Peter Segall

Juneau Pioneer Home resident Phyllis Woodman, left, sits with the home's administrator Gina Del Rosario, right, on Thursday, April 29, 2021. Del Rosario is retiring and friends and colleagues say she'll be hard to replace. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Pioneer Home resident Phyllis Woodman, left, sits with the home's administrator Gina Del Rosario, right, on Thursday, April 29, 2021. Del Rosario is retiring and friends and colleagues say she'll be hard to replace. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Dozens of amendments to a bill extending the state's disaster declaration are laid out on a table outside the Senate chambers on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. Lawmakers eventually passed the bill, but didn't adjourned until late in the evening. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire.)
Dozens of amendments to a bill extending the state's disaster declaration are laid out on a table outside the Senate chambers on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. Lawmakers eventually passed the bill, but didn't adjourned until late in the evening. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire.)
Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, speaks to Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, before a floor session to debate a bill over a disaster declaration in the state on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. The debate would take lawmakers into the evening Wednesday, as over 40 amendments were submitted on the bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Disaster debate drags out in Senate

Even if bill advances, governor might not sign it.

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, speaks to Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, before a floor session to debate a bill over a disaster declaration in the state on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. The debate would take lawmakers into the evening Wednesday, as over 40 amendments were submitted on the bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
State officials are trying to facilitate the transfer of federal lands to the University of Alaska but where those lands are hasn’t yet been determined. What is known is the lands will be drawn from the state’s allotment of federal lands granted to it under statehood, seen here in this July 30, 2020 Bureau of Land Management map. (Courtesy Image / U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

State pushes for university land grant transfer

Stable fiscal future.

State officials are trying to facilitate the transfer of federal lands to the University of Alaska but where those lands are hasn’t yet been determined. What is known is the lands will be drawn from the state’s allotment of federal lands granted to it under statehood, seen here in this July 30, 2020 Bureau of Land Management map. (Courtesy Image / U.S. Bureau of Land Management)
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The Alaska State Capitol remained closed to the public on Monday, April 26, 2021, but with high rates of vaccinations among staff, lawmakers have relaxed some of the health rules in place since the start of the session in January. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol remained closed to the public on Monday, April 26, 2021, but with high rates of vaccinations among staff, lawmakers have relaxed some of the health rules in place since the start of the session in January. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
In the past, Gov. Mike Dunleavy's cuts to the Alaska Marine Highway System drew out protestors, like those seen here in Juneau in this Feb. 11, 2020, file photo, but the governor has backed off cuts, and even partnered with lawmakers to use federal funds to bolster the system. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Lawmakers, governor propose using $76 million in federal relief for ferries

“That’s the direction we’re going unless something derails it.”

In the past, Gov. Mike Dunleavy's cuts to the Alaska Marine Highway System drew out protestors, like those seen here in Juneau in this Feb. 11, 2020, file photo, but the governor has backed off cuts, and even partnered with lawmakers to use federal funds to bolster the system. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
From left to right, Reps. Neal Foster, D-Nome, Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, and Calvin Schrage, I-Anchorage, speak to reporters on Thursday, April 22, 2021. As the end of the legislative session approaches, some lawmakers are trying to speed up work on the budget. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
From left to right, Reps. Neal Foster, D-Nome, Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, and Calvin Schrage, I-Anchorage, speak to reporters on Thursday, April 22, 2021. As the end of the legislative session approaches, some lawmakers are trying to speed up work on the budget. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference promoting tourism on April 9, 2021. Dunleavy posted a video to social media saying he had received a COVID-19 vaccine, and urged Alaskans to do the same. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference promoting tourism on April 9, 2021. Dunleavy posted a video to social media saying he had received a COVID-19 vaccine, and urged Alaskans to do the same. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Lawmakers on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives discuss an amendment on an education funding bill on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. Some House members are trying to pass a budget specifically for education, a departure from past years. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Lawmakers on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives discuss an amendment on an education funding bill on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. Some House members are trying to pass a budget specifically for education, a departure from past years. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire 
Bears, like this one looking for fish in a stream along the Steep Creek Trail at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Aug. 22, 2020, have been sleeping through the winter but they’re waking up and experts want residents to be prepared.
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire 
Bears, like this one looking for fish in a stream along the Steep Creek Trail at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Aug. 22, 2020, have been sleeping through the winter but they’re waking up and experts want residents to be prepared.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here at a news conference on April 9, 2021, to promote the state’s tourism industry, announced Tuesday Alaska was joining Florida’s lawsuit against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for preventing cruise ship sailings. Dunleavy had said at the conference joining the suit was a possibility. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here at a news conference on April 9, 2021, to promote the state’s tourism industry, announced Tuesday Alaska was joining Florida’s lawsuit against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for preventing cruise ship sailings. Dunleavy had said at the conference joining the suit was a possibility. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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Peter Segall / Juneau Empire 

Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, removes her face mask Monday moments after being removed from her committee chairmanship.

