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Screenshot Republican Nick Begich, left, challenges Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola about her retaining much of former Rep. Don Young’s staff during a statewide televised debate Wednesday.

Begich attacks Young’s staff

Former chair of Congressman’s campaign says staff ignored calls to watch TV, let lobbyists pen bills

Screenshot Republican Nick Begich, left, challenges Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola about her retaining much of former Rep. Don Young’s staff during a statewide televised debate Wednesday.
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Candidate questionnaires

Candidates for statewide office fielded questions from the Empire.

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Then-Lieutenant Governor candidate Edie Grunwald speaks at a Charlie Pierce campaign event at Paradisos restaurant in Kenai on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Grunwald announced she is withdrawing from the race after gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce was sued last week by a woman who said he sexually harassed her when she worked as an assistant. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion File)

Pierce running mate Grunwald urges support for Dunleavy

Edie Grunwald withdraws from campaign.

Then-Lieutenant Governor candidate Edie Grunwald speaks at a Charlie Pierce campaign event at Paradisos restaurant in Kenai on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Grunwald announced she is withdrawing from the race after gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce was sued last week by a woman who said he sexually harassed her when she worked as an assistant. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion File)
Bill Egan, president of the original Alaska constitutional convention and a future governor, signs the proposed Alaska Constitution in the gymnasium, now Signers’ Hall, on Feb. 5, 1956. (Photo courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks)

Constitution convention has great potential — for better or worse

Some on both sides of ballot measure express dire fears, others say reasonable solutions possible

Bill Egan, president of the original Alaska constitutional convention and a future governor, signs the proposed Alaska Constitution in the gymnasium, now Signers’ Hall, on Feb. 5, 1956. (Photo courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks)
Two residents stand in voter booths Monday morning which marked the start for early and absentee in-person voting across the state for the Nov. 8 general election. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Early voting opens for statewide election

Check out the where and when here

Two residents stand in voter booths Monday morning which marked the start for early and absentee in-person voting across the state for the Nov. 8 general election. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, left, Republican challenger Kelly Tshibaka, center, and Democratic challenger Pat Chesbro discuss Arctic security, climate change and other issues during a debate Saturday at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage. (AP Photos/Mark Thiessen)

Senate trio tackles trio of tough issues

Candidates discuss Arctic security, climate change and public safety at AFN debate

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, left, Republican challenger Kelly Tshibaka, center, and Democratic challenger Pat Chesbro discuss Arctic security, climate change and other issues during a debate Saturday at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage. (AP Photos/Mark Thiessen)
This combination image consisting of screenshots from the AFN convention livestream shows the four gubernatorial candidates who will appear on statewide ballots, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Democratic former state Rep. Les Gara, Republican former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and independent former Gov. Bill Walker. (Screenshots)

Gubernatorial candidates take widely varying stances in AFN forum

Four contenders at AFN debate see different fixes for public safety, prison deaths and housing

This combination image consisting of screenshots from the AFN convention livestream shows the four gubernatorial candidates who will appear on statewide ballots, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Democratic former state Rep. Les Gara, Republican former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and independent former Gov. Bill Walker. (Screenshots)
Charlie Pierce, a Republican candidate for Alaska governor, answers a question during a debate, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. A lawsuit filed a day earlier by an employee when he was mayor of the Kenai Peninsula Borough accuses Pierce of "constant unwanted physical touching, sexual remarks and sexual advances." Pierce declined comment on the lawsuit to The Associated Press, and said he didn't plan to suspend his gubernatorial campaign. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Pierce faces sexual harassment lawsuit

ANCHORAGE — A Republican gubernatorial candidate in Alaska faces accusations he sexually harassed a former assistant while he was a borough mayor. The lawsuit filed… Continue reading

Charlie Pierce, a Republican candidate for Alaska governor, answers a question during a debate, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. A lawsuit filed a day earlier by an employee when he was mayor of the Kenai Peninsula Borough accuses Pierce of "constant unwanted physical touching, sexual remarks and sexual advances." Pierce declined comment on the lawsuit to The Associated Press, and said he didn't plan to suspend his gubernatorial campaign. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
The bolo tied owned and often worn by the late U.S. Rep. Don Young is shown around the neck of U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola during the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage this week. Peltola, who won a special election to fill the rest of Young’s term, and three challengers participated in an AFN debate Saturday as they seek a full two-year term in the election a little more than two weeks from now. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

U.S. House candidates debate in ’Mary’s house’

Democratic incumbent Mary Peltola takes on three conservative challengers at friendly AFN convention

The bolo tied owned and often worn by the late U.S. Rep. Don Young is shown around the neck of U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola during the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage this week. Peltola, who won a special election to fill the rest of Young’s term, and three challengers participated in an AFN debate Saturday as they seek a full two-year term in the election a little more than two weeks from now. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski delivers a speech on Friday during the second day of the Alaska Federation of Native’s 2022 convention. Murkowski, a Republican running for reelection, got a standing ovation and several rounds of applause during her speech. (Photo by Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)

Murkowski, facing spirited election challenge, gets warm embrace at AFN convention

AFN audience greeted U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski with a standing ovation.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski delivers a speech on Friday during the second day of the Alaska Federation of Native’s 2022 convention. Murkowski, a Republican running for reelection, got a standing ovation and several rounds of applause during her speech. (Photo by Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)
U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, left, acknowledges audience members singing a song of prayer for her at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage on Thursday. Peltola, a Democrat, is the first Alaska Native to be elected to Congress. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Peltola unites crowd at AFN convention

Congresswoman gets a warm welcome from convention attendees, predecessor’s family.

