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A parking sign awaits the new executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund at its Juneau headquarters, Three finalists will be interviewed for the job during a public meeting Monday by the fund’s board of trustees, who are expected to deliberate and announce the new director immediately afterward. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Interviews, selection of new Permanent Fund CEO set for Monday

Three finalists seeking to manage $73.7B fund to appear before trustees at public meeting in Juneau

A parking sign awaits the new executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund at its Juneau headquarters, Three finalists will be interviewed for the job during a public meeting Monday by the fund’s board of trustees, who are expected to deliberate and announce the new director immediately afterward. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau is scheduled to be the site where the board of trustees will select a new executive director on Monday, following the investigation into the firing of former CEO Angela Rodell last December being presented to state lawmakers on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Investigators: Permanent Fund CEO’s firing legal but departed from policy

Trustees acted legally, despite not following official policy, and governor didn’t influence decision

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau is scheduled to be the site where the board of trustees will select a new executive director on Monday, following the investigation into the firing of former CEO Angela Rodell last December being presented to state lawmakers on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A chart shows what critics claim is poor financial performance by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, especially in subsidizing private industry projects intended to boost the state’s economy, during its 55-year existence. The chart is part of a report released Tuesday criticizing the agency. (MB Barker/LLC Erickson & Associates/EcoSystems LLC)

AIDEA’s fiscal performance fishy, critics say

Report presented by salmon industry advocates asserts state business subsidy agency cost public $10B

A chart shows what critics claim is poor financial performance by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, especially in subsidizing private industry projects intended to boost the state’s economy, during its 55-year existence. The chart is part of a report released Tuesday criticizing the agency. (MB Barker/LLC Erickson & Associates/EcoSystems LLC)
In this photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, a Coast Guard Cutter Kimball crew-member observes a foreign vessel in the Bering Sea, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. The U.S. Coast Guard cutter on routine patrol in the Bering Sea came across the guided missile cruiser from the People's Republic of China, officials said Monday, Sept. 26. (U.S. Coast Guard District 17 via AP)

Patrol spots Chinese, Russian naval ships off Alaska island

This wasn’t the first time Chinese naval ships have sailed near Alaska waters.

In this photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, a Coast Guard Cutter Kimball crew-member observes a foreign vessel in the Bering Sea, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. The U.S. Coast Guard cutter on routine patrol in the Bering Sea came across the guided missile cruiser from the People's Republic of China, officials said Monday, Sept. 26. (U.S. Coast Guard District 17 via AP)
Nick Begich III, a Republican candidate for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, talks about wanting to maximize mining in the state to provide materials beneficial to electric vehicles during the 9th annual Juneau EV EBIKE Roundup on Saturday. Begich, who finished third among the major candidates for the seat in the August special election and remains in that spot in polls about six weeks before the November general election, spent Saturday at numerous campaign-related events in town. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire).

Begich: Third climb is the charm

Republican challenger staying the course despite trailing in recent recent polling and fundraising

Nick Begich III, a Republican candidate for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, talks about wanting to maximize mining in the state to provide materials beneficial to electric vehicles during the 9th annual Juneau EV EBIKE Roundup on Saturday. Begich, who finished third among the major candidates for the seat in the August special election and remains in that spot in polls about six weeks before the November general election, spent Saturday at numerous campaign-related events in town. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire).
Screenshot from complaint filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission An image purportedly from the computer screen of a digital media specialist for Gov. Mike Dunleavy shows numerous files and folders of alleged campaign advertising. A complaint filed against the governor, plus other individuals and organizations, claims administrative staff is illegally doing paid campaign work on behalf of the governor.

Dunleavy faces more accusations in campaign complaint

Governor’s response calls allegations “specious and unfounded.”

Screenshot from complaint filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission An image purportedly from the computer screen of a digital media specialist for Gov. Mike Dunleavy shows numerous files and folders of alleged campaign advertising. A complaint filed against the governor, plus other individuals and organizations, claims administrative staff is illegally doing paid campaign work on behalf of the governor.
A survey of 394 likely voters in Alaska shows Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola with a dominant lead over Republican challengers Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III, and increasing that lead over Palin in ranked choice voting rounds, about six weeks before the November general election. But many pundits still suggest a Republican is most likely to win the race and Begich would win a head-to-head match against Peltola. (Dittman Research)

Poll: Peltola has 23% lead over Palin

Survey shows Democratic winner of special election repeating feat against two Republican opponents

A survey of 394 likely voters in Alaska shows Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola with a dominant lead over Republican challengers Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III, and increasing that lead over Palin in ranked choice voting rounds, about six weeks before the November general election. But many pundits still suggest a Republican is most likely to win the race and Begich would win a head-to-head match against Peltola. (Dittman Research)
Attendees of a government-to-government consultation look on as kuspuks were displayed during the Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation held this week in Anchorage. (Courtesy Photo / Lisa Houghton)

Top Justice Dept. official reflects on Alaska’s unique concerns

Help for Juneau tribal court, emergency rural services may result from aid touted at Anchorge summit

Attendees of a government-to-government consultation look on as kuspuks were displayed during the Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation held this week in Anchorage. (Courtesy Photo / Lisa Houghton)
Joel Jackson, president of the Organized Village of Kake and a featured presenter at the Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation in Anchorage on Wednesday, speaks during a memorial service at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Friday, June 7, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

‘It is not the past’: Conference confronts high rate of violence against Indigenous women

“It comes at an especially important moment.”

Joel Jackson, president of the Organized Village of Kake and a featured presenter at the Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation in Anchorage on Wednesday, speaks during a memorial service at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Friday, June 7, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
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Sniffen indicted on sexual abuse counts

Sniffen will be arraigned Monday.

