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Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File Clouds swirls over Douglas Island on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018.

PFDs for land? Gov introduces land vouchers bill

Alaska’s land in Alaskan hands.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File Clouds swirls over Douglas Island on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018.
Peter Segall | Juneau Empire Alaska Native Sisterhood Grand President Paulette Moreno (front) speaks at the Alaska Native Issues Forum with Alaska Native Brotherhood Grand President Heather Gurko on Monday.

Alaska Natives say their voices are being ignored in ferry reshaping group

‘It’s a cultural and spiritual relationship.’

Peter Segall | Juneau Empire Alaska Native Sisterhood Grand President Paulette Moreno (front) speaks at the Alaska Native Issues Forum with Alaska Native Brotherhood Grand President Heather Gurko on Monday.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. Dunleavy has proposed giving Alaskans an additional roughly $1,300 from the state’s oil wealth fund on top of the roughly $1,600 they received last fall that he says in keeping with a formula in state law. The formula has not been followed in recent years amid a budget deficit. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Dunleavy proposes supplemental PFD

Lawmakers have said paying a higher dividend using the existing formula is unsustainable.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. Dunleavy has proposed giving Alaskans an additional roughly $1,300 from the state’s oil wealth fund on top of the roughly $1,600 they received last fall that he says in keeping with a formula in state law. The formula has not been followed in recent years amid a budget deficit. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire Portia Carney, Justina Sullivan, and Pearl Temple pose in the Capitol before soliciting lawmakers for their support of House Bill 62, or the ability to temporarily take guns away from people who have made threats or are having a mental health crisis.

Advocacy groups, lawmakers introduce and push for Red Flag laws

House Bill 62 now has a companion in the Senate.

Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire Portia Carney, Justina Sullivan, and Pearl Temple pose in the Capitol before soliciting lawmakers for their support of House Bill 62, or the ability to temporarily take guns away from people who have made threats or are having a mental health crisis.
In this March 26, 2019, file photo, protesters unfurl a banner as Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a roadshow with Americans for Prosperity in 49th State Brewing Company in Anchorage. The group opposing an effort to recall Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy plans to drop its court fight and instead gear up for a possible recall election. Stand Tall With Mike said Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, that it told its attorneys to withdraw its appeal before the Alaska Supreme Court. The group says recent court actions indicate that continuing to pursue the case in court would not be a productive use of resources. (Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News via AP, File)

Foes of recall effort seek to drop out of court fight

Grounds for recall in Alaska are lack of fitness, incompetence, neglect of duties or corruption.

In this March 26, 2019, file photo, protesters unfurl a banner as Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a roadshow with Americans for Prosperity in 49th State Brewing Company in Anchorage. The group opposing an effort to recall Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy plans to drop its court fight and instead gear up for a possible recall election. Stand Tall With Mike said Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, that it told its attorneys to withdraw its appeal before the Alaska Supreme Court. The group says recent court actions indicate that continuing to pursue the case in court would not be a productive use of resources. (Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News via AP, File)
Alaska Native leaders say racial discrimination still affects communities

Alaska Native leaders say racial discrimination still affects communities

Native Issues Forum gets emotional for speakers.

Alaska Native leaders say racial discrimination still affects communities
US Senators to address Alaska Legislature

US Senators to address Alaska Legislature

Murkowski will speak on Tuesday.

US Senators to address Alaska Legislature
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File The Juneau School District’s administration building is at the corner of Glacier Avenue and 12th Street.

Senators weigh extending bond debt moratorium

Bond payments could come back, but at lower rates.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File The Juneau School District’s administration building is at the corner of Glacier Avenue and 12th Street.
Bill would require state to officially recognize Alaska’s 229 tribes

Bill would require state to officially recognize Alaska’s 229 tribes

Tribes are already recognized federally.

Bill would require state to officially recognize Alaska’s 229 tribes
Brian Lauth, closing manager for Super Bear Supermarket IGA, bags groceries Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. Super Bear will be collecting donations to ship food to Southeast Alaska communities impacted by a lack of ferry service. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Southeast grocers see empty shelves

Lack of ferry service means lack of food for Southeast communities.

Brian Lauth, closing manager for Super Bear Supermarket IGA, bags groceries Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. Super Bear will be collecting donations to ship food to Southeast Alaska communities impacted by a lack of ferry service. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Chief Justice says courts don’t have optional programs, calls for more funding

Chief Justice says courts don’t have optional programs, calls for more funding

Judiciary is strong, but needs help.

Chief Justice says courts don’t have optional programs, calls for more funding
Senator kicked off committee for breaking caucus rule has bill to end caucus rule

Senator kicked off committee for breaking caucus rule has bill to end caucus rule

It’s GOP vs Republicans.

Senator kicked off committee for breaking caucus rule has bill to end caucus rule
Courtesy Photo | Environmental Protection Agency This Toxic Release Inventory map included in the Environmental Protection Agency’s annual TRI analysis shows facilities throughout the state that reported the release of toxic chemicals to the EPA. Releases include permitted releases and movement of waste rock.

EPA: Alaska led nation in toxic chemical release

Mining is a big reason why.

Courtesy Photo | Environmental Protection Agency This Toxic Release Inventory map included in the Environmental Protection Agency’s annual TRI analysis shows facilities throughout the state that reported the release of toxic chemicals to the EPA. Releases include permitted releases and movement of waste rock.
‘Start them up!’: Ferry supporters demand action

‘Start them up!’: Ferry supporters demand action

They want their boats.

‘Start them up!’: Ferry supporters demand action
Schools are holding fast in a time of deep cuts

Schools are holding fast in a time of deep cuts

There’s more to education than schools.

Schools are holding fast in a time of deep cuts
Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire Sealaska Heritage Institute President Rosita Worl and Air Force Lt. Gen. Tom Bussiere, Commander for Alaskan Command, stand together following a day of meetings at SHI’s Walter Soboleff Building.

Setting it right: Military could apologize for bombarding Alaska Native villages

Three Southeast Alaska villages were bombarded by the military in the 1800s.

Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire Sealaska Heritage Institute President Rosita Worl and Air Force Lt. Gen. Tom Bussiere, Commander for Alaskan Command, stand together following a day of meetings at SHI’s Walter Soboleff Building.
This license plate designed by Anita Laulainen was the winning design in the 2017 Alaska Artistic License competition. A surcharge could be attached to plates like this one if a bill heard by the Senate Education Committee Thursday becomes law. The additional charge could be used to provide funding for the Alaska State Council on the Arts. (Courtesy Photo | Alaska State Council on the Arts)

License plates could be a roadway to revenue

Alaska State Council on the Arts would set the surcharge.

This license plate designed by Anita Laulainen was the winning design in the 2017 Alaska Artistic License competition. A surcharge could be attached to plates like this one if a bill heard by the Senate Education Committee Thursday becomes law. The additional charge could be used to provide funding for the Alaska State Council on the Arts. (Courtesy Photo | Alaska State Council on the Arts)
Lawmakers: Ferries will struggle even with small cash infusion

Lawmakers: Ferries will struggle even with small cash infusion

Recent funding just scratches surface of needs.

Lawmakers: Ferries will struggle even with small cash infusion
Governor begins town hall series on Monday

Governor begins town hall series on Monday

PFD change needs a vote, governor said.

Governor begins town hall series on Monday
Substance misuse costs the state of Alaska $3.45 billion every year, according to a report released recently by the McDowell Group. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

“Every hour of every day:” the cost of substance misuse in Alaska

Alaskans are paying in money and lives.

Substance misuse costs the state of Alaska $3.45 billion every year, according to a report released recently by the McDowell Group. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

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