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From left: Alaska House Reps. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak; Bill Elam, R-Nikiski; Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna; and Sarah Vance, R-Homer, take the oath of office at the Alaska Capitol on Tuesday in Juneau. (Photo by Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

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Peninsula legislators take oaths of office

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman and Reps. Justin Ruffridge, Bill Elam and Sarah Vance were among those sworn in.

Rep. Sarah Vance, candidate for State House District 6, participates in a candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KBBI 890 AM at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

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Vance prefiles 2 bills targeting tech

Both bills are intended to safeguard children and maintain “societal integrity” in the face of rapidly advancing technologies.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, delivers a legislative update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

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Vance, Bjorkman prefile bills ahead of session

In total, 37 House bills, 39 Senate bills and five Senate joint resolutions had been filed as of…

The deadline for the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, which comes from the fund managed by the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, is coming up fast, landing on March 31, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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PFD applications open for 2025

Residents can submit their applications online until midnight March 31

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

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Minimum wage increases by $0.18

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

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)

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Dunleavy’s proposed budget includes funding for pipeline, Dixon diversion, Silvertip camp

Dunleavy spoke bullishly about the Alaska LNG project

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)

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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…

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)

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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

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)

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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…

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)

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Campaign spending picks up ahead of general election

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

Cars drive past the building where the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. is headquartered on Sept. 21, 2023. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire file photo)

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State announces $1,700 PFD

The amount includes a one-time energy relief payment

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs energy bills into law in Anchorage, Alaska, on July 31, 2024. (Provided by the Office of the Governor)

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Gov. Dunleavy signs 3 energy bills

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

A sign directs voters at Soldotna City Hall during the special Field House election on March 5, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

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Early voting open in Kenai, Soldotna and Homer

Early voting will be open until Aug. 19

Department of Health logo. (Graphic)

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State Department of Health warns of pertussis spike

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

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)

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Dunleavy signs Ruffridge bill expanding Alaska Performance Scholarship

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

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)

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State correspondence allotment program to continue unchanged

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

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)

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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…

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)

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State and federal fisheries concerns addressed at Peltola public meeting

Alaska’s fisheries face numerous challenges

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.

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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

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.

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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