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Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho displays a slide showing some of the arguments being made for voting in favor of a state constitutional convention in the November general election while explaining the reasons he opposes such a convention during a lecture Tuesday at the Walter Soboleff Building. He said voters have rejected a convention by large margins almost every time it has come up every ten years since statehood, but a current mood of higher political distrust in government nationwide means there appears to be a higher likelihood of passage this year.

Presentation details cons of constitutional convention

Yes-vote rallies seek end to PFD “political football” as Southeast leaders warn of regional harm

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho displays a slide showing some of the arguments being made for voting in favor of a state constitutional convention in the November general election while explaining the reasons he opposes such a convention during a lecture Tuesday at the Walter Soboleff Building. He said voters have rejected a convention by large margins almost every time it has come up every ten years since statehood, but a current mood of higher political distrust in government nationwide means there appears to be a higher likelihood of passage this year.
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Kelsey Martin asks about the status of her son’s Permanent Fund Dividend check after arriving first at Juneau’s PFD office in the State Office Building on Tuesday, the first day direct deposit payments of the $3,284 dividends are being credited. Eligible residents who did not receive direct deposits will be paid by checks that will be mailed starting Oct. 6.

$3,284 payments make their way to many residents

Others arrive at PFD office bright and early with questions.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Kelsey Martin asks about the status of her son’s Permanent Fund Dividend check after arriving first at Juneau’s PFD office in the State Office Building on Tuesday, the first day direct deposit payments of the $3,284 dividends are being credited. Eligible residents who did not receive direct deposits will be paid by checks that will be mailed starting Oct. 6.
In this undated file photo the Trans-Alaska pipeline and pump station north of Fairbanks, Alaska is shown. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)

Oil price drop endangers plan to fund Alaska schools a year early

If oil prices fall, amount is automatically reduced to an amount the state can afford. At

In this undated file photo the Trans-Alaska pipeline and pump station north of Fairbanks, Alaska is shown. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)
AP Photo / Evan Vucci President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, in Washington. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona listens at right.

White House estimates over 60K Alaskans to benefit from student loan forgiveness plan

The state adds a small portion to the estimated 40M borrowers eligible for relief across the country

AP Photo / Evan Vucci President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, in Washington. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona listens at right.
A home that was knocked off its foundation and floated down Snake River during a severe storm in Nome, Alaska, is caught under a bridge Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Much of Alaska’s western coast was battered by the storm, which was the remnant of Typhoon Merbok, causing the most damage of any storm in the last half century. (AP Photo/Peggy Fagerstrom)

Update: Damage assessments begin in flooded villages

The storm is the remnants of what was Typhoon Merbok.

A home that was knocked off its foundation and floated down Snake River during a severe storm in Nome, Alaska, is caught under a bridge Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Much of Alaska’s western coast was battered by the storm, which was the remnant of Typhoon Merbok, causing the most damage of any storm in the last half century. (AP Photo/Peggy Fagerstrom)
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka answers a question during a town hall Friday evening at Juneau Christian Center. About 40 people showed up for the event, following a luncheon and door-to-door knocking in the Mendenhall Valley by Tshibaka during the afternoon. She said she plans to continue her local door-to-door campaign Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Tshibaka goes to town on Friday night

Republican U.S. Senate challenger attacks Biden, Murkowski, other familiar foes in Juneau visit

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka answers a question during a town hall Friday evening at Juneau Christian Center. About 40 people showed up for the event, following a luncheon and door-to-door knocking in the Mendenhall Valley by Tshibaka during the afternoon. She said she plans to continue her local door-to-door campaign Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, is followed by her staff and members of the media at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, a day before she was sworn in after winning Alaska’s special election in August. As as result of her win she has since far outraised the two Republican challengers she will again face in the November general election. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)

Peltola nets huge financial catch

Filings show $1.5M raised for most recent period , Palin $250K, Begich $118K

Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, is followed by her staff and members of the media at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, a day before she was sworn in after winning Alaska’s special election in August. As as result of her win she has since far outraised the two Republican challengers she will again face in the November general election. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)
Passengers lounge on the dock of an Alaska Marine Highway System ferry as it departs Juneau in this photo posted Sept. 1 at the AMHS Facebook page. (Alaska State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Ferry schedule shows long service gaps for 4 Southeast communities —for now

Kake, Pelican, Angoon and Tenakee Springs omitted from schedule, but additions are pending

Passengers lounge on the dock of an Alaska Marine Highway System ferry as it departs Juneau in this photo posted Sept. 1 at the AMHS Facebook page. (Alaska State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
(Juneau Empire File)

Alaska State Troopers expect body cameras by next year

Vendor for cameras ID’d, policy is still being drafted.

(Juneau Empire File)
Republican Nick Begich, left, responds to a question at Thursday’s candidate forum for Alaska’s U.S. House candidates, hosted by Southeast Conference in Ketchikan. Republican Sarah Palin participated in the forum by teleconference. Southeast Conference Executive Director Robert Venables, right, acted as the moderator of the forum. Incumbent Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola was unable to participate in the forum but briefly provided an update to conference attendees remotely later in the day. (Sam Stockbridge / Ketchikan Daily News)

U.S. House candidates positive — to a point

Begich and Palin both clashed and found common ground in Ketchikan.

Republican Nick Begich, left, responds to a question at Thursday’s candidate forum for Alaska’s U.S. House candidates, hosted by Southeast Conference in Ketchikan. Republican Sarah Palin participated in the forum by teleconference. Southeast Conference Executive Director Robert Venables, right, acted as the moderator of the forum. Incumbent Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola was unable to participate in the forum but briefly provided an update to conference attendees remotely later in the day. (Sam Stockbridge / Ketchikan Daily News)