News

Job losses appear to be slowing across state

Alaska’s unemployment rate improved slightly in June, but detailed statistics show job losses continuing. According to figures from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce… Continue reading

Connie Hulbert, President and General Manager of AEL&P, helps prepare food as the company celebrate its 125th year in business with a public picnic at Cope Park on Friday, July 20, 2018. The public was also invited to tour the Gold Creek Power Plant. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Electric Light and Power reveals its historic roots

With sunny picnic and open house, company celebrates 125th anniversary.

Connie Hulbert, President and General Manager of AEL&P, helps prepare food as the company celebrate its 125th year in business with a public picnic at Cope Park on Friday, July 20, 2018. The public was also invited to tour the Gold Creek Power Plant. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Bill Walker signs House Bill 44 in a ceremony under a temporary tent Thursday evening at Jewel Lake in Anchorage while a curious child looks on. (Screenshot)

Walker signs bill that will block lawmakers’ per diem expenses if budget is late

A late budget will now bring consequences for Alaska’s lawmakers. In a Thursday evening ceremony in Anchorage, Gov. Bill Walker signed House Bill 44 into… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker signs House Bill 44 in a ceremony under a temporary tent Thursday evening at Jewel Lake in Anchorage while a curious child looks on. (Screenshot)
Juneau Empire File

Feds sign death certificate for Juneau Road construction

Nineteen months after Gov. Bill Walker killed the Juneau Access Project, the federal government has signed the death certificate.

Juneau Empire File
In this file photo from April 5, 2017, Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, stands to speak in the House chambers against a bill establishing October 25 of each year as African American Soldiers’ Contribution to Building the Alaska Highway Day. The bill passed 39-1 with Rep. Eastman casting the only no vote. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Ruling: Alaska lawmaker violated ethics laws by disclosing complaint to press

The ethics subcommittee of the Alaska House of Representatives ruled Thursday that Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, violated state law by leaking the existence of a confidential ethics complaint to the press.

In this file photo from April 5, 2017, Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, stands to speak in the House chambers against a bill establishing October 25 of each year as African American Soldiers’ Contribution to Building the Alaska Highway Day. The bill passed 39-1 with Rep. Eastman casting the only no vote. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this August 2017 file photo, Juneau Police Department officers serve notices of eviction to homeless Juneauites living on Mental Health Trust Authority land in downtown Juneau. A legislative committee has suggested the Trust’s CEO, Mike Abbott, might be guilty of a crime for leaking an under-development audit. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Mental Health Trust boss accused of leaking audit

A legislative audit committee has suggested the executive director of the Alaska Mental Health Trust could be charged with a crime for giving an under-development… Continue reading

In this August 2017 file photo, Juneau Police Department officers serve notices of eviction to homeless Juneauites living on Mental Health Trust Authority land in downtown Juneau. A legislative committee has suggested the Trust’s CEO, Mike Abbott, might be guilty of a crime for leaking an under-development audit. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
In a photo provided by the office of the governor, Gov. Bill Walker signs Senate Bill 63, a statewide public smoking ban, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at the Lucky Wishbone restaurant in Anchorage. Standing at right is Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the legislative sponsor of the bill. On Walker’s lap is Stella Micciche, one of Micciche’s daughters. Also visible, from right to left behind Walker are Dr. Jay Butler, Alaska’s chief medical officer; Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage; Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage; Micciche; Rep. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage; and the smile of Emily Nenon of the American Cancer Society. (Courtesy photo)

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker signs bill banning indoor smoking

Effective Oct. 1, ban mirrors similar regulations approved by Bethel, Juneau, Anchorage.

