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Sunlight shines on the U.S. Capitol dome on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Murkowski highlights spending bill’s impact on Alaska

Senator tours earmarks’ return, VAWA reauthorization and aid for Ukraine.

Sunlight shines on the U.S. Capitol dome on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Reps. Clavin Schrage, I-Anchorage, left, and David Eastman, R-Wasilla, discuss a bill on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives to enact limits on individual contributions to political campaigns, on Monday, March 14, 2022. House members spent several hours debating amendments to the bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House floor debate turns from election spending to security

No donations limits.

Reps. Clavin Schrage, I-Anchorage, left, and David Eastman, R-Wasilla, discuss a bill on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives to enact limits on individual contributions to political campaigns, on Monday, March 14, 2022. House members spent several hours debating amendments to the bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A car is shown at a gas pump, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, at a gas station in North Miami, Fla. Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Alaska state lawmakers are moving to temporarily suspend the state's motor fuel tax as oil prices rise. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Lawmakers move to pump the brakes on motor fuel tax

.08 cents per gallon.

A car is shown at a gas pump, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, at a gas station in North Miami, Fla. Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Alaska state lawmakers are moving to temporarily suspend the state's motor fuel tax as oil prices rise. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
JDHS' Orion Dybdahl (20), a junior, rises for a shot in the Region V 4A Tournament championship game against Ketchikan High School. A buzzer-beater by Dybdahl secured the Crimson Bears and tournament win and state tournament berth. (Jeff Lund / Courtesy Photo)

JDHS boys secure state tournament berth in dramatic fashion

Down by three to Revion V champs in about 30 seconds.

JDHS' Orion Dybdahl (20), a junior, rises for a shot in the Region V 4A Tournament championship game against Ketchikan High School. A buzzer-beater by Dybdahl secured the Crimson Bears and tournament win and state tournament berth. (Jeff Lund / Courtesy Photo)
A student stands in front of building supplies and a temporary structure as a new secondary school goes up with help from a Juneau woman who used to live in the village in Togo. (Courtesy photo / Mary McEwen)

Local woman raises thousands for school construction in Togo

Right time, right place, right contacts to help out.

A student stands in front of building supplies and a temporary structure as a new secondary school goes up with help from a Juneau woman who used to live in the village in Togo. (Courtesy photo / Mary McEwen)
The Wooshkeetaan Kootéeyaa totem pole was re-installed at its new home in the attrium of the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022. Workers from Alaska Electric Light and Power helped install the pole. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Totem pole rededication ceremony emphasizes tradition, togetherness

“It represents history.”

The Wooshkeetaan Kootéeyaa totem pole was re-installed at its new home in the attrium of the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022. Workers from Alaska Electric Light and Power helped install the pole. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A state of Alaska flag flies outside the Atwood Building in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, March 11, 2022. The state has issued a corrected birth certificate for Benny Benson, the teenager who won a design contest for the flag in 1927, meaning he was 14 and not 13 when came up with the design of the Big Dipper and the North Star on a simple field of blue. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Investigation finds that state flag designer was 14, not 13

The difference a year makes.

A state of Alaska flag flies outside the Atwood Building in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, March 11, 2022. The state has issued a corrected birth certificate for Benny Benson, the teenager who won a design contest for the flag in 1927, meaning he was 14 and not 13 when came up with the design of the Big Dipper and the North Star on a simple field of blue. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
President Joe Biden announces that along with the European Union and the Group of Seven countries, the U.S. will move to revoke "most favored nation" trade status for Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Friday, March 11, 2022, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Alaska lawmakers applaud ban on Russian seafood

Alcohol, seafood and diamonds.

President Joe Biden announces that along with the European Union and the Group of Seven countries, the U.S. will move to revoke "most favored nation" trade status for Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Friday, March 11, 2022, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
This Empire file photo shows students at Floyd Dryden Middle School, Jan. 11, 2021, with desks separated to accommodate for COVID-19 social distancing protocols. The Juneau School District announced masks would become optional indoors on April 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

Juneau schools to make masks optional starting April 4

A little breathing room.

This Empire file photo shows students at Floyd Dryden Middle School, Jan. 11, 2021, with desks separated to accommodate for COVID-19 social distancing protocols. The Juneau School District announced masks would become optional indoors on April 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
Alaska Sen. Tom Begich, left, and Rep. Zack Fields, right, both Anchorage Democrats, joined a news conference Thursday to talk up President Joe Biden's agenda in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Democratic state lawmakers praise Biden’s impact in Alaska

Bills’ benefits.

