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Alaska Gov. Bill Walker, left, and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott wait for a joint session of the Alaska Legislature to convene Thursday in Juneau. In Walker’s annual State of the State address, he told lawmakers Alaska’s prosperity hinges on solving Alaska’s multibillion dollar budget deficit. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Walker: State’s prosperity hinges on deficit fix

JUNEAU — In his fourth year in office, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker is looking for a major win on an issue that has vexed him… Continue reading

  • Jan 18, 2018
  • By Becky Bohrer
Alaska Gov. Bill Walker, left, and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott wait for a joint session of the Alaska Legislature to convene Thursday in Juneau. In Walker’s annual State of the State address, he told lawmakers Alaska’s prosperity hinges on solving Alaska’s multibillion dollar budget deficit. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Salmon habitat advocates submit signatures for ballot item

ANCHORAGE (AP) — Supporters of a proposed ballot measure aimed at protecting Alaska salmon habitat near development projects have submitted about 50,000 signatures to the… Continue reading

  • Jan 18, 2018
In this Tuesday photo, Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, sits at a desk on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives in Juneau. A special panel on Thursday recommended the removal of Eastman from the legislative ethics committee for allegedly disclosing to a member of the public the existence of a complaint that was considered confidential. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Panel recommends Eastman removal from ethics committee

JUNEAU — A freshman Alaska legislator faces a second possible censure after a legislative panel said he disclosed the existence of a complaint that was… Continue reading

  • Jan 18, 2018
  • By Becky Bohrer
In this Tuesday photo, Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, sits at a desk on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives in Juneau. A special panel on Thursday recommended the removal of Eastman from the legislative ethics committee for allegedly disclosing to a member of the public the existence of a complaint that was considered confidential. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Alex Douthit, pictured in his office on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska, founded Kenai Peninsula Driving Instruction in November 2016 with his wife Sarah Douthit. It took them more than a year to obtain all the permits and approvals they needed to officially begin commercial driver’s license instruction, which they are now focusing on. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

After permitting struggle, couple opens CDL training program on peninsula

When Alex Douthit started the ball rolling for a commercial driving instruction school in Kenai, he had no idea what he was getting into. The… Continue reading

Alex Douthit, pictured in his office on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska, founded Kenai Peninsula Driving Instruction in November 2016 with his wife Sarah Douthit. It took them more than a year to obtain all the permits and approvals they needed to officially begin commercial driver’s license instruction, which they are now focusing on. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly approves ordinance allowing volunteers to serve on service area boards

Volunteers for two Kenai Peninsula service areas can also now serve on the service areas’ boards. The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly approved an ordinance allowing… Continue reading

Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, left, and Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, deliver a message to Gov. Bill Walker that the House is open for business on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. Legislators returned to Alaska’s Capitol to open the Second Session of the 30th Legislature on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Guardedly optimistic, Alaska Legislature starts second regular session

After the Girl Scouts and the Juneau-Douglas High School choir, two senators walked into the chambers of the Alaska House of Representatives with an air… Continue reading

Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, left, and Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, deliver a message to Gov. Bill Walker that the House is open for business on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. Legislators returned to Alaska’s Capitol to open the Second Session of the 30th Legislature on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Grease fire breaks out in Sterling Chinese restaurant

Grease fire breaks out in Sterling Chinese restaurant

Grease fire damages Soldotna-area restaurant, none hurt The kitchen and roof of a Soldotna-area Chinese restaurant were damaged in grease fire Wednesday. Dispatchers received a… Continue reading

Grease fire breaks out in Sterling Chinese restaurant

Crime on the rise in Kenai

Crime is up in Kenai and the city’s police chief is concerned it may have to do with recent criminal justice reform. Kenai Police Chief… Continue reading

Borough forms gravel pit working group

A group of local government officials, members of the public and gravel pit operators will start gathering to overhaul borough laws on material extraction sites.… Continue reading

Setnetters make their way back to the beach near a site on July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Bill would authorize east side setnet permit buyback

