News

Joel Jackson, president of the Organized Village of Kake and a featured presenter at the Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation in Anchorage on Wednesday, speaks during a memorial service at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Friday, June 7, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

‘It is not the past’: Conference confronts high rate of violence against Indigenous women

“It comes at an especially important moment.”

Joel Jackson, president of the Organized Village of Kake and a featured presenter at the Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation in Anchorage on Wednesday, speaks during a memorial service at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Friday, June 7, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
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Sniffen indicted on sexual abuse counts

Sniffen will be arraigned Monday.

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Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho displays a slide showing some of the arguments being made for voting in favor of a state constitutional convention in the November general election while explaining the reasons he opposes such a convention during a lecture Tuesday at the Walter Soboleff Building. He said voters have rejected a convention by large margins almost every time it has come up every ten years since statehood, but a current mood of higher political distrust in government nationwide means there appears to be a higher likelihood of passage this year.

Presentation details cons of constitutional convention

Yes-vote rallies seek end to PFD “political football” as Southeast leaders warn of regional harm

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho displays a slide showing some of the arguments being made for voting in favor of a state constitutional convention in the November general election while explaining the reasons he opposes such a convention during a lecture Tuesday at the Walter Soboleff Building. He said voters have rejected a convention by large margins almost every time it has come up every ten years since statehood, but a current mood of higher political distrust in government nationwide means there appears to be a higher likelihood of passage this year.
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Kelsey Martin asks about the status of her son’s Permanent Fund Dividend check after arriving first at Juneau’s PFD office in the State Office Building on Tuesday, the first day direct deposit payments of the $3,284 dividends are being credited. Eligible residents who did not receive direct deposits will be paid by checks that will be mailed starting Oct. 6.

$3,284 payments make their way to many residents

Others arrive at PFD office bright and early with questions.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Kelsey Martin asks about the status of her son’s Permanent Fund Dividend check after arriving first at Juneau’s PFD office in the State Office Building on Tuesday, the first day direct deposit payments of the $3,284 dividends are being credited. Eligible residents who did not receive direct deposits will be paid by checks that will be mailed starting Oct. 6.
In this undated file photo the Trans-Alaska pipeline and pump station north of Fairbanks, Alaska is shown. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)

Oil price drop endangers plan to fund Alaska schools a year early

If oil prices fall, amount is automatically reduced to an amount the state can afford. At

In this undated file photo the Trans-Alaska pipeline and pump station north of Fairbanks, Alaska is shown. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)
AP Photo / Evan Vucci President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, in Washington. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona listens at right.

White House estimates over 60K Alaskans to benefit from student loan forgiveness plan

The state adds a small portion to the estimated 40M borrowers eligible for relief across the country

AP Photo / Evan Vucci President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, in Washington. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona listens at right.
A home that was knocked off its foundation and floated down Snake River during a severe storm in Nome, Alaska, is caught under a bridge Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Much of Alaska’s western coast was battered by the storm, which was the remnant of Typhoon Merbok, causing the most damage of any storm in the last half century. (AP Photo/Peggy Fagerstrom)

Update: Damage assessments begin in flooded villages

The storm is the remnants of what was Typhoon Merbok.

A home that was knocked off its foundation and floated down Snake River during a severe storm in Nome, Alaska, is caught under a bridge Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Much of Alaska’s western coast was battered by the storm, which was the remnant of Typhoon Merbok, causing the most damage of any storm in the last half century. (AP Photo/Peggy Fagerstrom)
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka answers a question during a town hall Friday evening at Juneau Christian Center. About 40 people showed up for the event, following a luncheon and door-to-door knocking in the Mendenhall Valley by Tshibaka during the afternoon. She said she plans to continue her local door-to-door campaign Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Tshibaka goes to town on Friday night

Republican U.S. Senate challenger attacks Biden, Murkowski, other familiar foes in Juneau visit

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka answers a question during a town hall Friday evening at Juneau Christian Center. About 40 people showed up for the event, following a luncheon and door-to-door knocking in the Mendenhall Valley by Tshibaka during the afternoon. She said she plans to continue her local door-to-door campaign Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, is followed by her staff and members of the media at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, a day before she was sworn in after winning Alaska’s special election in August. As as result of her win she has since far outraised the two Republican challengers she will again face in the November general election. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)

Peltola nets huge financial catch

Filings show $1.5M raised for most recent period , Palin $250K, Begich $118K

Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, is followed by her staff and members of the media at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, a day before she was sworn in after winning Alaska’s special election in August. As as result of her win she has since far outraised the two Republican challengers she will again face in the November general election. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)
Passengers lounge on the dock of an Alaska Marine Highway System ferry as it departs Juneau in this photo posted Sept. 1 at the AMHS Facebook page. (Alaska State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Ferry schedule shows long service gaps for 4 Southeast communities —for now

Kake, Pelican, Angoon and Tenakee Springs omitted from schedule, but additions are pending

Passengers lounge on the dock of an Alaska Marine Highway System ferry as it departs Juneau in this photo posted Sept. 1 at the AMHS Facebook page. (Alaska State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
(Juneau Empire File)

Alaska State Troopers expect body cameras by next year

Vendor for cameras ID’d, policy is still being drafted.

(Juneau Empire File)
Republican Nick Begich, left, responds to a question at Thursday’s candidate forum for Alaska’s U.S. House candidates, hosted by Southeast Conference in Ketchikan. Republican Sarah Palin participated in the forum by teleconference. Southeast Conference Executive Director Robert Venables, right, acted as the moderator of the forum. Incumbent Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola was unable to participate in the forum but briefly provided an update to conference attendees remotely later in the day. (Sam Stockbridge / Ketchikan Daily News)

U.S. House candidates positive — to a point

Begich and Palin both clashed and found common ground in Ketchikan.

