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Alaska Federation of Natives Youths perform during the 2019 Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Fairbanks. The convention, which AFN says is the largest representative annual gathering in the United States of Native peoples, is meeting in-person for the first time in two years from Oct. 20-22 in Anchorage.

AFN Convention returns with in-person event

About 6,000 people expected at three-day gathering in Anchorge featuring performances and politics

Alaska Federation of Natives Youths perform during the 2019 Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Fairbanks. The convention, which AFN says is the largest representative annual gathering in the United States of Native peoples, is meeting in-person for the first time in two years from Oct. 20-22 in Anchorage.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a news conference at the state Capitol on April 28, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Nearly every single Alaskan got a financial windfall amounting to more than $3,000 on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, the day the state began distributing payments from Alaska's investment fund that has been seeded with money from the state's oil riches. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Dunleavy says he’ll vote for constitutional convention

The question will be on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a news conference at the state Capitol on April 28, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Nearly every single Alaskan got a financial windfall amounting to more than $3,000 on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, the day the state began distributing payments from Alaska's investment fund that has been seeded with money from the state's oil riches. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
Forms to run for state office are displayed at the Alaska Division of Elections’ offices in Juneau in June. Candidates and organizations in statewide contests were required to file campaign finance reports on Monday, detailing their spending, expenses and cash on hand one month before the Nov 8 election. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)

Big bucks back constitutional convention opponents

D.C. group spends on ballot measure, Dunleavy has big cash advantage in governor’s race.

Forms to run for state office are displayed at the Alaska Division of Elections’ offices in Juneau in June. Candidates and organizations in statewide contests were required to file campaign finance reports on Monday, detailing their spending, expenses and cash on hand one month before the Nov 8 election. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)
Screenshot / Clarise Larson More than 60 people joined in on a Zoom meeting Monday afternoon to participate in an Indigenous Language revitalization class and panel that addressed the future of Lingít, X<strong>̱</strong>aad Kíl, and Sm<strong>ʼ</strong>algya<strong>̱</strong>x.

Celebrating learning on Indigenous Peoples Day

Community leaders talk future of Indigenous Southeast Alaska languages

Screenshot / Clarise Larson More than 60 people joined in on a Zoom meeting Monday afternoon to participate in an Indigenous Language revitalization class and panel that addressed the future of Lingít, X<strong>̱</strong>aad Kíl, and Sm<strong>ʼ</strong>algya<strong>̱</strong>x.
Heidi Drygas, who is running for lieutenant governor, and Bill Walker, who is running for governor, smile outside the Juneau Empire’s offices after an interview this week. Walker said he’s hopeful voters will understand his decision to draw from the Alaska Permanent Fund to fund state government. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Walker hopes voters willing to accept hard truths

Former independent governor seeking office again after “I threw myself on the Permanent Fund grenade. ”

Heidi Drygas, who is running for lieutenant governor, and Bill Walker, who is running for governor, smile outside the Juneau Empire’s offices after an interview this week. Walker said he’s hopeful voters will understand his decision to draw from the Alaska Permanent Fund to fund state government. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A map shows more than 50 proposed cabin projects in the Tongass and Chugach National Forests the U.S. Forest Service is considering using $14.4 million in federal funds. About half of the projects are expected to be approved, with the public able to comment online about their preferences until Oct. 31. (U.S. Forest Service)

Cabin fever fueled by Forest Service funds

More than 50 proposed new Alaska sites, half in Tongass, draw strong opinions.

A map shows more than 50 proposed cabin projects in the Tongass and Chugach National Forests the U.S. Forest Service is considering using $14.4 million in federal funds. About half of the projects are expected to be approved, with the public able to comment online about their preferences until Oct. 31. (U.S. Forest Service)
Fat Bear Week bracket (Photo courtesy Katmai National Park & Preserve)

Survival of the fattest: Voters decide on the heftiest Katmai brown bear

Voters decide on the heftiest Katmai brown bear

Fat Bear Week bracket (Photo courtesy Katmai National Park & Preserve)
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Les Gara, left, discusses hospitality industry issues during a forum Wednesday with independent candidate Bill Walker, right, at Louie’s Douglas Inn. The forum was hosted by the Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association, with the organization’s president and CEO Sarah Oates acting as the moderator. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Walker, Gara get into a bar debate

Candidates for governor talk about serving, shortages and ships during industry forum in Juneau

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Les Gara, left, discusses hospitality industry issues during a forum Wednesday with independent candidate Bill Walker, right, at Louie’s Douglas Inn. The forum was hosted by the Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association, with the organization’s president and CEO Sarah Oates acting as the moderator. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A bald eagle looks toward the Mendenhall Glacier near the visitor center on Tuesday. The U.S. Forest Service is proposing expanding a ban on mining and other mineral resource extraction activities from an area on the glacier a short distance from the existing face to several hundred yards inward, extending outward to the mountainsides along both sides. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Forest Service seeks input on expanding mineral extraction ban near glacier

Forest Service seeks input on expanding mineral extraction ban in recreation area

A bald eagle looks toward the Mendenhall Glacier near the visitor center on Tuesday. The U.S. Forest Service is proposing expanding a ban on mining and other mineral resource extraction activities from an area on the glacier a short distance from the existing face to several hundred yards inward, extending outward to the mountainsides along both sides. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Melanie Hardin, right, greets the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.’s Board of Trustees before her interview for the APFC’s executive director’s job Monday in Juneau, (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Permanent Fund board picks new executive director

Trustees work overtime selecting from three candidates after interviews Monday

Melanie Hardin, right, greets the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.’s Board of Trustees before her interview for the APFC’s executive director’s job Monday in Juneau, (Mark Sabbatini / 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 from official U.S. House video)

Poll: Peltola’s a popular pol

Food for vets bill passes House, pollster says she is “the most popular figure in Alaska right now.”

