A couple of visitors watch preparations Friday afternoon for the Save America Rally scheduled Saturday at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Quiet before the red storm

Arena for Donald Trump rally mostly tranquil, but buzz building 24 hours before speakers take stage

A couple of visitors watch preparations Friday afternoon for the Save America Rally scheduled Saturday at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a sample ballot for the Aug. 16 special general election to determine who will fill the months remaining on Don Young's term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Alaska's longtime representative died in March. The three candidates vying to fill Young's term are also among those running for a full two-year term and will appear on primary ballot the same day. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy, Begich, Murkowski remain favorites in new poll

Ranked-choice voting could shake up U.S. House race, as Peltola has slim edge against Palin

This photo shows a sample ballot for the Aug. 16 special general election to determine who will fill the months remaining on Don Young's term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Alaska's longtime representative died in March. The three candidates vying to fill Young's term are also among those running for a full two-year term and will appear on primary ballot the same day. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
In this Nov. 7, 2020, photo Jaimie Sekona holds a Trump flag on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol. The former president is scheduled to speak Saturday afternoon at a rally in Anchorage. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Still time to trip out for Trump

Plenty of flights and rooms available for weekend rally in Anchorage — but much local interest?

In this Nov. 7, 2020, photo Jaimie Sekona holds a Trump flag on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol. The former president is scheduled to speak Saturday afternoon at a rally in Anchorage. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Tents are shown Wednesday, July 6, 2022, inside Centennial Park in Anchorage, Alaska. State wildlife officials have killed four black bears in a campground recently set aside for the city's homeless population after Anchorage's largest shelter was closed. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

4 bears killed in Anchorage campground reserved for homeless

Wildlife officials said before the bears were killed, they were entering tents.

Tents are shown Wednesday, July 6, 2022, inside Centennial Park in Anchorage, Alaska. State wildlife officials have killed four black bears in a campground recently set aside for the city's homeless population after Anchorage's largest shelter was closed. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
Bill Allen, former chief executive of VECO Corp. leaves federal court on Oct. 28, 2009 in Anchorage. Allen, a former oil services executive who was a key figure in a corruption scandal that rocked Alaska politics, has died. He was 85. (AP Photo  /Al Grillo, File)

Bill Allen, key figure in Alaska corruption scandal, dies

Bill Allen, a central figure in a corruption scandal that rocked Alaska politics, has died. He was 85. Allen’s death was reported by Alaska media,… Continue reading

Bill Allen, former chief executive of VECO Corp. leaves federal court on Oct. 28, 2009 in Anchorage. Allen, a former oil services executive who was a key figure in a corruption scandal that rocked Alaska politics, has died. He was 85. (AP Photo  /Al Grillo, File)
A P-18 Super Cub aircraft and two people on shore at Montague Island, Alaska, after the plane crashed July 6, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard / Lt. Cmdr. Josh Wofford)

Coast Guard performs multiple rescues around holiday weekend

Alaskans might have relaxed for the holiday, but the Coast Guard didn’t.

A P-18 Super Cub aircraft and two people on shore at Montague Island, Alaska, after the plane crashed July 6, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard / Lt. Cmdr. Josh Wofford)
Flathead Lake Biological Station researchers Erin Sexton (right) and Chris Sergeant watch spawning salmon in a groundwater channel of the mine-impacted Tulsequah River in British Columbia. (Courtesy Photo / Jonathan Moore, Simon Fraser University)
Flathead Lake Biological Station researchers Erin Sexton (right) and Chris Sergeant watch spawning salmon in a groundwater channel of the mine-impacted Tulsequah River in British Columbia. (Courtesy Photo / Jonathan Moore, Simon Fraser University)
This photo shows boats moored at Don D. Statter Harbor on a recent sunny day. According to statistics recently release by the U.S. Coast Guard, boating accidents were down in Alaska in 2021.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Boating fatalities trending down for 2021

Numbers met expectations, said safety instructors.

This photo shows boats moored at Don D. Statter Harbor on a recent sunny day. According to statistics recently release by the U.S. Coast Guard, boating accidents were down in Alaska in 2021.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This October 2011 photo, shows the Perdido oil platform located about 200 miles south of Galveston, Texas, in the Gulf of Mexico. The Biden administration is proposing up to 10 oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and one in Alaska over the next five years. The announcement on Friday, July 1, 2022, said fewer lease sales or even zero could occur, with a final decision not due for months. (AP Photo / Jon Fahey)

Biden offshore drilling proposal would allow up to 11 sales

Proposal includes up to 10 oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and 1 off the Alaska coast.

