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A class photo from the Sitka Industrial Training School ca. 1897-1929, shows young Alaska Native women who were taken from their homes are raised in one of Alaska's boarding schools. This week, the First Alaskans Institute is hosting a summit for survivors and others impacted by the boarding school system. (Courtesy photo / Alaska's Digital Archives)

Boarding school summit to address generational trauma

‘They will be heard.’

A class photo from the Sitka Industrial Training School ca. 1897-1929, shows young Alaska Native women who were taken from their homes are raised in one of Alaska's boarding schools. This week, the First Alaskans Institute is hosting a summit for survivors and others impacted by the boarding school system. (Courtesy photo / Alaska's Digital Archives)
Senate Finance Committee members Sens. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, and Natasha Von Imhof, R-Anchorage, listen to public testimony for bills related to the Permanent Fund Dividend on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. The majority of callers accused lawmakers of stealing PFD money. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

PFD formula proposals provoke strong public reaction

Familiar arguments.

Senate Finance Committee members Sens. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, and Natasha Von Imhof, R-Anchorage, listen to public testimony for bills related to the Permanent Fund Dividend on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. The majority of callers accused lawmakers of stealing PFD money. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
State Rep. Ron Gillham speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Kenai Municipal Airport on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai area rep introduces raft of education-focused bills

One bill targets critical race theory; another would create state scholarships for private schools.

State Rep. Ron Gillham speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Kenai Municipal Airport on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Courtesy Photo / The White House The White House, heavily renovated over the years, has been the home of America’s presidents for most of the country’s history.

Quiz: Alaska and its history with the presidents

How much do you know about the state’s relationship with the commander-in-chief?

Courtesy Photo / The White House The White House, heavily renovated over the years, has been the home of America’s presidents for most of the country’s history.
Senators and members of the House of Representatives gather in the House Chamber for Gov. Mike Dunleavy's State of the State speech on Jan. 25, 2022. Both the House and Senate Chambers are located on the second floor of the Alaska State Capitol building. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Get to know your Capitol

Take a look around.

Senators and members of the House of Representatives gather in the House Chamber for Gov. Mike Dunleavy's State of the State speech on Jan. 25, 2022. Both the House and Senate Chambers are located on the second floor of the Alaska State Capitol building. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution are available outside the lieutenant governor's office on the third floor of the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Constitutional convention could change everything, or nothing

This article appears in the Juneau Empire’s Guide to the 2022 Alaska State Legislature. Legislative impasse over the past few years has led some in… Continue reading

Copies of the Alaska State Constitution are available outside the lieutenant governor's office on the third floor of the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A student walks across the campus of the University of Alaska Southeast in this Feb. 4, 2021 file photo. An Anchorage Superior Court ruled Thursday against a group of UA students who had sued the state over funding for higher education scholarship programs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Students appeal Superior Court ruling on higher education funds

Supreme Court to weigh in.

A student walks across the campus of the University of Alaska Southeast in this Feb. 4, 2021 file photo. An Anchorage Superior Court ruled Thursday against a group of UA students who had sued the state over funding for higher education scholarship programs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Dan Newman, left, the founder of Alaska Premier Auctions and Appraisers, and Nick Cline, a business partner, pose Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska, with the "Americus Australis," thought to be one the largest gem-quality opals in existence. The gem will be offered at auction Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, with an opening bid set at $125,000 (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Alaska auction to feature huge opal stashed away for years

The opal is larger than a brick and is broken into two piece.

Dan Newman, left, the founder of Alaska Premier Auctions and Appraisers, and Nick Cline, a business partner, pose Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska, with the "Americus Australis," thought to be one the largest gem-quality opals in existence. The gem will be offered at auction Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, with an opening bid set at $125,000 (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
Christopher Constant, a Democrat, announced on Thursday he will seek Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Courtesy Photo)

Anchorage Assembly member announces US House bid for Alaska

Democrat enters House race fray.

Christopher Constant, a Democrat, announced on Thursday he will seek Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Courtesy Photo)
A map from the Alaska Redistricting Board shows proposed House Districts in Anchorage, two of which were the subject of a lawsuit against the board for their being paired together in a single senate seat. A judge ruled early Wednesday the board violated the Alaska State Constitution in its drafting of new legislative districts. (Screenshot / Alaska Redistricting Board)

Judge says redistricting board did not follow constitutional process

Judge overturns maps Skagway, East Anchorage

A map from the Alaska Redistricting Board shows proposed House Districts in Anchorage, two of which were the subject of a lawsuit against the board for their being paired together in a single senate seat. A judge ruled early Wednesday the board violated the Alaska State Constitution in its drafting of new legislative districts. (Screenshot / Alaska Redistricting Board)
African-American soldiers of Company L, 24th Infantry, famously known as "Buffalo Soldiers" on parade on 5th Avenue in Skagway, between Broadway and State streets, in front of the Daily Budget newspaper on July 4, 1899. A recent book from a University of Alaska Anchorage history professor traces the long history of Black Americans in Alaska. (Courtesy image / Alaska's Digital Archives)

Book traces over 150 years of Black history in Alaska

Before the gold rush.

