News

Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Judge to hear case challenging new voting process

Arguments set for Monday.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a ceremony for Alaska Native Veterans from the Vietnam era at the Walter Soboleff Building in downtown Juneau on May 5, 2021. Dunleavy announced the state filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Biden administration for what Dunleavy says is illegally keeping restrictions in place on federal lands in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

State sues feds over continuing land restrictions

Veteran lands available, DOI says.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a ceremony for Alaska Native Veterans from the Vietnam era at the Walter Soboleff Building in downtown Juneau on May 5, 2021. Dunleavy announced the state filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Biden administration for what Dunleavy says is illegally keeping restrictions in place on federal lands in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Passenger arrested after taking over small plane in Alaska

The incident occurred Wednesday on a flight between Bethel and Aniak.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Another special legislative session is scheduled to start Aug. 2, 2021, at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this Empire file photo. But some lawmakers said Wednesday August may be too soon, and suggest that date may change. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Fiscal working group members set lofty goals, say time is needed

Cautious optimism.

Another special legislative session is scheduled to start Aug. 2, 2021, at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this Empire file photo. But some lawmakers said Wednesday August may be too soon, and suggest that date may change. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
A group seeking Gov. Mike Dunleavy's ouster has yet to collect the necessary signatures to force a recall election. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Recall effort lacks signatures nearly 2 years in

A total of 71,252 signatures are needed to qualify for a recall election.

A group seeking Gov. Mike Dunleavy's ouster has yet to collect the necessary signatures to force a recall election. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy photo / Alaska Court System Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree, right, is sword in by Justice Dario Borghesan in Anchorage on July 1. Winfree will take over after former Chief Justice Joel Bolger retired earlier this year.

State Supreme Court has new Chief Justice

Governor announces appointment to high court.

Courtesy photo / Alaska Court System Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree, right, is sword in by Justice Dario Borghesan in Anchorage on July 1. Winfree will take over after former Chief Justice Joel Bolger retired earlier this year.
Alaska State Capitol

Lawmakers announce PFD working group

First meeting Wednesday.

Alaska State Capitol
In this photo provided by the Alaska Division of Forestry, guests at the Chena Hot Springs Resort watch the Munson Creek Fire near Fairbanks, Alaska, on Monday, July 5, 2021. Authorities on Monday advised residents and guests at an Alaska hot springs resort to evacuate immediately after a nearby wildfire intensified. The Fairbanks North Star Borough issued the evacuation order when the fire reached a point less than a mile behind Chena Hot Springs. (Courtesy Photo / Alaska Division of Forestry)

Firefighters defend Chena Hot Springs Resort from advancing wildfire

About 150 firefighters were working to protect the resort, homes and cabins in the area.

In this photo provided by the Alaska Division of Forestry, guests at the Chena Hot Springs Resort watch the Munson Creek Fire near Fairbanks, Alaska, on Monday, July 5, 2021. Authorities on Monday advised residents and guests at an Alaska hot springs resort to evacuate immediately after a nearby wildfire intensified. The Fairbanks North Star Borough issued the evacuation order when the fire reached a point less than a mile behind Chena Hot Springs. (Courtesy Photo / Alaska Division of Forestry)
Teaser

Authorities seek to identify man following suspicious fires in Two Rivers area

People with info are encouraged to contact Alaska State Troopers at (907)451-5100.

Teaser
Insulation can be seen through broken shingles on the Novatney Building’s roof. Funding for maintenance work on the roof was among Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s over $215 million in budget cuts. Design work for the effort has long been completed, said UAS facilities maintenance and operations manager Adam Zenger. The roof does not currently leak, he said, but in light of roof’s condition he said there’s concern that could change. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Scholarships and grants to continue but UAS roof will have to wait

UAS loses out on roof repair.

Insulation can be seen through broken shingles on the Novatney Building’s roof. Funding for maintenance work on the roof was among Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s over $215 million in budget cuts. Design work for the effort has long been completed, said UAS facilities maintenance and operations manager Adam Zenger. The roof does not currently leak, he said, but in light of roof’s condition he said there’s concern that could change. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here speaking at a Jun 17, 2021 news conference at the Alaska State Capitol, announced $215 million in vetoes to the state budget Thursday, and called on lawmakers to come together to solve the state's fiscal issues. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Gov announces $215M in vetoes —lawmakers’ per diem payments, PFD are among cuts

Announcement prompts strong pushback.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here speaking at a Jun 17, 2021 news conference at the Alaska State Capitol, announced $215 million in vetoes to the state budget Thursday, and called on lawmakers to come together to solve the state's fiscal issues. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Gov reignites fight over judicial picks

Governor asks for new slate of candidates for state high court.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)
A C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron flies over Fort Greely, Alaska during RED FLAG-Alaska 21-2, June 24, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Jose Miguel T. Tamondong)

Multinational Air Force exercise wraps up successfully

Three nations and hundreds of aircraft participated.