This October 2011 photo, shows the Perdido oil platform located about 200 miles south of Galveston, Texas, in the Gulf of Mexico. The Biden administration is proposing up to 10 oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and one in Alaska over the next five years. The announcement on Friday, July 1, 2022, said fewer lease sales or even zero could occur, with a final decision not due for months. (AP Photo / Jon Fahey)
Kim Kovol will be the acting commissioner for the new Alaska Department of Family and Community Services which debuts Friday. (Courtesy Photo)

New state department gets new commissioner

Kim Kovol, a longtime social services worker, will head the Dept. of Family and Community Services

Kim Kovol will be the acting commissioner for the new Alaska Department of Family and Community Services which debuts Friday. (Courtesy Photo)
Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho spoke about rank choice voting at the Chamber of Commerce's weekly luncheon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

The 411 on ranked choice voting

Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho gives the lowdown.

Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho spoke about rank choice voting at the Chamber of Commerce's weekly luncheon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Road to Majority conference Friday, June 17, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. A rally planned to include Trump is scheduled to happen in Anchorage on July 9.  (AP Photo / Mark Humphrey File)

Trump to rally for Palin, Dunleavy, Tshibaka in Anchorage

Former President Donald Trump plans to attend a rally in Alaska next week.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Road to Majority conference Friday, June 17, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. A rally planned to include Trump is scheduled to happen in Anchorage on July 9.  (AP Photo / Mark Humphrey File)
Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy 
Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday signed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Gov. Dunleavy signs budget

PFD of about $3,200, $400 million in vetoes to Legislature-approved items among declared highlights

Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy 
Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday signed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
In this April 11, 2018 photo state Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, walks out of the Senate chambers and to a reception to honor him and Sen. Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage, at the Capitol. Both were retiring from the legislature. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
In this April 11, 2018 photo state Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, walks out of the Senate chambers and to a reception to honor him and Sen. Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage, at the Capitol. Both were retiring from the legislature. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
The Alaska Department of Health And Social Services building in Juneau has no visible signs indicating the department is splitting into two agencies as of Friday. Top officials at the department said many of the changes, both physical and in services, are likely weeks and in some cases months away. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Little sign of big change for DHSS

No commissioner at new department, other Dept. of Health and Social Services changes may take months

The Alaska Department of Health And Social Services building in Juneau has no visible signs indicating the department is splitting into two agencies as of Friday. Top officials at the department said many of the changes, both physical and in services, are likely weeks and in some cases months away. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A crowd of people protesting near the Alaskan State Capitol clap at one of the many speakers at the protest. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A crowd of people protesting near the Alaskan State Capitol clap at one of the many speakers at the protest. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
FILE - Tara Sweeney, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Sweeney's campaign manager said, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, that the campaign did not plan to sue over a finding released by Alaska elections officials stating that she cannot advance to the special election for U.S. House following the withdrawal of another candidate. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen, File)

Alaska Supreme Court ruling keeps Sweeney off House ballot

In a brief written order, the high court said it affirmed the decision of a Superior Court judge.

FILE - Tara Sweeney, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Sweeney's campaign manager said, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, that the campaign did not plan to sue over a finding released by Alaska elections officials stating that she cannot advance to the special election for U.S. House following the withdrawal of another candidate. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen, File)
Candidate for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives Tara Sweeney, a Republican, was in Juneau on Monday, May 16, 2022, and sat down with the Empire for an interview. A lawsuit filed Thursday challenges a decision to omit Sweeney from ballots in the upcoming Aug. 16 special election. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Lawsuit says Sweeney should advance in House race

The lawsuit says the Division of Elections misinterpreted state law.

Candidate for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives Tara Sweeney, a Republican, was in Juneau on Monday, May 16, 2022, and sat down with the Empire for an interview. A lawsuit filed Thursday challenges a decision to omit Sweeney from ballots in the upcoming Aug. 16 special election. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Members of United Academics - American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers Local 4996 gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, to call on University of Alaska officials to agree to a negotiated contract. Faculty at the university haven't seen a pay increase in six years, but UA officials say there isn't money for what the union is asking. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Members of United Academics - American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers Local 4996 gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, to call on University of Alaska officials to agree to a negotiated contract. Faculty at the university haven't seen a pay increase in six years, but UA officials say there isn't money for what the union is asking. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Tara Sweeney, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Sweeney’s campaign manager said, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, that the campaign did not plan to sue over a finding released by Alaska elections officials stating that she cannot advance to the special election for U.S. House following the withdrawal of another candidate. (AP Photo/ Mark Thiessen)

Sweeney does not plan suit over Alaska House ballot decision

“We made the decision that this is not a candidate fight.”

Tara Sweeney, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Sweeney’s campaign manager said, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, that the campaign did not plan to sue over a finding released by Alaska elections officials stating that she cannot advance to the special election for U.S. House following the withdrawal of another candidate. (AP Photo/ Mark Thiessen)