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This combination image shows gubernatorial candidates Les Gara and Bill Walker. Gara, a former Democratic state lawmaker, and Walker, former independent governor of Alaska, took questions during a forum held as part of the annual Southeast Conference meeting. Both candidates noted the absence of incumbent Gov, Mike Dunleavy, who has been a no-show at several recent forums. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

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Walker, Gara largely agree on Southeast issues — and governor’s absence

Dunleavy again absent at candidate forum as two other contenders talk ferries, fish and finances

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U.S. Senate hopefuls cast net for Southeast votes

Murkowski, Tshibaka and Chesbro apply their broad themes to specific issues at Southeast Conference

The cruise industry and it's impacts on the Southeast Alaska economy are both major topics during this week's Southeast Conference. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

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Sunny outlook among regional leaders in Ketchikan

Optimism about post-pandemic recovery and growth of industries expressed at Southeast Conference

Fired Exxon Valdez skipper Joseph Hazelwood, right, sits with his lawyer Michael Chalos as a photograph of the tanker is displayed on an easel in Anchorage Superior Court, March 20, 1990. Hazelwood, the captain of the Exxon Valdez oil tanker that ran aground more than three decades ago in Alaska, causing one of the worst oil spills in U.S. history, has died in July 2022, the New York Times reported. He was 75. (AP File Photo / Jack Smith)

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Exxon Valdez Capt. Joseph Hazelwood dies

He was 75.

Amanda Triplett, at right on overhead screen, discusses the University of Alaska’s “Did You Know” program while faculty members in the background hold up signs protesting a labor contract stalemate during the Board of Regent’s meeting Friday in Juneau. The program highlights cooperative efforts the university is participating in with communities such as workplace experience and dual enrollments with other educational institutions. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

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Title IX more than mere sport for UA leaders

Chancellors praise campus anti-discrimination programs, but board member calls changes “insidious”

UNAC supporters Angel Collins, JoMarie Alba and Lisa Hoferkamp hold signs Thursday morning in the middle of a Glacier Highway roundabout near the University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau. The University of Alaska Board of Regents began a two-day meeting at UAS on Thursday. University of Alaska and the faculty union have not come to an agreement after over a year of negotiations. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

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Union rally greets university regents

Faculty union, supporters make presence felt morning of two-day meeting.

John Dapcevich is pictured here with his great-grandson, Max. (Courtesy Photo)

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Six-Term Sitka Mayor and Lifetime Alaskan dies

John Dapcevich was 95.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy stands at a lectern in a Three Bears Alaska store in Palmer, next to a giant, covered check displaying this year’s Permanent Fund dividend amount. Behind him stand Alaska resident Miranda Wagoner (left) and Jessica Viera, executive director, Wasilla Chamber of Commerce (right) who gave speeches at the event. (Faceboook live screenshot)

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A $3,284 PFD is coming later this month

Total includes an energy relief payment, too.

Sean Parnell, a former Alaska governor and current chancellor at the University of Alaska Anchorage, discusses partnerships with local schools and other community groups during the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents meeting Thursday at the University of Alaska Southeast. In the background employees with the faculty’s union hold up signs protesting a stalemate in contract negotiations that has lasted more than a year. The two-day meeting continuing Friday is the board’s first in Juneau since 2018. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

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‘Excitement’ and challenges factor into UA board meeting

Board members hear about revitalized students, demoralized staff at first Juneau meeting since 2018

Alaska gubernatorial candidates Bill Walker, left, and Les Gara participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

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Gara and Walker face off at forum

The two, who found common ground on some issues, took aim at Dunleavy

Alaska Rep. Victor Kohring, R-Wasilla, is led into the Federal Court Room for arraignment in Juneau, Alaska on Friday, May 4, 2007. Kohring, a former Alaska lawmaker who was caught up in a corruption scandal that roiled the state Legislature more than 15 years ago, has died in a vehicle crash. (AP File Photo / Chris Miller)

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Former Alaska lawmaker Kohring dies in vehicle crash

Car crash occurred Tuesday evening, according to troopers.

Charlie Pierce (Courtesy Photo)

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Kenai Peninsula Borough paid more than $260K to settle complaints against Pierce

Only one of the settlements has been previously disclosed to the public.

A campaign sign promoting Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s reelection campaign stands in Juneau. Two nonprofits on Tuesday filed a complaint with Alaska Public Offices Commission against Dunleavy and others connected to his campaign. The complaint alleges a series of “egregious campaign finance violations.” (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Photo)

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Complaint: Dunleavy illegally using state employees for campaign

Nonprofits with ties to governor’s political opposition allege coordination of donors, staff misuse.

U.S. Forest Service staff discuss in August a wildlife opening cut to improve lighting for a surface plant development in the Maybeso Experimental Area on Prince of Wales Island as part of a regeneration project following large-scale industrial harvesting occurring since the 1950s. U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Tuesday announced $12.4 million in grants for natural resource sustainability and development projects in Southeast Alaska communities. (Jessica Davila / U.S. Forest Service)

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$12.4M awarded for Southeast natural resource sustainability projects

Funds are final portion of $25M in federal funds via new process working with local programs.

A voter in Juneau fills out their ballot during the Aug. 16 special general and primary elections. Two rural Alaska communities failed to open polling places on Election Day. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)

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Two rural Alaska communities failed to open polling places on Election Day

Two voting stations in rural Alaska failed to open as scheduled on Alaska’s Aug. 16 election day, leaving…

U.S. Representative-elect Mary Peltola talks about abortion rights in her first television ad after winning Alaska’s special election to fill the remainder of the late Don Young’s seat. She will again compete against the two Republicans she defeated, Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III, along with Libertarian Chris Bye in the November general election. (Screenshot from AdImpact video)

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Peltola to be sworn in Sept. 13

Special U.S. House race certified; Palin, Begich repeat demands the other drop out of Nov. election

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona listens as President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, in Washington. The Department of Education recently announced $35 million in grants to support Alaska Native education projects in the state. “I am excited to announce 28 new Alaska Native Education program projects, which will help better meet the needs of Alaska Native students at this critical moment and continue to strengthen the relationship between the Department and Alaska Native Organizations,” said Cardona in a statement. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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Feds award $35M to support Alaska Native education projects

The 28 grantees across the state received more than $35 million in federal funds combined

Alaska Department of Revenue Commissioner Lucinda Mahoney (Courtesy Photo / State of Alaska Department of Revenue)

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State revenue commissioner resigning

Mahoney’s resignation is effective Sept. 9. She has been in the role since 2020.

Alaska LNG Project Manager Brad Chastain presents information about the project during a luncheon at the Kenai Chamber Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

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Murkowski, Sullivan throw support behind Alaska LNG Project

The project would move gas from the North Slope through an 800-mile pipeline to a liquefaction plant in…

Alaska State Troopers Capt. Maurice “Mo” Hughes is seen at a news conference on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022 during a ceremony naming him the first Black leader of the Alaska State Troopers. (Video screenshot)

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Alaska State Troopers have 1st Black leader

James Cockrell, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Public Safety, announced the changes to reporters on Wednesday morning.