Ben Hohenstatt

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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
Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives his State of the State speech to a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature in January 2019 at the Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy expected to give State of the State address next week

The governor will likely address the Legislature Monday.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives his State of the State speech to a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature in January 2019 at the Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, looks on as Juneau Alaska Music Matters students from Glacier Valley School and singers from Sayéik: Gastineau Community School perform “Alaska’s Flag” on Tuesday.(Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

House provides first day fireworks while Senate takes it slow

Legislative session starts with split votes and objections.

House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, looks on as Juneau Alaska Music Matters students from Glacier Valley School and singers from Sayéik: Gastineau Community School perform “Alaska’s Flag” on Tuesday.(Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
House-passed bill could lead to PFAS cleanup

House-passed bill could lead to PFAS cleanup

It needs to get past the Senate and President, too.

House-passed bill could lead to PFAS cleanup
In this file photo from Sept. 15, 2016, University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen makes a presentation to the university’s Board of Regents at the University of Alaska Southeast Recreation Center. Johnsen and the UA board discussed tuition increases and budget concerns Friday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

University of Alaska tuition to stay put for now

Option is still on the table.

In this file photo from Sept. 15, 2016, University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen makes a presentation to the university’s Board of Regents at the University of Alaska Southeast Recreation Center. Johnsen and the UA board discussed tuition increases and budget concerns Friday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this July photo Ivette Naida, left, receives HIV medication from social workers from the IDEA Exchange. HIV medication is part of the reason transmission rates of the virus are low in Alaska. (AP Photo | Lynne Sladky)

Alaska has some of the highest STD rates, but the lowest HIV rates. Why?

While HIV and STD rates are different, they’re not totally unrelated.

In this July photo Ivette Naida, left, receives HIV medication from social workers from the IDEA Exchange. HIV medication is part of the reason transmission rates of the virus are low in Alaska. (AP Photo | Lynne Sladky)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol in this April 2019 photo. His speech at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference Thursday included a commitment to a smoother budget process in 2020. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy draws both protests and applause at AFN

Speech commits to smoother budget process going forward.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol in this April 2019 photo. His speech at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference Thursday included a commitment to a smoother budget process in 2020. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alfie Price, left, and Tristen Washington, 9, perform with the Xaadaas Dagwii Dance Group for Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Indigenous Peoples Day celebrates the people, places and names that were here first

Indigenous Peoples Day speeches focus on progress.

Alfie Price, left, and Tristen Washington, 9, perform with the Xaadaas Dagwii Dance Group for Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen makes a presentation to the university’s Board of Regents at the UAS Recreation Center on Sept. 15, 2016. A declaration of financial exigency that would have allowed University of Alaska to make drastic cuts was rescinded Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

University of Alaska rescinds emergency financial declaration

The financial picture still isn’t rosy.

University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen makes a presentation to the university’s Board of Regents at the UAS Recreation Center on Sept. 15, 2016. A declaration of financial exigency that would have allowed University of Alaska to make drastic cuts was rescinded Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
‘Molly of Denali’ drums up fun, cultural pride

‘Molly of Denali’ drums up fun, cultural pride

Cartoon tells Native stories with Native voices.

‘Molly of Denali’ drums up fun, cultural pride
About 2.5 ounces of dried marijuana in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Juneau Assembly OKs onsite pot smoking

If you want to smoke, take it outside.

About 2.5 ounces of dried marijuana in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Kelly Merrick, R-Eagle River, speaks during a House Finance Committee meeting Saturday, July 20, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Senate approves ‘reverse sweep’ and capital budget bill

Accounting concern is sweeping the state.

Rep. Kelly Merrick, R-Eagle River, speaks during a House Finance Committee meeting Saturday, July 20, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
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.

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)
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 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.
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.

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

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

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

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