News

The Mendenhall River is one of Juneau’s many water systems that was affected by the drought from 2016 to 2019. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Project looks into causes, effects of 2016-2019 drought

Hotter weather and less rain drove the three-year drought.

The Mendenhall River is one of Juneau’s many water systems that was affected by the drought from 2016 to 2019. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Attorney for the State of Alaska Matthew Singer defends the Alaska Redistricting Board to the Alaska Supreme Court on Friday, March 18, 2022. The Court will return a decision on the state's new electoral districts by April 1. (Screenshot)

Alaska Supreme Court takes up redistricting case

A decision is expected by April 1.

Attorney for the State of Alaska Matthew Singer defends the Alaska Redistricting Board to the Alaska Supreme Court on Friday, March 18, 2022. The Court will return a decision on the state's new electoral districts by April 1. (Screenshot)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

State House passes campaign contribution limits bill

Bill would set a $2,000 limit on what someone could contribute to a candidate per campaign period.

(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
From left to right: Chairman of Goldbelt Inc.'s Board of Directors Todd Antioquia, Sealaska Corporation Board of Director's Chair Joe Nelson; Sealaska CEO Anthony Mallot; Goldbelt President and CEO McHugh Pierre and University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Karen Carey at the Centennial Hall on Thursday, March 17, 2022 for the Juneau Economic Development Corporation's annual innovation summit. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Looking at next 50 years of ANCSA, Native corp leaders stress commitment to place

The next 10,000 years.

From left to right: Chairman of Goldbelt Inc.'s Board of Directors Todd Antioquia, Sealaska Corporation Board of Director's Chair Joe Nelson; Sealaska CEO Anthony Mallot; Goldbelt President and CEO McHugh Pierre and University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Karen Carey at the Centennial Hall on Thursday, March 17, 2022 for the Juneau Economic Development Corporation's annual innovation summit. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, talks with a reporter after attending at an event to celebrate the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in Washington. Murkowski spoke the the Alaska House of Representatives Special Committee on Tribal Affairs Thursday about what the bill means for Alaska. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Alaskans laud Violence Against Women Act reauthorization

‘Extraordinary step forward.”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, talks with a reporter after attending at an event to celebrate the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in Washington. Murkowski spoke the the Alaska House of Representatives Special Committee on Tribal Affairs Thursday about what the bill means for Alaska. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
The House Finance Committee hears a presentation from Department of Revenue Chief Economist Dan Stickle on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. It was a busy day at the Alaska State Capitol Wednesday with both the House of Representatives and the Senate passing multiple bills. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Senate passes bill banning vaccine requirements as House works into evening

Busy day.

The House Finance Committee hears a presentation from Department of Revenue Chief Economist Dan Stickle on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. It was a busy day at the Alaska State Capitol Wednesday with both the House of Representatives and the Senate passing multiple bills. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a March 8, news conference at the Alaska State Capitol. On Tuesday, Dunleavy released the state's updated revenue forecast and called for Permanent Fund Dividend payments of $3,700. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Gov calls for $3,700 PFD after updated revenue forecast

A lot riding on oil prices.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a March 8, news conference at the Alaska State Capitol. On Tuesday, Dunleavy released the state's updated revenue forecast and called for Permanent Fund Dividend payments of $3,700. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
The FBI is seeking more information about the activities of a former Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Service officer who was recently indicted for new counts of sexual assault, following his 2021 arrest. (Courtesy photo / Alaska Department of Law)

FBI seeking further information ex-DHS officer charged with sexual assault

They’re investigating his activities inside Anchorage as well as elsewhere.

The FBI is seeking more information about the activities of a former Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Service officer who was recently indicted for new counts of sexual assault, following his 2021 arrest. (Courtesy photo / Alaska Department of Law)
The Association of Alaska School Boards won a $100,000 grant to develop resources to more closely involve families in the education process from the Carnegie Corporation on Tuesday. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Education advocacy organization earns major grant

It’ll help develop resources to help teachers work with families to improve educational outcomes.

The Association of Alaska School Boards won a $100,000 grant to develop resources to more closely involve families in the education process from the Carnegie Corporation on Tuesday. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Iditarod winner Brent Sass poses for photos with lead dogs Morello, left, and Slater in the finish chute of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Nome, Alaska, Tuesday March 15, 2022. (Anne Raup / Anchorage Daily News)

Sass wins his 1st Iditarod sled dog race across Alaska

“It’s awesome, it’s a dream come true.”