A C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron flies over Fort Greely, Alaska during RED FLAG-Alaska 21-2, June 24, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Jose Miguel T. Tamondong)
Angoon, seen in this Tuesday photo, is one of the nearly 200 communities across Alaska that are served by the Power Cost Equalization program, which reduces power coasts for rural customers. PCE is poised to be unfunded due to a bookkeeping mechanism known as “the sweep.” Legislative leaders have said they intend to vote on the “reverse sweep,” which would fund the PCE among other programs, during a special session in August. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Customers in PCE communities unlikely to see immediate power bill spike

A previous situation where the funds weren’t released occurred three years ago.

Angoon, seen in this Tuesday photo, is one of the nearly 200 communities across Alaska that are served by the Power Cost Equalization program, which reduces power coasts for rural customers. PCE is poised to be unfunded due to a bookkeeping mechanism known as “the sweep.” Legislative leaders have said they intend to vote on the “reverse sweep,” which would fund the PCE among other programs, during a special session in August. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Judge to hear arguments in budget case

He’ll hear them on July 23.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)
Members of the House Republican Minority Caucus talk amongst themselves during an at ease on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday, June 28, 2021. House members reached a deal on an operating budget and avoided a government shutdown but members of the minority said they had been repeatedly pushed out of the process. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers pass budget again; send to Gov ahead of shutdown deadline

More work and a work group ahead.

Members of the House Republican Minority Caucus talk amongst themselves during an at ease on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday, June 28, 2021. House members reached a deal on an operating budget and avoided a government shutdown but members of the minority said they had been repeatedly pushed out of the process. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Ron Gillham is seen here in this undated photo. (Clarion file/courtesy)

Kenai lawmaker shares photo comparing media and medical officials to Nazi war criminals

Republican Ron Gillham represents the Kenai-Soldotna area in the Alaska State House of Representatives.

Rep. Ron Gillham is seen here in this undated photo. (Clarion file/courtesy)
Then-Democratic presidential hopeful and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel speaks at the "Take Back America" political conference in Washington, in this June 2007 photo. Gravel, a former U.S. senator from Alaska who read the Pentagon Papers into the Congressional Record and confronted Barack Obama about nuclear weapons during a later presidential run, has died. He was 91. Gravel, who represented Alaska as a Democrat in the Senate from 1969 to 1981, died Saturday, June 26, 2021. Gravel had been living in Seaside, California, and was in failing health, said Theodore W. Johnson, a former aide. (AP Photo / Charles Dharapak)

Mike Gravel, former US senator for Alaska, dies at 91

He read the Pentagon Papers into the Congressional Record.

Then-Democratic presidential hopeful and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel speaks at the "Take Back America" political conference in Washington, in this June 2007 photo. Gravel, a former U.S. senator from Alaska who read the Pentagon Papers into the Congressional Record and confronted Barack Obama about nuclear weapons during a later presidential run, has died. He was 91. Gravel, who represented Alaska as a Democrat in the Senate from 1969 to 1981, died Saturday, June 26, 2021. Gravel had been living in Seaside, California, and was in failing health, said Theodore W. Johnson, a former aide. (AP Photo / Charles Dharapak)
House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, told reporters on Friday, June 25, 2021, she was optimistic a deal with the House Minority caucus would be reached by Monday. Both Stutes and Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, declined to give details on the deal. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers say deal seems close at hand

You say you want a resolution.

House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, told reporters on Friday, June 25, 2021, she was optimistic a deal with the House Minority caucus would be reached by Monday. Both Stutes and Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, declined to give details on the deal. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
In this October 2020 photo, housing activists erect a sign in Swampscott, Mass. A federal freeze on most evictions is set to expire soon. The moratorium, put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in September, was the only tool keeping millions of tenants in their homes. (AP Photo / Michael Dwyer)

Will Alaska financing program ease eviction woes?

A federal freeze on most evictions enacted last year is scheduled to expire July 31.

In this October 2020 photo, housing activists erect a sign in Swampscott, Mass. A federal freeze on most evictions is set to expire soon. The moratorium, put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in September, was the only tool keeping millions of tenants in their homes. (AP Photo / Michael Dwyer)