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, left, acknowledges audience members singing a song of prayer for her at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage on Thursday. Peltola, a Democrat, is the first Alaska Native to be elected to Congress. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Anchorage on Thursday morning. All of the elected officials and candidates in the state’s three major races in the November election are scheduled to participate in speeches and debates scheduled during the three-day gathering. (Screenshot from video provided by the office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Gov touts collaboration in AFN address

Cites pandemic response as an example of successfully working together.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Anchorage on Thursday morning. All of the elected officials and candidates in the state’s three major races in the November election are scheduled to participate in speeches and debates scheduled during the three-day gathering. (Screenshot from video provided by the office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy is seen in a screenshot of a news conference on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, in Anchorage. Dunleavy said that if reelected, he will seek to raise the prison sentence for dealing illegal drugs that result in a death. (Screenshot)

Dunleavy plans longer prison terms for drug dealers linked to overdose deaths

The proposal would still have to pass muster with the Alaska Legislature

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is seen in a screenshot of a news conference on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, in Anchorage. Dunleavy said that if reelected, he will seek to raise the prison sentence for dealing illegal drugs that result in a death. (Screenshot)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks during a meet-and-greet Oct. 12 at Louie’s Douglas Inn. The four-term Republican incumbent is being opposed by the state’s party leadership in favor of a challenger backed by former President Donald Trump, similar to the 2010 election when she won a historic write-in campaign against a Tea Part challenger that defeated her in the primary election. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Murkowski swings for middle in race filled with wild pitches

Four-term U.S. senator who won 2010 write-in campaign again facing strong challenge from the right

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks during a meet-and-greet Oct. 12 at Louie’s Douglas Inn. The four-term Republican incumbent is being opposed by the state’s party leadership in favor of a challenger backed by former President Donald Trump, similar to the 2010 election when she won a historic write-in campaign against a Tea Part challenger that defeated her in the primary election. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Lemon Creek Correctional Center in Juneau. About 20% of the prison’s population was recently relocated to other facilities in South Central Alaska. The transfers come amid renovations to the aging facility. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

20% of prison’s population transferred amid repairs

Dozens of people incarcerated at LCCC moved to other facilities.

This photo shows Lemon Creek Correctional Center in Juneau. About 20% of the prison’s population was recently relocated to other facilities in South Central Alaska. The transfers come amid renovations to the aging facility. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Mary Peltola, an Alaska Democrat, delivers a speech on the U.S. House floor before Thursday’s vote approving her first bill, establishing an Office of Food Security in the Department of Veterans Affairs. It passed the House by a 376-49 vote, although its fate in the Senate is undetermined. (Screenshot / U.S. House video)

Peltola leads House challengers in new fundraising reports

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, of Alaska, reported raising $2.3 million in just over three weeks in September, leaving the Democrat with a large cash advantage… Continue reading

Rep. Mary Peltola, an Alaska Democrat, delivers a speech on the U.S. House floor before Thursday’s vote approving her first bill, establishing an Office of Food Security in the Department of Veterans Affairs. It passed the House by a 376-49 vote, although its fate in the Senate is undetermined. (Screenshot / U.S. House video)
Chesbro For Alaska Pat Chesbro, the lone Democrat in the three-way race for one of Alaska’s U.S. Senate seats in the November general election, poses for her official campaign profile picture.

Chesbro says she holds the keys to victory

Democrat a longshot in U.S. Senate race, but one of her Republican opponents needs her voters to win

Chesbro For Alaska Pat Chesbro, the lone Democrat in the three-way race for one of Alaska’s U.S. Senate seats in the November general election, poses for her official campaign profile picture.
Then-Alaska State Senate President Ben Stevens, R Anchorage, talks during an interview on May 25, 2005 at the State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. Ben Stevens, a former Alaska Senate president and a son of the late U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, died on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. He was 63. (AP Photo / David J. Sheakley)

Ben Stevens, former Alaska Senate president, dies at age 63

Ben Stevens, a former Alaska Senate president and a son of the late U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, has died. He was 63. The Alaska State… Continue reading

Then-Alaska State Senate President Ben Stevens, R Anchorage, talks during an interview on May 25, 2005 at the State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. Ben Stevens, a former Alaska Senate president and a son of the late U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, died on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. He was 63. (AP Photo / David J. Sheakley)
Bob Bird (left) and Lisa Parker (right) participate in a Constitutional Convention Forum at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Constitutional convention debate comes to Kenai

Alaskans will be asked on the Nov. 8 general election ballot: “Shall there be a constitutional convention?”

Bob Bird (left) and Lisa Parker (right) participate in a Constitutional Convention Forum at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kelly Tshibaka, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, poses for her official campaign biography photo this spring. (Kelly For Alaska)

Tshibaka sees more than red:Trump-back candidate discusses policy goals in Senate

Weighty words ranging from seabeds to outer space.

Kelly Tshibaka, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, poses for her official campaign biography photo this spring. (Kelly For Alaska)