Mollie Barnes

Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, speaks during a rally of state union workers in front of the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Senate Democrats express disapproval over Dunleavy’s budget

‘You can’t break the economy in one portion of the state and expect everybody else to be OK.’

Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, speaks during a rally of state union workers in front of the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Empire reporters Kevin Baird, left, and Mollie Barnes interview Gov. Mike Dunleavy at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

A conversation with the governor

Gov. says businesses will come back to Alaska if budget is balanced.

Juneau Empire reporters Kevin Baird, left, and Mollie Barnes interview Gov. Mike Dunleavy at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
David Teal, Director of the Legislative Finance Division, gives his analysis of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s state budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
David Teal, Director of the Legislative Finance Division, gives his analysis of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s state budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Kevin Clarkson, Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s choice for Attorney General, answers questions in front of the House Judiciary Committee on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

AG designee says only 10 percent of his work related to controversial social issues

Clarkson says it’s not his job to support the law, it’s to enforce it.

Kevin Clarkson, Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s choice for Attorney General, answers questions in front of the House Judiciary Committee on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, listen from the Speaker’s desk in the House of Representatives. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sullivan to introduce legislation that would help victims of sexual assault

He wants Alaska’s “Choose Respect” campaign to go nationwide.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, listen from the Speaker’s desk in the House of Representatives. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Murkowski critical of Trump’s border wall emergency, worries overreach of executive power will become norm

Murkowski critical of Trump’s border wall emergency, worries overreach of executive power will become norm

“The president has gotten as much as what this administration can afford.”

Murkowski critical of Trump’s border wall emergency, worries overreach of executive power will become norm
Murkowski knocks Green New Deal’s ‘impossible’ timeline, wary of ‘PFD over everything else’
Murkowski knocks Green New Deal’s ‘impossible’ timeline, wary of ‘PFD over everything else’
University of Alaska Southeast Instructor Jim Powell, left, his wife, former Rep. Beth Kerttula, and Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, right, stand up a university sign as former Chancellor John Pugh speaks at a rally for funding the University of Alaska in front of the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Governor proposes cutting almost half of university’s total operating budget

It would be the largest budget cut in the university’s 100-year history.

University of Alaska Southeast Instructor Jim Powell, left, his wife, former Rep. Beth Kerttula, and Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, right, stand up a university sign as former Chancellor John Pugh speaks at a rally for funding the University of Alaska in front of the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Governor proposes cutting ferry funding at the end of the summer

Governor proposes cutting ferry funding at the end of the summer

Administration hopes private contractor will take over.

Governor proposes cutting ferry funding at the end of the summer
Marijuana industry testifies against governor’s control board nominee

Marijuana industry testifies against governor’s control board nominee

“There’s this undercurrent of trying to push back the marijuana industry.”

Marijuana industry testifies against governor’s control board nominee
Crime bill held up over conflict of interest

Crime bill held up over conflict of interest

Lawmakers say new ethics rule too ‘fuzzy.’

Crime bill held up over conflict of interest
Health insurance costs strain school districts’ budgets

Health insurance costs strain school districts’ budgets

Health insurance accounts for 16 percent of one district’s budget.

Health insurance costs strain school districts’ budgets
Susan Bell, of the McDowell Group, and Robert Venables, executive director of Southeast Conference, present information about the Alaska Marine Highway Systems during an information meeting for House members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Ferry system braces for budget cuts

Dwindling budget could mean loss of services.

Susan Bell, of the McDowell Group, and Robert Venables, executive director of Southeast Conference, present information about the Alaska Marine Highway Systems during an information meeting for House members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
US Senator questions Facebook over policies surrounding ivory sales

US Senator questions Facebook over policies surrounding ivory sales

He worked with Alaska Native artists to resolve an issue with Etsy last year.

US Senator questions Facebook over policies surrounding ivory sales
As House falters to organize, committees take new shape

As House falters to organize, committees take new shape

Committees masquerade as ‘informational meetings.’

As House falters to organize, committees take new shape
Kelly Tshibaka was appointed to serve as the next commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration. (Courtesy photo | Dunleavy administration)

Governor taps new Administration commissioner

She has extensive federal government experience.

Kelly Tshibaka was appointed to serve as the next commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration. (Courtesy photo | Dunleavy administration)
Senators voice concerns with Dunleavy’s proposed cuts to education, village officers

Senators voice concerns with Dunleavy’s proposed cuts to education, village officers

“You should be talking to the school districts first.”

Senators voice concerns with Dunleavy’s proposed cuts to education, village officers
Capitol Live: Pinpointing when House majority will be formed ‘pretty difficult’
Capitol Live: Pinpointing when House majority will be formed ‘pretty difficult’
‘Money-wise, I’m almost broke’: Furloughed workers in Juneau prepare for second missed paycheck
‘Money-wise, I’m almost broke’: Furloughed workers in Juneau prepare for second missed paycheck
Alaska receives almost 10 times more unemployment filings since shutdown began

Alaska receives almost 10 times more unemployment filings since shutdown began

There have been almost 10 times more unemployment filings from federal workers in Alaska than normal since the federal shutdown began. The Alaska Department of… Continue reading

Alaska receives almost 10 times more unemployment filings since shutdown began