The Legislature is set to consider a buyback program for commercial fishing permits in Cook Inlet’s east side setnet fishery. The east side setnet fishery… Continue reading

Setnetters make their way back to the beach near a site on July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)
Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and Chief of Staff John Quick speak to the attendees at Pierce’s swearing-in ceremony at the George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Mayor outlines budget strategy

Editor's note: This article has been corrected to clarify that the borough administration's plan to fix the boilers in the George A. Navarre Borough Administration… Continue reading

Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and Chief of Staff John Quick speak to the attendees at Pierce’s swearing-in ceremony at the George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Hilcorp plans $285 million Alaska investment in 2018

Hilcorp is planning to spend about $285 million in Alaska during 2018, the oil and gas company’s Operations Manager Chad Helgeson told audiences at the… Continue reading

In this Jan. 17, 2017, file photo, state Rep. Dean Westlake, D-Kotzebue, talks with another legislator during a break in the opening session of the Alaska Legislature in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska Legislature opens a new session Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, amid lingering fallout from the resignation of Westlake, accused of inappropriate behavior toward female aides. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Lawmakers go back to work amid sex misconduct fallout

JUNEAU — The Alaska Legislature opens a new session today, Jan. 16 amid lingering fallout from the resignation of a House member accused of inappropriate… Continue reading

  • Jan 15, 2018
  • By Becky Bohrer
In this Jan. 17, 2017, file photo, state Rep. Dean Westlake, D-Kotzebue, talks with another legislator during a break in the opening session of the Alaska Legislature in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska Legislature opens a new session Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, amid lingering fallout from the resignation of Westlake, accused of inappropriate behavior toward female aides. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Sam’s Club exit shakes businesses statewide

FAIRBANKS (AP) — Sam’s Club announced that it will close its three Alaska stores by Jan. 26. In response, hundreds of people visited the Fairbanks… Continue reading

  • Jan 15, 2018
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) speaks to constituents after addressing the members of three Kenai- and Soldotna-area Rotary Clubs at Froso’s Restaurant on Monday in Soldotna. Sullivan, entering his third year as U.S. Senator for the state, said he found reasons to be optimistic about federal actions regarding the state in 2018. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Senator optimistic for Alaska’s outlook in 2018

Alaska’s junior U.S. senator is heading into 2018 with a sense of optimism about the state’s future. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), now entering his third… Continue reading

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) speaks to constituents after addressing the members of three Kenai- and Soldotna-area Rotary Clubs at Froso’s Restaurant on Monday in Soldotna. Sullivan, entering his third year as U.S. Senator for the state, said he found reasons to be optimistic about federal actions regarding the state in 2018. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Lawmaker tackles opioid abuse

A bill proposed in the Alaska State Legislature would require more discussion about addiction before patients take home an opioid prescription. Pre-filed by Rep. Les… Continue reading

Don’t get duped

Even the savviest of us can get taken in by scams. Seniors, however, are particularly vulnerable to financial exploitation, Sharon Christopher, outreach specialist with the… Continue reading

Patrick Sidmore, a health planner for the Alaska Mental Health Board, talks on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, about new studies in addressing emotional trauma in young students. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Program increases awareness of effects of childhood trauma

As Natalie Turner walked into a fourth-grade classroom at Glacier Valley Elementary on Friday, the fingers started wiggling. The fourth-graders greeted her silently, holding up… Continue reading

Patrick Sidmore, a health planner for the Alaska Mental Health Board, talks on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, about new studies in addressing emotional trauma in young students. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau and Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, answer questions from Juneau area residents about legislative priorities during a townhall meeting at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau legislators ‘worried’ about upcoming session

Juneau’s three-person delegation to the Alaska Legislature told a well-attended town hall meeting Thursday night that they are worried about what will and will not… Continue reading

Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau and Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, answer questions from Juneau area residents about legislative priorities during a townhall meeting at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Snowfall increases avalanche danger in Turnagain Pass

Avalanche experts are warning people to stay away from high elevations for the next few days in the Turnagain Pass area. Heavy winds and curtains… Continue reading