Kenai school board to address transgender policy

This fall, the Kenai Peninsula School District’s Board of Education will address whether to add the terms “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” to its policy… Continue reading

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday.

Sullivan in contact with GOP convention organizers

JUNEAU — U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan could have a speaking role at next week’s national Republican convention.A spokesman for Alaska’s junior senator on Wednesday said… Continue reading

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday.

House will try to restore PFD, increase deficit

The Alaska House of Representatives has asked the state Senate to join it for a joint session at noon Friday for the purpose of overriding… Continue reading

Some of the results of the poll

Poll: Alaskans hugely support term limits for state legislators

A new survey from Anchorage-based pollster Ivan Moore has found Alaskans strongly in favor of term limits for state legislators.In an email to the Empire,… Continue reading

Some of the results of the poll

Murkowski won’t attend GOP convention with primary looming

JUNEAU — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski will be traveling in Alaska next week as part of her re-election campaign and won’t be attending the national… Continue reading

Marijuana board holds special meeting

The Alaska Marijuana Control Board will hold a special meeting by telephone on Thursday to address an unclear decision at the board’s meeting last week.… Continue reading

Heroin, cash seized at Kenai home; man, woman arrested

KENAI — A Kenai man is in custody after Alaska State Troopers and Kenai police seized nearly a half-pound of heroin from his home.Trooper said… Continue reading

Corey Cogdell-Unrein, a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist in trap shooting, is heading to her third games in Brazil next month.

Eagle River trap shooter ready for Rio

In less than a month, the U.S. Olympic Team will head to the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. One of those competing… Continue reading

Corey Cogdell-Unrein, a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist in trap shooting, is heading to her third games in Brazil next month.

Opening of Tanana road pushed back due to weather

FAIRBANKS — This summer’s rainy weather has further delayed the opening of a new road to connect a bush community to Alaska’s highway network.Alaska Department… Continue reading

Todd O'Hara works in a Sitka Sound Science Center office July 1. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

UAF prof looks to develop subsistence food safety project

SITKA — Is Sitka interested in finding out about the presence of heavy metals, contaminants and nutrients in some of the subsistence foods we eat?… Continue reading

Todd O'Hara works in a Sitka Sound Science Center office July 1. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
Alaska Legislature turns down free building

Alaska Legislature turns down free building

There’s a saying that you shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.Evidently, that doesn’t apply to free buildings.On Tuesday morning, the Legislative Council voted… Continue reading

Alaska Legislature turns down free building

Two-billionth salmon caught in Bristol Bay, delivered to gov

Since 1884, fish processors and biologists have kept intimate track of the number of salmon caught in Bristol Bay. On July 6, that figure passed… Continue reading

The Anchorage LIO Building

Anchorage LIO owners file $37M complaint against state

The owners of the controversial downtown Anchorage Legislative Information Office Building have filed a claim seeking $37 million from the state of Alaska.In the claim,… Continue reading

The Anchorage LIO Building

Driver dies in rollover crash at Mile 135 Glenn Highway

ANCHORAGE — Alaska State Troopers said a driver died Monday morning in a crash on the Glenn Highway.The name of the female driver was not… Continue reading

Anchorage police seek witnesses in 2 deaths along bike trail

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage police investigating the deaths of two people on a bike trail have released photos of two men who may have information on… Continue reading

Man charged with assault after stabbing at Anchorage home

ANCHORAGE — An Anchorage man suspected of stabbing his father early Monday has been charged with three counts of felony assault and one of felony… Continue reading

Akiachak tribe takes next step toward federal trust

BETHEL — Alaska’s Akiachak tribe is preparing to inventory land for federal trust status following a federal appeals court decision allowing Alaska Native communities to… Continue reading

Legislature starts fifth special session with no clear path forward

The 29th Alaska Legislature on Monday began its fifth special session since the gavel first sounded in January 2015, but lawmakers appear uncertain on their… Continue reading

Kara Nelson, director of the Haven House, right, hugs Juneau Police Department Lt. Kris Sell during remarks before the signing of Senate Bill 91, an omnibus criminal law and procedure bill, into law by Gov. Bill Walker at Haven House on Monday.

In Haven House ceremony, Walker signs sweeping reform of Alaska’s criminal justice system

Gov. Bill Walker organized the signing ceremony for Senate Bill 91, but Kara Nelson and Kris Sell seized the moment.After the speeches, Juneau Police Department… Continue reading

Kara Nelson, director of the Haven House, right, hugs Juneau Police Department Lt. Kris Sell during remarks before the signing of Senate Bill 91, an omnibus criminal law and procedure bill, into law by Gov. Bill Walker at Haven House on Monday.
The Senate Finance Committee, of which Sen. Anna MacKinnon, R-Anchorage, pictured, serves as co-chairwoman, will meet in Anchorage on Monday when lawmakers resume work.

Senate finance plans to stay in Anchorage as lawmakers begin work today

The 29th Alaska Legislature will start its fifth special session on Monday, bringing lawmakers from across the state back to Juneau. Don’t expect all of… Continue reading

The Senate Finance Committee, of which Sen. Anna MacKinnon, R-Anchorage, pictured, serves as co-chairwoman, will meet in Anchorage on Monday when lawmakers resume work.