News

Mary Peltola celebrates her win in the special election for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat at her campaign office in Anchorage as results are announced Wednesday night. She will be the first Democrat to serve in that seat in 50 years if the results are certified, which is expected to occur Friday. (Marc Lester / Anchorage Daily News)

Peltola steps into spotlight of national political stage

Special election victor gets call from Biden, readies for encore that may decide control of Congress

Mary Peltola celebrates her win in the special election for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat at her campaign office in Anchorage as results are announced Wednesday night. She will be the first Democrat to serve in that seat in 50 years if the results are certified, which is expected to occur Friday. (Marc Lester / Anchorage Daily News)
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)

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.

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)
Democratic U.S. House Candidate Mary Peltola hugs a supporter during a campaign event in Juneau. After ranked choice voting tabulation, Peltola won the special election to fill Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Peltola is the first Alaska Native to be elected to U.S. Congress. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Peltola makes history

Democrat set to become first Alaska Native elected to Congress in ranked choice win.

Democratic U.S. House Candidate Mary Peltola hugs a supporter during a campaign event in Juneau. After ranked choice voting tabulation, Peltola won the special election to fill Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Peltola is the first Alaska Native to be elected to U.S. Congress. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File In an open letter, a spokesperson for Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s reelection campain questioned an Anchorage Daily News reporter’s coverage of matters related to the governor in light of a reporter’s marriage to City and Borough of Juneau Assembly member Carole Triem, who has been a vocal supporter of candidate Les Gara.

Dunleavy campaign: Marriage of ADN reporter, Juneau Assembly member a ‘conflict’

Letter from Dunleavy spokesperson questions Carole Triem’s husband’s ability to cover campaign fairly.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File In an open letter, a spokesperson for Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s reelection campain questioned an Anchorage Daily News reporter’s coverage of matters related to the governor in light of a reporter’s marriage to City and Borough of Juneau Assembly member Carole Triem, who has been a vocal supporter of candidate Les Gara.
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File A roll of I voted stickers await voters on Saturday at the Alaska Division of Elections office in Juneau.

Special House race set for photo finish

Peltola now leads by nearly 9% in special House race, pollster calls ranked choice outcome a toss-up

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File A roll of I voted stickers await voters on Saturday at the Alaska Division of Elections office in Juneau.
The MV Tazlina is docked at the Auke Bay ferry terminal in this Nov. 15, 2021, photo. The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry is expected to provide service from early January through February, according to the Alaska Department of Public Transportation and Public Facilities. Updates on some aspects of winter operations from October until next April were provided by top ferry and state transportation officials during an Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board meeting Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Chilly reception for proposed winter ferry schedule

Fears about no or little service for critical needs expressed from Southeast to Southwest Alaska

The MV Tazlina is docked at the Auke Bay ferry terminal in this Nov. 15, 2021, photo. The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry is expected to provide service from early January through February, according to the Alaska Department of Public Transportation and Public Facilities. Updates on some aspects of winter operations from October until next April were provided by top ferry and state transportation officials during an Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board meeting Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Supporters of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski wait for an opportunity to talk to her at her newly Juneau campaign headquarters Thursday evening at Kootznoowoo Plaza. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Murkowski opens up at Juneau HQ debut

Senator chats with supporters about U.S. vs. Belgium voting, moose chili and Project Veritas

Supporters of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski wait for an opportunity to talk to her at her newly Juneau campaign headquarters Thursday evening at Kootznoowoo Plaza. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire A State of Alaska Department of Health Social Services sign remains on the main building providing in Juneau providing related services, even though the agency officially split into two departments on July 1.

Commissioners of new departments say transition has been smooth

Commisioners of new departments say IT and other key transitions smooth, more visible changes coming

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire A State of Alaska Department of Health Social Services sign remains on the main building providing in Juneau providing related services, even though the agency officially split into two departments on July 1.
The MV Tustumena sails into Homer after spending the day in Seldovia in 2010. (Homer News File Photo)

Tustumena sailings canceled due to crew shortage

Schedule anticipated to resume on Aug. 27

The MV Tustumena sails into Homer after spending the day in Seldovia in 2010. (Homer News File Photo)
The kennels manager and park ranger Denali National Park and Preserve David Tomeo’s son, Will, runs down a trail while the five puppies chase him. This year marks 100 years since the national park began the program of owning and raising Alaskan Huskies to serve as sled dogs throughout the park — which continues to remain the only sled dog operation in the federal government. (Courtesy / David Tomeo)

Even when it’s not National Dog Day, it’s puppies 24/7 with Denali’s sled dog cam

Sad? Mad? Happy? Puppies are always the answer.

The kennels manager and park ranger Denali National Park and Preserve David Tomeo’s son, Will, runs down a trail while the five puppies chase him. This year marks 100 years since the national park began the program of owning and raising Alaskan Huskies to serve as sled dogs throughout the park — which continues to remain the only sled dog operation in the federal government. (Courtesy / David Tomeo)
A Palmer man was convicted of ten felonies following three home invasions that resulted in two deaths, as well as setting the bodies and detached garage on fire. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Palmer man convicted of murder in string of robberies

The man committed multiple home invasions near Wasilla, targeting houses allegedly involved in drug trafficking.

A Palmer man was convicted of ten felonies following three home invasions that resulted in two deaths, as well as setting the bodies and detached garage on fire. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
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)