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 from official U.S. House video)
A parking sign awaits the new executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund at its Juneau headquarters, Three finalists will be interviewed for the job during a public meeting Monday by the fund’s board of trustees, who are expected to deliberate and announce the new director immediately afterward. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Interviews, selection of new Permanent Fund CEO set for Monday

Three finalists seeking to manage $73.7B fund to appear before trustees at public meeting in Juneau

A parking sign awaits the new executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund at its Juneau headquarters, Three finalists will be interviewed for the job during a public meeting Monday by the fund’s board of trustees, who are expected to deliberate and announce the new director immediately afterward. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau is scheduled to be the site where the board of trustees will select a new executive director on Monday, following the investigation into the firing of former CEO Angela Rodell last December being presented to state lawmakers on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Investigators: Permanent Fund CEO’s firing legal but departed from policy

Trustees acted legally, despite not following official policy, and governor didn’t influence decision

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau is scheduled to be the site where the board of trustees will select a new executive director on Monday, following the investigation into the firing of former CEO Angela Rodell last December being presented to state lawmakers on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A chart shows what critics claim is poor financial performance by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, especially in subsidizing private industry projects intended to boost the state’s economy, during its 55-year existence. The chart is part of a report released Tuesday criticizing the agency. (MB Barker/LLC Erickson & Associates/EcoSystems LLC)

AIDEA’s fiscal performance fishy, critics say

Report presented by salmon industry advocates asserts state business subsidy agency cost public $10B

A chart shows what critics claim is poor financial performance by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, especially in subsidizing private industry projects intended to boost the state’s economy, during its 55-year existence. The chart is part of a report released Tuesday criticizing the agency. (MB Barker/LLC Erickson & Associates/EcoSystems LLC)
In this photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, a Coast Guard Cutter Kimball crew-member observes a foreign vessel in the Bering Sea, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. The U.S. Coast Guard cutter on routine patrol in the Bering Sea came across the guided missile cruiser from the People's Republic of China, officials said Monday, Sept. 26. (U.S. Coast Guard District 17 via AP)

Patrol spots Chinese, Russian naval ships off Alaska island

This wasn’t the first time Chinese naval ships have sailed near Alaska waters.

In this photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, a Coast Guard Cutter Kimball crew-member observes a foreign vessel in the Bering Sea, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. The U.S. Coast Guard cutter on routine patrol in the Bering Sea came across the guided missile cruiser from the People's Republic of China, officials said Monday, Sept. 26. (U.S. Coast Guard District 17 via AP)
Nick Begich III, a Republican candidate for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, talks about wanting to maximize mining in the state to provide materials beneficial to electric vehicles during the 9th annual Juneau EV EBIKE Roundup on Saturday. Begich, who finished third among the major candidates for the seat in the August special election and remains in that spot in polls about six weeks before the November general election, spent Saturday at numerous campaign-related events in town. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire).

Begich: Third climb is the charm

Republican challenger staying the course despite trailing in recent recent polling and fundraising

Nick Begich III, a Republican candidate for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, talks about wanting to maximize mining in the state to provide materials beneficial to electric vehicles during the 9th annual Juneau EV EBIKE Roundup on Saturday. Begich, who finished third among the major candidates for the seat in the August special election and remains in that spot in polls about six weeks before the November general election, spent Saturday at numerous campaign-related events in town. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire).
Screenshot from complaint filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission An image purportedly from the computer screen of a digital media specialist for Gov. Mike Dunleavy shows numerous files and folders of alleged campaign advertising. A complaint filed against the governor, plus other individuals and organizations, claims administrative staff is illegally doing paid campaign work on behalf of the governor.

Dunleavy faces more accusations in campaign complaint

Governor’s response calls allegations “specious and unfounded.”

Screenshot from complaint filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission An image purportedly from the computer screen of a digital media specialist for Gov. Mike Dunleavy shows numerous files and folders of alleged campaign advertising. A complaint filed against the governor, plus other individuals and organizations, claims administrative staff is illegally doing paid campaign work on behalf of the governor.
A survey of 394 likely voters in Alaska shows Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola with a dominant lead over Republican challengers Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III, and increasing that lead over Palin in ranked choice voting rounds, about six weeks before the November general election. But many pundits still suggest a Republican is most likely to win the race and Begich would win a head-to-head match against Peltola. (Dittman Research)

Poll: Peltola has 23% lead over Palin

Survey shows Democratic winner of special election repeating feat against two Republican opponents

A survey of 394 likely voters in Alaska shows Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola with a dominant lead over Republican challengers Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III, and increasing that lead over Palin in ranked choice voting rounds, about six weeks before the November general election. But many pundits still suggest a Republican is most likely to win the race and Begich would win a head-to-head match against Peltola. (Dittman Research)
Attendees of a government-to-government consultation look on as kuspuks were displayed during the Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation held this week in Anchorage. (Courtesy Photo / Lisa Houghton)

Top Justice Dept. official reflects on Alaska’s unique concerns

Help for Juneau tribal court, emergency rural services may result from aid touted at Anchorge summit

Attendees of a government-to-government consultation look on as kuspuks were displayed during the Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation held this week in Anchorage. (Courtesy Photo / Lisa Houghton)
Joel Jackson, president of the Organized Village of Kake and a featured presenter at the Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation in Anchorage on Wednesday, speaks during a memorial service at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Friday, June 7, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

‘It is not the past’: Conference confronts high rate of violence against Indigenous women

“It comes at an especially important moment.”

Joel Jackson, president of the Organized Village of Kake and a featured presenter at the Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation in Anchorage on Wednesday, speaks during a memorial service at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Friday, June 7, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)