‘To hell with politics’: House speaker elected after two Republicans cross party lines
‘To hell with politics’: House speaker elected after two Republicans cross party lines
Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Budget and Management, left, and Lacey Sanders, Budget Director for OMB, present Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s state budget in front of the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Budget and Management, left, and Lacey Sanders, Budget Director for OMB, present Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s state budget in front of the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this June 16, 2005 photo, Jack Coghill sits by the Tanana River in Nenana, Alaska. One of the last remaining members of the Alaska constitutional convention, former Lt. Gov. Jack Coghill died Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019, at age 93 in North Pole. (Dan Joling | Associated Press File)

Signer of Alaska Constitution, Jack Coghill, dies at age 93

He was a political icon in the state.

In this June 16, 2005 photo, Jack Coghill sits by the Tanana River in Nenana, Alaska. One of the last remaining members of the Alaska constitutional convention, former Lt. Gov. Jack Coghill died Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019, at age 93 in North Pole. (Dan Joling | Associated Press File)
University of Alaska Southeast Instructor Jim Powell, left, his wife, former Rep. Beth Kerttula, and Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, right, stand up a university sign as former Chancellor John Pugh speaks at a rally for funding the University of Alaska in front of the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Governor proposes cutting almost half of university’s total operating budget

It would be the largest budget cut in the university’s 100-year history.

University of Alaska Southeast Instructor Jim Powell, left, his wife, former Rep. Beth Kerttula, and Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, right, stand up a university sign as former Chancellor John Pugh speaks at a rally for funding the University of Alaska in front of the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin and members of her budget team takes time to explain Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s state budget at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Proposed Medicaid, health care cuts spark outrage

One health care advocate called the budget proposal “outrageous.”

Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin and members of her budget team takes time to explain Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s state budget at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Governor proposes cutting ferry funding at the end of the summer

Governor proposes cutting ferry funding at the end of the summer

Administration hopes private contractor will take over.

Governor proposes cutting ferry funding at the end of the summer
Marijuana industry testifies against governor’s control board nominee

Marijuana industry testifies against governor’s control board nominee

“There’s this undercurrent of trying to push back the marijuana industry.”

Marijuana industry testifies against governor’s control board nominee
Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, speaks to House members during an informational meeting at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, speaks to House members during an informational meeting at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Crime bill held up over conflict of interest

Crime bill held up over conflict of interest

Lawmakers say new ethics rule too ‘fuzzy.’

Crime bill held up over conflict of interest
Health insurance costs strain school districts’ budgets

Health insurance costs strain school districts’ budgets

Health insurance accounts for 16 percent of one district’s budget.

Health insurance costs strain school districts’ budgets
The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

No-bid contract for psychiatric institute raises questions

A previous report advised against privatizing the institute.

The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Andy Jones, Director of the Department of Health and Social Services’ Office of Substance Misuse, right, speak about the fiscal impacts of the opioids on the state along with Michael Duxbury, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, center, and Laura Brooks, Director of Health and Rehabilitation for the Department of Corrections, in front of the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Andy Jones, Director of the Department of Health and Social Services’ Office of Substance Misuse, right, speak about the fiscal impacts of the opioids on the state along with Michael Duxbury, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, center, and Laura Brooks, Director of Health and Rehabilitation for the Department of Corrections, in front of the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Amanda Price, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, right, watches as Kathryn Monfreda, bureau chief of the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Statewide Services, presents the Uniform Crime Reporting Annual Report to House members during an informational meeting at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

State changing system for recording crimes

Costs to municipal agencies remain unknown.

Amanda Price, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, right, watches as Kathryn Monfreda, bureau chief of the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Statewide Services, presents the Uniform Crime Reporting Annual Report to House members during an informational meeting at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Wasilla, listens to Attorney General Kevin Clarkson speak about Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s four crime bills at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Ethics restrictions too broad, some lawmakers say

They believe the intentions of the law are good.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Wasilla, listens to Attorney General Kevin Clarkson speak about Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s four crime bills at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Craig Stowers calls out his staff sitting in the gallery during his State of the Judiciary address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

State of Judiciary time, date set

It comes between visits from senators.

Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Craig Stowers calls out his staff sitting in the gallery during his State of the Judiciary address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Susan Bell, of the McDowell Group, and Robert Venables, executive director of Southeast Conference, present information about the Alaska Marine Highway Systems during an information meeting for House members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Ferry system braces for budget cuts

Dwindling budget could mean loss of services.

Susan Bell, of the McDowell Group, and Robert Venables, executive director of Southeast Conference, present information about the Alaska Marine Highway Systems during an information meeting for House members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
US Senator questions Facebook over policies surrounding ivory sales

US Senator questions Facebook over policies surrounding ivory sales

He worked with Alaska Native artists to resolve an issue with Etsy last year.

US Senator questions Facebook over policies surrounding ivory sales
In this Jan. 8 file photo, Alaska Department of Administration Commissioner Jonathan Quick, second from right, speaks with Revenue Commissioner Bruce Tangeman, right, before the start of a cabinet meeting at the state Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Alaska governor’s candidate screening process under scrutiny

JUNEAU — Newly elected Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s process for screening candidates for government work is under scrutiny after three people picked for prominent… Continue reading

In this Jan. 8 file photo, Alaska Department of Administration Commissioner Jonathan Quick, second from right, speaks with Revenue Commissioner Bruce Tangeman, right, before the start of a cabinet meeting at the state Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin presents the governor’s supplemental budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Budget director’s history of cutting with ‘hatchet, not a scalpel’ sparks concern

How much power should the position have?

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin presents the governor’s supplemental budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Kelly Tshibaka was appointed to serve as the next commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration. (Courtesy photo | Dunleavy administration)

Governor taps new Administration commissioner

She has extensive federal government experience.

Kelly Tshibaka was appointed to serve as the next commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration. (Courtesy photo | Dunleavy administration)