News

Coast Guard reports busy Friday with twin Southeast medevacs

Coast Guard Air Station Sitka reported a busy morning with a pair of medevacs from unrelated medical emergencies in Southeast Alaska. According to Coast Guard… Continue reading

Anything made at least 51 percent in the state of Alaska can feature this logo, including marijuana businesses.

State allows marijuana businesses to apply for ‘Made in Alaska’ logos

The state-run “Made in Alaska” program is accepting applications from marijuana businesses. According to records obtained by the Empire via a state information act request,… Continue reading

Anything made at least 51 percent in the state of Alaska can feature this logo, including marijuana businesses.
Alaska Electric Light and Power’s Lynn Canal fiber-optic cable is seen in 2016. GCI has announced that it is considering laying a similar cable between mainland Alaska and Unalaska, the nation’s largest fishing port. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

GCI considers fiber-optic cable to Unalaska

GCI is considering a plan to lay undersea fiber-optic cable to one of Alaska’s most remote communities. On Aug. 24, a GCI contractor began seafloor… Continue reading

Alaska Electric Light and Power’s Lynn Canal fiber-optic cable is seen in 2016. GCI has announced that it is considering laying a similar cable between mainland Alaska and Unalaska, the nation’s largest fishing port. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
In this April 2014 file photo, Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, left, speaks with Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, before their Senate Finanace Committee meeting at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Meet Gov. Walker’s first big challenger

Five years ago, Mike Dunleavy ran for Alaska Senate and asked residents of the Mat-Su to kindly not shoot him. “Mike Dunleavy knows that Alaska… Continue reading

In this April 2014 file photo, Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, left, speaks with Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, before their Senate Finanace Committee meeting at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
An Alaska Airlines 737 passenger jet takes off from Juneau International Airport in June. The City and Borough of Juneau may soon sell $6 million in already-authorized bonds for airport work, but fiscal experts say sales like that one will cost local taxpayers more money because of the state’s declining credit rating. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

State’s credit trouble trickles to street level

In the Kenai, they’ll consider a new heating system. Elsewhere, it’s ports, streets or water and sewer projects. October’s round of municipal elections will ask… Continue reading

An Alaska Airlines 737 passenger jet takes off from Juneau International Airport in June. The City and Borough of Juneau may soon sell $6 million in already-authorized bonds for airport work, but fiscal experts say sales like that one will cost local taxpayers more money because of the state’s declining credit rating. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Former state Sen. Rick Halford, left, and current state Sen. Bill Wielechowski answer questions about a lawsuit they filed at a press conference on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, in Anchorage. The lawsuit filed by Wielechowski, Halford and former state Sen. Clem Tillion claimed Gov. Bill Walker acted illegally in vetoing half the money designated for the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend. (Dan Joling | Associated Press)

Alaska Supreme Court upholds PFD veto

The Alaska Supreme Court has upheld Gov. Bill Walker’s veto of a portion of the 2016 Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend. In a decision issued Friday,… Continue reading

Former state Sen. Rick Halford, left, and current state Sen. Bill Wielechowski answer questions about a lawsuit they filed at a press conference on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, in Anchorage. The lawsuit filed by Wielechowski, Halford and former state Sen. Clem Tillion claimed Gov. Bill Walker acted illegally in vetoing half the money designated for the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend. (Dan Joling | Associated Press)

Nearly a year later, no testing done on sex assault kits

The Alaska State Troopers have more than 1,000 kits containing DNA evidence from sexual assaults across the state. Those kits have rested, shelved and untested,… Continue reading

A male black bear cub, foreground, sits in a tub as a female black bear cub, rear, walks in their enclosure at the San Francisco Zoo in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017. The still nameless cubs that were abandoned by their mothers were found emaciated and wandering alone in Alaska hundreds of miles apart about three months ago. (Jeff Chiu | The Associated Press)

Abandoned in Alaskas, black bear cubs find new home at San Francisco Zoo

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SAN FRANCISCO — Two black bear cubs abandoned by their mothers in Alaska are making their debut at the San Francisco Zoo.… Continue reading

A male black bear cub, foreground, sits in a tub as a female black bear cub, rear, walks in their enclosure at the San Francisco Zoo in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017. The still nameless cubs that were abandoned by their mothers were found emaciated and wandering alone in Alaska hundreds of miles apart about three months ago. (Jeff Chiu | The Associated Press)

U.S. Attorney General has ‘serious concerns,’ but Gov. Walker stands behind legal marijuana

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has “serious questions” about Alaska’s legal marijuana industry, but Gov. Bill Walker is standing by the results of a 2014… Continue reading