Iditarod winner Brent Sass poses for photos with lead dogs Morello, left, and Slater in the finish chute of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Nome, Alaska, Tuesday March 15, 2022. (Anne Raup / Anchorage Daily News)
Reps. Clavin Schrage, I-Anchorage, left, and David Eastman, R-Wasilla, discuss a bill on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives to enact limits on individual contributions to political campaigns, on Monday, March 14, 2022. House members spent several hours debating amendments to the bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House floor debate turns from election spending to security

No donations limits.

Reps. Clavin Schrage, I-Anchorage, left, and David Eastman, R-Wasilla, discuss a bill on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives to enact limits on individual contributions to political campaigns, on Monday, March 14, 2022. House members spent several hours debating amendments to the bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A car is shown at a gas pump, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, at a gas station in North Miami, Fla. Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Alaska state lawmakers are moving to temporarily suspend the state's motor fuel tax as oil prices rise. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Lawmakers move to pump the brakes on motor fuel tax

.08 cents per gallon.

A car is shown at a gas pump, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, at a gas station in North Miami, Fla. Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Alaska state lawmakers are moving to temporarily suspend the state's motor fuel tax as oil prices rise. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
A state of Alaska flag flies outside the Atwood Building in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, March 11, 2022. The state has issued a corrected birth certificate for Benny Benson, the teenager who won a design contest for the flag in 1927, meaning he was 14 and not 13 when came up with the design of the Big Dipper and the North Star on a simple field of blue. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Investigation finds that state flag designer was 14, not 13

The difference a year makes.

A state of Alaska flag flies outside the Atwood Building in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, March 11, 2022. The state has issued a corrected birth certificate for Benny Benson, the teenager who won a design contest for the flag in 1927, meaning he was 14 and not 13 when came up with the design of the Big Dipper and the North Star on a simple field of blue. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
Alaska Sen. Tom Begich, left, and Rep. Zack Fields, right, both Anchorage Democrats, joined a news conference Thursday to talk up President Joe Biden's agenda in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Democratic state lawmakers praise Biden’s impact in Alaska

Bills’ benefits.

Alaska Sen. Tom Begich, left, and Rep. Zack Fields, right, both Anchorage Democrats, joined a news conference Thursday to talk up President Joe Biden's agenda in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
district

Juneau lawmaker’s bills would increase per-student funding

A modest increase.

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This Empire file photo shows the mill facility at the Kensington Gold Mine on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. A new study from the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage tries to imagine what the state's mining industry could look like in 20 years. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire file)

Economists explore mining’s future in Alaska

A lot of variables.

This Empire file photo shows the mill facility at the Kensington Gold Mine on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. A new study from the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage tries to imagine what the state's mining industry could look like in 20 years. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire file)
At a news conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, Gov. Mike Dunleavy outlined his plan to have the state divest its assets from Russia. The disruption in the global market could be beneficial to Alaska, the governor said, if it is able to develop its resources. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Alaska pushes ahead with Russian divestment

Costs likely to increase

At a news conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, Gov. Mike Dunleavy outlined his plan to have the state divest its assets from Russia. The disruption in the global market could be beneficial to Alaska, the governor said, if it is able to develop its resources. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce selects Edie Grunwald to be his running mate at a campaign event at Paradisos restaurant in Kenai on Saturday, March 5, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Pierce taps Grunwald, former parole board chair, as running mate

KENAI —Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce, a hopeful for the Alaska governor’s seat, has tapped Edie Grunwald as his running mate. Pierce made the… Continue reading

Alaska Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce selects Edie Grunwald to be his running mate at a campaign event at Paradisos restaurant in Kenai on Saturday, March 5, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Sean Williams, a rookie musher from Chugiak, Alaska, takes his sled dogs through a snowstorm in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, March 5, 2022, during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The competitive start of the nearly 1,000-mile race will be held March 6, 2022, in Willow, Alaska, with the winner expected in the Bering Sea coastal town of Nome about nine days later. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Iditarod dogs pack Anchorage for race’s ceremonial start

The competitive race for mushers and their dogs starts Sunday in Willow.

Sean Williams, a rookie musher from Chugiak, Alaska, takes his sled dogs through a snowstorm in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, March 5, 2022, during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The competitive start of the nearly 1,000-mile race will be held March 6, 2022, in Willow, Alaska, with the winner expected in the Bering Sea coastal town of Nome about nine days later. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, speaks during a rally urging the Alaska government, particularly the Permanent Fund Corporation, to divest itself from any Russian investment.

Protesters, politicians call for cutting financial ties to Russia

The governor issued a statment directing state agencies to identify and divest, if appropriate.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, speaks during a rally urging the Alaska government, particularly the Permanent Fund Corporation, to divest itself from any Russian investment.