James Brooks

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In this Jan. 19, 2016 file photo, Gov. Bill Walker and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott, left, receive a ceremonial visit by Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, second from left, and Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, after the House gaveled into session on the first day of the 29th Legislature at the Capitol in Juneau.

Permanent fund and spending cap are highlights of Legislature’s ‘preseason’

Sen. Mike Dunleavy has followed through on his promise to fight for the restoration of last year’s half-vetoed Permanent Fund Dividend.The Wasilla senator’s pair of… Continue reading

In this Jan. 19, 2016 file photo, Gov. Bill Walker and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott, left, receive a ceremonial visit by Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, second from left, and Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, after the House gaveled into session on the first day of the 29th Legislature at the Capitol in Juneau.
Juneau District Court judge Kirsten Leann Swanson is seen in her chambers on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017 at Dimond Courthouse. Swanson, the newest district court judge, has been at work for a month. She replaced Keith Levy, who left her the winged pig sculpture on the shelf behind her.

Juneau’s newest judge has a rock

Juneau District Court Judge Kirsten Swanson has a rock on her desk.It’s a small stone, smooth and just the right size to fit in the… Continue reading

Juneau District Court judge Kirsten Leann Swanson is seen in her chambers on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017 at Dimond Courthouse. Swanson, the newest district court judge, has been at work for a month. She replaced Keith Levy, who left her the winged pig sculpture on the shelf behind her.

Gov. Walker plans to freeze nonunion state employees’ pay for two years

Gov. Bill Walker is preparing to propose a bill that would freeze the pay of nonunion employees at the University of Alaska, Alaska Court System,… Continue reading

‘Max’ and ‘Abby’ are most common Juneau dogs

You probably know Max and Abby. If statistics are any guide, you probably know quite a few of them.According to newly released statistics kept by… Continue reading

Matthew Sill, center, an engineer with PND Engineers, explains their design of the new floats that are being used in the remodel of the Douglas Harbor during a tour on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017.

Improved Douglas Harbor nears completion

Sometime in the next few weeks, Matthew Sill of PND Engineers expects someone to look into Douglas Harbor and ask a simple question: When can… Continue reading

Matthew Sill, center, an engineer with PND Engineers, explains their design of the new floats that are being used in the remodel of the Douglas Harbor during a tour on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017.
Sadie Ingalls skates on a smooth piece of ice at Auke Lake on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017.

Juneau finishes 2016 as hottest year

Last year was the hottest ever seen in Alaska, and Juneau didn’t miss the trend. According to measurements taken by the National Weather Service at… Continue reading

Sadie Ingalls skates on a smooth piece of ice at Auke Lake on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017.

Beneath the waves or beneath the land, warming Alaska poses multiple threats

When you talk to climatologists about 2016, the phrase “mind-boggling” comes up a lot.“For crying out loud, yesterday it was 36 degrees in Barrow, Alaska,… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker points to a chart during a July 14 press conference that uses a crashing jet to show possible scenarios for Alaska economy if the legislature fails to act during its special session.

Top 10 stories of 2016 set the state stage for 2017

Looking back, 2016 brought momentous change at the state level for Juneau — but it might turn out to be just the preface for the… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker points to a chart during a July 14 press conference that uses a crashing jet to show possible scenarios for Alaska economy if the legislature fails to act during its special session.

Rainforest Recovery’s sobering center may move

Rainforest Recovery Center is considering new sites for its sleep-off sobering program.In a unanimous 5-0 vote Tuesday evening, the City and Borough of Juneau Planning… Continue reading

Two pickup trucks collided at the intersection in front of Fred Meyer just before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016.

‘The most dangerous intersection in Juneau’

For the past seven years, Lisa Corcoran has done her best to keep Juneau’s drivers safe.Corcoran is a driving instructor at SERRC, one of two… Continue reading

Two pickup trucks collided at the intersection in front of Fred Meyer just before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016.
Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, shown in this Jan. 26, 2016 photo, is expected to be the key figure this year as long-awaited reforms to Alaska's alcohol laws reach the Legislature.

