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The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

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No-bid contract for psychiatric institute raises questions

A previous report advised against privatizing the institute.

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)

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The opioid crisis costs Alaska more than $1B per year, and it’s going to keep being costly

The cost of an epidemic.

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)

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Ethics restrictions too broad, some lawmakers say

They believe the intentions of the law are good.

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)

News

State of Judiciary time, date set

It comes between visits from senators.

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)

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State changing system for recording crimes

Costs to municipal agencies remain unknown.

US Senator questions Facebook over policies surrounding ivory sales

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US Senator questions Facebook over policies surrounding ivory sales

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

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)

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Ferry system braces for budget cuts

Dwindling budget could mean loss of services.

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)

News

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

How much power should the position have?

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)

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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…

Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, introduces Senate Bill 22 to the Senate Resources Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. The bill would allow organizations to obtain permits and enhance the habitat of shellfish in hopes of improving the seafood industry. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Shellfish rehabilitation bill carries economic potential

Experts see a bright future in mariculture.

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

News

Governor taps new Administration commissioner

She has extensive federal government experience.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, listens as Attorney General Kevin Clarkson describes three constitutional amendments that would be a foundation of his administration’s fiscal plan during a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Dunleavy amendments look to shift power away from lawmakers

It will be tough to get enough support for them.

Rep. David Talerico, R-Healy, speaks during a press conference with Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, left, and Rep. Colleen Sullivan-Leonard, R-Wasilla,at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Reps talking, but House still unsettled

The House is a week away from a dubious record.

School buses drop students off at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Gov’s bills includes $20M slash to education

The money was already approved.

Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, center, speaks from a panel of the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission during a listening session at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

To repeal or not? Statewide crime commission hoping for feedback on SB 91

We know where the governor stands.

Leadership remains unsolved in the House of Representatives on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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11 days, and still no House leadership

The clock is ticking.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with his cabinet members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Dunleavy announces board, commission appointments

A former lieutenant governor candidate is among them.

Sen. Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks, gathers with other senators and families as they prepare for the opening of the Alaska’s 31st Legislative Session on Tuesday. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)

News

Suicide prevention bill gains bipartisan support in Senate

“Suicide and suicide prevention is not a partisan issue.”

Sen. Bill Wielechowski, R-Anchorage, center, and Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, right, listen members from the Department of Revenue give a state revenue forecast during a Senate Finance Committee meeting at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Volatile oil market prompts conservative forecasts

New Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration is taking a more conservative approach to oil revenue forecasting to help…

Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, left, speaks with Sharon Jackson on the opening day of the 31st Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. Jackson is Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy’s pick to replace Nancy Dahlstrom’s House District 13 seat for Chugiak. That position was left vacant in December after Dunleavy appointed Dahlstrom to be Department of Corrections commissioner. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Breaking all the rules: Jackson sworn in, against state statutes

House Republicans pursue Sharon Jackson’s appointment, even though it likely won’t stand