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Former member of the Alaska House of Representatives Les Gara was in Juneau on Friday, April 8, 2022, and met with the Empire to talk about what sets him apart from the other candidates in the race for governor. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

In governor’s race, Gara says he stands apart

Equality of opportunity.

Former member of the Alaska House of Representatives Les Gara was in Juneau on Friday, April 8, 2022, and met with the Empire to talk about what sets him apart from the other candidates in the race for governor. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the City and Borough of Juneau’s Marine Parking Garage. Parking fees will be increasing for the garage in July. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Pricier parking: Downtown parking garages see a fee increase

As of July 1 monthly permits at both parking sites will cost $70 and annual permits $770.

This photo shows the City and Borough of Juneau’s Marine Parking Garage. Parking fees will be increasing for the garage in July. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Members of local environmental group 350Juneau and the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network displayed signs in front of the downtown Juneau branch of Wells Fargo on Monday, April 11, 2022, as part of a demonstration urging the company's corporate leadership to cease funding of fossil fuels. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Local environmentalists call on Wells Fargo to end fossil fuel funding

“Humanitarian crisis.”

Members of local environmental group 350Juneau and the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network displayed signs in front of the downtown Juneau branch of Wells Fargo on Monday, April 11, 2022, as part of a demonstration urging the company's corporate leadership to cease funding of fossil fuels. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska House of Representatives passed the state's operating and mental health budget bills on Saturday, April 9, 2022, after a week of marathon floor sessions tackling amendments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House passes operating, mental health budgets, fails to pass effective date, reverse sweep

On to the Senate.

The Alaska House of Representatives passed the state's operating and mental health budget bills on Saturday, April 9, 2022, after a week of marathon floor sessions tackling amendments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A teapot holds crocheted sunflowers at Already Read on Thursday, March 31, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

In Kenai, crocheted sunflowers raise money for Ukrainian refugees

The flowers are sold in multiple businesses around the central peninsula

A teapot holds crocheted sunflowers at Already Read on Thursday, March 31, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This photos shows Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center, which recently announced its closure. The clinic intends to begin processing records requests from clients in May, according to an announcement from the clinic. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center to close

Development furthers Juneau’s already perilous pet care shortage.

This photos shows Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center, which recently announced its closure. The clinic intends to begin processing records requests from clients in May, according to an announcement from the clinic. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy - seen here speaking with reporters in the Cabinet Room at the Alaska State Capitol on March 8, 2022 - spoke to the Empire recently about his approach to government after having served as Alaska's chief executive. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

A Q&A with Gov. Mike Dunleavy

‘You work the hand your dealt with.’

Gov. Mike Dunleavy - seen here speaking with reporters in the Cabinet Room at the Alaska State Capitol on March 8, 2022 - spoke to the Empire recently about his approach to government after having served as Alaska's chief executive. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
This undated photo shows Rosemary Hagevig, who passed away on Thursday after a battle with illness. Hagevig is remembered as a consummate volunteer and longtime community lynchpin. (Courtesy Photo / Candy Behrends)

‘A consummate community volunteer’: Rosemary Hagevig, former Juneau citizen of the year, dies

Hagevig served two terms on the Assembly, was one of 11 Alaskans to carry the Olympic Torch in ‘96.

This undated photo shows Rosemary Hagevig, who passed away on Thursday after a battle with illness. Hagevig is remembered as a consummate volunteer and longtime community lynchpin. (Courtesy Photo / Candy Behrends)
This graph, included in the meeting packet for Thursday’s Joint Assembly School Board Facility Planning Committee, shows “high case,” “mid-case” and “low case” scenarios for enrollment in Juneau Schools. Enrollment is projected to decline by over 1,000 students in the mid-case scenario. (Screenshot)

A schooling in subtraction: Report projects drop in Juneau’s student enrollment over next 10 years

“Mid-range” forecast shows over 1,000-student reduction by 2032.

