James Brooks

Sen. Anna MacKinnon, R-Eagle River, co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, works on final amendments to a bill at the Capitol on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

The case of the missing fuel tax

With one week remaining in the Legislature’s regular session, a core piece of the state budget is still receiving no public attention. The rough-draft budgets… Continue reading

Sen. Anna MacKinnon, R-Eagle River, co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, works on final amendments to a bill at the Capitol on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Uber, Lyft bill stalls

A divide between the House and Senate has stalled a push to bring ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft to Alaska. Senate Bill 14, allowing… Continue reading

A rainbow appears over the Lena Cove area on April 28. (Kerry Howard Photo)

Juneau, Alaska see eighth-warmest April on record

A mix of rain and sun brought about the eighth-warmest April in Juneau’s history. According to figures from the National Weather Service, the measuring station… Continue reading

A rainbow appears over the Lena Cove area on April 28. (Kerry Howard Photo)

Oil issues clog Capitol

In your car, oil acts as a lubricant. In the Alaska Legislature, it’s a clotting factor. With 12 days remaining until the Alaska Legislature’s 121-day… Continue reading

Constitutional amendment would guarantee PFD

The leader of the Alaska House of Representatives has introduced a proposal to constitutionally guarantee Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend. The proposal by Rep. Chris Tuck,… Continue reading

State won’t consider changes to beer tax

State won’t consider changes to beer tax

The state of Alaska is spending $3 million per year on beer. That fact won’t change until at least 2018. On Wednesday afternoon, the Alaska… Continue reading

State won’t consider changes to beer tax
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Oil bill could cost billions

The Alaska Senate’s plan to cut the state subsidy for oil and gas drilling could cost Alaska billions of dollars. That’s the conclusion of the… Continue reading

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Alaska Earthquake Center field technician Dara Merz services a seismic station in the White Mountains in 2014. (Photo by Ian Dickson, courtesy Alaska Earthquake Center)

Alaska may lose its 24/7 earthquake monitors to budget cuts

When the shaking stops, Alaska’s seismologists have a goal: 10 minutes. That’s the time it should take for them to consult their instruments, run calculations,… Continue reading

Alaska Earthquake Center field technician Dara Merz services a seismic station in the White Mountains in 2014. (Photo by Ian Dickson, courtesy Alaska Earthquake Center)
In Alaska, mosquitoes bite where Zika won’t

In Alaska, mosquitoes bite where Zika won’t

Mosquitoes bite. In Alaska, Zika won’t. That’s the conclusion of the state’s medical experts, a week after a third Alaskan was identified to have the… Continue reading

In Alaska, mosquitoes bite where Zika won’t

Tlingit and Haida backs House tax plan

Juneau’s regional tribal organization is throwing its support behind the Alaska House Majority’s plan for fixing the state’s multibillion-dollar deficit. On Tuesday, Grace Singh, speaking… Continue reading

The Holland Amerca Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam, right, pulls into Juneau’s downtown harbor as sister ship Eurodam ties up at the AJ Dock on Monday, May 1, 2017. The two ships are the first in a cruise season that is predicted to bring over a million passengers to Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

State’s pollution regulators ready for million-passenger cruise ship season

Juneau will welcome more than 1 million tourists this year aboard some of the biggest cruise ships in the world. The state’s regulators say they’re… Continue reading

The Holland Amerca Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam, right, pulls into Juneau’s downtown harbor as sister ship Eurodam ties up at the AJ Dock on Monday, May 1, 2017. The two ships are the first in a cruise season that is predicted to bring over a million passengers to Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A series of earthquakes in British Columbia awoke many in Juneau and the Yukon Monday morning. (Photo courtesy US Geological Survey)

String of alarm-clock earthquakes awakens northern Southeast and the Yukon

A series of moderate earthquakes rocked Juneau awake early Monday morning, but no significant damage was reported and no tsunami warning was issued. According to… Continue reading

A series of earthquakes in British Columbia awoke many in Juneau and the Yukon Monday morning. (Photo courtesy US Geological Survey)
The Alaska House of Representatives voted 22-17 on Friday, April 28, 2017 to allow Alaskans to register as voters on Election Day. House Bill 1 now goes to the Senate for consideration. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

If Senate agrees, new House bill would make voting easier

If the Senate agrees with the idea, Alaskans will be able to cast their ballots on the same day they register to vote. On Friday… Continue reading

The Alaska House of Representatives voted 22-17 on Friday, April 28, 2017 to allow Alaskans to register as voters on Election Day. House Bill 1 now goes to the Senate for consideration. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Jahna Lindemuth, Alaska Attorney General nominee, leaves the microphone after answering questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. A vote by a joint session of the legislature on Gov. Bill Walkers appointments has been delayed this week. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Republicans dodge vote on Walker appointees

Alaska’s attorney general and more than 100 other Alaskans waiting for legislative confirmation will have to wait for a few more weeks. On Thursday morning,… Continue reading

Jahna Lindemuth, Alaska Attorney General nominee, leaves the microphone after answering questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. A vote by a joint session of the legislature on Gov. Bill Walkers appointments has been delayed this week. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Bill Walker holds a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, to speak about the cuts made in services to Alaskans. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

21 days left to strike a deal

Pizza, Italian, or Mexican? Anyone who has tried to get a group of people to pick a restaurant for dinner knows how hard it can… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker holds a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, to speak about the cuts made in services to Alaskans. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Senators listen to testimony on the proposed income tax Tuesday night, April 25, 2017 in the Alaska Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Alaskans ask to be taxed

If you listened to all of the testimony Tuesday night, you’d come up with a surprising conclusion: Alaskans want an income tax. In a marathon… Continue reading

Senators listen to testimony on the proposed income tax Tuesday night, April 25, 2017 in the Alaska Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Infographic: Who backs the tax?

The Legislature is considering Alaska's first income tax since 1980. Here's a breakdown of the geographic and financial divide.… Continue reading

Sen. Shelly Hughes, R-Palmer, left, and Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, right, listen as Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, presents House Bill 115, a revived Alaska income tax, to the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 in the Alaska Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Senate reluctantly examines income tax

A panel of the Alaska Senate has taken its first, reluctant, look at a proposal to revive the state’s income tax. In a series of… Continue reading

Sen. Shelly Hughes, R-Palmer, left, and Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, right, listen as Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, presents House Bill 115, a revived Alaska income tax, to the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 in the Alaska Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
A box full of cash to pay a local marijuana business’s state tax was returned after the US Postal Service refused to transport it to Anchorage saying that it was drug money. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Feds block Rainforest Farms pot shop from paying state taxes

The federal government will not let Rainforest Farms pay its taxes. Late last week, Juneau’s first legal marijuana retailer was turned away by the U.S.… Continue reading

A box full of cash to pay a local marijuana business’s state tax was returned after the US Postal Service refused to transport it to Anchorage saying that it was drug money. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this December 2015 photo, the Fairbanks Four &

Fairbanks Four-inspired bill passes House

Almost two years after their release from prison, four wrongfully imprisoned Alaska men are still influencing the actions of the state’s top officials. In a… Continue reading

In this December 2015 photo, the Fairbanks Four &