In this Tuesday, April 9, 2019 photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Governor reluctant to consider oil taxes

Will taxes might cause companies to leave?

In this Tuesday, April 9, 2019 photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
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 A declaration of financial exigency that would have allowed University of Alaska to make drastic cuts was rescinded Tuesday.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 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 A declaration of financial exigency that would have allowed University of Alaska to make drastic cuts was rescinded Tuesday.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)
Water can be seen on foliage after a rainstorm on July 14, 2019, in Kalifornsky, Alaska. The last significant rain to fall on the peninsula was July 26-28. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Drought persists on peninsula

After three weeks without rain, peninsula has slight chance of showers this weekend.

Water can be seen on foliage after a rainstorm on July 14, 2019, in Kalifornsky, Alaska. The last significant rain to fall on the peninsula was July 26-28. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire impairs visibility on the Sterling Highway, Alaska, on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

1st day of school delayed for Cooper Landing

School is scheduled to open with a 2-hour delay Wednesday

Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire impairs visibility on the Sterling Highway, Alaska, on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A truck on the Sterling Highway plows through ash produced by the Swan Lake Fire on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Fire crews battle Swan Lake Fire after weekend of expansion

Crews are working to create new control lines and keep the fire away from the highway

A truck on the Sterling Highway plows through ash produced by the Swan Lake Fire on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Public safety briefs for Aug. 20, 2019
Public safety briefs for Aug. 20, 2019
This photo of the Caribou Lake fire was taken about 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska, about two hours after Ian Pitzman texted a message reporting the fire to his wife, Stephanie Pitzman, via an inReach satellite communication device. (Photo by Ian Pitzman)

New fire flares up near Caribou Lake

Smokejumpers and air crews were on the 50- to 100-acre fire about 1.5 miles northwest of the lake.

This photo of the Caribou Lake fire was taken about 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska, about two hours after Ian Pitzman texted a message reporting the fire to his wife, Stephanie Pitzman, via an inReach satellite communication device. (Photo by Ian Pitzman)
Michael Armstrong / Homer News                                A spruce tree flares up in the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening near Homer.

Homer area fire flares up

‘Ready’ alert issued for Diamond Ridge, south North Fork areas

Michael Armstrong / Homer News                                A spruce tree flares up in the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening near Homer.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs House Bill 2001 at his office in Anchorage on Monday, August 19, 2019. (Courtesy photo)

Governor signs off on $1,600 PFD, calls for third special session

Dunleavy says remainder of PFD will be sole focus for next special session.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs House Bill 2001 at his office in Anchorage on Monday, August 19, 2019. (Courtesy photo)
A map of the Swan Lake Fire as of Aug. 19, 2019. (Courtesy Alaska Division of Forestry)

Traffic on Sterling Highway stopped due to Swan Lake Fire behavior

As of Monday evening the fire was 138,479 acres.

A map of the Swan Lake Fire as of Aug. 19, 2019. (Courtesy Alaska Division of Forestry)
The Swan Lake Fire can be seen here from Skilak Lake on Aug. 19, 2019. (Photo courtesy Marissa Nunooruk)

Sterling Highway to reopen at noon after weekend of extreme fire growth

The fire is currently 127,709 acres in size and grew about 25,000 acres over the weekend

The Swan Lake Fire can be seen here from Skilak Lake on Aug. 19, 2019. (Photo courtesy Marissa Nunooruk)
Sterling Highway closed as Swan Lake Fire grows

Sterling Highway closed as Swan Lake Fire grows

UPDATE, 7:30 p.m. The Swan Lake Fire was 5 miles to the west and northwest of Cooper Landing, according to the latest update provided by… Continue reading

Sterling Highway closed as Swan Lake Fire grows
Country singer Zac Brown’s lawyer Blaine Gillam speaks for his client at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission meeting, Aug. 12, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Effort to vacate Homer easement fails at planning commission

Country musician Zac Brown was one of a handful of people seeking to remove the easement.

Country singer Zac Brown’s lawyer Blaine Gillam speaks for his client at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission meeting, Aug. 12, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A plume of smoke rises from the Swan Lake fire area as vehicles head south on the Sterling Highway on July 18, 2019, near Skilak Lake, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Swan Lake fire flares up, again

The 102,906-acre fire has experienced substantial growth over the last few days.

A plume of smoke rises from the Swan Lake fire area as vehicles head south on the Sterling Highway on July 18, 2019, near Skilak Lake, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
DAN JOLING/ASSOCIATED PRESS                                Junar Lim takes photos of Ziah Lim, left, and Arsenia Lim, all of Cavite, the Philippines, at gardens in Town Square in Anchorage Thursday. Alaska recorded its warmest month ever in July and hot, dry weather has continued in Anchorage and much of the region south of the Alaska Range.

Alaska records its warmest month ever; future records likely

The effects were felt from the Arctic Ocean to Alaska’s Panhandle.

  • Aug 17, 2019
  • By DAN JOLING Associated Press
DAN JOLING/ASSOCIATED PRESS                                Junar Lim takes photos of Ziah Lim, left, and Arsenia Lim, all of Cavite, the Philippines, at gardens in Town Square in Anchorage Thursday. Alaska recorded its warmest month ever in July and hot, dry weather has continued in Anchorage and much of the region south of the Alaska Range.
A young volunteer chases three piglets named Mary Hamkins, Petunia and Sir Oinks-a-lot through the race Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds during the pig races on Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 in Ninilchik, Alaska. Spectators place bets on their favorite swine to win and the proceeds go to support the fair. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Living the fair life

Residents enjoy weekend of pig races, fish throwing, and livestock auctions in Ninilchik

A young volunteer chases three piglets named Mary Hamkins, Petunia and Sir Oinks-a-lot through the race Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds during the pig races on Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 in Ninilchik, Alaska. Spectators place bets on their favorite swine to win and the proceeds go to support the fair. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Hurricane Dave                                 From left, Meg Anderson, Tom Torvie, Michael Faubion and Hurricane Dave are seen here in this undated photo.

Music to melt your feet

Crabshoot to take the stage at the Kenai Peninsula Fair

Hurricane Dave                                 From left, Meg Anderson, Tom Torvie, Michael Faubion and Hurricane Dave are seen here in this undated photo.
Recall Dunleavy organizers Ann Keffer, right, in hat, and Pat Cue, behind Keffer, take signatures at a Recall Dunleavy rally held on Aug. 1 at WKFL Park in Homer. At left, former Homer Rep. Paul Seaton, NP-Homer, signs a form. Seaton lost to Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, in the general election. (Photo by Michael Armstrong)

Recall Dunleavy hits, surpasses signature target

Organizers needed 28,000 signatures to apply with the state to advance the recall effort.

Recall Dunleavy organizers Ann Keffer, right, in hat, and Pat Cue, behind Keffer, take signatures at a Recall Dunleavy rally held on Aug. 1 at WKFL Park in Homer. At left, former Homer Rep. Paul Seaton, NP-Homer, signs a form. Seaton lost to Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, in the general election. (Photo by Michael Armstrong)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs SB 2002 at the Alaska Association of General Contractors in Anchorage on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019. (Courtesy photo)

‘Disappointing’, but not devastating

Dunleavy-signed capital budget includes vetoes, partial funding for local programs

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs SB 2002 at the Alaska Association of General Contractors in Anchorage on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019. (Courtesy photo)
14th annual Jr. Classic invites kids to catch salmon on the Kenai

14th annual Jr. Classic invites kids to catch salmon on the Kenai

The event ames to teach kids about all that Alaska has to offer.

14th annual Jr. Classic invites kids to catch salmon on the Kenai