Mark Sabbatini

Katie Kachel (left), a federal lobbyist for the City and Borough of Juneau, talks with Juneau Assembly Member Alicia Hughes-Skandijs and Mayor Beth Weldon following a joint meeting of the Assembly and Juneau’s legislative delegation on Thursday at the Assembly Chambers. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Katie Kachel (left), a federal lobbyist for the City and Borough of Juneau, talks with Juneau Assembly Member Alicia Hughes-Skandijs and Mayor Beth Weldon following a joint meeting of the Assembly and Juneau’s legislative delegation on Thursday at the Assembly Chambers. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 24, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 24, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) walks to the Senate chamber ahead of a vote at the Capitol in Washington, on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Tom Brenner/The New York Times)

Murkowski says she will vote against Hegseth, making her first GOP senator to oppose a Trump Cabinet pick

Defense Secretary nominee facing barrage of accusations including sexual assault, drinking.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) walks to the Senate chamber ahead of a vote at the Capitol in Washington, on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Tom Brenner/The New York Times)
President Trump signed a series of executive orders in the first hours of his term. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

Birthright citizenship of Native Americans questioned by Trump administration

Justice Department makes argument defending executive order suspending birthright citizenship.

President Trump signed a series of executive orders in the first hours of his term. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
A person receives a COVID-19 vaccination. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Trump administration orders federal health agencies to halt public advisories, other communications

Directive in effect at least through Feb. 1, future communications will need OK of Trump appointee.

A person receives a COVID-19 vaccination. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
House members gather for the first floor session of the 34th Alaska State Legislature on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Tribal public schools, election reform, snowfall guessing contests among Legislature’s first bills

Nearly 130 bills and resolutions introduced as state lawmakers get down to work on Wednesday.

House members gather for the first floor session of the 34th Alaska State Legislature on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State Sens. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski), Matt Claman (D-Anchorage), Jesse Kiehl (D-Juneau) and Sen. James Kaufman (R-Anchorage) are sworn in by Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom during the opening day of the 34th Alaska State Legislature on Tuesday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

34th Alaska Legislature gavels in smoothly — now the hard part begins

Leadership battle in House from past sessions avoided, but minority has enough votes to sway agenda.

State Sens. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski), Matt Claman (D-Anchorage), Jesse Kiehl (D-Juneau) and Sen. James Kaufman (R-Anchorage) are sworn in by Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom during the opening day of the 34th Alaska State Legislature on Tuesday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Denali, the tallest mountain in the United States, is set to revert to its former name of Mount McKinley under an executive order signed Monday by President Donald Trump. (Denali National Park and Preserve photo)

Poll: Alaskans oppose reverting Denali back to Mt. McKinley by more than two-to-one

Trump voters in state favor change 43%-37%, Harris voters oppose 7%-86%, according to survey.

Denali, the tallest mountain in the United States, is set to revert to its former name of Mount McKinley under an executive order signed Monday by President Donald Trump. (Denali National Park and Preserve photo)
Adm. Linda L. Fagan, the 27th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard since 2022, was relieved of duty after President Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term on Monday. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo)

Adm. Linda Fagan fired as Coast Guard Commandant on Trump’s first day back in office

First woman to head a U.S. military branch presided over decision to homeport icebreaker in Juneau.

Adm. Linda L. Fagan, the 27th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard since 2022, was relieved of duty after President Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term on Monday. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo)
An officer from the U.S. Border Patrol’s Blaine Sector office, which has assigned two permanent officers to Juneau as of December. (U.S. Border Patrol photo)

Border Patrol launches Juneau operation, with eye on drugs rather than mass deportations

Two-person deployment will work with police, tribal, other agencies throughout Southeast Alaska.

An officer from the U.S. Border Patrol’s Blaine Sector office, which has assigned two permanent officers to Juneau as of December. (U.S. Border Patrol photo)
Denali as seen in a picture distributed by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2015 when the nation’s tallest mountain was renamed from Mount McKinley. (National Park Service photo)

Reports: Trump will rename Denali back to Mt. McKinley as part of flurry of executive orders on day one

Other orders expected to focus on immigration crackdowns, dismantle diversity initiatives.

Denali as seen in a picture distributed by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2015 when the nation’s tallest mountain was renamed from Mount McKinley. (National Park Service photo)
A “pro-life” flag has been flying along with the U.S. flag and Alaska state flag outside the Governor’s Residence since last January. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

New prefile bills includes ban on ‘political’ flags by ally of Dunleavy, who has ′pro-life’ flag at mansion

Among 20 other bills are expanding transgender sports ban, increasing scrutiny of use-of-force by police.

A “pro-life” flag has been flying along with the U.S. flag and Alaska state flag outside the Governor’s Residence since last January. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A dusting of snow covers the Ptarmigan chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area in December. The lift to the top of the mountain remains closed as of Friday due to a lack of snow. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest board finalizes its case for future stability ahead of meeting with Assembly

Gondola and year-round operations cited in letter as fix for problems in former GM’s report.

A dusting of snow covers the Ptarmigan chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area in December. The lift to the top of the mountain remains closed as of Friday due to a lack of snow. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Juneau Dance Theatre members perform in the 2024 Winter Showcase. Two performances of this year’s show are scheduled Saturday at the Juneau Douglas High School: Yadaa.At Kalé auditorium. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Dance Theatre)

Setting the stage for warmer times at Juneau Dance Theatre’s Winter Showcase

Saturday shows feature more than 50 performers, many headed to competition in Texas next weekend.

Juneau Dance Theatre members perform in the 2024 Winter Showcase. Two performances of this year’s show are scheduled Saturday at the Juneau Douglas High School: Yadaa.At Kalé auditorium. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Dance Theatre)
The pavilion at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, seen Wednesday, is the proposed site for a new set of up to five totem poles carved by local tribal artists. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Proposed totem poles at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center get icy reception from some tribal residents

Concerns raised about accurate representation of area’s Native peoples, project’s sudden announcement

The pavilion at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, seen Wednesday, is the proposed site for a new set of up to five totem poles carved by local tribal artists. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rows of houses line Douglas Highway in late May of 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Rules for short-term housing such as Airbnbs getting another long look from new CBJ task force

11-member group seeks to present Juneau Assembly with recommendations by March 31.

Rows of houses line Douglas Highway in late May of 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 16, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 16, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A map shows where five proposed totem poles would be placed at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (U.S. Forest Service)

Five new totem poles proposed at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as part of stewardship agreement

Open house Wednesday to discuss project intended to “represent several Tlingit and Haida clans.”

A map shows where five proposed totem poles would be placed at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (U.S. Forest Service)
Kristin Garot asks a question to members of Juneau’s legislative delegation at a town hall in the Dzantik’i Heeni school commons on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Expect tighter budget, but more say in how the money is spent, local legislators say

Juneau lawmakers cite familiar issues of education, pensions as priorities at pre-session town hall

Kristin Garot asks a question to members of Juneau’s legislative delegation at a town hall in the Dzantik’i Heeni school commons on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Sara Hannan (left) and Rep. Andi Story, both Juneau Democrats, talk during a break in floor debate Sunday, May 12, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Bans on cellphones for students, abortion, styrofoam food containers among Legislature’s first prefiled bills

Two members of Juneau’s delegation reintroduce bills for students, public employees, crime victims.

Rep. Sara Hannan (left) and Rep. Andi Story, both Juneau Democrats, talk during a break in floor debate Sunday, May 12, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)