Ben Hohenstatt

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Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives during a floor debate on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, over an appropriations bill during the Legislature’s third special session of the summer. Multiple organizations reported on Wednesday that Eastman is a lifetime member of the far-right organization the Oath Keepers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Data leak shows state rep is member of far-right organization

Wasilla area lawmaker said he joined when Oath Keepers first started.

 

A fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a bill that could allow cruise ships to come to Alaska. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

U.S. Senate passes bill that could allow cruise ships to come to Alaska

It now heads to the House.

 

Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office in June 2019. The Army Corps of Engineers has accepted a request for administrative appeal filed by Pebble Limited Partnership. A similar effort by the state was reject, Gov. Mike Dunleavy said in a news release. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

2 Pebble appeals, 2 different outcomes

Governor says states appeal rejected, but partnership appeal moves forward.

 

Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File A male pink salmon fights its way up stream to spawn in a Southeast Alaska stream in August 2010. A recent report out of Washington state details a dire situation for the state’s salmon. Advocates in Alaska say the report offers a warning to Alaska about salmon-safe development.

Salmon advocates: Dire Washington report offers warning to Alaska

A salmon story with a different ending?

Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File A male pink salmon fights its way up stream to spawn in a Southeast Alaska stream in August 2010. A recent report out of Washington state details a dire situation for the state’s salmon. Advocates in Alaska say the report offers a warning to Alaska about salmon-safe development.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Dec. 11, 2020. In a Sunday news conference, Dunleavy discussed the end of Alaska’s longtime COVID-19 disaster declaration and what it means for the state’s response to the virus. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Governor confident in state’s ability to respond to virus without disaster declaration

“This sun-setting of the declaration is no cause for alarm”

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Dec. 11, 2020. In a Sunday news conference, Dunleavy discussed the end of Alaska’s longtime COVID-19 disaster declaration and what it means for the state’s response to the virus. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Mike Barnhill, deputy commisioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue, speaks following the drawing of names during the second annual PFD Education Raffle. During the event, state officials and lawmakers wore masks with an education raffle logo. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Roll out the barrel: 2nd annual PFD education raffle held

Four Alaskans win thousands.

Mike Barnhill, deputy commisioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue, speaks following the drawing of names during the second annual PFD Education Raffle. During the event, state officials and lawmakers wore masks with an education raffle logo. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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Survey: Majority of Alaskans are masking up to limit COVID spread

Survey says…

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This September photo shows a sign in downtown Juneau encouraging people to get tested for COVID-19. Recent analysis shared by Alaska Department of Health and Social Services shows the majority of Alaskans have at least one underlying health condition that increases risk of serious illness from COVID-19. (Ben Hohesntatt / Juneau Empire File)

Report: Most Alaska adults have conditions that increase risk for serious illness from COVID-19

Obesity, smoking and diabetes among common health issues, according to health officials.

This September photo shows a sign in downtown Juneau encouraging people to get tested for COVID-19. Recent analysis shared by Alaska Department of Health and Social Services shows the majority of Alaskans have at least one underlying health condition that increases risk of serious illness from COVID-19. (Ben Hohesntatt / Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Lawmakers, governor express interest in extending disaster declaration

It’s set to expire on Nov. 15.

Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17 encourages residents to wear cloth face coverings while in public. A social gathering tied to a recent cluster of cases of COVID-19 is unlikely to lead to punishment, but city officials are hopeful it may encourage people to be more cautious. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Event tied to case cluster unlikely to lead to punishments

Here’s why.

A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17 encourages residents to wear cloth face coverings while in public. A social gathering tied to a recent cluster of cases of COVID-19 is unlikely to lead to punishment, but city officials are hopeful it may encourage people to be more cautious. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This screenshot from a project by University of Alaska Southeast postdoctoral researcher John Harley shows Alaska’s cities and census-designated places. Darker-colored areas on the map are communities with higher social vulnerability indices. (Screenshot)

Researcher hopes map project can aid pandemic response

Grant-funded effort offers a detailed look at where Alaska’s most at-risk populations live.

This screenshot from a project by University of Alaska Southeast postdoctoral researcher John Harley shows Alaska’s cities and census-designated places. Darker-colored areas on the map are communities with higher social vulnerability indices. (Screenshot)
Courtesy Photo / Kevin Myers Kevin Myers is the author of the new book “Hidden Falls.” In the novel, which is available at Amazon and will be available at Hearthside Books, a newspaper columnist finds himself embroiled in the world of organized crime. Myers was previously the editor of the Capital City Weekly.

