under a closed-primary system and thus almost certainly would have won the general election. (Alaska Division of Elections)

Voting far from over for ranked choice

Alaska certain to revive the debate during coming months as many nationwide hail it as a success.

The ranked choice outcome for Alaska’s U.S. Senate race is shown during an Alaska Public Media broadcast on Thursday. Incumbent Lisa Murkowski defeated fellow Republican Kelly Tshibaka by getting more than 50% of votes when two lower-finishing candidates were eliminated, with votes from people opting for Democrat Pat Chesbro as their first choice providing the necessary margin. Murkowski supporters note she won more first-choice votes than Tshibaka and thus would have prevailed without ranked choice voting, while Tshibaka supporters claim the challenger would have prevailed back in August under a closed-primary system and thus almost certainly would have won the general election. (Alaska Division of Elections)
Defeated candidates Kelly Tshibaka in the U.S. Senate race, left, Les Gara in the governor’s race, center, and Nick Begich in the U.S. House race are among the losers who could again be viable contenders and/or political figures leading up to the 2024 election, according to analysts. (Sources: Mark Thiessen / AP, Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

What’s next for the election’s winners and losers?

Murkowski and Peltola may be key swing votes, Tshibaka the biggest “winner” of losers, analysts say.

Defeated candidates Kelly Tshibaka in the U.S. Senate race, left, Les Gara in the governor’s race, center, and Nick Begich in the U.S. House race are among the losers who could again be viable contenders and/or political figures leading up to the 2024 election, according to analysts. (Sources: Mark Thiessen / AP, Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol awaits a legislators forming new majority coalitions and the return of Gov. Mike Dunleavy after the winners of the general election were announced Wednesday. The Senate will have a 17-member bipartisan ruling coalition, while the House arrangement remains uncertain due to at least one likely recount and questions about partisan alignments. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Bipartisan majority formed for new state Senate

Eight Republicans join nine Democrats after many years of Republican rule

The Alaska State Capitol awaits a legislators forming new majority coalitions and the return of Gov. Mike Dunleavy after the winners of the general election were announced Wednesday. The Senate will have a 17-member bipartisan ruling coalition, while the House arrangement remains uncertain due to at least one likely recount and questions about partisan alignments. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The final election results, including ranked choice votes, will be tallied starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Alaska Division of Election’s director’s office. The tally will be covered live by the Juneau Empire, as well as broadcast live by other media including KTOO. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Ranked choice winners to be revealed Wednesday

Little drama expected in U.S. House and Senate races, but state legislative leadership a toss-up

The final election results, including ranked choice votes, will be tallied starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Alaska Division of Election’s director’s office. The tally will be covered live by the Juneau Empire, as well as broadcast live by other media including KTOO. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
People walk the docks during a busy cruise ship day as the sun sets in downtown Juneau on Aug. 29. Cruise tourism rebounded to near-normal levels this year, giving Southeast economists and businesses reason for future optimism after the region was by some measures the hardest hit economically in the U.S. during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Study: Alaska’s economic growth ‘at or near the bottom’ in U.S.

Low oil prices, slow pandemic recovery cited as causes, but some in Southeast see rosy prospects.

People walk the docks during a busy cruise ship day as the sun sets in downtown Juneau on Aug. 29. Cruise tourism rebounded to near-normal levels this year, giving Southeast economists and businesses reason for future optimism after the region was by some measures the hardest hit economically in the U.S. during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski talks to supporters during a campaign event at Louie’s Douglas Inn on Oct. 12. The incumbent on Friday took the lead over fellow Republican Kelly Tshibaka following the Nov. 8 election, as absentee and questioned ballots from Southeast Alaska voters helped Murkowski overcome an initial deficit on Election Night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Murkowski pulls ahead of Tshibaka in latest election results

Southeast Alaska voters give U.S. Senate incumbent the lead; Peltola, Duneavy also solidify grasps

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski talks to supporters during a campaign event at Louie’s Douglas Inn on Oct. 12. The incumbent on Friday took the lead over fellow Republican Kelly Tshibaka following the Nov. 8 election, as absentee and questioned ballots from Southeast Alaska voters helped Murkowski overcome an initial deficit on Election Night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A parking lot (shaded in yellow) in the historical and cultural area long known as the “Juneau Indian Village” is the first property owned by Central Council of the Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska to be placed into federal trust status. The designation, which Tlingit and Haida is seeking for other properties it owns, will make the tribe eligible for assistance from more federal programs and services. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Tlingit and Haida gets landmark property win from feds

Transfer of small lot into federal trust has big implication’s for tribe’s economic authority.

A parking lot (shaded in yellow) in the historical and cultural area long known as the “Juneau Indian Village” is the first property owned by Central Council of the Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska to be placed into federal trust status. The designation, which Tlingit and Haida is seeking for other properties it owns, will make the tribe eligible for assistance from more federal programs and services. (City and Borough of Juneau)
Two bear cubs walk in a Juneau field on a summer evening. Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced Friday that highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in a bear cub in Bartlett Cove, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. It's just the second time the virus has been detected in a bear. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Glacier Bay bear cub diagnosed with bird flu in rare case

Health officials say risk to mammals, including people, remains low.

Two bear cubs walk in a Juneau field on a summer evening. Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced Friday that highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in a bear cub in Bartlett Cove, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. It's just the second time the virus has been detected in a bear. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
AK STAR testing results and materials are displayed on a table at the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District office on Monday in Soldotna.. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Statewide test scores ‘unacceptable’

Educators blame COVID and cash, not kids.

