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A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak helicopter aircrew medically evacuated an injured crewmember from a fishing vessel near Esther Island to an Anchorage hospital on June 16, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard / Courtesy Photo)

Coast Guard medevacs injured fisherman near Cordova

The man had suffered head trauma and crew were unable to control the bleeding.

A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak helicopter aircrew medically evacuated an injured crewmember from a fishing vessel near Esther Island to an Anchorage hospital on June 16, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard / Courtesy Photo)
Mary Peltola, a Democrat seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska.Voters are whittling down the list of 48 candidates running for Alaska's only U.S. House seat, with the top four vote-getters in a special primary on Saturday, June 11, advancing to an August special election. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Peltola advances to special U.S. House election

This summer Palin, Begich, Gross and Peltola are coming to a ballot near you.

Mary Peltola, a Democrat seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska.Voters are whittling down the list of 48 candidates running for Alaska's only U.S. House seat, with the top four vote-getters in a special primary on Saturday, June 11, advancing to an August special election. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
This March 13, 2020, photo shows then-Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, on the floor of the House. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Former state rep accused of voter misconduct will have a trial in August.

The trial is expected to last 10 days, and the precise start date has not yet been set.

This March 13, 2020, photo shows then-Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, on the floor of the House. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The top four candidates from the special primary election which ended June 11, 2022 are starting to take shape as additional results are released by the Alaska Division of Elections. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Top 4 takes shape in special election

More to come.

The top four candidates from the special primary election which ended June 11, 2022 are starting to take shape as additional results are released by the Alaska Division of Elections. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A voter fills out their ballot at the Alaska Division of Elections Region I offices in the Mendenhall Valley for the special primary election to replace the late Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, on Saturday, June 11, 2022. The Division released updated results Wednesday, but there were no changes to the ranking of the canidates. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Updated results show no change to primary ranking

No surprises.

A voter fills out their ballot at the Alaska Division of Elections Region I offices in the Mendenhall Valley for the special primary election to replace the late Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, on Saturday, June 11, 2022. The Division released updated results Wednesday, but there were no changes to the ranking of the canidates. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Shoshana Gungurstein dropped by the Empire offices for an interview on May 27, 2022 to discuss her run for the U.S. Senate. However, despite running for public office, Gungurstein was vague on her past and said privacy agreements prevented her from discussing her work history. Gungurstein, who is running as an independent, said it is time for a younger generation to hold office. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Independent candidate talks Senate bid

Gungurstein shares policy vision, vague details of past.

Shoshana Gungurstein dropped by the Empire offices for an interview on May 27, 2022 to discuss her run for the U.S. Senate. However, despite running for public office, Gungurstein was vague on her past and said privacy agreements prevented her from discussing her work history. Gungurstein, who is running as an independent, said it is time for a younger generation to hold office. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Election official Barb Murray watches as voter Alicia Duncan places her ballot in a receptical during the special primary election to fill Alaksa's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Juneau goes for Gross and Peltola in special primary; Palin, Begich lead the race statewide

More results expected on June 15.

Election official Barb Murray watches as voter Alicia Duncan places her ballot in a receptical during the special primary election to fill Alaksa's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A roll of I voted stickers await voters on Saturday at the Alaska Division of Elections office in Juneau. On Saturday, which was also special primary election day, the Alaska Supreme Court reversed a ruling that would have delayed certification of the special election,.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

State supreme court reverses ruling that roiled House election

Special primary moved forward as planned Saturday following a tense legal fight.

A roll of I voted stickers await voters on Saturday at the Alaska Division of Elections office in Juneau. On Saturday, which was also special primary election day, the Alaska Supreme Court reversed a ruling that would have delayed certification of the special election,.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Update: Judge rules against state in ballot access case

DOL: Agency is working on an emergency petition for review to the Alaska Supreme Court.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)
Project Gabe, named after a young man who died of an opioid overdose, aims to bring overdose kits to the fisheries industry in the Southeast. Volunteers assembled 150 kits on Friday, June 10, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

‘This is stoppable’: Program works to bring opioid OD kits to seafood industry

The project began with a tragic death, but proponents hope it can prevent more.