Alcohol legislation poised for big push

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, is expected to be the key figure this year as long-awaited reforms to Alaska’s alcohol laws reach the Legislature.Since 2012, members… Continue reading

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, shown in this Jan. 26, 2016 photo, is expected to be the key figure this year as long-awaited reforms to Alaska's alcohol laws reach the Legislature.
In this Feb. 4, 2016 photo, Senate State Affairs Committee members listen to UAA Professor Emeritus in Economics Scott Goldsmith about possible budget solutions during a hearing at the Capitol. Several lawmakers intend to introduce legislation in 2017 that would secure Permanent Fund dividend payments to Alaskans.

Dividend, alongside budget, will be a focus for lawmakers

Sen. Bill Wielechowski knows the state needs to balance its budget. The Anchorage Democrat just wants to make sure that Alaskans’ Permanent Fund Dividend isn’t… Continue reading

In this Feb. 4, 2016 photo, Senate State Affairs Committee members listen to UAA Professor Emeritus in Economics Scott Goldsmith about possible budget solutions during a hearing at the Capitol. Several lawmakers intend to introduce legislation in 2017 that would secure Permanent Fund dividend payments to Alaskans.
A fixture is lifted into place above the entrance canopy at the Alaska State Capitol building on Thursday.

New-look capitol will greet lawmakers

There are two ways to look at the just-completed four years of renovations at the Alaska State Capitol: Inside and out.“I don’t think you’ll notice… Continue reading

A fixture is lifted into place above the entrance canopy at the Alaska State Capitol building on Thursday.

Avalanche blasting planned for this morning

Thane Road will again be closed from 9 a.m. to noon for avalanche blasting, and this time it’s the real deal.A week after the Alaska… Continue reading

A wolf is seen in Alaska.

ADF&G reports three wolves hunted or trapped on Douglas

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has closed wolf hunting and trapping on Douglas Island after three animals were killed by harvesters.That might come… Continue reading

A wolf is seen in Alaska.

Opioid group makes final suggestions Wednesday

A state task force created to recommend solutions to Alaska’s opioid drug epidemic will finalize its recommendations Wednesday.The Alaska Opioid Policy Task Force’s draft list… Continue reading

An Alaska Airlines passenger jet lands in Petersburg. On Dec. 19, a pair of the company's passenger jets were struck by lightning in Southeast.

Two Southeast planes struck by lightning

Two Alaska Airlines flights in Southeast Alaska were struck by lightning Monday in separate incidents, leaving some passengers stranded and others delayed.The first strike took… Continue reading

An Alaska Airlines passenger jet lands in Petersburg. On Dec. 19, a pair of the company's passenger jets were struck by lightning in Southeast.
An honor guard from the U.S. Coast Guard presents the colors during the Electoral College vote casting ceremony at the Alaska State Museum on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016.

Alaska’s three Electoral College voters follow the script

Rebellion is a seller at the movie theater, but it wasn’t on the minds of Alaska’s three Electoral College voters.On Monday, all three cast votes… Continue reading

An honor guard from the U.S. Coast Guard presents the colors during the Electoral College vote casting ceremony at the Alaska State Museum on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016.
David Ansbach pumps gas into his van at the downtown Tersoro Alaska station on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. As part of his new budget, Governor Bill Walker has proposed tripling the motor fuel tax from eight cents per gallon to 24 cents over the next two years to be more inline with the national average.

Walker proposes tripling gasoline tax to bite budget

Alaska’s gasoline taxes could triple by 2018 under a plan proposed by Gov. Bill Walker on Thursday.The gas tax hike was included as part of… Continue reading

David Ansbach pumps gas into his van at the downtown Tersoro Alaska station on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. As part of his new budget, Governor Bill Walker has proposed tripling the motor fuel tax from eight cents per gallon to 24 cents over the next two years to be more inline with the national average.

Feds: State doesn’t need to repay Road money

A representative of the Federal Highway Administration confirmed Friday that the State of Alaska will not have to repay federal money spent on planning for… Continue reading