Senator removed as chair of Judiciary Committee

Multiple incidents, mostly around masking, led to the decision.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire 

Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, removes her face mask Monday moments after being removed from her committee chairmanship.
Kristi Peel checks in her electric vehicle with a volunteer ahead of a road rally held Saturday in Juneau for Earth Day. Previously, Peel said she was the proud owner of the first Chrysler PT Cruise in town. However, after about two decades and 80,000 miles, she purchased her late model Chevrolet Bolt.  (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Kristi Peel checks in her electric vehicle with a volunteer ahead of a road rally held Saturday in Juneau for Earth Day. Previously, Peel said she was the proud owner of the first Chrysler PT Cruise in town. However, after about two decades and 80,000 miles, she purchased her late model Chevrolet Bolt.  (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Juneauites enjoyed the sun on the downtown waterfront on Friday, April 16, 2021, but the city would normally be gearing up for cruise season. Gov. Mike Dunleavy released a proposal Friday for using more the $1 billion in federal relief money meant to boost local economies and update local infrastructure. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Juneauites enjoyed the sun on the downtown waterfront on Friday, April 16, 2021, but the city would normally be gearing up for cruise season. Gov. Mike Dunleavy released a proposal Friday for using more the $1 billion in federal relief money meant to boost local economies and update local infrastructure. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, speaks to reporters at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 15, 2021, about a bill of his to reform Alaska's elections. An earlier version of the bill drew sharp criticism but Shower says his bill is not meant to be partisan. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, speaks to reporters at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 15, 2021, about a bill of his to reform Alaska's elections. An earlier version of the bill drew sharp criticism but Shower says his bill is not meant to be partisan. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Doctors at Bartlett Regional Hospital, seen here in this January 2021 photo, often call consultants and specialist for medical advice, but a supreme court case out of Minnesota could make that dynamic legally questionable. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Bill seeks to shield doctors from liability when consulting

‘Curbside consultations’ are protected under proposal.

Doctors at Bartlett Regional Hospital, seen here in this January 2021 photo, often call consultants and specialist for medical advice, but a supreme court case out of Minnesota could make that dynamic legally questionable. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A shop on South Franklin Street in downtown Juneau has its doors open on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. In a normal year shops like this would be preparing for the summer tourist season and the thousands of tourists brought to Juneau daily by cruise ships. But the growth of the cruising in Alaska has some residents concerned about the regions dependence on the industry. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A shop on South Franklin Street in downtown Juneau has its doors open on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. In a normal year shops like this would be preparing for the summer tourist season and the thousands of tourists brought to Juneau daily by cruise ships. But the growth of the cruising in Alaska has some residents concerned about the regions dependence on the industry. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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This photo shows Unangax̂ Gravesite at Funter Bay, the site where Aleut villagers forcibly relocated to the area during World War II are buried. A bill recently passed by the Alaska House of Representatives would make the area part of a neighboring state park. (Courtesy photo / Niko Sanguinetti, Juneau-Douglas City Museum) 
DO NOT REUSE THIS PHOTO WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM JUNEAU DOUGLAS CITY MUSEUM. -BEN HOHENSTATT

Bill to preserve Unangax̂ Gravesite passes House

Bill now heads to the state Senate.

This photo shows Unangax̂ Gravesite at Funter Bay, the site where Aleut villagers forcibly relocated to the area during World War II are buried. A bill recently passed by the Alaska House of Representatives would make the area part of a neighboring state park. (Courtesy photo / Niko Sanguinetti, Juneau-Douglas City Museum) 
DO NOT REUSE THIS PHOTO WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM JUNEAU DOUGLAS CITY MUSEUM. -BEN HOHENSTATT