News

A Trucano Construction crew installs a 94-foot-long bridge over Jordan Creek next to Egan Drive in 2015. A ballot measure debated in Anchorage Superior Court on Tuesday would have significant implications for bridges and other projects that affect salmon-bearing streams. Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file

Mines, roads and more may hinge on constitutional clause

The future of Pebble Mine, the Susitna dam and any trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline may be determined by an obscure clause of the Alaska Constitution.… Continue reading

A Trucano Construction crew installs a 94-foot-long bridge over Jordan Creek next to Egan Drive in 2015. A ballot measure debated in Anchorage Superior Court on Tuesday would have significant implications for bridges and other projects that affect salmon-bearing streams. Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file
Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation director Angela Rodell is seen at her desk in the Permanent Fund headquarters building on Sept. 29, 2017. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Advisers recommend Permanent Fund lower its expectations; trustees defer action

The Alaska Permanent Fund’s trustees are putting off advice from the fund’s advisers and staff to lower their expectations. The decision, made this week at… Continue reading

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation director Angela Rodell is seen at her desk in the Permanent Fund headquarters building on Sept. 29, 2017. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

DEC rejects climate change petition

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has rejected a petition from a group of Alaska youths that sought tougher state regulation of greenhouse gases. In… Continue reading

Alaska mayors again plead for Legislature to fix deficit

For the past two years, mayors across Alaska have pleaded for the Alaska Legislature to do something — anything — to solve the state’s multibillion-dollar… Continue reading

Arts council tries to put salmon (and Denali) on your plate

The Alaska State Council for the Arts is offering salmon on a plate. It’s also offering the aurora, a raven and Denali. All are among… Continue reading

Businessman and activist Scott Hawkins is running for the Republican nomination for governor in 2018. Scott Hawkins campaign

Businessman and activist Scott Hawkins files for governor

Anchorage businessman and political activist Scott Hawkins has joined the race for Alaska governor. According to the Alaska Public Offices Commission, Hawkins filed a letter… Continue reading

Businessman and activist Scott Hawkins is running for the Republican nomination for governor in 2018. Scott Hawkins campaign
In this Dec. 2015 photo, Gov. Bill Walker speaks in an interview at the Juneau Empire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Walker proposes payroll tax to fix (part of) the state deficit

To help solve Alaska’s multibillion-dollar annual deficit, Gov. Bill Walker is calling for a 1.5 percent payroll tax on everyone working in Alaska. The proposal,… Continue reading

In this Dec. 2015 photo, Gov. Bill Walker speaks in an interview at the Juneau Empire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
State attorneys Elizabeth Bakalar, foreground left, and Margaret Paton-Walsh, foreground right, listen to arguments made by attorney Jon Choate on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 in Alaska Superior Court in Juneau. At background left is Judge Philip Pallenberg, who is expected to decide the Alaska Democratic Party’s lawsuit against the state next week. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Democrats fight in court to put independents on their primary ballot

For state attorney Margaret Paton-Walsh, it’s a Jenga tower waiting to collapse. For Alaska Democratic Party attorney Jon Choate, it’s the solemn decision of an… Continue reading

State attorneys Elizabeth Bakalar, foreground left, and Margaret Paton-Walsh, foreground right, listen to arguments made by attorney Jon Choate on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 in Alaska Superior Court in Juneau. At background left is Judge Philip Pallenberg, who is expected to decide the Alaska Democratic Party’s lawsuit against the state next week. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
In this June 13 photo, an Alaska Marine Highway System terminal crewman closes the gate to board the ferry Kennicott as it leaves for Yakutat. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska Legislature’s mistake may shut down state ferry system

HAINES — A legislative mistake may mean a spring shutdown of the Alaska Marine Highway. Pat Pitney, director of the Alaska Office of Management and… Continue reading

In this June 13 photo, an Alaska Marine Highway System terminal crewman closes the gate to board the ferry Kennicott as it leaves for Yakutat. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Sealaska CEO Anthony Mallott speaks to attendees of the Southeast Conference annual meeting Sept. 19, 2017 in Haines, Alaska. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Southeast leaders gather in Haines to chart ferries’ fate

HAINES — They’ve come from Hoonah and Petersburg, Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, and more. On Tuesday, community, government and business leaders gathered at the fairgrounds here… Continue reading

