Alaska Legislature

Watch: Candidates Forum Live

Watch: Candidates Forum Live

Tune in at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Watch: Candidates Forum Live
Legislative candidates answers questions during the Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018. From left: Moderator Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, House District 33 candidates Chris Dimond and Sara Hannan, House District 34 candidates Jerry Nankervis and Andi Story, and Senate District Q candidates Don Etheridge and Jesse Kiehl. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Why I’m voting for Chris Dimond

This is my first time voting in a state election.

Legislative candidates answers questions during the Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018. From left: Moderator Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, House District 33 candidates Chris Dimond and Sara Hannan, House District 34 candidates Jerry Nankervis and Andi Story, and Senate District Q candidates Don Etheridge and Jesse Kiehl. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Legislative candidates answers questions during the Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018. From left: Moderator Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, House District 33 candidates Chris Dimond and Sara Hannan, House District 34 candidates Jerry Nankervis and Andi Story, and Senate District Q candidates Don Etheridge and Jesse Kiehl. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Empire will co-host, moderate legislative forum

The Juneau Empire, along with the League of Women Voters of Juneau, Juneau Votes! and KTOO, is aiming to get local voters ready for the… Continue reading

Legislative candidates answers questions during the Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018. From left: Moderator Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, House District 33 candidates Chris Dimond and Sara Hannan, House District 34 candidates Jerry Nankervis and Andi Story, and Senate District Q candidates Don Etheridge and Jesse Kiehl. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A black bear is seen at the Alaska State Capitol at 4:12 p.m. Thursday in this photo taken by Megan Wallace and provided to the Empire. The bear wandered downtown Juneau at the start of the evening rush hour, lingering outside Dimond Courthouse, the Capitol, Key Bank and a bear statue. (Megan Wallace | Courtesy photo)

Black bear visits Capitol, courthouse

A black bear caused a brief stir in downtown Juneau on Thursday afternoon after it wandered onto the front steps of the Alaska Capitol, meandered… Continue reading

A black bear is seen at the Alaska State Capitol at 4:12 p.m. Thursday in this photo taken by Megan Wallace and provided to the Empire. The bear wandered downtown Juneau at the start of the evening rush hour, lingering outside Dimond Courthouse, the Capitol, Key Bank and a bear statue. (Megan Wallace | Courtesy photo)
Juneau legislative candidates raise their hands to show they are in favor of a second crossing to Douglas Island during a forum at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. From left: House District 33 candidates Chris Dimond and Sara Hannan, House District 34 candidates Jerry Nankervis and Andi Story, and Senate District Q candidates Don Etheridge and Jesse Kiehl. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Candidates talk majorities, Permanent Fund at forum

Legislative hopefuls gathered at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s forum Thursday.

Juneau legislative candidates raise their hands to show they are in favor of a second crossing to Douglas Island during a forum at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. From left: House District 33 candidates Chris Dimond and Sara Hannan, House District 34 candidates Jerry Nankervis and Andi Story, and Senate District Q candidates Don Etheridge and Jesse Kiehl. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alaska lawmakers likely won’t vote on pay before election

Alaska lawmakers likely won’t vote on pay before election

Lawmakers are considering a proposal to reduce their expense payments, but they are not likely to vote on the proposal before the Nov. 6 general election.

Alaska lawmakers likely won’t vote on pay before election
At forum, Southeast candidates say income tax is necessary to defeat Alaska budget deficit

At forum, Southeast candidates say income tax is necessary to defeat Alaska budget deficit

Five of the six candidates running for Statehouse in northern Southeast agree that Alaska needs an income tax. In Tuesday’s Get Out the Native Vote… Continue reading

At forum, Southeast candidates say income tax is necessary to defeat Alaska budget deficit
‘Running a tight ship’: University hopes to again prove worthy of a bump from state
‘Running a tight ship’: University hopes to again prove worthy of a bump from state
Recount confirms House District 29 winner

Recount confirms House District 29 winner

The Alaska Division of Elections has confirmed Benjamin Carpenter as the winner of the contested Republican primary election in House District 29. The bipartisan State… Continue reading

Recount confirms House District 29 winner
Governor Walker signs House Bill 333 at Bowman Elementary School on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 in Anchorage. (Brice Habeger photo | Office of the Governor)

Walker signs bill allowing cities to ban cellphone use in school zones

Alaskans are already forbidden from texting while driving, and on Wednesday, Gov. Bill Walker signed legislation that could keep them from driving and talking on… Continue reading

