Wire Service

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire                                Hundreds attend a rally in front of the Capitol calling for an override of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes on the first day of the Second Special Session of the Alaska Legislature in Juneau on Monday.
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire                                Hundreds attend a rally in front of the Capitol calling for an override of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes on the first day of the Second Special Session of the Alaska Legislature in Juneau on Monday.
Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Shady characters

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Shady characters

Maybe tattoos have helped us make a major social step.

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Shady characters
This June 14, 2019 file photo shows Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy leading state and local officials out of Wasilla Middle School in Wasilla, Alaska, to a news conference. State lawmakers have rejected Dunleavy’s suggested location for a special session. House Speaker Bryce Edgmon and Senate President Cathy Giessel issued a joint statement Monday, June 24, 2019 saying they will convene July 8 in Juneau and hold most hearings in Anchorage. Dunleavy had called the session for Wasilla, his hometown and conservative base.(AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Wasilla or Juneau? Disagreement over special session locale

Lawmakers commit to different cities

This June 14, 2019 file photo shows Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy leading state and local officials out of Wasilla Middle School in Wasilla, Alaska, to a news conference. State lawmakers have rejected Dunleavy’s suggested location for a special session. House Speaker Bryce Edgmon and Senate President Cathy Giessel issued a joint statement Monday, June 24, 2019 saying they will convene July 8 in Juneau and hold most hearings in Anchorage. Dunleavy had called the session for Wasilla, his hometown and conservative base.(AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Senate President Cathy Giessel (Courtesy photo)

Opinion: Striking a balance for Alaska’s future

To fund a $3,000 dividend into the future, similar sized cuts will be necessary again next year.

Senate President Cathy Giessel (Courtesy photo)
Pioneer Hall at the Kachemak Bay Campus, Kenai Peninsula College, University of Alaska Anchoarge, as seen on July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Pioneer Hall at the Kachemak Bay Campus, Kenai Peninsula College, University of Alaska Anchoarge, as seen on July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
People with their dogs swarm to DeLong Lake hoping to stay cool in the record breaking heat in Anchorage, Alaska, Friday, July 5, 2019. Alaskans who routinely pack knit caps and fleece jackets in summer on Friday were swapping them for sunscreen and parasols amid a prolonged heatwave. Residents of Anchorage and other south-central cities completed a fifth week of above-normal temperatures, including a record high 90 degrees (32.22 Celsius) on Thursday, July 4, in the state’s largest city. (Anne Raup/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

Residents put away jackets, get out sunscreen amid heat wave

The temperature Thursday in Anchorage hit 90 degrees at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

People with their dogs swarm to DeLong Lake hoping to stay cool in the record breaking heat in Anchorage, Alaska, Friday, July 5, 2019. Alaskans who routinely pack knit caps and fleece jackets in summer on Friday were swapping them for sunscreen and parasols amid a prolonged heatwave. Residents of Anchorage and other south-central cities completed a fifth week of above-normal temperatures, including a record high 90 degrees (32.22 Celsius) on Thursday, July 4, in the state’s largest city. (Anne Raup/Anchorage Daily News via AP)
What costs wood frogs an arm and a leg?

What costs wood frogs an arm and a leg?

I was surprised to learn that despite the diverse wildlife in Alaska, the state has not a single reptile. Alaska’s cold conditions make life in… Continue reading

What costs wood frogs an arm and a leg?
Minister’s Message: The freedom of joy

Minister’s Message: The freedom of joy

When Jesus died and rose again, he restored us to a peace with God that cannot be undone.

Minister’s Message: The freedom of joy

Alaska Voices: The Legislature isn’t above the law

The Legislature is failing in its job … again.

Editorial: ‘Two Old Women’ offers wisdom on veto overrides

Editorial: ‘Two Old Women’ offers wisdom on veto overrides

Dunleavy has called expedient what is really cruel.

Editorial: ‘Two Old Women’ offers wisdom on veto overrides
A field of peonies stand ready for harvest on June 30, 2019, at Michelle Hatten’s Stone Circle Peonies in Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Sydney Leto)

Farmers concerned about heat, lack of rain

Homer received 0.16 inches of rain in June, compared to a measured 2.53 inches of rain in June 2018.

A field of peonies stand ready for harvest on June 30, 2019, at Michelle Hatten’s Stone Circle Peonies in Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Sydney Leto)
Voices of the Peninsula: The Dunleavy judicial correction

Voices of the Peninsula: The Dunleavy judicial correction

Of the three branches, the true superior one is the legislative

Voices of the Peninsula: The Dunleavy judicial correction
Ann “Grannie Annie” Berg

Pioneer Potluck: About fishing in Alaska

This week’s recipes: South of the border salmon, salmon or halibut fajitas, halibut tacos

Ann “Grannie Annie” Berg
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

In wake of budget veto, University of Alaska begins sending furlough notices to staff

University system President Jim Johnsen last week said the cut, if it stands, would be devastating.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Larry Persily

Alaska Voices: A tragedy of the commons in the making

The tragedy is the long-term community good losing the battle to short-term individual interests.

Larry Persily
Attorney General William Barr speaks at the U.S. Attorneys’ National Conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, Wednesday, June 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Feds allocate $10M to combat violence in rural Alaska

It is the first time that Barr has personally declared a law enforcement emergency

Attorney General William Barr speaks at the U.S. Attorneys’ National Conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, Wednesday, June 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Fireworks use and sales suspended across much of the state

Fireworks use and sales suspended across much of the state

The suspension will remain in effect until further notice.

Fireworks use and sales suspended across much of the state
Minister’s Message: Divine interruptions

Minister’s Message: Divine interruptions

Some of God’s and life’s most wonderful gifts to us are the surprises that crop up in the day

Minister’s Message: Divine interruptions
The white “petals” of bunchberry are really modified bracts that attract pollinators. (Photo provided by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge notebook: A common little plant with uncommon traits

This summer, I traveled from the East Coast to the Kenai Peninsula to intern with the biology program at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. As… Continue reading

The white “petals” of bunchberry are really modified bracts that attract pollinators. (Photo provided by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
This June 14, 2019 file photo shows a welcome sign on the outskirts of Wasilla. State lawmakers have rejected Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s suggested location for a special session. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Dueling legal analyses raise questions about special session

AG: Dunleavy has the authority to call a special session, can seek a court order to compel lawmakers

This June 14, 2019 file photo shows a welcome sign on the outskirts of Wasilla. State lawmakers have rejected Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s suggested location for a special session. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)