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Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Susan McKenzie, director of Innovation and Education Excellence for the state’s education department, testifies about two bills during a House Education Committee meeting on Monday. McKenzie, scheduled to become commissioner of the Department of Education and Early Development on April 1, announced Wednesday she has decided not to accept the job for personal reasons.

Education commissioner designee changes mind, rejects job

Susan McKenzie cites personal reasons in withdrawing only a few weeks after accepting appointment

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Susan McKenzie, director of Innovation and Education Excellence for the state’s education department, testifies about two bills during a House Education Committee meeting on Monday. McKenzie, scheduled to become commissioner of the Department of Education and Early Development on April 1, announced Wednesday she has decided not to accept the job for personal reasons.
Snow blankets the courtyard outside the Juneau - State Courthouse, where a sit-in starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday was announced by people protesting what they called unconstitutional restrictions recently placed on grand juries. Only one protester said she came by shortly before noon, but didn’t stay long because no other people were there. Similar (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Cold case for grand jury protesters

Participants gather in wintry weather to air claims of unconstitutional restrictions on process

Snow blankets the courtyard outside the Juneau - State Courthouse, where a sit-in starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday was announced by people protesting what they called unconstitutional restrictions recently placed on grand juries. Only one protester said she came by shortly before noon, but didn’t stay long because no other people were there. Similar (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The banks of the Kenai River can be seen on July 14, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

KRSA founder Bob Penney dead at 90

Statements were released by KRSA, Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Gov. Mike Dunleavy

The banks of the Kenai River can be seen on July 14, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
An employee leaves the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, where the 60 members of the Alaska State Legislature are slated to get a 67% pay increase to $84,000 annually following the unanimous vote by the five new members of the Alaska State Officers Compensation Commission, who were appointed during the past week to replace commission members whose majority voted to rejected the raises. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Sudden 67% pay hike OK’d for legislators

Salary commission that rejected raises is replaced by new members who recommend salaries of $84K.

An employee leaves the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, where the 60 members of the Alaska State Legislature are slated to get a 67% pay increase to $84,000 annually following the unanimous vote by the five new members of the Alaska State Officers Compensation Commission, who were appointed during the past week to replace commission members whose majority voted to rejected the raises. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

ACLU of Alaska sues over prison involuntary medication rules

The organization said it filed a lawsuit against state corrections officials Wednesday

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Ryan Redington poses with his lead dogs Sven, left, and Ghost, after he won the 2023 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Tuesday, March 14, 2023 in Nome, Alaska. Redington, 40, is the grandson of Joe Redington Sr., who helped co-found the arduous race across Alaska that was first held in 1973 and is known as the “Father of the Iditarod.” (Loren Holmes / Anchorage Daily News)

Iditarod co-founder’s grandson Ryan Redington wins dog race

Ryan Redington on Tuesday won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

Ryan Redington poses with his lead dogs Sven, left, and Ghost, after he won the 2023 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Tuesday, March 14, 2023 in Nome, Alaska. Redington, 40, is the grandson of Joe Redington Sr., who helped co-found the arduous race across Alaska that was first held in 1973 and is known as the “Father of the Iditarod.” (Loren Holmes / Anchorage Daily News)
A small crowd gathers outside the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday evening for an annual vigil recognizing residents who have died from suicide. Alaska has one of the highest rates of suicide in the United States. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A candle for each life no longer lit

Annual vigil at Capitol recognizes rising number of deaths by suicide in Alaska.

A small crowd gathers outside the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday evening for an annual vigil recognizing residents who have died from suicide. Alaska has one of the highest rates of suicide in the United States. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A sign points to the two wells, Tinmiaq 2 and 6, that are part of ConocoPhillips Willow project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. (Courtesy of ConocoPhillips)

Many ‘what’s next’ questions remain for Willow and drilling ban

Newly approved project facing lawsuits, while halt on new activity may not be relevant or permanent.

