James Brooks

Will Muldoon, a data processing technician for the state of Alaska, boxes printed pink slip letters at a printing facility in the State Office Building on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The letters will be sent to state employees on Thursday, June 1, if the legislature fails to pass a budget by then. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska’s shutdown doom is now one month away

The letters came off the printer on Tuesday afternoon with the regularity of a ticking clock. There is now one month remaining before Alaska’s state… Continue reading

Will Muldoon, a data processing technician for the state of Alaska, boxes printed pink slip letters at a printing facility in the State Office Building on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The letters will be sent to state employees on Thursday, June 1, if the legislature fails to pass a budget by then. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
David Kunat is seen in this 2016 image. (David Kunat photo | Facebook)

Friends, family mourn Juneau pilot killed in plane crash

The pilot of Saturday’s fatal plane crash south of Haines is being remembered as an outgoing and smart adventurer with friends across Southeast Alaska. David… Continue reading

David Kunat is seen in this 2016 image. (David Kunat photo | Facebook)

Legislature approves some fixes to last year’s criminal justice reform

Alaska’s prosecutors, police and rape victims are getting some extra help from the Alaska Legislature. In one of its final actions of the regular session,… Continue reading

Juneau hits 70 degrees for the first time in 2017

Alaska’s capital city saw a high temperature of 71 degrees Tuesday, hitting the 70-degree mark at Juneau International Airport for the first time in 2017.… Continue reading

Salmon defenders propose 2018 ballot initative, predict huge fish fight

Salmon defenders propose 2018 ballot initative, predict huge fish fight

A group of the state’s staunchest salmon defenders is proposing a ballot initiative that seeks to strengthen legal protections for Alaska’s fish-bearing streams and rivers.… Continue reading

Salmon defenders propose 2018 ballot initative, predict huge fish fight
Gov. Bill Walker signs a special session proclamation Wednesday night, May 17, 2017 in his office on the third floor of the Alaska Capitol (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Gov. Walker calls lawmakers into special session

The Alaska Legislature is headed into a special session. On Wednesday night, the Alaska House of Representatives and Alaska Senate adjourned the first regular session… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker signs a special session proclamation Wednesday night, May 17, 2017 in his office on the third floor of the Alaska Capitol (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Legislature allows Uber, Lyft to operate in Alaska

Legislature allows Uber, Lyft to operate in Alaska

Alaska’s future with Uber is in the hands of Gov. Bill Walker. On Wednesday, the Alaska Senate voted unanimously to approve House Bill 132, which… Continue reading

Legislature allows Uber, Lyft to operate in Alaska
In this March 30, 2012, photo, Drew Phoenix, left, speaks to a reporter in Anchorage. (Rachel D’Oro | Associated Press File)

Legislature rejects transgender man for Human Rights Commission

The Alaska Legislature has refused to confirm the appointment of a transgender Fairbanks man to the state’s human rights commission. The Legislature, meeting in joint… Continue reading

In this March 30, 2012, photo, Drew Phoenix, left, speaks to a reporter in Anchorage. (Rachel D’Oro | Associated Press File)

Alaska lawmakers ask themselves: How much longer?

Wednesday is the 121st and final day of the Alaska Legislature’s 2017 regular session. There’s more to come. Despite four months of work, lawmakers have… Continue reading

State Rep. David Eastman, a Republican freshman from Wasilla, is seen during the introduction of the newly-elected house speaker at the Alaska Legislature in Juneau on Jan. 17, 2017. (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press File)

Wasilla Republican asks Alaska Legislature to criminalize abortion

Wasilla Republican David Eastman has proposed a measure making abortion illegal in the state of Alaska. On Monday, Eastman introduced House Bill 250, which ─… Continue reading

State Rep. David Eastman, a Republican freshman from Wasilla, is seen during the introduction of the newly-elected house speaker at the Alaska Legislature in Juneau on Jan. 17, 2017. (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press File)
Crew of visiting U.S. Navy destroyer have one thing atop their menu

Crew of visiting U.S. Navy destroyer have one thing atop their menu

Two months out from their home port of Pearl Harbor, the crew of the destroyer USS O’Kane have a top priority as they visit Juneau… Continue reading

Crew of visiting U.S. Navy destroyer have one thing atop their menu
The Alaska Capitol is seen on May 15, 2017. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

After nearly a decade of opposition, Alaska may pass ID card legislation

Alaska is closer than ever to becoming part of the national ID system known as REAL ID. On Monday, the Alaska Senate voted 14-5 to… Continue reading

The Alaska Capitol is seen on May 15, 2017. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

On Uber, Alaska House takes the scenic route

One vehicle is stalled, but a second is driving forward. On Monday, the Alaska House of Representatives voted 35-5 to allow ride-sharing companies like Uber… Continue reading

New traffic system signals smoother driving

If you haven’t noticed it, it’s working. In October, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities installed a new traffic management system to reduce… Continue reading

Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, is flanked by Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage (left) and Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna (right) during a press conference following the 15-4 defeat of the income tax measure known as House Bill 115. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Senate kills income tax

The Alaska Senate on Friday voted 15-4 to kill an income tax proposed by the House, all but ensuring the Alaska’s multibillion-dollar deficit will not… Continue reading

Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, is flanked by Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage (left) and Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna (right) during a press conference following the 15-4 defeat of the income tax measure known as House Bill 115. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

U.S. Navy destroyer O’Kane arrives in Juneau Saturday

For the first time since 2008, Alaska’s capital city will welcome a U.S. Navy warship. On Saturday, the destroyer USS O’Kane and its 281 crew… Continue reading

Senate drains savings account to cover oil subsidies

Alaska’s Senate voted Thursday to drain one of the state’s remaining savings accounts to make a big down payment on a pile of promised drilling… Continue reading

Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, holds a town hall meeting at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Parish finds friendly crowd for income tax

Rep. Justin Parish found a friendly crowd Tuesday evening as the Alaska Legislature prepares for a final vote on whether to implement an Alaska income… Continue reading

Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, holds a town hall meeting at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, issues an apology for his comments last week on abortion while other House lawmakers listen. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

House censures Rep. Eastman for ‘village’ abortion comments

The Alaska House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to censure Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, for his recent comments claiming that some rural Alaska women become… Continue reading

Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, issues an apology for his comments last week on abortion while other House lawmakers listen. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

No one wants the ferry Taku

No one wants the ferry Taku. According to the Alaska Marine Highway System, no one has met the minimum $1.5 million bid to buy the… Continue reading