The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Job Center is seen here in Kenai, Alaska, on April 15, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Minimum wage increases by $0.18

Another increase, to $13 per hour, is set for July 1

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Job Center is seen here in Kenai, Alaska, on April 15, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy explains details of his proposed state budget for next year during a press conference Thursday, Nov. 12, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy explains details of his proposed state budget for next year during a press conference Thursday, Nov. 12, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Natural gas processing equipment is seen at Furie Operating Alaska’s central processing facility in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Study says pipeline would be better for economy than gas imports, cost $11 billion

The study was triggered by a request from the Legislature for an independent third-party review of a project proposal

Natural gas processing equipment is seen at Furie Operating Alaska’s central processing facility in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, talks about issues of concern regarding the proposed merger of supermarket chains Kroger and Albertsons during a floor speech in the House chamber on Wednesday. (Screenshot from official U.S. House of Representatives video feed)

Begich leads in early results, but Alaska’s U.S. House race won’t be immediately decided

About 245,000 ballots had been counted by 11:32 p.m., and Peltola trailed by about 5 percentage points

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, talks about issues of concern regarding the proposed merger of supermarket chains Kroger and Albertsons during a floor speech in the House chamber on Wednesday. (Screenshot from official U.S. House of Representatives video feed)
A banner at Homer City Hall identifies the building as a voting precinct. Early voting runs at city hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Friday and Monday in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Early voting for Nov. 5 general election open in Kenai, Soldotna and Homer

Voters will cast ballots for U.S. president and U.S. representative, state House and Senate and decide on two ballot measures

A banner at Homer City Hall identifies the building as a voting precinct. Early voting runs at city hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Friday and Monday in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A voter fills out their ballot at the Kenai No. 2 Precinct in the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Campaign spending picks up ahead of general election

Electoral candidates were required to file disclosure forms 30 days before the election

A voter fills out their ballot at the Kenai No. 2 Precinct in the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Cars drive past the building where the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. is headquartered on Sept. 21, 2023. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire file photo)

State announces $1,700 PFD

The amount includes a one-time energy relief payment

Cars drive past the building where the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. is headquartered on Sept. 21, 2023. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs energy bills into law in Anchorage, Alaska, on July 31, 2024. (Provided by the Office of the Governor)

Gov. Dunleavy signs 3 energy bills

Local representative warns of possible increases in rates amid looming natural gas shortage

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs energy bills into law in Anchorage, Alaska, on July 31, 2024. (Provided by the Office of the Governor)
A sign directs voters at Soldotna City Hall during the special Field House election on March 5, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign directs voters at Soldotna City Hall during the special Field House election on March 5, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Department of Health logo. (Graphic)

State Department of Health warns of pertussis spike

Infants are at the highest risk for severe disease, with about one-third requiring hospitalization.

Department of Health logo. (Graphic)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy signs Ruffridge bill expanding Alaska Performance Scholarship

The scholarship is paid out from the Alaska Higher Education Investment Fund

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena Bishop and Gov. Mike Dunleavy discuss his veto of an education bill during a press conference March 15, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

State correspondence allotment program to continue unchanged

Alaska Supreme Court sides with state, overturns Superior Court ruling that called program ‘unconstitutional’

Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena Bishop and Gov. Mike Dunleavy discuss his veto of an education bill during a press conference March 15, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy is pictured with members of the House Majority after signing the fiscal year 2025 budget bills on June 27 in Anchorage. From left to right: Reps. Stanley Wright, Tom McKay, Thomas Baker, Craig Johnson, Kevin McCabe, Julie Coulombe, and Laddie Shaw. (Photo provided by Office of the Governor)

Dunleavy signs budget with most education funding intact

Dunleavy cut nearly $12 million that was set to go to school districts, including KPBSD, in outstanding pandemic relief funds

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is pictured with members of the House Majority after signing the fiscal year 2025 budget bills on June 27 in Anchorage. From left to right: Reps. Stanley Wright, Tom McKay, Thomas Baker, Craig Johnson, Kevin McCabe, Julie Coulombe, and Laddie Shaw. (Photo provided by Office of the Governor)
U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, speaks at the Alaska Democratic Party’s state convention on May 18 at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, speaks at the Alaska Democratic Party’s state convention on May 18 at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19 in Juneau.

Ruffridge talks successes, unfinished business after freshman session in Juneau

Ruffridge is up for election this year, facing a challenger in former-Rep. Ron Gillham

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19 in Juneau.
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Advocates on behalf of missing and murdered Indigenous persons hold a banner and perform a opening song during a rally in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Sunday to commemorate the annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day.

Rally seeks future where Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day is not necessary

More than 50 people gather at Capitol to share stories of missing family, efforts to address issue

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Advocates on behalf of missing and murdered Indigenous persons hold a banner and perform a opening song during a rally in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Sunday to commemorate the annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day.
Senate President Gary Stevens, a Kodiak Republican, confers with other senators and legislative staff moments before gavelling in the start of this year’s legislative session at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Senate’s draft operating budget includes outstanding KPBSD pandemic relief funds

Public education advocates, students and staff have doggedly lobbied lawmakers for an increase to the state’s K-12 funding formula

Senate President Gary Stevens, a Kodiak Republican, confers with other senators and legislative staff moments before gavelling in the start of this year’s legislative session at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
From front left, Connections Homeschool Principal Doug Hayman, Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche and KPBSD Superintendent Clayton Holland listen to families during a community conversation on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Senate committee hears correspondence school allotment bill

A superior court judge ruled earlier this month that the allotments are unconstitutional

From front left, Connections Homeschool Principal Doug Hayman, Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche and KPBSD Superintendent Clayton Holland listen to families during a community conversation on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
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Homer pedestrian pathway project selected for federal funding

The project will create greater nonmotorized transportation access in Homer

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