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Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and Senate Finance Committee Co-chair Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, speak with Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, during an all-day debate on the state’s budget on the floor of the Alaska State Senate on Tuesday, May 9, 2022.

Senate OKs budget that includes over $5k in payments to Alaskans

More negotiations.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and Senate Finance Committee Co-chair Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, speak with Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, during an all-day debate on the state’s budget on the floor of the Alaska State Senate on Tuesday, May 9, 2022.
Sens. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, left, and Robert Myers, R-North Pole, read through one of 41 amendments submitted to the state's omnibus budget bill being debate on the floor of the Alaska State Senate on Monday, May 9, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Senate goes big on PFD in budget debate

A statutory dividend. Maybe.

Sens. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, left, and Robert Myers, R-North Pole, read through one of 41 amendments submitted to the state's omnibus budget bill being debate on the floor of the Alaska State Senate on Monday, May 9, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Anne Bonino-Britsch, a volunteer, feeds chickens at the Zach Gordon Youth Center. The first case of bird flu tied to a recent outbreak that's killed millions of turkeys and chickens was confirmed in Alaska last week, but local poultry owners said while they're being cautious, they aren't overly concerned. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Bird flu ruffles feathers: No panic among local poultry owners, but they’re taking precautions

No cases in Juneau so far.

Anne Bonino-Britsch, a volunteer, feeds chickens at the Zach Gordon Youth Center. The first case of bird flu tied to a recent outbreak that's killed millions of turkeys and chickens was confirmed in Alaska last week, but local poultry owners said while they're being cautious, they aren't overly concerned. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Josh Revak, R-Anchorage, sat down with the Empire in Juneau on Friday, May 6, 2022, to discuss his bid for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Revak was personally close with the late Don Young, and has earned the endorsement of Young's widow. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Revak runs to replace Rep. Young

All of Alaska.

State Sen. Josh Revak, R-Anchorage, sat down with the Empire in Juneau on Friday, May 6, 2022, to discuss his bid for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Revak was personally close with the late Don Young, and has earned the endorsement of Young's widow. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Anne Sears, the new lead investigator for the federally-funded Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Initiative, speaks during the annual rally at the Alaska State Capitol on May 5, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Hundreds gather for missing and murdered Indigenous people

More and more attention is being paid nationwide to the staggering violence rates.

Anne Sears, the new lead investigator for the federally-funded Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Initiative, speaks during the annual rally at the Alaska State Capitol on May 5, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
AP Photo / Becky Bohrer Denali, is seen from a turnout in Denali State Park, Alaska in this October 2017 photo. National park rangers in Alaska on Friday, May 6, 2022, resumed an aerial search for the year’s first registered climber on North America’s tallest peak after he didn’t check in with a friend.

Climber’s body found on Denali

Update: The National Park Service on Friday evening announced the body of the climber was found. The climber likely fell on the steep traverse between… Continue reading

AP Photo / Becky Bohrer Denali, is seen from a turnout in Denali State Park, Alaska in this October 2017 photo. National park rangers in Alaska on Friday, May 6, 2022, resumed an aerial search for the year’s first registered climber on North America’s tallest peak after he didn’t check in with a friend.
Alaska state Senate President Peter Micciche, center, looks on as lawmakers gather in front of him on the Senate floor on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. A bill dealing with the annual dividend paid to residents was bumped from the Senate floor on Wednesday. Micciche said it did not have the votes to pass. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Alaska lawmakers struggle with dividend debate

Legislative leaders have said they see resolving the divisive debate as critical.

Alaska state Senate President Peter Micciche, center, looks on as lawmakers gather in front of him on the Senate floor on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. A bill dealing with the annual dividend paid to residents was bumped from the Senate floor on Wednesday. Micciche said it did not have the votes to pass. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Lawmakers held a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, to vote to confirm Gov. Mike Dunleavy's appointments to state boards and commissions. All nominees were confirmed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers confirm Dunleavy appointees, work on PFD

Senate attempts to rework dividend formula.

Lawmakers held a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, to vote to confirm Gov. Mike Dunleavy's appointments to state boards and commissions. All nominees were confirmed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo Pride flags. A bipartisan, interfaith group of Alaskans are advocating for federal protections for LGBTQ people. The group, which includes over 40 organizations, says the time is right for the U.S. Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would bar discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation or gender identity when it comes to public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit and the jury system. (Cecilie Johnson / Unsplash)

Alaskans throw support behind federal LGBTQ protections

Over 40 organizations and congregations stump for equality legislation.

This photo Pride flags. A bipartisan, interfaith group of Alaskans are advocating for federal protections for LGBTQ people. The group, which includes over 40 organizations, says the time is right for the U.S. Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would bar discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation or gender identity when it comes to public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit and the jury system. (Cecilie Johnson / Unsplash)
Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum, speaks at a news conference with Gov. Mike Dunleavy about the state's efforts to combat the increase in drug overdoses driven by the synthetic opioid fentanyl, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. (Screenshot)

Dunleavy announces efforts to combat fentanyl crisis

More avenues to get help.

Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum, speaks at a news conference with Gov. Mike Dunleavy about the state's efforts to combat the increase in drug overdoses driven by the synthetic opioid fentanyl, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. (Screenshot)
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Senate votes to increase PCE payments

‘Fair and modest.’

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The Senate Judiciary Committee moved a bill that would ban transgender athletes from competing on teams of the sex they identify with on Monday, May 2, 2022. The bill could go to a floor vote sometime this week. (Screenshot)

Transgender sports bill ready for Senate vote

Privacy issues.

