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Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday signed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Gov. Dunleavy signs budget

PFD of about $3,200, $400 million in vetoes to Legislature-approved items among declared highlights

Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday signed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
In this April 11, 2018 photo state Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, walks out of the Senate chambers and to a reception to honor him and Sen. Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage, at the Capitol. Both were retiring from the legislature. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Dennis Egan, former state lawmaker and Juneau mayor, dies

He fought hard to keep the capital here in Juneau.

In this April 11, 2018 photo state Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, walks out of the Senate chambers and to a reception to honor him and Sen. Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage, at the Capitol. Both were retiring from the legislature. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
The Alaska Department of Health And Social Services building in Juneau has no visible signs indicating the department is splitting into two agencies as of Friday. Top officials at the department said many of the changes, both physical and in services, are likely weeks and in some cases months away. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Little sign of big change for DHSS

No commissioner at new department, other Dept. of Health and Social Services changes may take months

The Alaska Department of Health And Social Services building in Juneau has no visible signs indicating the department is splitting into two agencies as of Friday. Top officials at the department said many of the changes, both physical and in services, are likely weeks and in some cases months away. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A crowd of people protesting near the Alaskan State Capitol clap at one of the many speakers at the protest. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

‘We won’t go back’: Abortion rights protesters rally near the state Capitol

Demonstrators denounce decision.

A crowd of people protesting near the Alaskan State Capitol clap at one of the many speakers at the protest. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
FILE - 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's campaign manager said, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, that the campaign did not plan to sue over a finding released by Alaska elections officials stating that she cannot advance to the special election for U.S. House following the withdrawal of another candidate. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen, File)

Alaska Supreme Court ruling keeps Sweeney off House ballot

In a brief written order, the high court said it affirmed the decision of a Superior Court judge.

FILE - 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's campaign manager said, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, that the campaign did not plan to sue over a finding released by Alaska elections officials stating that she cannot advance to the special election for U.S. House following the withdrawal of another candidate. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen, File)
Candidate for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives Tara Sweeney, a Republican, was in Juneau on Monday, May 16, 2022, and sat down with the Empire for an interview. A lawsuit filed Thursday challenges a decision to omit Sweeney from ballots in the upcoming Aug. 16 special election. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Lawsuit says Sweeney should advance in House race

The lawsuit says the Division of Elections misinterpreted state law.

Candidate for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives Tara Sweeney, a Republican, was in Juneau on Monday, May 16, 2022, and sat down with the Empire for an interview. A lawsuit filed Thursday challenges a decision to omit Sweeney from ballots in the upcoming Aug. 16 special election. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Members of United Academics - American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers Local 4996 gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, to call on University of Alaska officials to agree to a negotiated contract. Faculty at the university haven't seen a pay increase in six years, but UA officials say there isn't money for what the union is asking. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Faculty union rallies for renewed negotiations

Thursday talks.

Members of United Academics - American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers Local 4996 gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, to call on University of Alaska officials to agree to a negotiated contract. Faculty at the university haven't seen a pay increase in six years, but UA officials say there isn't money for what the union is asking. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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’s campaign manager said, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, that the campaign did not plan to sue over a finding released by Alaska elections officials stating that she cannot advance to the special election for U.S. House following the withdrawal of another candidate. (AP Photo/ Mark Thiessen)

Sweeney does not plan suit over Alaska House ballot decision

“We made the decision that this is not a candidate fight.”

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’s campaign manager said, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, that the campaign did not plan to sue over a finding released by Alaska elections officials stating that she cannot advance to the special election for U.S. House following the withdrawal of another candidate. (AP Photo/ Mark Thiessen)
FILE - Al Gross is seen during a debate on Oct. 23, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Gross, an independent running for Alaska's only U.S. House seat, said late Monday, June 20, 2022, that he is ending his campaign. (Jeff Chen / Alaska Public Media)

Gross ends campaign in odd election’s latest twist

Special election will feature only three candidates

FILE - Al Gross is seen during a debate on Oct. 23, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Gross, an independent running for Alaska's only U.S. House seat, said late Monday, June 20, 2022, that he is ending his campaign. (Jeff Chen / Alaska Public Media)
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Officers kill man in Fairbanks after he pointed gun at woman

The Alaska Bureau of Investigation will investigate the incident.

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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)