African-American soldiers of Company L, 24th Infantry, famously known as "Buffalo Soldiers" on parade on 5th Avenue in Skagway, between Broadway and State streets, in front of the Daily Budget newspaper on July 4, 1899. A recent book from a University of Alaska Anchorage history professor traces the long history of Black Americans in Alaska. (Courtesy image / Alaska's Digital Archives)
The entrance to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services building in downtown Juneau on Jan. 14, 2021. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has twice proposed splitting the department using an executive order, but the Division of Legislative Legal Services has raised issues with the most recent order. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Legal memo cites issues with order to split state health department

Length and breadth.

The entrance to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services building in downtown Juneau on Jan. 14, 2021. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has twice proposed splitting the department using an executive order, but the Division of Legislative Legal Services has raised issues with the most recent order. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin reacts as she leaves a courthouse in New York, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. Palin lost her libel lawsuit against The New York Times on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, when a jury rejected her claim that the newspaper maliciously damaged her reputation by erroneously linking her campaign rhetoric to a mass shooting. (AP Photo / Seth Wenig)

Jury rejects Sarah Palin’s lawsuit against New York Times

“Of course we’re disappointed.”

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin reacts as she leaves a courthouse in New York, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. Palin lost her libel lawsuit against The New York Times on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, when a jury rejected her claim that the newspaper maliciously damaged her reputation by erroneously linking her campaign rhetoric to a mass shooting. (AP Photo / Seth Wenig)
Gubernatorial candidate Les Gara, right, announced as his running mate Jessica Cook, left, an Eagle River school teacher, at a news conference in Anchorage on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Erin Kirkland)

Gara announces running mate in gubernatorial race

A shared vision.

Gubernatorial candidate Les Gara, right, announced as his running mate Jessica Cook, left, an Eagle River school teacher, at a news conference in Anchorage on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Erin Kirkland)
Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, seen here on Feb. 7, 2022, announced Thursday he was running to fill the Alaska State Senate seat soon to be vacated by Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson who's announced a bid for the U.S. Senate. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Anchorage rep announces bid for open Senate seat

A larger audience.

Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, seen here on Feb. 7, 2022, announced Thursday he was running to fill the Alaska State Senate seat soon to be vacated by Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson who's announced a bid for the U.S. Senate. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Deputy Attorney General John Skidmore speaks at a press conference in Anchorage on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, to announce three bills introduced by Gov. Mike Dunleavy meant to address sex and human trafficking in the state. (Screenshot)

Gov introduces bills to combat sexual assault, human trafficking

Punishments for patrons.

Deputy Attorney General John Skidmore speaks at a press conference in Anchorage on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, to announce three bills introduced by Gov. Mike Dunleavy meant to address sex and human trafficking in the state. (Screenshot)
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin arrives to Federal court in New York City on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. Palin claims the New York Times damaged her reputation with an editorial linking her campaign rhetoric to a mass shooting. (AP Photo / Jeenah Moon)

Jury hears closing arguments in Palin vs. NY Times trial

Jury will deliberate.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin arrives to Federal court in New York City on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. Palin claims the New York Times damaged her reputation with an editorial linking her campaign rhetoric to a mass shooting. (AP Photo / Jeenah Moon)
Members of the House Committee of Military and Veterans' Affairs heard testimony on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, on the far-right militia group the Oath Keepers amid public pressure to take disciplinary action against Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, who is a member of the group. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House committee hears testimony on far-right organization

‘A distraction.’

Members of the House Committee of Military and Veterans' Affairs heard testimony on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, on the far-right militia group the Oath Keepers amid public pressure to take disciplinary action against Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, who is a member of the group. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, seen here Feb. 4, 2022, has come under scrutiny from the public and some of his legislative colleagues for his membership in the Oath Keepers, a far-right organization whose leaders have been arrested and charged with sedition for their role in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

State rep defends Oath Keepers, laments ‘cancel culture’

A Q & A with Rep. David Eastman amid public scrutiny, potential disciplinary action.

Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, seen here Feb. 4, 2022, has come under scrutiny from the public and some of his legislative colleagues for his membership in the Oath Keepers, a far-right organization whose leaders have been arrested and charged with sedition for their role in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, an Anchorage Democrat, filed her paperwork on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 at the Division of Elections offices in Juneau, to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Lisa Murkowski. Gray-Jackson, a Democrat, is the first from her party to enter the race and the first Black woman to run for a U.S. Senate seat from Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Democratic state senator files to unseat Murkowski

“Alaskans have a choice now.”

State Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, an Anchorage Democrat, filed her paperwork on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 at the Division of Elections offices in Juneau, to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Lisa Murkowski. Gray-Jackson, a Democrat, is the first from her party to enter the race and the first Black woman to run for a U.S. Senate seat from Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)