This graph, included in the meeting packet for Thursday’s Joint Assembly School Board Facility Planning Committee, shows “high case,” “mid-case” and “low case” scenarios for enrollment in Juneau Schools. Enrollment is projected to decline by over 1,000 students in the mid-case scenario. (Screenshot)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, leave the chamber after a vote on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 10, 2017. A rural Alaska man who threatened to kill both of Alaska’s U.S. senators in a series of profanity-laden messages left at their congressional offices will be sentenced Friday, April 8, 2022. Jay Allen Johnson, who said he was too old and ill to carry out his threats, partially blamed his behavior on the mixture of pain medications and alcohol and the isolation that was prevalent during the five-month span of 2021 when he left the threatening voicemails. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

Delta Junction man gets 32 months for threatening to kill senators

He was also fined $5,000, ordered to serve three years of supervised release

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, leave the chamber after a vote on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 10, 2017. A rural Alaska man who threatened to kill both of Alaska’s U.S. senators in a series of profanity-laden messages left at their congressional offices will be sentenced Friday, April 8, 2022. Jay Allen Johnson, who said he was too old and ill to carry out his threats, partially blamed his behavior on the mixture of pain medications and alcohol and the isolation that was prevalent during the five-month span of 2021 when he left the threatening voicemails. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
The Alaska House of Representatives spent three days in floor sessions at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, and on Thursday finished working through the 87 amendments submitted to the state's operating budget bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House finalizes budget amendments, set to vote on Saturday

Three days of debate.

The Alaska House of Representatives spent three days in floor sessions at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, and on Thursday finished working through the 87 amendments submitted to the state's operating budget bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Robert Barr, deputy city manager; Rorie Watt, city manager; Jeff Rogers, city finance director and Adrien Speegle, a budget analyst, participate Wednesday night in a City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Uncertainty looms as city begins its budget process

A deficit is projected, additional federal funds are not.

Robert Barr, deputy city manager; Rorie Watt, city manager; Jeff Rogers, city finance director and Adrien Speegle, a budget analyst, participate Wednesday night in a City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a stack of pocket constitutions at the Alaska State Capitol. A broad coalition has formed in opposition to a potential State Constitution Convention. Alaskans are asked every 10 years on ballots whether a convention should be held. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Coalition to oppose constitutional convention grows

A lot could change.

This photo shows a stack of pocket constitutions at the Alaska State Capitol. A broad coalition has formed in opposition to a potential State Constitution Convention. Alaskans are asked every 10 years on ballots whether a convention should be held. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is sworn in for her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee March 21, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin)

Jackson confirmed as first Black female high court justice

Jackson will be just the third Black justice, after Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas.

  • Apr 7, 2022
  • By Mary Clare Jalonick and Mark Sherman Associated Press
  • Nation-World
Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is sworn in for her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee March 21, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin)
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Lawsuit challenges state’s campaign disclosure rules

Rules were part of a ballot measure that overhauled Alaska’s elections system.

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Members of the Alaska House of Representatives spent most of the day on the floor on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, working their way through the more than 80 amendments submitted to the state's budget bill. By Wednesday afternoon lawmakers had worked through more than 50 but passed only two; $50,000 for ice road maintenance and exempting the state's Mediciad program from covering abortions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House passes amendment to exempt state Medicaid program from covering abortions

More amendments to come.

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives spent most of the day on the floor on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, working their way through the more than 80 amendments submitted to the state's budget bill. By Wednesday afternoon lawmakers had worked through more than 50 but passed only two; $50,000 for ice road maintenance and exempting the state's Mediciad program from covering abortions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This public domain image shows the Golden Bridge in Vladivostok, Russia. After a narrow vote by the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly, the Russian city and Juneau are still sister cities.

Assembly narrowly rejects suspending relationship with Russian sister city

“People, not government,” was the prevailing sentiment.

This public domain image shows the Golden Bridge in Vladivostok, Russia. After a narrow vote by the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly, the Russian city and Juneau are still sister cities.
Members of the Alaska House of Representatives has 87 amendments submitted to the state’s operating budget bill and intends to spend the rest of the week in floor session working through them. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

House begins debate on 87 amendments to budget bill

About 60 more to go.

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives has 87 amendments submitted to the state’s operating budget bill and intends to spend the rest of the week in floor session working through them. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

With federal funds falling away, city readies its budget

City eyes an initial defecit.

Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A proposed map from Alaska Redistricting Board member Melanie Bahnke shows possible pairings of Alaska House of Representatives districts in Anchorage for the Alaska State Senate. The Alaska Supreme Court ruled last month the board acted unconstitutionally in its proposals and issued an April 15 deadline to present acceptable maps. (Screenshot)

Redistricting board takes public input on potential fixes

Court-friendly maps.

A proposed map from Alaska Redistricting Board member Melanie Bahnke shows possible pairings of Alaska House of Representatives districts in Anchorage for the Alaska State Senate. The Alaska Supreme Court ruled last month the board acted unconstitutionally in its proposals and issued an April 15 deadline to present acceptable maps. (Screenshot)