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A chart shows statewide non-farm jobs since 2007 which remained relatively stable until the sharp drop caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. While the total has recovered somewhat, employment is still well below pre-pandemic levels and state labor officials said they cannot yet project if and for how long the increase in recovery will continue, (Alaska Department of Labor)

Recent reports show more jobs, less oil revenue

Cruise tourism helps fuel better employment than a year ago, but state coffers may suffer

A chart shows statewide non-farm jobs since 2007 which remained relatively stable until the sharp drop caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. While the total has recovered somewhat, employment is still well below pre-pandemic levels and state labor officials said they cannot yet project if and for how long the increase in recovery will continue, (Alaska Department of Labor)
Tara Sweeney, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Sweeney said Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, she plans to end her campaign, saying she does not see a path to victory or to raise the money needed to be successful in the November general election. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Little change in election results as Sweeney drops out

Updated count shows Sarah Palin solidifying chances of ultimately prevailing in U.S. House race

Tara Sweeney, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Sweeney said Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, she plans to end her campaign, saying she does not see a path to victory or to raise the money needed to be successful in the November general election. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
A political sign that was later removed sits in a field near the Mendenhall Wetlands. Rules around standalone political signs are tightly regulated in Alaska. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Time of the signs: A rules rundown for campaign season

State road right of ways are off-limits for campaign signs.

A political sign that was later removed sits in a field near the Mendenhall Wetlands. Rules around standalone political signs are tightly regulated in Alaska. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A map shows land tracts where Alaska Native Vietnam veterans can apply for parcels under an allocation program finalized this month by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The most common land parcels potentially available are shaded in light yellow. Areas shaded in light green, including the ones nearest Juneau, represent potentially available state selected land. Applications processing and selection by the bureau is scheduled to start Sept. 14. (U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

28M acres of land now available for Vietnam-era Alaska Native veterans

160-acre parcels for Vietnam-era applicants viewable online, allocations to begin in September

A map shows land tracts where Alaska Native Vietnam veterans can apply for parcels under an allocation program finalized this month by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The most common land parcels potentially available are shaded in light yellow. Areas shaded in light green, including the ones nearest Juneau, represent potentially available state selected land. Applications processing and selection by the bureau is scheduled to start Sept. 14. (U.S. Bureau of Land Management)
Democratic U.S. House Candidate Mary Peltola hugs a supporter during a campaign event in Juneau on Friday. Peltola emerged as the top finisher in the first round of results on election night, but is facing two better-known Republican challengers who may prevail when the new ranked choice ballots get a final tabulation Aug. 31. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Election results and reactions

Ranked choice will determine who wins House seat; November races take shape.

Democratic U.S. House Candidate Mary Peltola hugs a supporter during a campaign event in Juneau on Friday. Peltola emerged as the top finisher in the first round of results on election night, but is facing two better-known Republican challengers who may prevail when the new ranked choice ballots get a final tabulation Aug. 31. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Sockeye salmon return to Steep Creek to spawn. Alaska’s overall commercial salmon harvest across all species is currently up 15% from 2021 (2020 for pinks) with Bristol Bay and the Prince William Sound largely carrying the weight while other regions lag, according to data from the most recent Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute weekly salmon harvest update. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Statewide salmon harvest on the upswing compared to last year, species vary in harvest success

See the salmon stats here.

Sockeye salmon return to Steep Creek to spawn. Alaska’s overall commercial salmon harvest across all species is currently up 15% from 2021 (2020 for pinks) with Bristol Bay and the Prince William Sound largely carrying the weight while other regions lag, according to data from the most recent Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute weekly salmon harvest update. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This October 2020 photo shows the MV Kennicott. The Alaska Marine Highway System's winter ferry schedule is now available for review. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Winter ferry schedule available for review

Comments now being accepted.

This October 2020 photo shows the MV Kennicott. The Alaska Marine Highway System's winter ferry schedule is now available for review. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A sign points voters toward an election center during the May special primary election. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

What to know for Election Day

Balloting bits including poll places, expected result times and more.

A sign points voters toward an election center during the May special primary election. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows a notice to quit form, which is a first step in the long process of evictions that the Alaska Court System hopes to make easier with a grant-supported Eviction Diversion Initiative. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Grant-supported program could mean fewer eviction cases in Alaska’s courts

Eviction diversion program seeks to provide resources before a case is filed.

This photo shows a notice to quit form, which is a first step in the long process of evictions that the Alaska Court System hopes to make easier with a grant-supported Eviction Diversion Initiative. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A sign points voters toward an election center during the May special primary election. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Candidates answer questions ahead of election

Responses from gubernatorial, House and Senate candidates.

