State government

Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire Members of the deck department of the Columbia state ferry get ready to dock the vessel in Petersburg on July 17. A change in the accounting department is expected to lessen the number of payroll complaints among Alaska Marine Highway System employees.

A fix is in for ferry payroll issues

The change addresses longstanding issues with AMHS employees getting paid late or the wrong amounts.

Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire Members of the deck department of the Columbia state ferry get ready to dock the vessel in Petersburg on July 17. A change in the accounting department is expected to lessen the number of payroll complaints among Alaska Marine Highway System employees.
Capt. Dave Turner and Chief Mate Lucas Bevegni on the bridge of Columbia state ferry as Bevegni takes note of a whale spout more than a mile in the distance. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Fixing the ferry’s future: Help wanted on the Alaska Marine Highway

Part one of a two-part series about the tricky navigation facing the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Capt. Dave Turner and Chief Mate Lucas Bevegni on the bridge of Columbia state ferry as Bevegni takes note of a whale spout more than a mile in the distance. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau School District is determining how to respond to a letter from the Alaska Department of Education Early Development, which could endanger $2.28 million in “outside the cap” funding in the district’s budget for the current year. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

State challenges Juneau’s ‘outside the cap’ funding to district

Years-long practice of extra funding may be halted across the state; millions on the line in Juneau.

The Juneau School District is determining how to respond to a letter from the Alaska Department of Education Early Development, which could endanger $2.28 million in “outside the cap” funding in the district’s budget for the current year. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in April focusing on the budget and a long-range fiscal plan for the state. He signed the budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 on Sunday, but did not publicly announce the signing or line-item vetoes made — including cutting in half an increase to public education spending — until Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Lawmakers call for override of Dunleavy’s budget cuts to education funding

Odds are “going to be very difficult,” says Juneau senator.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in April focusing on the budget and a long-range fiscal plan for the state. He signed the budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 on Sunday, but did not publicly announce the signing or line-item vetoes made — including cutting in half an increase to public education spending — until Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Initiative would move Legislature’s meetings to Anchorage

Initiative would move Legislature’s meetings to Anchorage

Anchorage group working toward a ballot initiative

Initiative would move Legislature’s meetings to Anchorage
In this July 2018 file photo, Seine boats wait in line to set their nets at Amalga Harbor. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Governor proposes redirecting money from fishing communities to state

Juneau could lose out on $400,000 annually.

In this July 2018 file photo, Seine boats wait in line to set their nets at Amalga Harbor. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
Senators want more answers on Marine Highway closure

Senators want more answers on Marine Highway closure

Marine Highway closure could have dire results

Senators want more answers on Marine Highway closure
Tall promises, short details: Senate Democrats concerned about budget

Tall promises, short details: Senate Democrats concerned about budget

Lawmakers caution constituents of inevitable budget cuts.

Tall promises, short details: Senate Democrats concerned about budget
Dunleavy’s candidate screening process under scrutiny

Dunleavy’s candidate screening process under scrutiny

Some nominees have been “found wanting.”

Dunleavy’s candidate screening process under scrutiny
Capitol Live: Without organization, House committees gather as ‘informational meetings’ anyway

Capitol Live: Without organization, House committees gather as ‘informational meetings’ anyway

House Reps. attempt to stay updated.

Capitol Live: Without organization, House committees gather as ‘informational meetings’ anyway
Capitol Live: Pinpointing when House majority will be formed ‘pretty difficult’

Capitol Live: Pinpointing when House majority will be formed ‘pretty difficult’

What’s happening today in the Legislature.

Capitol Live: Pinpointing when House majority will be formed ‘pretty difficult’