‘To hell with politics’: House speaker elected after two Republicans cross party lines
‘To hell with politics’: House speaker elected after two Republicans cross party lines
Escape Route, a road connecting the towns of Kenai and Nikiski on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska, is photographed on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough may swap roads with state

Borough would trade ownership and maintenance of nine state-maintained roads for Escape Route road

Escape Route, a road connecting the towns of Kenai and Nikiski on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska, is photographed on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Budget and Management, left, and Lacey Sanders, Budget Director for OMB, present Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s state budget in front of the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Budget and Management, left, and Lacey Sanders, Budget Director for OMB, present Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s state budget in front of the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this June 16, 2005 photo, Jack Coghill sits by the Tanana River in Nenana, Alaska. One of the last remaining members of the Alaska constitutional convention, former Lt. Gov. Jack Coghill died Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019, at age 93 in North Pole. (Dan Joling | Associated Press File)

Signer of Alaska Constitution, Jack Coghill, dies at age 93

He was a political icon in the state.

In this June 16, 2005 photo, Jack Coghill sits by the Tanana River in Nenana, Alaska. One of the last remaining members of the Alaska constitutional convention, former Lt. Gov. Jack Coghill died Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019, at age 93 in North Pole. (Dan Joling | Associated Press File)
Three people charged with assaulting man 2 years ago

Three people charged with assaulting man 2 years ago

Three people from Kenai have been charged with assaulting and injuring a man trying to break up a fight two years ago, according to an… Continue reading

Three people charged with assaulting man 2 years ago
Public safety briefs for February 13, 2019

Public safety briefs for February 13, 2019

Information for this report was taken from publicly available law enforcement and public safety records and includes arrest and citation information, not conviction information. Anyone… Continue reading

Public safety briefs for February 13, 2019
Court Reports for February 13, 2019

Court Reports for February 13, 2019

The following judgment was recently handed down in Kenai District Court: William Donn Bushnell II, 29, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal trespass, committed… Continue reading

Court Reports for February 13, 2019

22nd annual Tsunami Bowl coming to Seward

The annual event has been held in Seward since 1998

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with his cabinet members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy releases budget

Proposed cuts could impact university system, public schools

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with his cabinet members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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)
Kyle Kornelis, Stephanie Queen and Tim Dillon speak about the Field House project during a Soldotna Chamber Luncheon on Wednesday. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Details about Soldotna Field House project emerge as special election approaches

The special election concerns the issuance of a general bond of $10 million to fund the project

Kyle Kornelis, Stephanie Queen and Tim Dillon speak about the Field House project during a Soldotna Chamber Luncheon on Wednesday. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska breweries serve up beers at the Frozen RiverFest in Soldotna, Alaska, in February, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

A brew for all seasons

Frozen RiverFest to warm up Soldotna this weekend

Alaska breweries serve up beers at the Frozen RiverFest in Soldotna, Alaska, in February, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, and Rep. Dave Talerico, R-Healy, sit next to each other after Knopp voted not to confirm Talerico as Speaker of the House on Tuesday. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

District 30 asks Knopp to organize or resign

Knopp said he is definitely not going to resign

Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, and Rep. Dave Talerico, R-Healy, sit next to each other after Knopp voted not to confirm Talerico as Speaker of the House on Tuesday. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin and members of her budget team takes time to explain Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s state budget at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Proposed Medicaid, health care cuts spark outrage

One health care advocate called the budget proposal “outrageous.”

Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin and members of her budget team takes time to explain Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s state budget at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy budget proposal proposes to eliminate hundreds of jobs

Dunleavy budget proposal proposes to eliminate hundreds of jobs

Job cuts are not final

Dunleavy budget proposal proposes to eliminate hundreds of jobs
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
In this Friday, July 27, 2018 file photo, the logo for Amazon is displayed on a screen at the Nasdaq MarketSite. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, file)

Cities grapple with online retailer taxation

Cities grapple with online retailer taxation

In this Friday, July 27, 2018 file photo, the logo for Amazon is displayed on a screen at the Nasdaq MarketSite. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, file)
Court reports for February 12, 2019

Court reports for February 12, 2019

The following judgments were recently handed down in Kenai District Court: Brandon Mark Borchgrevink, 28, of Nikiski, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of second-degree… Continue reading

Court reports for February 12, 2019
Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, talks to the media about his nomination for Speaker of the House at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, talks to the media about his nomination for Speaker of the House at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Jeff Hayden poses at the Homer News on Feb. 12, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. Hayden has been named publisher of the Kenai Peninsula Clarion and the Homer News. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Hayden named publisher of Peninsula Clarion, Homer News

Hayden, 62, moved to Alaska from Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania.

Jeff Hayden poses at the Homer News on Feb. 12, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. Hayden has been named publisher of the Kenai Peninsula Clarion and the Homer News. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)