A sign points voters toward an election center during the May special primary election. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This July 28, 2022, photo shows drag queen Dela Rosa performing in a mock election at Cafecito Bonito in Anchorage, Alaska where, people ranked the performances by drag performers. Several organizations are using different methods to teach Alaskans about ranked choice voting, which will be used in the upcoming special U.S. House election. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Groups get creative to help Alaska voters with ranked voting

Drag performers shimmied up and down a walkway between café tables, as enthusiastic patrons took photos, waved cash and filled out ballots ranking the shows.… Continue reading

This July 28, 2022, photo shows drag queen Dela Rosa performing in a mock election at Cafecito Bonito in Anchorage, Alaska where, people ranked the performances by drag performers. Several organizations are using different methods to teach Alaskans about ranked choice voting, which will be used in the upcoming special U.S. House election. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
U.S. Senate candidate Shoshana Gungurstein stars in a campaign sign within view of the Alaska governor’s mansion. Gungurstein, an independent, got exposure this week for being a Hollywood actress under a different last name after questions about her past went unanswered throughout the campaign. She is one of 19 candidates seeking to be among the four selected in next Tuesday’s primary to compete in the November general election. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Senate candidate sheds more light on background

Shoshana Gungurstein responds at length to recent report on past film career.

U.S. Senate candidate Shoshana Gungurstein stars in a campaign sign within view of the Alaska governor’s mansion. Gungurstein, an independent, got exposure this week for being a Hollywood actress under a different last name after questions about her past went unanswered throughout the campaign. She is one of 19 candidates seeking to be among the four selected in next Tuesday’s primary to compete in the November general election. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This May 2022 photo shows a ballot and return envelope in the state's special primary election. Tuesday is Election Day for the general election featuring three of the top vote-getters from the earlier ballot. Aug. 16 will also include a regular primary election. Only the special election will feature ranked choice voting. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Clarifying an election unlike any other

Confusion about unique ballot impairs otherwise lively vote next week.

This May 2022 photo shows a ballot and return envelope in the state's special primary election. Tuesday is Election Day for the general election featuring three of the top vote-getters from the earlier ballot. Aug. 16 will also include a regular primary election. Only the special election will feature ranked choice voting. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

It’s a week until the vote — do you know where your candidates are?

A few contenders planning Juneau and Southeast Alaska stops before Tuesday’s primary/special election

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with reporters about the state's budget at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, May 19, 2022. Dunleavy, who received a conditional endorsement from former President Donald Trump, was among the first prominent Alaska politicians to weigh in on the FBI's search of Trump's property. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska pols buzzwording about FBI raid

Reactions by Trump backers — and lack thereof by opponents — mirror national furor

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with reporters about the state's budget at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, May 19, 2022. Dunleavy, who received a conditional endorsement from former President Donald Trump, was among the first prominent Alaska politicians to weigh in on the FBI's search of Trump's property. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
For the first time in a decade, the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., source of more than half of Alaska’s general-purpose state revenue, posted negative investment returns for an entire fiscal year. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska Permanent Fund Corp posts negative returns for first time in a decade

The decline will not have an immediate negative effect on state finances

For the first time in a decade, the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., source of more than half of Alaska’s general-purpose state revenue, posted negative investment returns for an entire fiscal year. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Mimi Israelah, center, cheers for Donald Trump inside the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska, during a rally Saturday July 9, 2022. Two Anchorage police officers violated department policy during a traffic stop last month when Israelah, in town for a rally by former President Donald Trump showed a "white privilege card" instead of a driver's license and was not ticketed. (Bill Roth / Anchorage Daily News)

Alaska officers violated policy in ‘white privilege’ stop

It’s unclear what policy was violated or what disciplinary actions the two officers faced.

Mimi Israelah, center, cheers for Donald Trump inside the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska, during a rally Saturday July 9, 2022. Two Anchorage police officers violated department policy during a traffic stop last month when Israelah, in town for a rally by former President Donald Trump showed a "white privilege card" instead of a driver's license and was not ticketed. (Bill Roth / Anchorage Daily News)
Congressional candidates Mary Peltola, left, Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III discuss Southeast Alaska and other issues during a midday forum Monday hosted by KINY radio. The three candidates are the finalists for the special election Aug. 16 fill the remainder of the late Rep. Don Young’s term and also are competing in the primary for the general election on that date. (Screenshot / KINY radio webcast)

3 House candidates debate in Juneau

Mary Peltola, Nick Begich III and Sarah Palin make cases before Aug. 16 special election

Congressional candidates Mary Peltola, left, Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III discuss Southeast Alaska and other issues during a midday forum Monday hosted by KINY radio. The three candidates are the finalists for the special election Aug. 16 fill the remainder of the late Rep. Don Young’s term and also are competing in the primary for the general election on that date. (Screenshot / KINY radio webcast)
A voter casts a ballot in the special primary election to fill Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The general election for that race is Aug. 16. Candidates for that race and others have raised millions this election cycle, but it raises a few questions, such as who's giving and why? (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Who donates to campaigns and why?

$1.5M from a business tycoon, $50 from a retiree, $8 from Planned Parenthood – what’s the reward?

A voter casts a ballot in the special primary election to fill Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The general election for that race is Aug. 16. Candidates for that race and others have raised millions this election cycle, but it raises a few questions, such as who's giving and why? (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A cruise ship nears the glaciers near Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Glacier Bay is implementing a cruise ship inspection program that works similar to the inactive Ocean Ranger program. (Courtesy Photo / U.S. National Park Service)

Glacier Bay implements cruise ship inspection program to replace Ocean Rangers

“The hope is that the Ocean Ranger program may revive because we’d rather not have this program”

A cruise ship nears the glaciers near Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Glacier Bay is implementing a cruise ship inspection program that works similar to the inactive Ocean Ranger program. (Courtesy Photo / U.S. National Park Service)