‘Goodfellas’ meets ‘Goodwill Hunting’: Ex-Juneauite’s novel introduces columnist to organized crime

Author would be here on a book tour, but, y’know.

Courtesy Photo / Kevin Myers Kevin Myers is the author of the new book “Hidden Falls.” In the novel, which is available at Amazon and will be available at Hearthside Books, a newspaper columnist finds himself embroiled in the world of organized crime. Myers was previously the editor of the Capital City Weekly.
An adult, female bald eagle was rescued from a tree Saturday in Juneau. The eagle was taken to Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka. (Courtesy Photo | Kerry Howard)

Juneau bald eagle rescued on Fourth of July

Injured but conscious, the raptor will get treatment in Sitka.

An adult, female bald eagle was rescued from a tree Saturday in Juneau. The eagle was taken to Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka. (Courtesy Photo | Kerry Howard)
Survey sheds light on what worries Alaska’s fishermen

Survey sheds light on what worries Alaska’s fishermen

779 fishermen shared their primary concerns from before and after the coronavirus outbreak.

Survey sheds light on what worries Alaska’s fishermen
Brian Lauth, closing manager for Super Bear Supermarket IGA, bags groceries Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. Super Bear will be collecting donations to ship food to Southeast Alaska communities impacted by a lack of ferry service. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Southeast grocers see empty shelves

Lack of ferry service means lack of food for Southeast communities.

Brian Lauth, closing manager for Super Bear Supermarket IGA, bags groceries Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. Super Bear will be collecting donations to ship food to Southeast Alaska communities impacted by a lack of ferry service. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Courtesy Photo | Environmental Protection Agency This Toxic Release Inventory map included in the Environmental Protection Agency’s annual TRI analysis shows facilities throughout the state that reported the release of toxic chemicals to the EPA. Releases include permitted releases and movement of waste rock.

EPA: Alaska led nation in toxic chemical release

Mining is a big reason why.

Courtesy Photo | Environmental Protection Agency This Toxic Release Inventory map included in the Environmental Protection Agency’s annual TRI analysis shows facilities throughout the state that reported the release of toxic chemicals to the EPA. Releases include permitted releases and movement of waste rock.
Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire Sealaska Heritage Institute President Rosita Worl and Air Force Lt. Gen. Tom Bussiere, Commander for Alaskan Command, stand together following a day of meetings at SHI’s Walter Soboleff Building.

Setting it right: Military could apologize for bombarding Alaska Native villages

Three Southeast Alaska villages were bombarded by the military in the 1800s.

Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire Sealaska Heritage Institute President Rosita Worl and Air Force Lt. Gen. Tom Bussiere, Commander for Alaskan Command, stand together following a day of meetings at SHI’s Walter Soboleff Building.
People wearing masks, attend a vigil for Chinese doctor Li Wenliang, in Hong Kong, Friday, Feb. 7. The death of a young doctor who was reprimanded for warning about China’s new virus triggered an outpouring Friday of praise for him and fury that communist authorities put politics above public safety. (AP Photo | Kin Cheung)

Going viral: Coronavirus means cruise line changes, but it’s not yet in Alaska

Here’s what you need to know about novel coronavirus.

People wearing masks, attend a vigil for Chinese doctor Li Wenliang, in Hong Kong, Friday, Feb. 7. The death of a young doctor who was reprimanded for warning about China’s new virus triggered an outpouring Friday of praise for him and fury that communist authorities put politics above public safety. (AP Photo | Kin Cheung)
This license plate designed by Anita Laulainen was the winning design in the 2017 Alaska Artistic License competition. A surcharge could be attached to plates like this one if a bill heard by the Senate Education Committee Thursday becomes law. The additional charge could be used to provide funding for the Alaska State Council on the Arts. (Courtesy Photo | Alaska State Council on the Arts)

License plates could be a roadway to revenue

Alaska State Council on the Arts would set the surcharge.

This license plate designed by Anita Laulainen was the winning design in the 2017 Alaska Artistic License competition. A surcharge could be attached to plates like this one if a bill heard by the Senate Education Committee Thursday becomes law. The additional charge could be used to provide funding for the Alaska State Council on the Arts. (Courtesy Photo | Alaska State Council on the Arts)
Governor extends open invitation to mining industry

Governor extends open invitation to mining industry

Open for business.

Governor extends open invitation to mining industry