Sealaska CEO Anthony Mallott speaks to attendees of the Southeast Conference annual meeting Sept. 19, 2017 in Haines, Alaska. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

State confirms sale of Taku

The state has confirmed it will sell the ferry Taku to a developer who intends to turn it into a floating hotel in Portland. Jonathan… Continue reading

A large still is a centerpiece in the tasting room at the Amalga Distillery at Franklin and Second Streets on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska’s distillery trouble may have been caused by a regulatory blind spot

After almost three years serving cocktails across the counters of their tasting rooms, Alaska distilleries have been told to stop the practice. On Monday, state… Continue reading

A large still is a centerpiece in the tasting room at the Amalga Distillery at Franklin and Second Streets on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Taku. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Ferry Taku may be bound for Portland and become a hipster

The ferry Taku may soon become a Portland hotel. On Friday, Jonathan Cohen of Portland, Oregon was the high bidder when the Alaska Department of… Continue reading

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Taku. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Conference will consider future of Alaska Marine Highway System

Some of the top tribal, state and municipal and business leaders in Southeast will gather in Haines this week for a conference that may decide… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker speaks to reporters during a Friday press conference in Anchorage. At left are Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth and Col. Hans Brinke, director of the Alaska State Troopers. To the right is Col. Steve Hall, director of Wildlife Troopers. (Alaska Journal of Commerce Photo)

Walker backs rollback of criminal justice reform

Gov. Bill Walker will ask legislators to toughen the state’s penalties for some minor crimes when the Alaska Legislature convenes for a special session next… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker speaks to reporters during a Friday press conference in Anchorage. At left are Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth and Col. Hans Brinke, director of the Alaska State Troopers. To the right is Col. Steve Hall, director of Wildlife Troopers. (Alaska Journal of Commerce Photo)
A large still is a centerpiece in the tasting room at the Amalga Distillery at Franklin and Second Streets on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Bar Wars: Alcohol board bans distilleries from selling cocktails

Amalga Distillery got some sobering news from the Alaska Alcoholic Beverage Control Board on Wednesday: distilleries may no longer serve cocktails, effective immediately. It was… Continue reading

A large still is a centerpiece in the tasting room at the Amalga Distillery at Franklin and Second Streets on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sockeye salmon splash their way up Steep Creek in 2012. Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has rejected a ballot initiative that would have made it more difficult to build projects that affect salmon streams. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Mallott kills fish measure

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has rejected a proposed pro-fisheries ballot initiative as inappropriately restricting the powers of the Alaska Legislature. On Tuesday morning, the lieutenant… Continue reading

Sockeye salmon splash their way up Steep Creek in 2012. Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has rejected a ballot initiative that would have made it more difficult to build projects that affect salmon streams. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
In this March 2016 photo, Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, questions Dr. Susan McCauley, Interim Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, during a Senate Education Committee on SB 191 at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy quits governor’s race; Huggins is in

There’s been a shakeup in the Republican lineup for the 2018 governor’s race. On Tuesday morning, Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, announced that he is suspending… Continue reading

In this March 2016 photo, Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, questions Dr. Susan McCauley, Interim Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, during a Senate Education Committee on SB 191 at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
This August 2016 photo shows Skilak Lake with Mt. Redoubt in the background on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. The state of Alaska is engaged in two lawsuits at the federal level with national implications, one of which involves a set of rules for hunting on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, finalized in March 2016. (Elizabeth Earl | Peninsula Clarion File)

Two state lawsuits hold national implications

The state of Alaska is caught up in two fish and wildlife-related lawsuits in federal courts that could set precedents around the nation for years… Continue reading

This August 2016 photo shows Skilak Lake with Mt. Redoubt in the background on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. The state of Alaska is engaged in two lawsuits at the federal level with national implications, one of which involves a set of rules for hunting on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, finalized in March 2016. (Elizabeth Earl | Peninsula Clarion File)
In this April 2011 photo, Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho, left, and former Juneau Rep. Bill Hudson, right, speak with John Torgerson, chairman of the Alaska Redistricting Board during a break in hearing public testimony at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

State seeks to end partisan gerrymandering nationwide

The state of Alaska is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to rule partisan gerrymandering illegal. On Tuesday, the Alaska Department of Law announced it has… Continue reading

In this April 2011 photo, Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho, left, and former Juneau Rep. Bill Hudson, right, speak with John Torgerson, chairman of the Alaska Redistricting Board during a break in hearing public testimony at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)