James Brooks

The first snow of the season covers Juneau on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Angelo Saggiomo | Juneau Empire)

Friday’s snowfall was normal, and that’s unusual

Juneau’s first snowfall of the season brought 3.5 inches of heavy, wet flakes to Juneau International Airport on Friday, according to measurements taken by the… Continue reading

The first snow of the season covers Juneau on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Angelo Saggiomo | Juneau Empire)

Senate approves criminal justice reform bill, adjourns special session

Despite warnings from some of the state’s top legal minds, the Alaska Senate on Friday approved a constitutionally problematic criminal justice reform bill, then adjourned… Continue reading

FOX fight blocks football in Juneau

A dispute between Juneau’s FOX TV affiliate and cable TV provider GCI is likely to keep Alaskans from watching football this weekend. In a sternly… Continue reading

In this September 2014 photo, Field Morey, an FAA-Certified Flight Instructor from Medford, Oregon, applies an Alaskan flag sticker to the side of his 2013 Cessna Corvalis TTx four- passenger airplane after landing in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

State may charge aircraft registration fee

You have to register your car with the state of Alaska each year. You may soon have to register your plane, too. The State of… Continue reading

In this September 2014 photo, Field Morey, an FAA-Certified Flight Instructor from Medford, Oregon, applies an Alaskan flag sticker to the side of his 2013 Cessna Corvalis TTx four- passenger airplane after landing in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Juneau expected to get 3-6 inches of snow today

UPDATE: The National Weather Service’s winter storm warning for Juneau has been downgraded to an advisory, with new snow totals around 3 to 6 inches.… Continue reading

Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, watches the House debate on SB 26 from the Elizabeth Peratrovich Gallery Wednesday, April 5, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska Senator from Wasilla denies any wrongdoing with staffer

A June incident involving a House staffer and state Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, has prompted lawmakers to re-examine how they handle staff complaints about sexual… Continue reading

Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, watches the House debate on SB 26 from the Elizabeth Peratrovich Gallery Wednesday, April 5, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Alaska Electric Light and Power Company Lemon Creek operations center in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

State regulators reject sale of AEL&P to Canadian firm

Alaska’s utility regulator has rejected a request from Canadian firm Hydro One to take over Alaska Electric Light and Power. The rejection was based on… Continue reading

Alaska Electric Light and Power Company Lemon Creek operations center in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

University regents will request more cash from Legislature

The leaders of the University of Alaska are expected to ask the Alaska Legislature for a 7.7 percent budget increase this week. The UA Board… Continue reading

Walker signs landmark gas pipeline deal

Gov. Bill Walker traveled to Beijing with a president. He may be returning to Alaska with a pipeline. At 7:15 p.m. Alaska time Wednesday evening,… Continue reading

A file cart is seen packed with amendments outside the House Chambers on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017 in the Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Legal analysis finds big problem with SB 54

After a weeklong whirlwind of amendments, Senate Bill 54 is in the hands of the lawyers — and some of them aren’t happy. A late… Continue reading

A file cart is seen packed with amendments outside the House Chambers on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017 in the Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

House votes to partially roll back Senate Bill 91

The Alaska House of Representatives has voted to roll back the controversial criminal justice measure Senate Bill 91, but lawmakers failed to pass a full… Continue reading

In this April 26 photo, Gov. Bill Walker holds a press conference at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Gov. Bill Walker expected to make gasline announcement tonight

Gov. Bill Walker is expected to make a significant announcement tonight on the future of the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline. Walker, who is in… Continue reading

In this April 26 photo, Gov. Bill Walker holds a press conference at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Anchorage Republicans seek to move Legislature from Juneau

A pair of Anchorage Republicans have announced their intentions to begin raising money for a 2020 ballot initiative that seeks to move the Alaska Legislature… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 6, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska State Troopers investigate man who threatened lawmakers for ‘coddling the guilty’

House floor debates over Senate Bill 54 enter their fourth day today after a tumultuous weekend that saw the Speaker of the House warn Alaska… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 6, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska House starts voting on rollback of criminal justice reform

As voting began Saturday morning on floor amendments to Senate Bill 54, members of the Alaska House of Representatives found themselves divided into two camps.… Continue reading

House Finance Committee members listen as Ed King, Legislative Liaison for the Department of Natural Resources, give the Preliminary 2017 Fall Production Forecast at the Capitol on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Taxes and budget grab Legislature’s attention this week

With a House-passed version of Senate Bill 54 likely headed to the Senate, both the House and Senate are beginning to turn their attention to… Continue reading

House Finance Committee members listen as Ed King, Legislative Liaison for the Department of Natural Resources, give the Preliminary 2017 Fall Production Forecast at the Capitol on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
State attorneys Elizabeth Bakalar, foreground left, and Margaret Paton-Walsh, foreground right, listen to arguments made by attorney Jon Choate on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 in Alaska Superior Court in Juneau. At background left is Judge Philip Pallenberg. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire file)

State appeals Democrats’ win in ballot lawsuit

The State of Alaska is appealing a decision that would allow independent political candidates to run in the primary election of the Alaska Democratic Party.… Continue reading

State attorneys Elizabeth Bakalar, foreground left, and Margaret Paton-Walsh, foreground right, listen to arguments made by attorney Jon Choate on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 in Alaska Superior Court in Juneau. At background left is Judge Philip Pallenberg. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire file)

Rain-snow mix expected Monday

Juneau’s first snowfall of the season may come almost right on schedule. National Weather Service forecasters here expect sunny and cool conditions to continue through… Continue reading

Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, left, speaks with Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks, as the House Finance Committee meets on how to pay for SB54, a criminal justice bill, at the Capitol on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers amend SB 54 as measure nears House floor vote

Stealing a new iPhone may land someone in jail for felony theft if a new version of Senate Bill 54 becomes law. In a marathon… Continue reading

Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, left, speaks with Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks, as the House Finance Committee meets on how to pay for SB54, a criminal justice bill, at the Capitol on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alaska Gov. Bill Walker boards Air Force One on Friday morning, joining President Donald Trump for a flight to Hawaii with other governors for a discussion on issues important to the Pacific Rim. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor)

Gov. Bill Walker will travel to China with President Donald Trump

Gov. Bill Walker will be among the entourage of President Donald Trump as the president begins a trip to Asia this week. Walker told reporters… Continue reading

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker boards Air Force One on Friday morning, joining President Donald Trump for a flight to Hawaii with other governors for a discussion on issues important to the Pacific Rim. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor)