James Brooks

In this file photo from March 2016, Rep. Cathy Muñoz, R-Juneau, speaks in favor of a bill during a House session.

Muñoz outpaces Parish and rest of House in election fundraising

Rep. Cathy Muñoz is running against Justin Parish to represent House District 34, but when it comes to fundraising, the Juneau Republican has no challenger.According… Continue reading

In this file photo from March 2016, Rep. Cathy Muñoz, R-Juneau, speaks in favor of a bill during a House session.
Margaret Stock, an independent candidate for U.S. Senate, talks with the Empire during a sit-down interview Wednesday to discuss her history as an immigration attorney and why she's running against incumbent Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Taking Stock: A Q&A with the independent running against Murkowski

It was a good week for Margaret Stock.The independent candidate challenging Lisa Murkowski for U.S. Senate was endorsed last week by former Sen. Mark Begich… Continue reading

Margaret Stock, an independent candidate for U.S. Senate, talks with the Empire during a sit-down interview Wednesday to discuss her history as an immigration attorney and why she's running against incumbent Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
Harbor staff watch as the Consul D tugboat burns outside of Aurora Harbor on Monday. No one was aboard when the fire was reported. The vessel is owned by Steve Hamilton.

CCFR knocks down boat fire by Aurora Harbor

Capital City Fire/Rescue extinguished a Monday afternoon fire that sent smoke billowing into the sky from a boat moored outside Aurora Harbor.No one was injured… Continue reading

Harbor staff watch as the Consul D tugboat burns outside of Aurora Harbor on Monday. No one was aboard when the fire was reported. The vessel is owned by Steve Hamilton.
Fireweed curls in the dry weather at Brotherhood Bridge park on Monday. The weather is forecasted to remain clear through the week.

Freakish fall weather keeps coming

It’s a good kind of freak.October is normally Juneau’s wettest month of the year, a cloudy, soggy affair that drives capital city residents indoors. This… Continue reading

Fireweed curls in the dry weather at Brotherhood Bridge park on Monday. The weather is forecasted to remain clear through the week.
In this Oct. 6 photo, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a town hall in Sandown, N.H. Trump made a series of lewd and sexually charged comments about women as he waited to make a cameo appearance on a soap opera in 2005. The Republican presidential nominee issued a rare apology Friday, “if anyone was offended.”

Murkowski and Sullivan call for Trump to leave Presidential race

Alaska's two U.S. Senators have called for Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump to give up.In prepared statements issued Saturday morning, Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen.… Continue reading

In this Oct. 6 photo, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a town hall in Sandown, N.H. Trump made a series of lewd and sexually charged comments about women as he waited to make a cameo appearance on a soap opera in 2005. The Republican presidential nominee issued a rare apology Friday, “if anyone was offended.”
Bracketed by city manager Rorie Watt, left, and former Juneau Mayor Merrill Sanford, right, Juneau Airport Board chairman Joe Heueisen examines a ceremonial "gold" nugget given as a souvenir Thursday at the groundbreaking for the new Juneau International Airport Snow Removal Equipment Facility.

Juneau airport breaks ground on new snow-equipment garage

Look out the window and it’s hard to believe, but snow is coming. It won’t arrive tomorrow, but it will eventually arrive.On Thursday morning, city… Continue reading

Bracketed by city manager Rorie Watt, left, and former Juneau Mayor Merrill Sanford, right, Juneau Airport Board chairman Joe Heueisen examines a ceremonial "gold" nugget given as a souvenir Thursday at the groundbreaking for the new Juneau International Airport Snow Removal Equipment Facility.
William "Bill" McCord

Ruled out by Division of Elections, Haines man keeps campaigning anyway

The Alaska Division of Elections says Bill McCord isn’t running for the Alaska Legislature.He says otherwise.The Haines Libertarian is pressing ahead with a write-in campaign… Continue reading

William "Bill" McCord
In this file photo, Rep. Benjamin Nageak, D-Barrow, speaks during a House Majority Caucus press conference at the Capitol.

Superior Court judge overturns election result for North Slope seat in Legislature

Anchorage Superior Court Judge Andrew Guidi has given Rep. Benjamin Nageak, D-Barrow, the victory in his House District 40 primary, reversing the result on Election… Continue reading

In this file photo, Rep. Benjamin Nageak, D-Barrow, speaks during a House Majority Caucus press conference at the Capitol.

Native Brotherhood, Native Sisterhood open 104th Grand Camp

Alaska’s most venerable Alaska Native organization opened its 104th annual meeting Wednesday with a plea for youth and a look toward the future.The 104th annual… Continue reading

Sen. Mike Dunleavy stood outside the Anchorage Fred Meyer Wednesday afternoon to announce he is pre-filing a bill to restore half of the Permanent Fund Dividend appropriation that Gov. Bill Walker vetoed in June.

Dunleavy, in front of Fred Meyer, announces bill to reverse PFD cut

Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, held a press conference Wednesday in front of an Anchorage Fred Meyer store to announce his intention to offer a bill… Continue reading

Sen. Mike Dunleavy stood outside the Anchorage Fred Meyer Wednesday afternoon to announce he is pre-filing a bill to restore half of the Permanent Fund Dividend appropriation that Gov. Bill Walker vetoed in June.
Tara Bass, left, and budtender Reba Radey, right, hold the new retail marijuana license awarded Skagway's The Remedy Shoppe on Oct. 4, 2016. The store is the first in Alaska to receive its retail license.

Skagway business is first in the state to get permission to sell weed – once it arrives

Tara Bass is ready to sell you marijuana — once she gets some to sell.On Tuesday, Bass’ business, The Remedy Shoppe, became the first retail… Continue reading

Tara Bass, left, and budtender Reba Radey, right, hold the new retail marijuana license awarded Skagway's The Remedy Shoppe on Oct. 4, 2016. The store is the first in Alaska to receive its retail license.
Assembly candidate Arnold Liebelt waves his sign to commuters on their way home at the corner of 10th Street and Egan Drive on the Municipal Election eve on Monday.

After disappointing primary, will Juneau voters show up?

When polls opened Tuesday, Juneau voters had plenty of options on the ballot — and plenty of things on their minds.Asked about their top issues,… Continue reading

Assembly candidate Arnold Liebelt waves his sign to commuters on their way home at the corner of 10th Street and Egan Drive on the Municipal Election eve on Monday.
State gets $1.1 million to process backlogged rape kits

State gets $1.1 million to process backlogged rape kits

The state of Alaska has been awarded $1.1 million from the U.S. Department of Justice to process a backlog of rape kits held by the… Continue reading

State gets $1.1 million to process backlogged rape kits

North Slope Legislative election lawsuit goes to judge

The election for Alaska House District 40 is now in the hands of Anchorage Superior Court Judge Andrew Guidi.On Monday, lawyers for the state of… Continue reading

Report: Leave contaminated Hawk Inlet seafloor alone

A new state report recommends against dredging to clean up metal-soaked sediment in a body of water near Greens Creek mine.Last week, the Alaska Department… Continue reading

State pension proposal gets negative reaction

Alaska lawmakers took a skeptical look Thursday at a plan by the administration of Gov. Bill Walker to nibble at Alaska’s pension debt.One week ago,… Continue reading

Annie Bartholomew applies makeup as she becomes Marty Wiener on Friday night, Sept. 30, 2016 during the Femme Fatale fundraiser for the Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association.

‘It takes a village to put on a drag show’

Eight hours before her drag show, Annie Bartholomew drove to Costco, looking for a hot dog.One year ago, the independent musician and KXLL-FM disk jockey… Continue reading

Annie Bartholomew applies makeup as she becomes Marty Wiener on Friday night, Sept. 30, 2016 during the Femme Fatale fundraiser for the Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association.

Walker: No decision on Road yet

In a conference with reporters Friday, Gov. Bill Walker said he has not made up his mind about the long-planned Juneau Access road project.In a… Continue reading

Alaska health experts advise shooting down flu early

Maureen Caparas really didn’t want to get a flu shot.“That looks like a big needle,” she said nervously on Thursday afternoon.She didn’t have a choice.As… Continue reading

Nageak says he’s not leaving lawsuit

In Thursday morning courtroom testimony, Rep. Benjamin Nageak, D-Barrow, said he’s not giving up on his attempt to overturn an August primary he lost.“Yes, I… Continue reading