Peter Segall

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In this sample primary ballot released by the state, fictional candidates compete in a primary election. The candidates include a blend of fictional Republican and Democratic candidates. The August 2022 state primary election will be the first to feature open primaries. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

State begins implementing voter-approved election overhaul

Here’s how it will work.

In this sample primary ballot released by the state, fictional candidates compete in a primary election. The candidates include a blend of fictional Republican and Democratic candidates. The August 2022 state primary election will be the first to feature open primaries. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Members of the Alaska House of Representatives gather for a Finance Committee meeting on Monday, March 1, 2021 even after a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19. Meetings were canceled last week after Rep. Mike Cronk, R-Tok, tested positive. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Work continues even with new cases at the Capitol

“Hell or high water.”

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives gather for a Finance Committee meeting on Monday, March 1, 2021 even after a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19. Meetings were canceled last week after Rep. Mike Cronk, R-Tok, tested positive. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A magnet promoting the Alaska Reads Act released by the state last year sits atop a stack of Alaskan-authored and Alaska-centric books. A shortened session last year meant the bill, announced by Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy, didn’t make it through the last Legislature. But there’s a new bill, nearly the same as the old bill, working its way through the Senate. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

Reworked reading bill gets 2nd act in Legislature

Still a ways to go.

A magnet promoting the Alaska Reads Act released by the state last year sits atop a stack of Alaskan-authored and Alaska-centric books. A shortened session last year meant the bill, announced by Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy, didn’t make it through the last Legislature. But there’s a new bill, nearly the same as the old bill, working its way through the Senate. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)
Air-source heat pumps, like the one in this 2015 photo of Jake Eames, right, and David Nash installing a pump, are an example of a load-side technology that can increase energy efficiency. "Load-side technologies are absolutely key to our ability to reduce greenhouse emissions in the energy sector,” said director of energy services at Alaska Electric Light and Power Alec Mesdag.

In Juneau, going green focuses on power usage

The electricity’s already clean.

Air-source heat pumps, like the one in this 2015 photo of Jake Eames, right, and David Nash installing a pump, are an example of a load-side technology that can increase energy efficiency. "Load-side technologies are absolutely key to our ability to reduce greenhouse emissions in the energy sector,” said director of energy services at Alaska Electric Light and Power Alec Mesdag.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses the public during a virtual town hall on Sept. 15, 2020 in Alaska. Dunleavy went into self-quarantine Monday following news a close contact had tested positive for COVID-19. (Courtesy Photo / Office of the Governor)

Governor quarantines following close contact

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is in quarantine following close contact on Saturday with a person who recently tested positive for COVID-19. Dunleavy was informed of the… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses the public during a virtual town hall on Sept. 15, 2020 in Alaska. Dunleavy went into self-quarantine Monday following news a close contact had tested positive for COVID-19. (Courtesy Photo / Office of the Governor)
Katie Hurley, seen here in an undated photo from the Alaska State Legislature biography page, died at the age of 99 on Sunday. (Courtesy photo / Alaska State Legislature)

‘Grande Dame’ of Alaska politics, dies at 99

“Extraordinary Alaskan.”

Katie Hurley, seen here in an undated photo from the Alaska State Legislature biography page, died at the age of 99 on Sunday. (Courtesy photo / Alaska State Legislature)
Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court Joel Bolger speaks from behind a plexiglass encased podium to deliver the State of the Judiciary address to state lawmakers on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. Despite complications posed by the pandemic, Bolger said Alaskan courts were still able to deliver services. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Bolger says Alaska’s judge selection best in U.S.

Nonpartisan selection?

Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court Joel Bolger speaks from behind a plexiglass encased podium to deliver the State of the Judiciary address to state lawmakers on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. Despite complications posed by the pandemic, Bolger said Alaskan courts were still able to deliver services. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire's offices on Feb. 16, 2021. Murkowski was in the capital city as part of an annual Presidents Day recess trip that typically includes an address to the Alaska State Legislature. Instead, Murkowski visited with state lawmakers at the Capitol on Tuesday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Murkowski: Bipartisanship is not dead

Trump still looms large.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire's offices on Feb. 16, 2021. Murkowski was in the capital city as part of an annual Presidents Day recess trip that typically includes an address to the Alaska State Legislature. Instead, Murkowski visited with state lawmakers at the Capitol on Tuesday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, speaks to colleagues on Friday, Feb 12, 2021. Edgmon, who served as speaker of the house in 31st Legislature, was named Monday as a co-chair of the House Finance Committee. A full list of committee assignments is expected soon. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House on verge of organizing

Not quite there yet.

Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, speaks to colleagues on Friday, Feb 12, 2021. Edgmon, who served as speaker of the house in 31st Legislature, was named Monday as a co-chair of the House Finance Committee. A full list of committee assignments is expected soon. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Senate Finance Committee, seen here with chair Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, leading a meeting on Jan. 27, discussed Monday Gov. Mike Dunleavy's propsoal for a $1.4 billion supplemental budget. Most of that money would go to paying out a supplemental Permanent Fund Dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Supplemental budget proposal asks for $1.4 billion

Most would be spent on PFD.

