News

Midway through session, lawmakers looking for fiscal fix

JUNEAU — Alaska legislative leaders say they are committed to taking major steps to address the state’s multibillion-dollar budget deficit this year, even if that… Continue reading

In this May 23, 2015, photo the welcome sign is displayed on the outskirts of Homer, Alaska. The fishing town is the latest U.S. city to consider affirming its commitment to inclusion amid national concerns about the treatment of immigrants, religious minorities and others. Homer city leaders are expected to weigh a resolution Monday that says Homer will resist any efforts to profile “vulnerable populations.” (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Inclusivity measure stirs debate in Homer

JUNEAU — The small Alaska fishing community of Homer is no stranger to political activism. In the 1970s, a landmark legal case involving one of… Continue reading

In this May 23, 2015, photo the welcome sign is displayed on the outskirts of Homer, Alaska. The fishing town is the latest U.S. city to consider affirming its commitment to inclusion amid national concerns about the treatment of immigrants, religious minorities and others. Homer city leaders are expected to weigh a resolution Monday that says Homer will resist any efforts to profile “vulnerable populations.” (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

UA agrees to resolve sex harassment, assault issues

JUNEAU — The University of Alaska system has agreed to resolve issues stemming from a federal review of its handling of campus sexual assault and… Continue reading

Scholars: ‘Liberal’ reputation of 9th Circuit overblown

Scholars: ‘Liberal’ reputation of 9th Circuit overblown

SEATTLE — The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which is weighing the appeal concerning President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration, is the federal… Continue reading

Scholars: ‘Liberal’ reputation of 9th Circuit overblown
Walker hopeful about working with feds on resource issues

Walker hopeful about working with feds on resource issues

JUNEAU — Alaska Gov. Bill Walker on Monday expressed renewed hope for working with the federal government on oil, gas and land issues, praising President… Continue reading

Walker hopeful about working with feds on resource issues
Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee presents a question to Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage, during his introduction of HB 44 in the at the Capitol on Friday. HB 44 would require a legislator to abstain from taking or withholding official action or exerting official influence that could benefit or harm an immediate family member or certain employers. Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, D-Sitka, is seen in the background. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

New lawmaker squarely targets Legislature’s conflicts of interest

Ray Metcalfe sat at a desk next to a wallet full of million-dollar bills and asked Alaska lawmakers to curtail corruption. On Friday, members of… Continue reading

Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee presents a question to Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage, during his introduction of HB 44 in the at the Capitol on Friday. HB 44 would require a legislator to abstain from taking or withholding official action or exerting official influence that could benefit or harm an immediate family member or certain employers. Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, D-Sitka, is seen in the background. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

University of Alaska weighs options for academic programs

FAIRBANKS (AP) — The University of Alaska has released dozens of options for restructuring academic and administrative programs as part of its ongoing budget review… Continue reading

Alaska state Rep. Geran Tarr speaks to reporters during the House majority’s weekly news conference on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, in Juneau, Alaska. Tarr has introduced legislation that seeks to temporarily bar access to guns by people deemed by a judge to be a danger to themselves or others. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Lawmaker proposes gun bill after airport shooting

JUNEAU — A deadly airport shooting in Florida has helped spur a bill in Alaska that would allow authorities to temporarily take away guns from… Continue reading

Alaska state Rep. Geran Tarr speaks to reporters during the House majority’s weekly news conference on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, in Juneau, Alaska. Tarr has introduced legislation that seeks to temporarily bar access to guns by people deemed by a judge to be a danger to themselves or others. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Oil and gas subsidy debate, which sank budget deal last year, is poised to return

Oil and gas subsidy debate, which sank budget deal last year, is poised to return

An issue that sank plans for a budget fix in 2016 will soon resurface in the Alaska Legislature. A bill addressing North Slope oil and… Continue reading

Oil and gas subsidy debate, which sank budget deal last year, is poised to return
Republican Representative-elect Gary Knopp sits in his office at the Alaska Capitol on Monday, Jan. 16, 2017, in Juneau, Alaska. Knopp is among the newly elected legislators who will be sworn in Tuesday. Among Alaska’s newest legislators, there is optimism and an eagerness to get to work on addressing the state’s multibillion-dollar budget deficit. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Optimism, eagerness among newest legislators

JUNEAU — Among Alaska’s newest legislators, there is optimism and an eagerness to get to work on addressing the state’s multibillion-dollar budget deficit. Rep.-elect George… Continue reading

Republican Representative-elect Gary Knopp sits in his office at the Alaska Capitol on Monday, Jan. 16, 2017, in Juneau, Alaska. Knopp is among the newly elected legislators who will be sworn in Tuesday. Among Alaska’s newest legislators, there is optimism and an eagerness to get to work on addressing the state’s multibillion-dollar budget deficit. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Cancer now No. 1 killer in 22 states, ahead of heart disease

NEW YORK — Cancer is becoming the No. 1 killer in more and more states as deaths from heart disease have declined, new health statistics… Continue reading

E-cigarettes get trade organization

The e-cigarette industry is getting organized. Clear the Air Alaska, a trade association representing retailers in Alaska, announced its creation on Thursday. In a statement,… Continue reading

Alaska Airlines: Issues that delayed flights fixed

PORTLAND, Ore. — A computer glitch that delayed about 20 Alaska Airlines flights was resolved early Thursday, the airline said.Late Wednesday night several computer systems… Continue reading

Report: New Bedford, Dutch Harbor top fishing ports

WASHINGTON — Federal fisheries regulators say New Bedford, Massachusetts, remains the top fishing port for revenue, while Dutch Harbor, Alaska, remains tops for volume.The annual… Continue reading

BLM OKs drilling permit in petroleum reserve

JUNEAU — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced Thursday that it had approved a drilling permit that would clear the way for the first… Continue reading

Big Oil given extra time to pledge gas

The state of Alaska is negotiating up to the last minute on proposals that would guarantee major oil producers’ participation in the state’s liquefied natural… Continue reading