State doubles tourism funding in capital budget

Alaska is betting on tourism. Facing a multibillion-dollar deficit, declining revenue and a public generally opposed to new taxes, the state has cut back on… Continue reading

Rep. Lynn Gattis, R-Wasilla, left, speaks during a March 2016 meeting of the House Finance Committee. Gattis, who lost her bid for the Alaska Senate later that year, is running for lieutenant governor. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Second Republican enters race for lieutenant governor

A second Republican has joined the race for lieutenant governor. On Thursday, former Rep. Lynn Gattis filed a letter of intent with the Alaska Public… Continue reading

Rep. Lynn Gattis, R-Wasilla, left, speaks during a March 2016 meeting of the House Finance Committee. Gattis, who lost her bid for the Alaska Senate later that year, is running for lieutenant governor. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s weekly luncheon Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017 at the Juneau Moose Lodge. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Egan: Fourth special session possible in October

The Alaska Legislature is likely to meet for a fourth special session starting in late October. That was the word from Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau,… Continue reading

Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s weekly luncheon Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017 at the Juneau Moose Lodge. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Study: Alaskans love guns to death

Alaska has the highest rate of gun ownership in the United States. It also has one of the highest rates of gun deaths and injuries,… Continue reading

Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, right, speaks in a 2015 Senate Majority press conference. Stevens, who has served in the Legislature for 19 years, is the first person to file for the 2018 lieutenant governor’s race. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Kodiak senator is first to seek lieutenant governor’s office

A two-time Alaska Senate President with 19 years of experience in the Alaska Legislature has become the first person to seek the lieutenant governor’s office… Continue reading

Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, right, speaks in a 2015 Senate Majority press conference. Stevens, who has served in the Legislature for 19 years, is the first person to file for the 2018 lieutenant governor’s race. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
In this March 21, 2016 photo, Alaska Department of Revenue Commissioner Randall Hoffbeck talks to reporters in Juneau, Alaska. Hoffbeck has announced that he is resigning to focus on ministry work. His last day will be Aug. 17, 2017. In his resignation letter, Hoffbeck says it is time for him to “complete the call to ministry God has placed on my heart.” (Rashah McChesney | The Associated Press File)

State revenue commissioner Hoffbeck will resign

After three years trying to convince Alaskans of the severity of the state’s fiscal crisis, Revenue Commissioner Randy Hoffbeck is about to try a new… Continue reading

In this March 21, 2016 photo, Alaska Department of Revenue Commissioner Randall Hoffbeck talks to reporters in Juneau, Alaska. Hoffbeck has announced that he is resigning to focus on ministry work. His last day will be Aug. 17, 2017. In his resignation letter, Hoffbeck says it is time for him to “complete the call to ministry God has placed on my heart.” (Rashah McChesney | The Associated Press File)

Alaska’s marijuana industry is enjoying a summer boom

Alaska’s legal marijuana market is going through a summer boom, with a record 547 pounds of cannabis flower sold by growers in June, according to… Continue reading

Coast Guard nixes idea of ride-sharing for boats

Coast Guard nixes idea of ride-sharing for boats

Uber and Lyft can take you to the beach. Don’t count on them for rides beyond the tideline. That’s the word from the U.S. Coast… Continue reading

Coast Guard nixes idea of ride-sharing for boats
Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Dan Sullivan had different views on the U.S. Senate’s recent health care votes, but the record shows both side far more often than not with each other, and with President Donald Trump. (Juneau Empire File) Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Dan Sullivan had different views on the U.S. Senate’s recent health care votes, but the record shows both side far more often than not with each other, and with President Donald Trump. (Juneau Empire File)

Analysis: Despite health care vote, Alaska’s senators still align with Trump on most issues

Let’s go for a drive. I’ll meet you at the Douglas Breeze-In, and we’ll head down the road to Merchant’s Wharf. It’s only 1.2 miles:… Continue reading

Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Dan Sullivan had different views on the U.S. Senate’s recent health care votes, but the record shows both side far more often than not with each other, and with President Donald Trump. (Juneau Empire File) Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Dan Sullivan had different views on the U.S. Senate’s recent health care votes, but the record shows both side far more often than not with each other, and with President Donald Trump. (Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Bill Walker speaks during a 2014 interview in the Capitol. Walker signed the state’s $1.4 billion capital construction budget on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Walker OKs capital budget

Gov. Bill Walker signed Alaska’s capital construction budget without ceremony or vetoes Monday in the Capitol, fulfilling a promise to approve it before Aug. 1.… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker speaks during a 2014 interview in the Capitol. Walker signed the state’s $1.4 billion capital construction budget on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Senator diagnosed with breast cancer

Alaska’s legislators had to put their lives on hold during an extraordinary 181 days of session. Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, put her cancer diagnosis on… Continue reading