News

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a new conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 27, 2022, to call on lawmakers to pass a "substantial" Permanent Fund Dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

As end of session nears, Gov ‘optimistic’ for large PFD

“At least” $3,700.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a new conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 27, 2022, to call on lawmakers to pass a "substantial" Permanent Fund Dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The University of Alaska and the union representing full-time faculty across the system, including the University of Alaska Southeast, have agreed to enter into federal mediation after eight months of contract negotiations have failed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

University and faculty union head into mediation

Inflation pressures.

The University of Alaska and the union representing full-time faculty across the system, including the University of Alaska Southeast, have agreed to enter into federal mediation after eight months of contract negotiations have failed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Jeff Lowenfels, a former state Attorney General and avid garden writer is running for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He's in a race with 48 other candidates but he says he has the unique experience that can serve all Alaska. (Courtesy photo / Jeff Lowenfels)

From gardener to government: Jeff Lowenfels seeks House seat

Long legal career.

Jeff Lowenfels, a former state Attorney General and avid garden writer is running for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He's in a race with 48 other candidates but he says he has the unique experience that can serve all Alaska. (Courtesy photo / Jeff Lowenfels)
Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Corri Feigi, right, and Deputy Attorney General Cori Mills, announced alongside Gov. Mike Dunleavy the state was issuing lawsuits against the federal government for its failure to convey submerged lands to the state. Feige said at the conference the state's rule applied to navigable waterways including Mendenhall Lake and said motorized boats were allowed on the lake. (Screenshot)

Dunleavy announces lawsuits over submerged lands

State rules.

Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Corri Feigi, right, and Deputy Attorney General Cori Mills, announced alongside Gov. Mike Dunleavy the state was issuing lawsuits against the federal government for its failure to convey submerged lands to the state. Feige said at the conference the state's rule applied to navigable waterways including Mendenhall Lake and said motorized boats were allowed on the lake. (Screenshot)
Former state lawmaker from Fairbanks John Coghill was in Juneau on Friday, April 22, 2022, and is running for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, vacated recently by the death of Don Young. Coghill faces a crowded field but says he has the experience and pragmatism to get the job done. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Former state lawmaker John Coghill says Congress needs his experience

Not long after Don Young’s death, several people reached out to John Coghill asking if he’d be interested in running for Alaska’s lone seat in… Continue reading

Former state lawmaker from Fairbanks John Coghill was in Juneau on Friday, April 22, 2022, and is running for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, vacated recently by the death of Don Young. Coghill faces a crowded field but says he has the experience and pragmatism to get the job done. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Gregg Brelsford, an independent candidate for Alaska’s U.S. House of Representatives seat, poses for a photo on Friday, April 15, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer New)

‘No drama’ Brelsford running for Congress

Former Republican running as an undeclared candidate touts civic experience

Gregg Brelsford, an independent candidate for Alaska’s U.S. House of Representatives seat, poses for a photo on Friday, April 15, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer New)
FILE - In this April 23, 2021 photo, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks during a news briefing at the White House in Washington. Secretary Haaland vowed on her first day on the job to ensure Native American tribes have opportunities to speak with her and the agencies she oversees. Native American and Alaska Native groups are seeing change under Haaland but some remain frustrated with the pace of action. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Haaland announces land transfers for Alaska Native veterans

An additional 27 million acres of land will be made available to Vietnam War-era veterans.

FILE - In this April 23, 2021 photo, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks during a news briefing at the White House in Washington. Secretary Haaland vowed on her first day on the job to ensure Native American tribes have opportunities to speak with her and the agencies she oversees. Native American and Alaska Native groups are seeing change under Haaland but some remain frustrated with the pace of action. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
The Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill reducing sentences for and clearing records for marijuana possession on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, a day adopted as an unofficial holiday by cannabis users. The maker of the bill said the timing was no intended. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House passes marijuana bill on cannabis ‘holiday’

Pure coincidence.

The Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill reducing sentences for and clearing records for marijuana possession on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, a day adopted as an unofficial holiday by cannabis users. The maker of the bill said the timing was no intended. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks briefly to reporters as she leaves a courthouse in New York, Feb. 14, 2022. Palin is one of 48 candidates for Alaska's lone U.S. House seat, which was held for decades by Republican Rep. Don Young, who died last month. Palin says she's serious about the run though some critics have questioned her motivations. (AP Photo / Seth Wenig)

Palin on serving in Congress: ‘It would be all about Alaska’

Palin is among 48 candidates running for Alaska’s lone House seat.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks briefly to reporters as she leaves a courthouse in New York, Feb. 14, 2022. Palin is one of 48 candidates for Alaska's lone U.S. House seat, which was held for decades by Republican Rep. Don Young, who died last month. Palin says she's serious about the run though some critics have questioned her motivations. (AP Photo / Seth Wenig)
Alaska U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan speaks to reporters after addressing a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Sullivan said he is supporting fellow Republican, Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, in her reelection bid this year but said he has not yet endorsed a candidate in Alaska’s U.S. House race. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Sullivan says he hasn’t endorsed yet in Alaska’s House race

By Becky Bohrer Associated Press U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan said he is supporting fellow Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski in her reelection bid this year and… Continue reading

Alaska U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan speaks to reporters after addressing a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Sullivan said he is supporting fellow Republican, Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, in her reelection bid this year but said he has not yet endorsed a candidate in Alaska’s U.S. House race. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. In his annual address to state lawmakers, Sullivan was highly critical of the environmentally-focused policies of the Biden Administration and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, who's visiting Alaska this week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Sullivan has harsh words for Haaland, White House in annual address

Senator urges feds to “unleash” Alaska’s energy.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. In his annual address to state lawmakers, Sullivan was highly critical of the environmentally-focused policies of the Biden Administration and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, who's visiting Alaska this week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Hiring signs in the windows of businesses in downtown Juneau on Monday, April 18, 2022. Over a million passengers are expected to arrive aboard large cruise ships this summer, and local business say its been a challenge finding enough workers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Cruise ships are returning to Juneau, will seasonal workers?