A sign points to the two wells, Tinmiaq 2 and 6, that are part of ConocoPhillips Willow project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. (Courtesy of ConocoPhillips)
Susan McKenzie, director of Innovation and Education Excellence, foreground, and Deb Riddle, division operations manager for the state Department of Education and Early Development, explain details of bills to restrict mentioning sex/gender in schools and give teachers year-end retention bonuses during a House Education Committee meeting Monday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Bill limiting sex, gender talk in schools gets first public hearing

Testimony limited to supporters who refer to indoctrination, religion in arguing parents know best.

Susan McKenzie, director of Innovation and Education Excellence, foreground, and Deb Riddle, division operations manager for the state Department of Education and Early Development, explain details of bills to restrict mentioning sex/gender in schools and give teachers year-end retention bonuses during a House Education Committee meeting Monday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope. President Joe Biden will prevent or limit oil drilling in 16 million acres of Alaska and the Arctic Ocean, an administration official said on Sunday, March 12, 2023. The expected announcement comes as regulators prepare to announce a final decision on the controversial Willow project. (ConocoPhillips)

Biden OKs Willow project

Move comes after the administration said it would bar or limit drilling in other areas.

This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope. President Joe Biden will prevent or limit oil drilling in 16 million acres of Alaska and the Arctic Ocean, an administration official said on Sunday, March 12, 2023. The expected announcement comes as regulators prepare to announce a final decision on the controversial Willow project. (ConocoPhillips)
State Rep. Cliff Groh, D-Anchorage, testifies about his proposed constitutional amendment that would change how Permanent Fund earnings are allocated during a House Ways and Means Committee meeting Saturday morning at the Alaska State Capitol. The committee spent two hours taking testimony almost entirely by phone from residents statewide about five proposals related to the Permanent Fund and dividends, which continued the long historical pattern of strongly divided feelings about how much money to use for dividends vs. state government programs. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

PFD proposals polarize and puzzle

Residents all over Alaska’s map are also all over the policy map during hearing on various proposals

State Rep. Cliff Groh, D-Anchorage, testifies about his proposed constitutional amendment that would change how Permanent Fund earnings are allocated during a House Ways and Means Committee meeting Saturday morning at the Alaska State Capitol. The committee spent two hours taking testimony almost entirely by phone from residents statewide about five proposals related to the Permanent Fund and dividends, which continued the long historical pattern of strongly divided feelings about how much money to use for dividends vs. state government programs. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The sun beams down on a clock and nearby melting snow. A bill that calls for Alaska to choose to remain in Daylight Saving Time for the entirety of the year and say farewell to the switch to Standard Time has been reintroduced to the Alaska Legislature this session. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

It’s about time: With the switch to Daylight Saving Time on the horizon, Alaska lawmakers push to make the change permanent

It’s a time sensitive issue…

The sun beams down on a clock and nearby melting snow. A bill that calls for Alaska to choose to remain in Daylight Saving Time for the entirety of the year and say farewell to the switch to Standard Time has been reintroduced to the Alaska Legislature this session. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The Tazlina docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal Thursday afternoon.

DOT: Staffing shortages mean fewer ferries this summer

Service may improve if more crew becomes available, officials say

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The Tazlina docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal Thursday afternoon.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs a memorandum of understanding Thursday afternoon between the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and Goldbelt Inc. to pursue engineering and design services to determine whether it’s feasible to build a new ferry terminal facility in Juneau at Cascade Point. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

State signs agreement with Goldbelt Inc. for Cascade Point ferry terminal feasibility study

A long-discussed project took a step forward…

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs a memorandum of understanding Thursday afternoon between the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and Goldbelt Inc. to pursue engineering and design services to determine whether it’s feasible to build a new ferry terminal facility in Juneau at Cascade Point. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A panel discussion about transboundary mining issues involving Alaska and British Columbia is hosted Tuesday by state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, during the Juneau Mining Forum conference Tuesday at the Baranof Hotel. Participating in the discussion were Andrew Rollo, left, assistant deputy minister for Energy Mines and Low Carbon Innovation in B.C., Laurel Nash, assistant deputy minister for the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy in B.C., and Jason Brune, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Toxic mining talks linger between Alaska, Canada

