Ben Hohenstatt

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Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, speaks against an override vote during a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature to vote on an override of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes at the Capitol on Wednesday, July 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Legislators use ‘symbolic’ vote to deliver verbal smackdown to vetoes

The vote failed, but they said a lot.

 

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire House Finance Committee Co-Chairs Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, and Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, listen to testimony on Tuesday at the Capitol about how Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes will effect local communities around the state.

Even ‘right-leaning’ groups, bankers and builders are calling for an override

They had one message to the governor.

 

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire Ron Lumba, of the Alaska State Capitol’s maintenance staff, adds the Majority Leader plate to the front of the office of Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, on the first day of the Second Special Session of the Alaska Legislature in Juneau on Monday.

Special session starts with a manic Monday

All roads — and planes — may lead to Wednesday.

 

Dunleavy’s Red Pen: Governor’s vetoes take more than $400M out of budget

Here’s a run-down of what happened today.

Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Rally asks senators to stop permit process funding

Public comment period ends in days.

Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
This map shows the varying levels of drought in Southeast Alaska, as of the week of June 6, 2019.The red portion of the map indicates extreme drought, dark orange indicates severe drought, light orange indicates moderate drought and yellow indicates abnormally dry conditions. (Courtesy Photo | U.S. Drought Monitor)

Southeast experiencing rare drought

The entirety of Southeast Alaska is in some state of drought.

This map shows the varying levels of drought in Southeast Alaska, as of the week of June 6, 2019.The red portion of the map indicates extreme drought, dark orange indicates severe drought, light orange indicates moderate drought and yellow indicates abnormally dry conditions. (Courtesy Photo | U.S. Drought Monitor)
(Unsplash | Pawel Czerwinski)

Hold music changes leave artists waiting by the telephone

Musicians surprised their tracks were cut.

(Unsplash | Pawel Czerwinski)
Daniel Firmin plays a two-song set during the Mountainside Open Mic & Art Night at The Rookery on Oct. 31, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Album review: You should hang out with ‘Buddies’

Equal parts tight EP and shaggy dog hangout album.

Daniel Firmin plays a two-song set during the Mountainside Open Mic & Art Night at The Rookery on Oct. 31, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, speaks about the House’s work on the crime bill at the canyon Monday, May 20, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Crime bill vote delayed, could more hold-ups be coming?

Legislators discuss new bill, probability of a 30-day special sessions

Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, speaks about the House’s work on the crime bill at the canyon Monday, May 20, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Clouds and mist hang over Fritz Cove and Douglas Island. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Two fatalities confirmed in floatplane crash near Metlakatla

No one else was aboard the plane.

Clouds and mist hang over Fritz Cove and Douglas Island. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
A Coast Guard Station Ketchikan 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew searches for survivors from downed aircraft in the vicinity of George Inlet near Ketchikan, Monday. The Coast Guard, Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad, good Samaritans and multiple other agencies have searched extensively and continue to search for survivors from the crash. (Courtesy photo | U.S. Coast Guard)

Investigators turn to wreckage and passengers for answers

The injured are recuperating and the investigation continues .

A Coast Guard Station Ketchikan 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew searches for survivors from downed aircraft in the vicinity of George Inlet near Ketchikan, Monday. The Coast Guard, Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad, good Samaritans and multiple other agencies have searched extensively and continue to search for survivors from the crash. (Courtesy photo | U.S. Coast Guard)

‘A cloud of sadness’: Search and plane crash investigation efforts continue as Ketchikan mourns

Early info reveals likely altitude and speed at time of crash.

LGBTQ equal rights bill unlikely to advance any further this year

Alaska could be 23rd state to ban discrimination.

Measles could be getting off the boat in Juneau

Rash-causing virus is the most prevalent it’s been in 25 years.

Students strike against climate change

Juneau high schoolers hope policy changes faster than the climate does.

The Alaskan Hotel & Bar is featured in the first episode of the new Travel Channel TV show “Portals to Hell.” (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

New TV show looks for ghosts at Alaskan Hotel

Did people check out but never leave?

The Alaskan Hotel & Bar is featured in the first episode of the new Travel Channel TV show “Portals to Hell.” (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Amy Herrick, manager at the Alaskan Kush Company downtown retail store, talks about the possibility of opening an onsite consumption space on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Smoke ‘em if you bought ‘em:

Juneau marijuana retailers would like to offer smoking space

Amy Herrick, manager at the Alaskan Kush Company downtown retail store, talks about the possibility of opening an onsite consumption space on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Abbe Hensley, of Best Beginnings, shows off her phone case during a hearing for SB 6 in front of the Senate Education Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The bill is to provide money for prekindergarten education. The case reads: Alaskans for Early Education. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Pre-K funding bill gives them something to talk about

More pre-K for AK?

Abbe Hensley, of Best Beginnings, shows off her phone case during a hearing for SB 6 in front of the Senate Education Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The bill is to provide money for prekindergarten education. The case reads: Alaskans for Early Education. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, speaks about his bill to allow residents to donate their Permanent Fund Dividend back to the state’s general fund during a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Monday. Anne Weske, Director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, right, also spoke to the committee. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)

There could be a new, quick way to send PFD money to government coffers

People could decide to keep or donate money.

Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, speaks about his bill to allow residents to donate their Permanent Fund Dividend back to the state’s general fund during a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Monday. Anne Weske, Director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, right, also spoke to the committee. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)
In this Feb. 20, 2015 photo, Alaska Cannabis Club CEO Charlo Greene prepares to roll a joint at the medical marijuana dispensary in Anchorage, Alaska. (Mark Thiessen | Associated Press File)

Should Juneau change its laws to allow marijuana consumption at certain locations? The city just weighed in

Future of onsite edibles and smoking still hazy.

In this Feb. 20, 2015 photo, Alaska Cannabis Club CEO Charlo Greene prepares to roll a joint at the medical marijuana dispensary in Anchorage, Alaska. (Mark Thiessen | Associated Press File)

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