In a photo provided by the office of the governor, Gov. Bill Walker signs Senate Bill 63, a statewide public smoking ban, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at the Lucky Wishbone restaurant in Anchorage. Standing at right is Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the legislative sponsor of the bill. On Walker’s lap is Stella Micciche, one of Micciche’s daughters. Also visible, from right to left behind Walker are Dr. Jay Butler, Alaska’s chief medical officer; Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage; Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage; Micciche; Rep. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage; and the smile of Emily Nenon of the American Cancer Society. (Courtesy photo)
In this photo provided by the Alaska Division of Elections, Carolyn Brown (left) and Judy Andree of the Juneau Chapter of the League of Women Voters examine materials before visiting Lemon Creek Correctional Center on July 10, 2018. The division and league have begun a pilot program to allow eligible Alaska inmates to register to vote and seek absentee ballots. (Samantha Miller | Courtesy Photo)

Pilot program aids voter registration, absentee balloting for eligible prisoners in Alaska

Volunteers visit prisons in Juneau, Fairbanks.

In this photo provided by the Alaska Division of Elections, Carolyn Brown (left) and Judy Andree of the Juneau Chapter of the League of Women Voters examine materials before visiting Lemon Creek Correctional Center on July 10, 2018. The division and league have begun a pilot program to allow eligible Alaska inmates to register to vote and seek absentee ballots. (Samantha Miller | Courtesy Photo)
Juneau’s cost of living rises; is now more expensive than Anchorage or Fairbanks

Juneau’s cost of living rises; is now more expensive than Anchorage or Fairbanks

Juneau’s cost of living has risen in the past year, according to new figures from the Council for Community and Economic Research. Each year, the… Continue reading

Juneau’s cost of living rises; is now more expensive than Anchorage or Fairbanks
This image from the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation’s Wednesday presentation to the Alaska Legislature shows the major components of the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline. (screenshot)

Gas pipeline negotiations continue

Correction: The proposed pipeline would be 807 miles, not 907 miles. The multibillion-dollar trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline project is still advancing, state lawmakers were told… Continue reading

This image from the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation’s Wednesday presentation to the Alaska Legislature shows the major components of the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline. (screenshot)
A salmon is seen in an undated file photo. (Juneau Empire)

Alaska fisheries ballot battle becomes more expensive

This year’s fish fight is already half as expensive as the 2014 ballot battle over Alaska’s oil and gas tax system. According to new filings… Continue reading

A salmon is seen in an undated file photo. (Juneau Empire)
Alaska Air National Guard Col. Torrence Saxe, Commander of the168th Wing, celebrates the opening of the service branch’s Juneau recruiting office, the first outside the Anchorage and Fairbanks road system. Senior Master Sgt. Vickie Padello, who oversaw the office’s opening, and Technical Sgt. Jasmine Gallatin, a recruiter, hold a ceremonial ribbon in front of the new office at the National Guard Armory in the University of Alaska Southeast Rec Center. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Air National Guard looks to increase presence in Juneau

New recruiting office opens, aims to get capital on drill flight rotation.

Alaska Air National Guard Col. Torrence Saxe, Commander of the168th Wing, celebrates the opening of the service branch’s Juneau recruiting office, the first outside the Anchorage and Fairbanks road system. Senior Master Sgt. Vickie Padello, who oversaw the office’s opening, and Technical Sgt. Jasmine Gallatin, a recruiter, hold a ceremonial ribbon in front of the new office at the National Guard Armory in the University of Alaska Southeast Rec Center. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
Two Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews rescue 11 people after a float plane crashed 39 miles south southwest of Ketchikan, Alaska, on Prince of Wales Island, July 10, 2018. All 11 people were taken to a staging area nearby for further transfer to Ketchikan. (U.S. Coast Guard | Courtesy Photo)

All 11 rescued from crashed plane on Prince of Wales

All 11 people aboard a plane that crashed Tuesday have been rescued in mountainous terrain on Prince of Wales Island in Alaska, officials said. A… Continue reading

Two Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews rescue 11 people after a float plane crashed 39 miles south southwest of Ketchikan, Alaska, on Prince of Wales Island, July 10, 2018. All 11 people were taken to a staging area nearby for further transfer to Ketchikan. (U.S. Coast Guard | Courtesy Photo)
Eric Forrer, left, and Joe Geldhof, right, have sued the state of Alaska in an attempt to stop a plan that calls for borrowing up to $1 billion from global bond markets to pay oil and gas tax credits owed by the state. They are pictured May 22, 2018 in an interview at the Juneau Empire. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska pauses plan to borrow $1 billion for oil-company payouts

State officials confirmed Tuesday that a billion-dollar bond issue is on hold amid a pending lawsuit by two Juneau men.

