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Democratic Alaska state Rep. Neal Foster, left, smiles after being elected temporary speaker of the House, Thursday, in Juneau. The House has yet to organize a majority and elect a permanent speaker. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Alaska House elects temporary speaker, swears in new member

JUNEAU — The Alaska House elected a temporary speaker and swore in its newest member Thursday, steps legislative leaders saw as significant amid ongoing efforts… Continue reading

  • Jan 18, 2019

 

A contractor plows snow down Forest Drive in Kenai on Jan. 17, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough Mayor defends the Peninsula’s snow plowing efforts at latest borough meeting

Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce defended the maintenance efforts of the Road Service Area at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on Jan. 9, where the… Continue reading

 

Hoop Dances are the finale of every Yellow Bird performance. (Courtesy photo)

Kenaitze to host indigenous dance group Saturday

The Kenaitze Indian Tribe will welcome an internationally known indigenous dance group this Saturday as part of the Native Youth Olympics Invitational. At 7 p.m.… Continue reading

 

Soldotna High School, pictured on Thursday. (Photo by Victoria Petersen)

SOHI shooting threat unsubstantiated

After rumors of a possible school shooting at Soldotna High School spread via social media Wednesday night, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District along with… Continue reading

Soldotna High School, pictured on Thursday. (Photo by Victoria Petersen)
Sen. Bill Wielechowski, R-Anchorage, center, and Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, right, listen members from the Department of Revenue give a state revenue forecast during a Senate Finance Committee meeting at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Volatile oil market prompts conservative forecasts

New Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration is taking a more conservative approach to oil revenue forecasting to help avoid the creation of an oversized budget.… Continue reading

Sen. Bill Wielechowski, R-Anchorage, center, and Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, right, listen members from the Department of Revenue give a state revenue forecast during a Senate Finance Committee meeting at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Soldotna council members may now teleconference 6 times a year

Soldotna City Council members can now teleconference in to six meetings a year, versus the three previously allowed. The city council passed a resolution at… Continue reading

  • Jan 17, 2019
Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, left, speaks with Sharon Jackson on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. Jackson is Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy’s pick to replace Nancy Dahlstrom’s House District 13 seat for Chugiak. That position was left vacant in December after Dunleavy appointed Dahlstrom to be Department of Corrections commissioner. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Breaking all the rules: Jackson sworn in, against state statutes

House Republicans pursue Sharon Jackson’s appointment, even though it likely won’t stand

Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, left, speaks with Sharon Jackson on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. Jackson is Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy’s pick to replace Nancy Dahlstrom’s House District 13 seat for Chugiak. That position was left vacant in December after Dunleavy appointed Dahlstrom to be Department of Corrections commissioner. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy unveils plan for PFD back payments

That mega PFD isn’t happening this year, in his plan.

Lawmaker opposes drilling permit work during government shutdown

ANCHORAGE — The oil and gas industry should not be spared the pain of the partial government shutdown, according to the chairman of the U.S.… Continue reading

  • Jan 16, 2019
Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, left, and Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, relay a message to Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy in his Capitol office that the Senate is open and ready for business on the first day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy to give first State of State address

It’s in less than a week.

Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, left, and Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, relay a message to Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy in his Capitol office that the Senate is open and ready for business on the first day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
More panels of the hidden mural were revealed Wednesday, as construction crews work on the remodel at the Kenai Municipal Airport. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Airport remodel uncovers student mural from the 70s

A mural discovered Tuesday by construction crews at the Kenai Municipal Airport is bringing back memories for the former high school students who helped create… Continue reading

More panels of the hidden mural were revealed Wednesday, as construction crews work on the remodel at the Kenai Municipal Airport. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, right, and Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, speak during a Senate Majority press conference on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Curbing the crime wave: Lawmakers say collaboration is key

Sexual assault is a common focus of proposed legislation.

Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, right, and Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, speak during a Senate Majority press conference on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Kenai Central High School is photographed on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough school district unsure of upcoming budget

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is beginning to form its next budget for the fiscal year 2020, but with both the state and borough… Continue reading

Kenai Central High School is photographed on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Hello? Cellphones banned on Senate floor

Sen. John Coghill said Tuesday evening he is considering a revision of a ban of cellphone usage on the Senate floor. Coghill is the Senate… Continue reading

Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, left, congratulates Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, and Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, right, after being sworn in on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Tensions rise in discombobulated Alaska House

Until a majority is formed, the House will be at a standstill.

Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, left, congratulates Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, and Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, right, after being sworn in on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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

Construction crews work at the Kenai Municipal Airport on Tuesday afternoon. After workers removed siding from the facade, a mural with iconic Kenai images like fishing nets, the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox chapel and a dog musher, was revealed. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Remodel reveals decades-old mural at airport

A mural not seen for decades has been uncovered on the facade of the Kenai Municipal Airport. The decades-old mural, which was revealed Tuesday by… Continue reading

Construction crews work at the Kenai Municipal Airport on Tuesday afternoon. After workers removed siding from the facade, a mural with iconic Kenai images like fishing nets, the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox chapel and a dog musher, was revealed. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

4 accused of trying to steal water heater from house of dead man

Four people were charged with felony burglary for allegedly breaking into the home of a deceased man in Nikiski. Bradly Martin Luke, 25, Kenneth Paxton… Continue reading

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Sean Dusek waits to talk and answer the public’s questions in the back room of Veronica’s Cafe in Kenai on Friday. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Superintendent Sean Dusek announces retirement

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District superintendent Sean Dusek announced his retirement on Monday. Dusek will be leaving the district at the end of the school… Continue reading

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Sean Dusek waits to talk and answer the public’s questions in the back room of Veronica’s Cafe in Kenai on Friday. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Session to begin with House in disarray

Uncertainty hangs over the Capitol.

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