The Senate Judiciary Committee moved a bill that would ban transgender athletes from competing on teams of the sex they identify with on Monday, May 2, 2022. The bill could go to a floor vote sometime this week. (Screenshot)
In this Sept. 1, 2015, photo, a honeybee works atop gift zinnia in Accord, N.Y. A shipment of honeybees bound from California to Alaska died after an airline re-routed them through Atlanta, then left them to sit on the tarmac during hot weather. Delta Air Lines said Friday, April 29, 2022, it is making changes to prevent a repeat of what happened last weekend. (AP Photo / Mike Groll)

Honeybees bound for Anchorage die in airline shipping

A shipment of honeybees bound from California to Alaska died after an airline re-routed them through Atlanta, then left them to sit on the tarmac… Continue reading

In this Sept. 1, 2015, photo, a honeybee works atop gift zinnia in Accord, N.Y. A shipment of honeybees bound from California to Alaska died after an airline re-routed them through Atlanta, then left them to sit on the tarmac during hot weather. Delta Air Lines said Friday, April 29, 2022, it is making changes to prevent a repeat of what happened last weekend. (AP Photo / Mike Groll)
Turkeys stand in a barn on turkey farm near Manson, Iowa on Aug. 10, 2015. A Colorado prison inmate has tested positive for bird flu in the first confirmed case of a human being infected with the disease that has resulted in the death of millions of chickens and turkeys. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday, April 28, 2022, that the man who tested positive had been in a pre-release program and was helping removing chickens from an infected farm. (AP Photo / Charlie Neibergall)

State confirms 1st case of bird flu tied to recent outbreak

Alaskans can report suspected avian influenza cases at (907)375-8215 or bob.gerlach@alaska.gov.

Turkeys stand in a barn on turkey farm near Manson, Iowa on Aug. 10, 2015. A Colorado prison inmate has tested positive for bird flu in the first confirmed case of a human being infected with the disease that has resulted in the death of millions of chickens and turkeys. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday, April 28, 2022, that the man who tested positive had been in a pre-release program and was helping removing chickens from an infected farm. (AP Photo / Charlie Neibergall)
From left to right: Willard Jackson, Dennis Jack and Bill Thomas, Alaska Native veterans from Southeast Alaska met with lawmakers at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, April 29, to discuss their issues getting land allotments from the federal government. Jackson and Thomas are veterans of the Vietnam War who are eligbile for land allotments, but no lands are available in Southeast Alaska, and veterans are frustrated by the lack of action. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Haaland’s visit stirs optimism for Alaska Natives, but tensions remain

Land, land, land.

From left to right: Willard Jackson, Dennis Jack and Bill Thomas, Alaska Native veterans from Southeast Alaska met with lawmakers at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, April 29, to discuss their issues getting land allotments from the federal government. Jackson and Thomas are veterans of the Vietnam War who are eligbile for land allotments, but no lands are available in Southeast Alaska, and veterans are frustrated by the lack of action. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Republican state Rep. David Eastman speaks on the floor of the Alaska House on Jan. 31, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Alaska House Republicans have removed Rep. David Eastman from their caucus, Minority Leader Cathy Tilton said Friday, April 29, 2022, citing tensions with the Wasilla Republican that have built over time. (AP File Photo/Becky Bohrer)

House Republicans remove Eastman from caucus

The decision comes with less than three weeks left in the regular session.

Alaska Republican state Rep. David Eastman speaks on the floor of the Alaska House on Jan. 31, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Alaska House Republicans have removed Rep. David Eastman from their caucus, Minority Leader Cathy Tilton said Friday, April 29, 2022, citing tensions with the Wasilla Republican that have built over time. (AP File Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a new conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 27, 2022, to call on lawmakers to pass a "substantial" Permanent Fund Dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

As end of session nears, Gov ‘optimistic’ for large PFD

“At least” $3,700.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a new conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 27, 2022, to call on lawmakers to pass a "substantial" Permanent Fund Dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The University of Alaska and the union representing full-time faculty across the system, including the University of Alaska Southeast, have agreed to enter into federal mediation after eight months of contract negotiations have failed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

University and faculty union head into mediation

Inflation pressures.

The University of Alaska and the union representing full-time faculty across the system, including the University of Alaska Southeast, have agreed to enter into federal mediation after eight months of contract negotiations have failed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Jeff Lowenfels, a former state Attorney General and avid garden writer is running for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He's in a race with 48 other candidates but he says he has the unique experience that can serve all Alaska. (Courtesy photo / Jeff Lowenfels)

From gardener to government: Jeff Lowenfels seeks House seat

Long legal career.

Jeff Lowenfels, a former state Attorney General and avid garden writer is running for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He's in a race with 48 other candidates but he says he has the unique experience that can serve all Alaska. (Courtesy photo / Jeff Lowenfels)
Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Corri Feigi, right, and Deputy Attorney General Cori Mills, announced alongside Gov. Mike Dunleavy the state was issuing lawsuits against the federal government for its failure to convey submerged lands to the state. Feige said at the conference the state's rule applied to navigable waterways including Mendenhall Lake and said motorized boats were allowed on the lake. (Screenshot)

Dunleavy announces lawsuits over submerged lands

State rules.

Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Corri Feigi, right, and Deputy Attorney General Cori Mills, announced alongside Gov. Mike Dunleavy the state was issuing lawsuits against the federal government for its failure to convey submerged lands to the state. Feige said at the conference the state's rule applied to navigable waterways including Mendenhall Lake and said motorized boats were allowed on the lake. (Screenshot)