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Senate Finance Committee members Sens. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, and Natasha Von Imhof, R-Anchorage, listen to public testimony for bills related to the Permanent Fund Dividend on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. The majority of callers accused lawmakers of stealing PFD money. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

PFD formula proposals provoke strong public reaction

Familiar arguments.

Senate Finance Committee members Sens. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, and Natasha Von Imhof, R-Anchorage, listen to public testimony for bills related to the Permanent Fund Dividend on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. The majority of callers accused lawmakers of stealing PFD money. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
State Rep. Ron Gillham speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Kenai Municipal Airport on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai area rep introduces raft of education-focused bills

One bill targets critical race theory; another would create state scholarships for private schools.

State Rep. Ron Gillham speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Kenai Municipal Airport on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Courtesy Photo / The White House The White House, heavily renovated over the years, has been the home of America’s presidents for most of the country’s history.

Quiz: Alaska and its history with the presidents

How much do you know about the state’s relationship with the commander-in-chief?

Courtesy Photo / The White House The White House, heavily renovated over the years, has been the home of America’s presidents for most of the country’s history.
It's a police car until you look closely. The eye shies away, the . (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

  • Feb 20, 2022
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely. The eye shies away, the . (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
A pair of Long-tailed Ducks, Statter Harbor, Auke Bay, Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos of Southeast Alaska.

A pair of Long-tailed Ducks, Statter Harbor, Auke Bay, Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)
Senators and members of the House of Representatives gather in the House Chamber for Gov. Mike Dunleavy's State of the State speech on Jan. 25, 2022. Both the House and Senate Chambers are located on the second floor of the Alaska State Capitol building. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Get to know your Capitol

Take a look around.

Senators and members of the House of Representatives gather in the House Chamber for Gov. Mike Dunleavy's State of the State speech on Jan. 25, 2022. Both the House and Senate Chambers are located on the second floor of the Alaska State Capitol building. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution are available outside the lieutenant governor's office on the third floor of the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Constitutional convention could change everything, or nothing

This article appears in the Juneau Empire’s Guide to the 2022 Alaska State Legislature. Legislative impasse over the past few years has led some in… Continue reading

Copies of the Alaska State Constitution are available outside the lieutenant governor's office on the third floor of the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Todd Sformo looks for overwintering insects in the forest near Chena Hot Springs. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Hardy gnats survive winter half frozen

As sometimes happens in science, a chance decision led to a discovery.

Todd Sformo looks for overwintering insects in the forest near Chena Hot Springs. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
A Juneau man was indicted Friday for dozens of felony sexual abuse of a minor and assault charges. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

Juneau man indicted for over 70 child sex abuse and assault charges

He was arrested last week after a brief investigation.

A Juneau man was indicted Friday for dozens of felony sexual abuse of a minor and assault charges. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
A student walks across the campus of the University of Alaska Southeast in this Feb. 4, 2021 file photo. An Anchorage Superior Court ruled Thursday against a group of UA students who had sued the state over funding for higher education scholarship programs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Students appeal Superior Court ruling on higher education funds

Supreme Court to weigh in.

A student walks across the campus of the University of Alaska Southeast in this Feb. 4, 2021 file photo. An Anchorage Superior Court ruled Thursday against a group of UA students who had sued the state over funding for higher education scholarship programs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Dan Newman, left, the founder of Alaska Premier Auctions and Appraisers, and Nick Cline, a business partner, pose Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska, with the "Americus Australis," thought to be one the largest gem-quality opals in existence. The gem will be offered at auction Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, with an opening bid set at $125,000 (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Alaska auction to feature huge opal stashed away for years

The opal is larger than a brick and is broken into two piece.

Dan Newman, left, the founder of Alaska Premier Auctions and Appraisers, and Nick Cline, a business partner, pose Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska, with the "Americus Australis," thought to be one the largest gem-quality opals in existence. The gem will be offered at auction Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, with an opening bid set at $125,000 (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
The Juneau Capitals 10-and-under team swept a tournament in Anchorage last weekend, winning all six games. (Courtesy photo / Jamie Troxel)

Juneau 10-U hockey team sweeps tournament

Six games to none and a hefty lead in all.

The Juneau Capitals 10-and-under team swept a tournament in Anchorage last weekend, winning all six games. (Courtesy photo / Jamie Troxel)
This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. Alberta's oilsands are operating with critical staff only as the highly contagious Omicron variant sweeps the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

COVID at a Glance for Friday, Feb. 18

Numbers come from reports from the City and Borough of Juneau Emergency Operations Center and the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, as well… Continue reading

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. Alberta's oilsands are operating with critical staff only as the highly contagious Omicron variant sweeps the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Friday, Feb. 18, 2022

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

  • Feb 18, 2022
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
Courtesy photo / United States Army Signal Corps The Color Guard of the 442nd RCT stands at attention while citations are read following the fierce fighting in the Vosges area of France on November 12, 1944.

‘Way above the call of duty in many cases’: Civil rights group to honor Japanese-American regiment on Day of Remembrance

They’re the most decorated unit in American history, without exception.

Courtesy photo / United States Army Signal Corps The Color Guard of the 442nd RCT stands at attention while citations are read following the fierce fighting in the Vosges area of France on November 12, 1944.
Christopher Constant, a Democrat, announced on Thursday he will seek Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Courtesy Photo)

Anchorage Assembly member announces US House bid for Alaska

Democrat enters House race fray.

Christopher Constant, a Democrat, announced on Thursday he will seek Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Courtesy Photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to the Alaska Municipal League and Alaska Conference of Mayors winter meeting at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. The governor gave a presentation on the state finances which included a slide referencing the disagreements with his proposals some lawmakers were likely to have. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy touts state finances, bond plan to municipal leaders

Bills and bonds.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to the Alaska Municipal League and Alaska Conference of Mayors winter meeting at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. The governor gave a presentation on the state finances which included a slide referencing the disagreements with his proposals some lawmakers were likely to have. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Elizabeth Kaaxgal.aat Peratrovich’s legacy is strong in Juneau, where a recently finished mural and renamed plaza help honor the memory of the civil rights activist. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Organizations unite to celebrate legacy of Elizabeth Peratrovich

Juneau recently named a plaza in her honor.

Elizabeth Kaaxgal.aat Peratrovich’s legacy is strong in Juneau, where a recently finished mural and renamed plaza help honor the memory of the civil rights activist. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Glacial retreat will create thousands of miles of new salmon habitat by 2100 — which means, scientists say, that managers need to be thinking proactively about how to manage that land. Pictured is a king salmon on a Southeast Alaska shore. (Mary Catharine Martin / SalmonState)

The Salmon State: Glacier retreat means new habitat — and challenges — for wild salmon

Alaska is about to get thousands of miles of new salmon habitat….

Glacial retreat will create thousands of miles of new salmon habitat by 2100 — which means, scientists say, that managers need to be thinking proactively about how to manage that land. Pictured is a king salmon on a Southeast Alaska shore. (Mary Catharine Martin / SalmonState)
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

  • Feb 17, 2022
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)