Lawmaker proposes taxes on legal, illegal marijuana products

JUNEAU — Marijuana growers in Alaska could see operation expenses spike if a tax and bond bill introduced by an Anchorage lawmaker passes.The bill would… Continue reading

Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, center, is congratulated by Speaker of the House Mike Chenault after her official swearing-in to her House seat at the Capitol on Thursday. Along with other representatives watching the event is Spohnholz's mother, Ann, who was appointed to the House by Gov. Steve Cowper in 1989.

Gruenberg’s replacement sworn into Legislature as budget hits House floor

The Alaska Legislature’s newest member was sworn in on Thursday morning and found herself in a hotly contested budget debate 15 minutes later.“What a day… Continue reading

Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, center, is congratulated by Speaker of the House Mike Chenault after her official swearing-in to her House seat at the Capitol on Thursday. Along with other representatives watching the event is Spohnholz's mother, Ann, who was appointed to the House by Gov. Steve Cowper in 1989.
Gov. Bill Walker addresses the media at the Capitol on Thursday about his signing of Administrative Order 281 to explore potential opportunities for efficiency and consolidation of three state corporations-Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA), Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) and the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA). Standing behind Gov. Walker are the executive directors of each corporation: John Springsteen, AIDEA, left, Bryan Butcher, AHFC, center, and Sara Fisher-Goad, AEA.

Governor suggests studying whether to merge three state corporations

Gov. Bill Walker is planning to analyze three big state-owned corporations with an eye toward combining some of their operations or even consolidating them.On Thursday… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker addresses the media at the Capitol on Thursday about his signing of Administrative Order 281 to explore potential opportunities for efficiency and consolidation of three state corporations-Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA), Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) and the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA). Standing behind Gov. Walker are the executive directors of each corporation: John Springsteen, AIDEA, left, Bryan Butcher, AHFC, center, and Sara Fisher-Goad, AEA.

House takes up $8.6B budget today

The Alaska House of Representatives will today consider a draft of the $8.66 billion state operating budget that cuts $639.6 million from existing operations.A vote… Continue reading

State SurplusProperty Program manager Jeff Campbell collects money during the weekly sale to the public on Wednesday.

Dark days for the cult of surplus

A Juneau institution is ending: The state surplus barn will close at the end of June.“Yeah, this is going to be sad,” said John Shakespeare,… Continue reading

State SurplusProperty Program manager Jeff Campbell collects money during the weekly sale to the public on Wednesday.

Troopers investigate animal cruelty case in village of Kiana

ANCHORAGE — Alaska State Troopers are investigating a case of animal cruelty in the northwest village of Kiana.Troopers on Tuesday said the dog was found… Continue reading

Bill would allow disabled Alaskans to save money

JUNEAU — Disabled Alaskans would be allowed to save more money without affecting their state and federal benefits under a bill pending in the Alaska… Continue reading

Overdose-fighting bill heads to governor’s desk

The Alaska Senate voted unanimously, 20-0, on Wednesday to approve a bill to increase the availability of the overdose-prevention drug Naloxone.Senate Bill 23 now heads… Continue reading

Bing’s Landing near Sterling to undergo construction work

KENAI — Parks officials are looking to begin up to $2.5 million in upgrades for a popular boat launch and bank fishing area just outside… Continue reading

Yup’ik school prepares to resume classes in new building

BETHEL — A Yup’ik elementary school in Bethel that was destroyed by a fire last year found a new temporary home inside a vacated grocery… Continue reading

Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage, speaks during Tuesday's House Finance Committee meeting on the state operating bill at the Capitol on Tuesday. Listening to Rep. Gara are Rep. Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks, left, Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, and Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole.

Lawmaker decries budget ‘shell game’ in House committee

The normally staid process of budget amendments was disrupted Tuesday afternoon as Anchorage Republican Lance Pruitt exclaimed that his fellow lawmakers seemed to be playing… Continue reading

Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage, speaks during Tuesday's House Finance Committee meeting on the state operating bill at the Capitol on Tuesday. Listening to Rep. Gara are Rep. Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks, left, Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, and Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole.
Dan McGlaun of Indianapolis poses Tuesday in Anchorage with special glasses designed to view the total solar eclipse.

Flight to Hawaii promises prime view of total solar eclipse

ANCHORAGE — Skygazers from around the country caught a flight from Alaska to Hawaii on Tuesday for prime viewing of a total solar eclipse that… Continue reading

Dan McGlaun of Indianapolis poses Tuesday in Anchorage with special glasses designed to view the total solar eclipse.

Juneau testifiers leave legislators with something to chew on

For two hours Monday evening, Juneau residents offered their thoughts on the state operating budget proposed by the Senate Finance Committee.Some were so eager, they… Continue reading

Winter warmer-land: US breaks record for hottest winter

WASHINGTON — Federal meteorologists say the winter that has just ended was the hottest in U.S. records, thanks to the combination of El Nino and… Continue reading

Grand jury indicts man in Dillingham heroin arrest

ANCHORAGE — An Anchorage grand jury has indicted a man suspected of distributing heroin in Dillingham.State prosecutors say 37-year-old Joshua Rivera is scheduled to be… Continue reading

Countdown begins for 100th Nenana Ice Classic

FAIRBANKS — A tripod has been erected on the Tanana River for the 100th time since Alaska began its most popular guessing game, the Nenana… Continue reading

Criminal justice overhaul costs, savings unclear

JUNEAU — A bill to overhaul the criminal justice system has advanced in the Senate, though questions remain about how much money it will save… Continue reading

BP to decrease number of rigs working at Prudhoe Bay

ANCHORAGE — BP has announced it will reduce the active rig count at Prudhoe Bay on Alaska’s North Slope, a move expected to cut oil… Continue reading

Walker names Gruenberg replacement

Gov. Bill Walker has named Salvation Army development director Ivy Spohnholz the replacement for Max Gruenberg, the Anchorage Democrat who died in Juneau earlier this… Continue reading

Naloxone, or Narcan, is a medication used to reverse the effects of opioids.

Opioid prevention bill nears finish line

If you didn’t know how important the Alaska House’s vote on Senate Bill 23 was, you only had to look at Michele Morgan.The founder of… Continue reading

Naloxone, or Narcan, is a medication used to reverse the effects of opioids.