Native and legislative leaders reinterate call for U.S. intervention after Canadian officials’ visit

A panel discussion about transboundary mining issues involving Alaska and British Columbia is hosted Tuesday by state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, during the Juneau Mining Forum conference Tuesday at the Baranof Hotel. Participating in the discussion were Andrew Rollo, left, assistant deputy minister for Energy Mines and Low Carbon Innovation in B.C., Laurel Nash, assistant deputy minister for the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy in B.C., and Jason Brune, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska's North Slope. Pressure is building on the social media platform TikTok to urge President Joe Biden to reject an oil development project on Alaska's North Slope from young voters concerned about climate change. That's blunted by Alaska Native leaders who support ConocoPhillips' development called Willow. (ConocoPhillips)

TikTok push targets Biden on Alaska’s huge Willow oil plan

However, in Alaska, there have been visible shows of support for the project.

This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska's North Slope. Pressure is building on the social media platform TikTok to urge President Joe Biden to reject an oil development project on Alaska's North Slope from young voters concerned about climate change. That's blunted by Alaska Native leaders who support ConocoPhillips' development called Willow. (ConocoPhillips)
In this photo provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey is the Tanaga Volcano near Adak, Alaska, on May 23, 2021. A swarm of earthquakes occurring over the past few weeks has intensified at a remote Alaska volcano dormant for over a century, a possible indication of an impending eruption. The Alaska Volcano Observatory raised the alert level to advisory status for Tanaga Volcano late Tuesday, March 7, 2023, after the quakes became very vigorous. (Matt Loewen/Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey)

Swarm of quakes at Alaska volcano could mean eruption coming

The Alaska Volcano Observatory raised the alert level to advisory status for Tanaga Volcano.

In this photo provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey is the Tanaga Volcano near Adak, Alaska, on May 23, 2021. A swarm of earthquakes occurring over the past few weeks has intensified at a remote Alaska volcano dormant for over a century, a possible indication of an impending eruption. The Alaska Volcano Observatory raised the alert level to advisory status for Tanaga Volcano late Tuesday, March 7, 2023, after the quakes became very vigorous. (Matt Loewen/Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey)
A driver charges an electric car at a parking lot of a shopping mall in Tallinn, Estonia, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023. Many electric vehicle batteries lose power when it’s very cold. (AP Photo / Sergei Grits)

Global race to boost electric vehicle range in cold weather

Longer trips can be difficult in the coldest weather.

A driver charges an electric car at a parking lot of a shopping mall in Tallinn, Estonia, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023. Many electric vehicle batteries lose power when it’s very cold. (AP Photo / Sergei Grits)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Alaska rights commission limits LGBTQ+ discrimination cases

ANCHORAGE — Alaska’s human rights commission has reversed an earlier policy and now is only investigating LGBTQ+ discrimination complaints related to workplace discrimination and not… Continue reading

Gavel (Courtesy photo)
A unanimous vote by the state House on Monday made a bill by state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, the first potential new law to pass both chambers of the Legislature. The bill which giving disabled veterans lifetime trapping licenses officially would cost the state nothing, and essentially is a corrective measure to existing law that give such veterans free hunting and fishing licenses. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Free trapping licenses for vets is first bill to pass full Legislature

No-cost measure passed unanimously would be Juneau Sen. Jesse Kiehl’s third bill to become law

A unanimous vote by the state House on Monday made a bill by state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, the first potential new law to pass both chambers of the Legislature. The bill which giving disabled veterans lifetime trapping licenses officially would cost the state nothing, and essentially is a corrective measure to existing law that give such veterans free hunting and fishing licenses. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)