Project Gabe, named after a young man who died of an opioid overdose, aims to bring overdose kits to the fisheries industry in the Southeast. Volunteers assembled 150 kits on Friday, June 10, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage speaks during a rally urging the Alaska government, particularly the Permanent Fund Corp., to divest itself from any Russian investment. Legislation to require divestment did not pass the Legislature. The state still holds millions of dollars in Russian investments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

State still holds millions in Russian investments

Llegislation that would have required the state to sell its Russia holdings did not pass.

Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage speaks during a rally urging the Alaska government, particularly the Permanent Fund Corp., to divest itself from any Russian investment. Legislation to require divestment did not pass the Legislature. The state still holds millions of dollars in Russian investments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Former Gov. Bill Walker, right, and his running mate former commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development Heidi Drygas, speak to Juneauites gathered for a fundraiser at a private home in Juneau on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Walker’s run for governor comes to Juneau

A crowded field.

Former Gov. Bill Walker, right, and his running mate former commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development Heidi Drygas, speak to Juneauites gathered for a fundraiser at a private home in Juneau on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Republican Tara Sweeney, right, speaks Monday, May 16, 2022, at a forum in Juneau, Alaska, that was also attended by three other Republican candidates for Alaska's U.S. House seat, including John Coghill, left. Sweeney and Coghill are among 48 candidates in a June 11 special primary for the House seat left vacant by the death earlier this year of Republican Rep. Don Young. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Unusual House primary draws Palin, Santa, 46 others

Ballots must be postmarked or received by June 11.

Republican Tara Sweeney, right, speaks Monday, May 16, 2022, at a forum in Juneau, Alaska, that was also attended by three other Republican candidates for Alaska's U.S. House seat, including John Coghill, left. Sweeney and Coghill are among 48 candidates in a June 11 special primary for the House seat left vacant by the death earlier this year of Republican Rep. Don Young. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
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Can public funds be used for private school classes? State education department isn’t sure

Spokespeople for education and law departments couldn’t answer the question.

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A Pride flag hangs in downtown Juneau on Thursday, June 2, 2022, in honor of June as Pride Month. A number of Juneau's Pride events are being sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness Juneau, who say LGBTQ youth are at higher risk for depression and suicidal ideation. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Pride Month is here, statewide LGBTQ protections aren’t

Events to focus on fostering community.

A Pride flag hangs in downtown Juneau on Thursday, June 2, 2022, in honor of June as Pride Month. A number of Juneau's Pride events are being sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness Juneau, who say LGBTQ youth are at higher risk for depression and suicidal ideation. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A sign on the Douglas Highway advertises a home for sale on Thursday, June 2, 2022. Home prices in Alaska have been increasing for the past two years but an expected increase to interest rates might cool off the market. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Housing prices rose in Alaska while some homeowners struggle with payments

Manageable mortgages.

A sign on the Douglas Highway advertises a home for sale on Thursday, June 2, 2022. Home prices in Alaska have been increasing for the past two years but an expected increase to interest rates might cool off the market. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This April 12 photo shows Alaska Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, who will not be seeking reelection. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska Senate minority leader doesn’t plan to run this year

“In my heart and my mind, I’ve moved away from the job.”

This April 12 photo shows Alaska Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, who will not be seeking reelection. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Forms to run for state office are available at the Alaska Division of Elections' offices in Juneau on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, the deadline for potential candidates to file. The state's new voting system has led to a large number of Alaskans running for office this year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Alaska’s elections are packed as filing deadline passes

More to come.

Forms to run for state office are available at the Alaska Division of Elections' offices in Juneau on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, the deadline for potential candidates to file. The state's new voting system has led to a large number of Alaskans running for office this year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
An Alaska Army National Guard aircrew flying a UH-60 Black Hawk aided in the rescue of a mountain biker with a possible spinal injury from the wilderness east of Kenai on May 30, 2022. (Alejandro Pena / U.S. Air Force)

National Guard rescues injured biker near Kenai

The biker had a possible spinal injury, requiring aerial medevac.

An Alaska Army National Guard aircrew flying a UH-60 Black Hawk aided in the rescue of a mountain biker with a possible spinal injury from the wilderness east of Kenai on May 30, 2022. (Alejandro Pena / U.S. Air Force)
Bill Ritter, former governor of Colorado and founder of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University, promotes bipartisanship in his opening address on May 24 at the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Nonpartisan solutions promoted for energy and climate problems, but not everyone is on board

A different framework.

Bill Ritter, former governor of Colorado and founder of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University, promotes bipartisanship in his opening address on May 24 at the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)