News

Students at the University of Alaska Anchorage’s nursing program. (Courtesy photo | Premera Blue Cross)

Pledge gives $5.7 million to improve rural health care

Alaska grown health care.

Students at the University of Alaska Anchorage’s nursing program. (Courtesy photo | Premera Blue Cross)
In this file photo, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2109. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Murkowski writes bill to address domestic violence in rural Alaska

Tribes lauded the bill.

In this file photo, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2109. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol in this April 2019 photo. His speech at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference Thursday included a commitment to a smoother budget process in 2020. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy draws both protests and applause at AFN

Speech commits to smoother budget process going forward.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol in this April 2019 photo. His speech at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference Thursday included a commitment to a smoother budget process in 2020. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Tongass National Forest sign on the way to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Politicians praise, conservationists condemn effort to amend Roadless Rule

It’s about politics

The Tongass National Forest sign on the way to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Lemon Creek Correctional Center pictured on April 13, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska prisoners to be sent out of state

Prisons are almost at capacity.

Lemon Creek Correctional Center pictured on April 13, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this Empire file photo, University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen, left, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire in April 2016. Attending the interview with Johnsen is University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Rick Caulfield. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

No confidence vote, delay shake up University of Alaska

Consolidation backtrack.

In this Empire file photo, University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen, left, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire in April 2016. Attending the interview with Johnsen is University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Rick Caulfield. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
SEITC Chair Rob Sanderson Jr., center, and Reuben George, of the Sacred Trust, Tsleil-Waututh Nation at the Southeast Alaska Indigenous Transboundary Commission meeting at the Lummi Reservation in Ferndale, Wash. (Courtesy photo | Jeff Gibbs)

Indigenous meeting declares ‘salmon emergency’

Meeting of tribes from US and Canada calls for action.

SEITC Chair Rob Sanderson Jr., center, and Reuben George, of the Sacred Trust, Tsleil-Waututh Nation at the Southeast Alaska Indigenous Transboundary Commission meeting at the Lummi Reservation in Ferndale, Wash. (Courtesy photo | Jeff Gibbs)
Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press LGBT supporters gather in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday in Washington. The Supreme Court heard arguments in its first cases on LGBT rights since the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy. Kennedy was a voice for gay rights while his successor, Brett Kavanaugh, is regarded as more conservative.

LGBT Alaskans closely watching US Supreme Court hearings

Ruling could change definition of workplace discrimination.

Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press LGBT supporters gather in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday in Washington. The Supreme Court heard arguments in its first cases on LGBT rights since the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy. Kennedy was a voice for gay rights while his successor, Brett Kavanaugh, is regarded as more conservative.
Recall campaign is ready for a fight

Recall campaign is ready for a fight

Legal team has some heavy hitters.

Recall campaign is ready for a fight
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File In this Empire file photo, Rep. Josh Revak, R-Anchorage, listens to Kathryn Monfreda, bureau chief of the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Statewide Services, as she presents the Uniform Crime Reporting Annual Report to House members during an informational meeting at the Capitol on Feb. 5.

Breaking: Gov wants third special session once Senate seat is filled

The session would be to allocate the remainder of the PFD.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File In this Empire file photo, Rep. Josh Revak, R-Anchorage, listens to Kathryn Monfreda, bureau chief of the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Statewide Services, as she presents the Uniform Crime Reporting Annual Report to House members during an informational meeting at the Capitol on Feb. 5.
In this Empire File photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, listens as Attorney General Kevin Clarkson describes three constitutional amendments that would be a foundation of his administration’s fiscal plan during a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Governor Dunleavy announces executive order regarding union employee dues

Employess must opt in.

In this Empire File photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, listens as Attorney General Kevin Clarkson describes three constitutional amendments that would be a foundation of his administration’s fiscal plan during a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
A downed spruce tree sits near the East Glacier Trail at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area in this June 2014 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Judge blocks logging in the Tongass, for now

Old growth, new logging.

A downed spruce tree sits near the East Glacier Trail at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area in this June 2014 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
State files lawsuit against public employee union

State files lawsuit against public employee union

State says its about First Amendment.

State files lawsuit against public employee union
In this file photo from Jan. 29, Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin presents the governor’s supplemental budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

State’s budget director Arduin is out

New director to be named soon.

In this file photo from Jan. 29, Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin presents the governor’s supplemental budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner gives a thumbs up outside the Supreme Court, Wednesday, June 27, 2018 in Washington. From left are, Liberty Justice Center’s Director of Litigation Jacob Huebert, plaintiff Mark Janus, Rauner, and Liberty Justice Center founder and chairman John Tillman. The Supreme Court ruled that government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining, dealing a serious financial blow to organized labor. (AP Photo | Andrew Harnik)

‘We’re going to fight them all the way’: Alaska union plans to fight legal ruling over dues

The attorney general is calling for stricter rules for union dues.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner gives a thumbs up outside the Supreme Court, Wednesday, June 27, 2018 in Washington. From left are, Liberty Justice Center’s Director of Litigation Jacob Huebert, plaintiff Mark Janus, Rauner, and Liberty Justice Center founder and chairman John Tillman. The Supreme Court ruled that government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining, dealing a serious financial blow to organized labor. (AP Photo | Andrew Harnik)
One-two punch: Planned Parenthood in Alaska loses state and federal funding

One-two punch: Planned Parenthood in Alaska loses state and federal funding

The organization will no longer receive Title X funds.

One-two punch: Planned Parenthood in Alaska loses state and federal funding
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 rescinds emergency financial declaration

The financial picture still isn’t rosy.

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)
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)
Dunleavy reverses decision to veto early education funds

Dunleavy reverses decision to veto early education funds

Dunleavy says he won’t veto Head Start, Pre-K from HB 2001

Dunleavy reverses decision to veto early education funds