Eric Forrer, left, and Joe Geldhof, right, have sued the state of Alaska in an attempt to stop a plan that calls for borrowing up to $1 billion from global bond markets to pay oil and gas tax credits owed by the state. They are pictured May 22, 2018 in an interview at the Juneau Empire. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire File)
Two Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews rescue 11 people after a float plane crashed 39 miles south southwest of Ketchikan, Alaska, on Prince of Wales Island, July 10, 2018. All 11 people were taken to a staging area nearby for further transfer to Ketchikan. (U.S. Coast Guard | Courtesy Photo)

All 11 rescued from crashed plane on Prince of Wales

All 11 people aboard a plane that crashed Tuesday have been rescued in mountainous terrain on Prince of Wales Island in Alaska, officials said. A… Continue reading

Two Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews rescue 11 people after a float plane crashed 39 miles south southwest of Ketchikan, Alaska, on Prince of Wales Island, July 10, 2018. All 11 people were taken to a staging area nearby for further transfer to Ketchikan. (U.S. Coast Guard | Courtesy Photo)
Eric Forrer, left, and Joe Geldhof, right, have sued the state of Alaska in an attempt to stop a plan that calls for borrowing up to $1 billion from global bond markets to pay oil and gas tax credits owed by the state. They are pictured May 22, 2018 in an interview at the Juneau Empire. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska pauses plan to borrow $1 billion for oil-company payouts

State officials confirmed Tuesday that a billion-dollar bond issue is on hold amid a pending lawsuit by two Juneau men. The bonds, authorized by the… Continue reading

Eric Forrer, left, and Joe Geldhof, right, have sued the state of Alaska in an attempt to stop a plan that calls for borrowing up to $1 billion from global bond markets to pay oil and gas tax credits owed by the state. They are pictured May 22, 2018 in an interview at the Juneau Empire. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau Empire file.

USDA Sec. Perdue: Logging, other Southeast industries not ‘mutually-exclusive’

Correction: This article initially listed an incorrect figure for the number of acres the roadless rule would apply to in the Tongass National Forest. The… Continue reading

Juneau Empire file.
Dr. Cate Buley, the medical director of primary care clinics for the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC), talks about changing policies in the realm of opioid prescriptions. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

State shows progress on reducing opioids

Looking at the entirety of the opioid addiction epidemic that has taken hold of Alaska and the rest of the country, it’s easy to get… Continue reading

Dr. Cate Buley, the medical director of primary care clinics for the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC), talks about changing policies in the realm of opioid prescriptions. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, and Fairweather at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, March 5, 2018. (Juneau Empire file)

Ferry passengers stranded without toilets

A pair of generators broke down on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry M/V LeConte Thursday afternoon, stranding 52 passengers on board without working toilets and… Continue reading

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, and Fairweather at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, March 5, 2018. (Juneau Empire file)
A 13-year-old girl and her aunt and uncle are taken back to a cabin on Kruzof Island, Alaska, July 3, 2018, in an Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter. The girl was reported missing in a kayak in Shelikof Bay, last seen wearing a purple, blue and black life jacket, and was later found by the Jayhawk crew in good condition. (U.S. Coast Guard | Courtesy Photo)

With help from aunt, Coast Guard finds missing girl near Sitka

A 13-year-old girl briefly went missing on Kruzof Island near Sitka on Tuesday afternoon, according to a Coast Guard release, as she paddled in the… Continue reading

A 13-year-old girl and her aunt and uncle are taken back to a cabin on Kruzof Island, Alaska, July 3, 2018, in an Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter. The girl was reported missing in a kayak in Shelikof Bay, last seen wearing a purple, blue and black life jacket, and was later found by the Jayhawk crew in good condition. (U.S. Coast Guard | Courtesy Photo)