AK STAR testing results and materials are displayed on a table at the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District office on Monday in Soldotna.. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Pat Tynan, left, and Tom Melville, review absentee ballots Tuesday at the Division of Elections office at the Mendenhall Mall. The review process is taking place in a separate room from where ballots are being tallied for the official results.

Incumbents solidify positions in updated election count

Peltola, Murkowski and Dunleavy likely to prevail when ranked choice ballots are tallied Nov. 23

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Pat Tynan, left, and Tom Melville, review absentee ballots Tuesday at the Division of Elections office at the Mendenhall Mall. The review process is taking place in a separate room from where ballots are being tallied for the official results.
Alaska Health Commissioner Adam Crum speaks at a news conference Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has appointed Crum to lead the state Department of Revenue. Crum starts in his new role Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the state Legislature. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Dunleavy picks health commissioner to lead revenue agency

Crum starts in his new role Wednesday.

Alaska Health Commissioner Adam Crum speaks at a news conference Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has appointed Crum to lead the state Department of Revenue. Crum starts in his new role Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the state Legislature. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Lillian Petershoare speaks into a microphone during a Walter Soboleff Day presentation in the Walter Soboleff Building Monday afternoon. She was joined by members of the Kuneix Hidí Northern Light United Church’s Native Ministries Committee Barbara Searls, Maxine Richert and Myra Munson to talk about an overture developed by in 2021, which analyzed and openly outlined the injustices and racially charged motives that led to the closure of Soboleff’s church by the Presbyterian Church.

Walter Soboleff Day marked with pledge of action

Church leaders share details about planned apology for church closure

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Lillian Petershoare speaks into a microphone during a Walter Soboleff Day presentation in the Walter Soboleff Building Monday afternoon. She was joined by members of the Kuneix Hidí Northern Light United Church’s Native Ministries Committee Barbara Searls, Maxine Richert and Myra Munson to talk about an overture developed by in 2021, which analyzed and openly outlined the injustices and racially charged motives that led to the closure of Soboleff’s church by the Presbyterian Church.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who appears to have won a second term in last Tuesday’s election, answers questions during a visit to Juneau on Sunday about his agenda for the next four years. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

3 questions for Gov. Dunleavy about 2nd term plans

Presumptive election winner talks about avoiding another recall, lower oil prices and faulty ferries

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who appears to have won a second term in last Tuesday’s election, answers questions during a visit to Juneau on Sunday about his agenda for the next four years. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Former Gov. Sarah Palin, a Republican candidate for Alaska’s sole seat in the U.S. House, meets with supporters waving signs on Tuesday in Anchorage. Palin, who is trailing Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola in the vote count so far, nonetheless is declaring herself the presumptive winner and has named a chief of staff — despite also claiming the election was rigged against her. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Alaska’s Trump-backed candidates take different post-election tracks

Dunleavy’s reelection all but official, while Tshibaka and Palin prepare to fight over “shenanigans”

Former Gov. Sarah Palin, a Republican candidate for Alaska’s sole seat in the U.S. House, meets with supporters waving signs on Tuesday in Anchorage. Palin, who is trailing Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola in the vote count so far, nonetheless is declaring herself the presumptive winner and has named a chief of staff — despite also claiming the election was rigged against her. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl of Juneau, right, and lifelong Juneau resident Andrea Ebona Michel monitor election returns Tuesday night at a watch party hosted by U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola’a campaign at McGivney’s Sports Bar Grill downtown. Kiehl, a Democrat, was the lone state senator who was unopposed in his race. Both of Juneau’s Democratic state House representatives also won reelection. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Alaskans embrace red, blue and wait

Voters lean both left and right, with a lot to be decided in two weeks, in ranked choice election

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl of Juneau, right, and lifelong Juneau resident Andrea Ebona Michel monitor election returns Tuesday night at a watch party hosted by U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola’a campaign at McGivney’s Sports Bar Grill downtown. Kiehl, a Democrat, was the lone state senator who was unopposed in his race. Both of Juneau’s Democratic state House representatives also won reelection. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a sample ballot asking whether First Judicial District judges should be retained. Based on results released Tuesday and Wednesday, voters on Election Day overwhelmingly voted for retention. (Ben Hohesntatt / Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s judges heading toward retention along large margins

Outcomes much closer in the state’s Third Judicial District.

This photo shows a sample ballot asking whether First Judicial District judges should be retained. Based on results released Tuesday and Wednesday, voters on Election Day overwhelmingly voted for retention. (Ben Hohesntatt / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor, center, is seen at a March 2022 news conference featuring Alaska Division of Elections director Gail Fenumiai (left) and deputy attorney general Cori Mills (right). A group that lists Taylor as a director has published a series of scathing attack ads in the last days before the general election. (Photo by Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)

Records list AG Treg Taylor as member of political group behind scathing attack ads

Alaska Policy Partners mailers stand out and have caused candidates to defend themselves.

Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor, center, is seen at a March 2022 news conference featuring Alaska Division of Elections director Gail Fenumiai (left) and deputy attorney general Cori Mills (right). A group that lists Taylor as a director has published a series of scathing attack ads in the last days before the general election. (Photo by Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire A variety of fliers with varying amounts of accuracy from candidates and groups are filling mailboxes leading up to the Nov. 8 general election. TV and other ads also range from pure nonsense to completely accurate, although many fall into the “true from a certain point of view” category.

Fact-checking political advertisements

What’s accurate, what’s nonesense and what’s “true from a certain point of view”

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire A variety of fliers with varying amounts of accuracy from candidates and groups are filling mailboxes leading up to the Nov. 8 general election. TV and other ads also range from pure nonsense to completely accurate, although many fall into the “true from a certain point of view” category.