Alaska House of Representatives

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)
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)
Republican Bart LeBon points to a vote tally board with his campaign manager Brittany Hartmann during a election recount at the Department of Elections’ Juneau office on Friday, Nov. 30. LeBon is challenging the handling of four ballots as part of an ongoing legal fight over the Alaska House District 1 seat in Fairbanks. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

LeBon asks for recount win to be upheld by Alaska court

JUNEAU — The Republican candidate in a disputed Alaska House race is challenging the handling of four ballots as part of an ongoing legal fight… Continue reading

Republican Bart LeBon points to a vote tally board with his campaign manager Brittany Hartmann during a election recount at the Department of Elections’ Juneau office on Friday, Nov. 30. LeBon is challenging the handling of four ballots as part of an ongoing legal fight over the Alaska House District 1 seat in Fairbanks. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this Jan. 16, 2017, file photo, then Rep.-elect Gary Knopp sits in his office at the Alaska Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. Republican state lawmaker Knopp is seeking to create a bipartisan majority coalition in the House after leaving a fragile GOP caucus that he said was “doomed to fail.” Knopp says he wanted to start talks on the potential creation of a bipartisan coalition, with just weeks before the start of the new legislative session. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Republican leaves GOP caucus

JUNEAU — A Republican state lawmaker is seeking to create a bipartisan majority coalition in the House after leaving a fragile GOP caucus that he… Continue reading

In this Jan. 16, 2017, file photo, then Rep.-elect Gary Knopp sits in his office at the Alaska Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. Republican state lawmaker Knopp is seeking to create a bipartisan majority coalition in the House after leaving a fragile GOP caucus that he said was “doomed to fail.” Knopp says he wanted to start talks on the potential creation of a bipartisan coalition, with just weeks before the start of the new legislative session. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
A ballot box logo is seen on election materials from the Alaska Division of Elections in this undated photo. (Courtesy Photo | Alaska Division of Elections)

Uncounted ballot investigated in tied Alaska House race

JUNEAU (AP) — State election officials said Monday they are trying to determine whether a ballot apparently marked for Democrat Kathryn Dodge in a tied… Continue reading

A ballot box logo is seen on election materials from the Alaska Division of Elections in this undated photo. (Courtesy Photo | Alaska Division of Elections)
The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska House control fate remains unsettled with race tied

ANCHORAGE — A Fairbanks race that will decide control of the Alaska House of Representatives could be the subject of a recount after an audit… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)