Governor Walker signs House Bill 333 at Bowman Elementary School on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 in Anchorage. (Brice Habeger photo | Office of the Governor)
Laraine Derr, of the Regional Accu-Vote Board, center, waits for her machine to print out a tally as she, David Clover, left, and Mary Foster count questioned and absentee ballots at the State of Alaska election office at the Mendenhall Mall on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

New vote tallies aid challenged Alaska legislative incumbents

Incumbent Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux has taken a significant lead in a Republican primary race marred by possible voter fraud. On Tuesday, the Alaska Division of… Continue reading

Laraine Derr, of the Regional Accu-Vote Board, center, waits for her machine to print out a tally as she, David Clover, left, and Mary Foster count questioned and absentee ballots at the State of Alaska election office at the Mendenhall Mall on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Dead Alaskans attempt to vote in Anchorage

Dead Alaskans attempt to vote in Anchorage

The Alaska Division of Elections is investigating why seven dead people requested absentee ballots for the close-fought primary election in Anchorage’s House District 15. The… Continue reading

Dead Alaskans attempt to vote in Anchorage
Analysis: Primary results indicate willingness to re-fight old battles

Analysis: Primary results indicate willingness to re-fight old battles

On Tuesday, workers at the Alaska Division of Elections will begin counting absentee and question ballots from across the state. Those votes may tilt the… Continue reading

Analysis: Primary results indicate willingness to re-fight old battles
House District 34 candidates Andi Story, left, and Rob Edwardson, center, wave campaign signs with Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, at Egan Drive and Glacier Highway on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Story, Hannan win Democratic nominations for Juneau House seats

The Democratic Party’s “Year of the Woman” arrived in Juneau on Tuesday. According to preliminary tallies by the Alaska Division of Elections, Sara Hannan has… Continue reading

House District 34 candidates Andi Story, left, and Rob Edwardson, center, wave campaign signs with Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, at Egan Drive and Glacier Highway on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Story, Hannan win Democratic nominations for Juneau House seats

Story, Hannan win Democratic nominations for Juneau House seats

The Democratic Party’s “Year of the Woman” arrived in Juneau on Tuesday. According to preliminary tallies by the Alaska Division of Elections, Sara Hannan has… Continue reading

Story, Hannan win Democratic nominations for Juneau House seats
From left to right, Steve Handy, Sara Hannan and Tom Morphet are running for the Democratic nomination in Alaska House District 33. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire photos)

Candidates amass cash with eye toward November

Alaska’s statewide primary election isn’t until Tuesday, but in Juneau, candidates appear to already be looking ahead to November’s general election. According to the latest… Continue reading

From left to right, Steve Handy, Sara Hannan and Tom Morphet are running for the Democratic nomination in Alaska House District 33. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire photos)
In a photo provided by the governor’s office, Gov. Bill Walker waves from the stage at Lathrop High School during a signing ceremony for four bills Friday, Aug. 10, 2018. (Courtesy photo)

Gov. Walker signs Parish’s education bill

Justin Parish’s bill has become law. In a Friday ceremony in Fairbanks’ Lathrop High School, Gov. Bill Walker signed four education-related bills into law. Among… Continue reading

In a photo provided by the governor’s office, Gov. Bill Walker waves from the stage at Lathrop High School during a signing ceremony for four bills Friday, Aug. 10, 2018. (Courtesy photo)
Andi Story is running for Alaska House District 34. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Election 2018: Andi Story seeks Democratic nomination for House seat from the Mendenhall Valley

Andi Story was tired of spending time in the Capitol, so she decided to do something that may have her spending much more time there.… Continue reading

Andi Story is running for Alaska House District 34. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
James Hart is seen in an undated photo. (Photo courtesy James Hart)

Election 2018: James Hart drops out of House race on eve of early voting

One of four candidates in the Democratic primary for House District 33 is dropping out of the race. James Hart of Haines told the Empire… Continue reading

James Hart is seen in an undated photo. (Photo courtesy James Hart)
Juneau Assembly member Rob Edwardson talks on Thursday, August 2, 2018, about his run for the District 34 House seat in the Mendenhall Valley. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Election 2018: Edwardson blazes independent’s path in upcoming primary

In the Mendenhall Valley, Rob Edwardson is looking to pick up where Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, is leaving off.

Juneau Assembly member Rob Edwardson talks on Thursday, August 2, 2018, about his run for the District 34 House seat in the Mendenhall Valley. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)