The Senate Finance Committee, seen here with chair Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, leading a meeting on Jan. 27, discussed Monday Gov. Mike Dunleavy's propsoal for a $1.4 billion supplemental budget. Most of that money would go to paying out a supplemental Permanent Fund Dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File There’s money in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s bond proposal package for projects like the one taking place at Aurora Harbor, seen here in this Nov. 5, 2020, file photo, but Juneau’s Sen. Jesse Kiehl doesn’t think there’s enough local investment.

Governor’s $356M bond proposal gets cool reaction from lawmakers

Legislators cautious on revisions, additions

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File There’s money in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s bond proposal package for projects like the one taking place at Aurora Harbor, seen here in this Nov. 5, 2020, file photo, but Juneau’s Sen. Jesse Kiehl doesn’t think there’s enough local investment.
Members of the House of Representatives leave the chamber Wednesday, Feb. 3,. after failing to elect a temporary speaker, part of a deadlock that was broken Thursday, when Rep. Josiah Patkotak was elected Speaker Pro Tem. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

State House picks temporary speaker

One step closer.

Members of the House of Representatives leave the chamber Wednesday, Feb. 3,. after failing to elect a temporary speaker, part of a deadlock that was broken Thursday, when Rep. Josiah Patkotak was elected Speaker Pro Tem. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
University of Alaska interim President Pat Pitney told lawmakers the system was an economic driver for the state. The system’s regional campuses, like UA Southeast, seen here on Jan. 26, were more focused on producing graduates in fields in high demand in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

University’s programs are here to stay, president says

UA head tells lawmakers jobs are school’s priority.

University of Alaska interim President Pat Pitney told lawmakers the system was an economic driver for the state. The system’s regional campuses, like UA Southeast, seen here on Jan. 26, were more focused on producing graduates in fields in high demand in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This still image from Gavel Alaska shows Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum as he speaks to a Senate committee on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Lawmakers questioned Crum on the legality of Gov. Mike Dunleavy's emergency disaster declarations and extensions. (Screenshot)

Different reasons, same conclusion: Disaster extensions concerns state lawmakers

Committee to resume Thursday.

This still image from Gavel Alaska shows Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum as he speaks to a Senate committee on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Lawmakers questioned Crum on the legality of Gov. Mike Dunleavy's emergency disaster declarations and extensions. (Screenshot)
Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer, seen here sitting in the Speaker's chair in the Alaska House of Representatives chamber on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, presided over yet another House session where lawmakers failed to organize. Feb. 1, marked the third straight week of deadlock in the House. Lawmakers will meet again Tuesday morning. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House remains deadlocked. Here’s what that means for future legislation

Senate can only do so much.

Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer, seen here sitting in the Speaker's chair in the Alaska House of Representatives chamber on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, presided over yet another House session where lawmakers failed to organize. Feb. 1, marked the third straight week of deadlock in the House. Lawmakers will meet again Tuesday morning. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Republican members of the House of Representatives gather in a conference room at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, to watch the governor's State of the State address. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)

Governor encourages unity, increased independence in State of State

First virtual address.

Republican members of the House of Representatives gather in a conference room at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, to watch the governor's State of the State address. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)
Staff, lawmakers and members of the press gather for the first Senate Judiciary Committee meeting of the 32nd Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. While Senators moved ahead with work, the House of Representatives was once again unable to organize. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Deadlock continues as senators forge ahead

Only one member of the House Coalition — a 20-member group of mostly Democrats that also includes independents and a Republican — attended Wednesday’s floor session.

Staff, lawmakers and members of the press gather for the first Senate Judiciary Committee meeting of the 32nd Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. While Senators moved ahead with work, the House of Representatives was once again unable to organize. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer leaves the Alaska House of Representatives chamber Monday, Jan. 25, 2020 after presiding over yet another floor session in which lawmakers were unable to elect leadership. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House deadlock remains, lawmakers to meet Wednesday

They’ll try again Wednesday.

Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer leaves the Alaska House of Representatives chamber Monday, Jan. 25, 2020 after presiding over yet another floor session in which lawmakers were unable to elect leadership. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, spoke with the Empire in his office at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. He said he was hopeful about finding a path forward for the state and that he wanted better communication between the Legislature and the public. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

‘It must be done this year’: Senate president eyes fiscal plan

“We have to solve this problem.”

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, spoke with the Empire in his office at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. He said he was hopeful about finding a path forward for the state and that he wanted better communication between the Legislature and the public. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer, left, leaves the Alaska House of Representatives chamber Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, with George Rauscher, R-Sutton, after a brief floor session where lawmakers failed to nominate a temporary speaker. Meyer will preside over the body until a leadership is elected. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House members optimistic, but still deadlocked

‘Not everyone stand at once here.’

Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer, left, leaves the Alaska House of Representatives chamber Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, with George Rauscher, R-Sutton, after a brief floor session where lawmakers failed to nominate a temporary speaker. Meyer will preside over the body until a leadership is elected. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)