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Alex McCarthy

Dr. Jim Johnsen, president of the University of Alaska, center, listens to Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, left and Mike Barnhill, policy director for the OMB, as their continue to present Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

News

With state government shutdown looming, university preparing for late, reduced budget

The fiscal year starts in less than two weeks.

Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, chairs the House Finance Committee with Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, right, as they work on House Bill 14 at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

News

Legislators will collect pay despite not finishing budget on time

They’re reinterpreting a law from last year.

Judge hands down sentence in Excursion Inlet murder case, but family still searches for answers

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Judge hands down sentence in Excursion Inlet murder case, but family still searches for answers

The ‘why’ remains a mystery.

Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, left, expresses his displeasure with Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole, right, as Sen. Tom Begich listens, during debate on the capital budget in the Senate at the Capitol on Thursday, June 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

One session ends as another one is set outside Juneau

There are numerous concerns with the new location.

Co-Chairs Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, left, and Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, prepare to gavel into a joint committee to work on the future of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend at the Capitol on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Group of legislators wants to take ‘emotional debate’ out of Permanent Fund

Lawmakers are deeply divided on what to do.

Capital budget presents one more chance for PFD amendment

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Capital budget presents one more chance for PFD amendment

Time is running out this session.

Ferry cuts in Legislature budget are heavy, but could have been worse

News

Ferry cuts in Legislature budget are heavy, but could have been worse

The governor can still veto funding.

Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, speaks against a resolution to have a combined House/Senate committee to study a Permanent Fund Dividend solution at the Capitol on Monday, June 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

With no PFD attached, Legislature’s budget heads to governor’s desk

Another special session could be coming.

Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, center, is interviewed by members of the media after a “call” on the Senate was lifted on Thursday, June 6, 2019 (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

An irritating stunt or a ‘kick in the shins’? Coghill tries to spark motion on budget

Sen. John Coghill was getting impatient.

Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, arrives for the senate’s floor session on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

‘A slap to the face’: Legislators could change law to collect extra pay, despite not finishing on time

Vote could come after session for lawmakers to get back payments.

Governor to hold pro-PFD rally

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Governor to hold pro-PFD rally

He’s hosting it in the Mat-Su.

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, presents SB 1002, a bill to provide a Permanent Fund Dividend of $1,600, to the Senate Rules Committee at the Capitol on Monday, June 3, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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All or nothing? Dunleavy vows to veto Senate’s new PFD bill

Governor says this bill will kill the PFD.

University officials to consider having one University of Alaska, not three

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University officials to consider having one University of Alaska, not three

The schools would have “cookie-cutter” approaches.

Raven with dart in head euthanized

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Raven with dart in head euthanized

Chances are low of finding the person who shot the dart.

Lavish British ship makes maiden voyage to Alaska

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Lavish British ship makes maiden voyage to Alaska

This ship even has its own brand of gin.

This flight map shows the paths of the two planes that crashed into each other near Ketchikan on May 13. (Courtesy photo | National Transportation Safety Board)

News

A waterfall and a flash: More details emerge from fatal Ketchikan crash

Investigators share initial findings.

Skulls, scales and pull tabs: The life of a rock ‘n’ roll bar snake

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Skulls, scales and pull tabs: The life of a rock ‘n’ roll bar snake

Learn the story behind this rockin’ reptile.

Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, listens to Patience Frederiksen, State Librarian and Head of Library Developement, during a hearing for House Bill 75 on increasing school internet speed at a House Education Committee meeting on Monday, April 1, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

News

What the Legislature left on the table: Ferries, addiction treatment, new revenue

Local lawmakers express disappointment.

‘Dangerous and outrageous’: Bill introduced in Alaska House would treat abortion the same as murder

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‘Dangerous and outrageous’: Bill introduced in Alaska House would treat abortion the same as murder

It’s familiar territory for David Eastman.

Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, walks with Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, as the House takes an at ease to wait for the conference committee on the crime bill to take place at the Capitol on Thursday, May 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Million dollar special session?

Here’s how much it will cost the state.