Republican Nick Begich, left, responds to a question at Thursday’s candidate forum for Alaska’s U.S. House candidates, hosted by Southeast Conference in Ketchikan. Republican Sarah Palin participated in the forum by teleconference. Southeast Conference Executive Director Robert Venables, right, acted as the moderator of the forum. Incumbent Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola was unable to participate in the forum but briefly provided an update to conference attendees remotely later in the day. (Sam Stockbridge / Ketchikan Daily News)
This image provided by the National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows a satellite view over Alaska, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. A vast swath of western Alaska could see flooding and high winds as the remnants of Typhoon Merbok move toward the Bering Sea region. The National Weather Service had in place coastal flood warnings, beginning Friday, spanning from parts of the Yukon Delta in southwest Alaska up to St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea and to the Bering Strait coast. (NOAA via AP)

Western Alaska braces for strong storm, possible floods

JUNEAU — A vast swath of western Alaska could see flooding and high winds as the remnants of Typhoon Merbok move toward the Bering Sea… Continue reading

This image provided by the National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows a satellite view over Alaska, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. A vast swath of western Alaska could see flooding and high winds as the remnants of Typhoon Merbok move toward the Bering Sea region. The National Weather Service had in place coastal flood warnings, beginning Friday, spanning from parts of the Yukon Delta in southwest Alaska up to St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea and to the Bering Strait coast. (NOAA via AP)
This combination image shows gubernatorial candidates Les Gara and Bill Walker. Gara, a former Democratic state lawmaker, and Walker, former independent governor of Alaska, took questions during a forum held as part of the annual Southeast Conference meeting. Both candidates noted the absence of incumbent Gov, Mike Dunleavy, who has been a no-show at several recent forums. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Walker, Gara largely agree on Southeast issues — and governor’s absence

Dunleavy again absent at candidate forum as two other contenders talk ferries, fish and finances

This combination image shows gubernatorial candidates Les Gara and Bill Walker. Gara, a former Democratic state lawmaker, and Walker, former independent governor of Alaska, took questions during a forum held as part of the annual Southeast Conference meeting. Both candidates noted the absence of incumbent Gov, Mike Dunleavy, who has been a no-show at several recent forums. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The cruise industry and it's impacts on the Southeast Alaska economy are both major topics during this week's Southeast Conference. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Sunny outlook among regional leaders in Ketchikan

Optimism about post-pandemic recovery and growth of industries expressed at Southeast Conference

The cruise industry and it's impacts on the Southeast Alaska economy are both major topics during this week's Southeast Conference. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
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U.S. Senate hopefuls cast net for Southeast votes

Murkowski, Tshibaka and Chesbro apply their broad themes to specific issues at Southeast Conference

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Fired Exxon Valdez skipper Joseph Hazelwood, right, sits with his lawyer Michael Chalos as a photograph of the tanker is displayed on an easel in Anchorage Superior Court, March 20, 1990. Hazelwood, the captain of the Exxon Valdez oil tanker that ran aground more than three decades ago in Alaska, causing one of the worst oil spills in U.S. history, has died in July 2022, the New York Times reported. He was 75. (AP File Photo / Jack Smith)

Exxon Valdez Capt. Joseph Hazelwood dies

He was 75.

Fired Exxon Valdez skipper Joseph Hazelwood, right, sits with his lawyer Michael Chalos as a photograph of the tanker is displayed on an easel in Anchorage Superior Court, March 20, 1990. Hazelwood, the captain of the Exxon Valdez oil tanker that ran aground more than three decades ago in Alaska, causing one of the worst oil spills in U.S. history, has died in July 2022, the New York Times reported. He was 75. (AP File Photo / Jack Smith)
Alaska gubernatorial candidates Bill Walker, left, and Les Gara participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Gara and Walker face off at forum

The two, who found common ground on some issues, took aim at Dunleavy

Alaska gubernatorial candidates Bill Walker, left, and Les Gara participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Amanda Triplett, at right on overhead screen, discusses the University of Alaska’s “Did You Know” program while faculty members in the background hold up signs protesting a labor contract stalemate during the Board of Regent’s meeting Friday in Juneau. The program highlights cooperative efforts the university is participating in with communities such as workplace experience and dual enrollments with other educational institutions. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Title IX more than mere sport for UA leaders

Chancellors praise campus anti-discrimination programs, but board member calls changes “insidious”

Amanda Triplett, at right on overhead screen, discusses the University of Alaska’s “Did You Know” program while faculty members in the background hold up signs protesting a labor contract stalemate during the Board of Regent’s meeting Friday in Juneau. The program highlights cooperative efforts the university is participating in with communities such as workplace experience and dual enrollments with other educational institutions. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Sean Parnell, a former Alaska governor and current chancellor at the University of Alaska Anchorage, discusses partnerships with local schools and other community groups during the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents meeting Thursday at the University of Alaska Southeast. In the background employees with the faculty’s union hold up signs protesting a stalemate in contract negotiations that has lasted more than a year. The two-day meeting continuing Friday is the board’s first in Juneau since 2018. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

‘Excitement’ and challenges factor into UA board meeting

Board members hear about revitalized students, demoralized staff at first Juneau meeting since 2018

Sean Parnell, a former Alaska governor and current chancellor at the University of Alaska Anchorage, discusses partnerships with local schools and other community groups during the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents meeting Thursday at the University of Alaska Southeast. In the background employees with the faculty’s union hold up signs protesting a stalemate in contract negotiations that has lasted more than a year. The two-day meeting continuing Friday is the board’s first in Juneau since 2018. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)