Alaska Sen. Tom Begich, left, and Rep. Zack Fields, right, both Anchorage Democrats, joined a news conference Thursday to talk up President Joe Biden's agenda in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A Navy TALON robot examines a simulated vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in front of the Alaska State Capitol on March 10, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Teamwork makes the dream work: Navy, JPD hold bomb drill outside capitol building

It’s good to know what to do before a crisis happens.

A Navy TALON robot examines a simulated vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in front of the Alaska State Capitol on March 10, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy Photo / Hayley Gilson JDHS’ Skylar Tuckwood (13) dribbles while defended by TMHS’ Ashlyn Gates (2). The JDHS girls won the game 54-29 in large part due to Tuckwood’s 20 points and seven steals.

Region V tournament starts with mixed results for Juneau teams

Winners and losers after Wednesday’s games.

Courtesy Photo / Hayley Gilson JDHS’ Skylar Tuckwood (13) dribbles while defended by TMHS’ Ashlyn Gates (2). The JDHS girls won the game 54-29 in large part due to Tuckwood’s 20 points and seven steals.
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Juneau lawmaker’s bills would increase per-student funding

A modest increase.

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This Empire file photo shows the mill facility at the Kensington Gold Mine on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. A new study from the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage tries to imagine what the state's mining industry could look like in 20 years. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire file)

Economists explore mining’s future in Alaska

A lot of variables.

This Empire file photo shows the mill facility at the Kensington Gold Mine on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. A new study from the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage tries to imagine what the state's mining industry could look like in 20 years. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire file)
This photo shows a dandelion. "During spring’s root season, people dig up and dry dandelion root, then ground it for coffee, claiming it’s a good substitute." writes By Yéilk’ Vivian Mork. (Yéilk’ Vivian Mork / For the Capital City Weekly)
Capital City Weekly

Planet Alaska: Waking up with the plants of Taakw eetí

Wake up, Taakw eetí is almost here!

This photo shows a dandelion. "During spring’s root season, people dig up and dry dandelion root, then ground it for coffee, claiming it’s a good substitute." writes By Yéilk’ Vivian Mork. (Yéilk’ Vivian Mork / For the Capital City Weekly)
The Alaska Folk Festival will take place at Centennial Hall from April 4-10 after two years of being curtailed sharply by the pandemic. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Folk Fest returns full force to Juneau

The 47th annual performance of the event returns to live concerts with a roar.

The Alaska Folk Festival will take place at Centennial Hall from April 4-10 after two years of being curtailed sharply by the pandemic. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire A boat at the Fisherman’s Bend pier caught fire Tuesday night, injuring one person, according to Capital City Fire/Rescue.

One injured in Auke Bay boat fire

The cause of the engine fire is under investigation.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire A boat at the Fisherman’s Bend pier caught fire Tuesday night, injuring one person, according to Capital City Fire/Rescue.
A dead whale previously seen and necropsied on a small island near Angoon was spotted afloat on March 3. The cuts visible come from the necropsy effort, said a NOAA official. (Larry Talley / Courtesy photo)

Whale’s body spotted near Tenakee Inlet

The animal with a long history in the area has been necropsied.

A dead whale previously seen and necropsied on a small island near Angoon was spotted afloat on March 3. The cuts visible come from the necropsy effort, said a NOAA official. (Larry Talley / Courtesy photo)
At a news conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, Gov. Mike Dunleavy outlined his plan to have the state divest its assets from Russia. The disruption in the global market could be beneficial to Alaska, the governor said, if it is able to develop its resources. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Alaska pushes ahead with Russian divestment

Costs likely to increase

At a news conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, Gov. Mike Dunleavy outlined his plan to have the state divest its assets from Russia. The disruption in the global market could be beneficial to Alaska, the governor said, if it is able to develop its resources. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
President Joe Biden announces a ban on Russian oil imports, toughening the toll on Russia's economy in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine, Tuesday, March 8, 2022, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)

Biden bans Russian oil, warns of ‘Putin price hike’ at pump

Biden announced Tuesday the U.S. will ban all Russian oil imports.

President Joe Biden announces a ban on Russian oil imports, toughening the toll on Russia's economy in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine, Tuesday, March 8, 2022, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)