Businesses cite disruption, housing in challenging hiring market.

Hiring signs in the windows of businesses in downtown Juneau on Monday, April 18, 2022. Over a million passengers are expected to arrive aboard large cruise ships this summer, and local business say its been a challenge finding enough workers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A Forest Service fire crew gets brief during an operation. Fire crews from Alaska are frequently deployed to the Lower 48 to help combat wildfires that are growing larger and closer to urban areas in many cases. (Courtesy photo / Parker Anders)

Into the fire: Alaska’s wildlands firefighters eye coming dry season

Alaska’s wildlands firefighters lend a hand where needed nationwide.

A Forest Service fire crew gets brief during an operation. Fire crews from Alaska are frequently deployed to the Lower 48 to help combat wildfires that are growing larger and closer to urban areas in many cases. (Courtesy photo / Parker Anders)
In this photo made available by the U.S. Air Force, two Air Force F-35A Lighting IIs assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing fly over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, April 14, 2022. The final two F-35A Joint Strike Fighter jets have arrived at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Alaska, completing the full complement of 54 aircraft. Col. David “Ajax” Berkland of the 354 Fighter Wing at Eielson called it “a really significant day for us in terms of the buildup of Eielson Air Force Base.” (Senior Airman Jose Miguel Tamondong / U.S. Air Force via AP)

Arrival of final 2 F-35s completes complement at Alaska base

FAIRBANKS — The final two F-35A Joint Strike Fighter jets have arrived at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, completing the full complement of 54… Continue reading

In this photo made available by the U.S. Air Force, two Air Force F-35A Lighting IIs assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing fly over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, April 14, 2022. The final two F-35A Joint Strike Fighter jets have arrived at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Alaska, completing the full complement of 54 aircraft. Col. David “Ajax” Berkland of the 354 Fighter Wing at Eielson called it “a really significant day for us in terms of the buildup of Eielson Air Force Base.” (Senior Airman Jose Miguel Tamondong / U.S. Air Force via AP)
UAS

House passes bill to protect higher education funding

A month left in session.

UAS
In a photo provided by the NFL, Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore smiles near Fairbanks, Alaska, April 5, 2022, during the 2022 NFL-USO Tour. Moore was awestruck by the conditions military members must battle. And by their resolve and resourcefulness — things any pro athlete can identify with. (NFL)

USO Tour for NFL players includes ice fishing, moose sighting

Ice fishing, moose and F-35s.

In a photo provided by the NFL, Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore smiles near Fairbanks, Alaska, April 5, 2022, during the 2022 NFL-USO Tour. Moore was awestruck by the conditions military members must battle. And by their resolve and resourcefulness — things any pro athlete can identify with. (NFL)
This image available under the Creative Commons license shows the outline of the state of Alaska filled with the pattern of the state flag. The state on Thursday reported a modest population growth between April 2020 and July 2021. It's the first time since 2016 the state has reported a population increase. (

Alaska Redistricting Board adopts new maps after court order

The Alaska Redistricting Board adopted the plan, 3-2.

This image available under the Creative Commons license shows the outline of the state of Alaska filled with the pattern of the state flag. The state on Thursday reported a modest population growth between April 2020 and July 2021. It's the first time since 2016 the state has reported a population increase. (
Sen. Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with the Empire in his office at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, after the Alaska State Senate passed the Alaska Reads Act, a bill he originially introduced with Gov. Mike Dunleavy in 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Senate passes comprehensive reading bill

‘A good chance.”

Sen. Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with the Empire in his office at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, after the Alaska State Senate passed the Alaska Reads Act, a bill he originially introduced with Gov. Mike Dunleavy in 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Kelly Tshibaka, left, a Republican, smiles as she officially files to run in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race, Monday, April 11, 2022, while her husband, Niki Tshibaka, looks on at the Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska. Eleven other candidates have signed up so far in the Senate race, including incumbent U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, also a Republican. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Trump-backed Tshibaka officially files for Senate run

Tshibaka will face off against Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who drew Tshibaka’s aim during a news conference.

Kelly Tshibaka, left, a Republican, smiles as she officially files to run in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race, Monday, April 11, 2022, while her husband, Niki Tshibaka, looks on at the Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska. Eleven other candidates have signed up so far in the Senate race, including incumbent U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, also a Republican. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
Former member of the Alaska House of Representatives Les Gara was in Juneau on Friday, April 8, 2022, and met with the Empire to talk about what sets him apart from the other candidates in the race for governor. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

In governor’s race, Gara says he stands apart

Equality of opportunity.

Former member of the Alaska House of Representatives Les Gara was in Juneau on Friday, April 8, 2022, and met with the Empire to talk about what sets him apart from the other candidates in the race for governor. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)