Wire Service

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Wednesday, May 8, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Budding trees and bushes are seen in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, May 1. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Brinksmanship and compromise emerge in Alaska’s Capitol as legislative session nears an end

Legislators combining varied pieces of legislation to get them across the finish line by Wednesday.

Budding trees and bushes are seen in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, May 1. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, is seen during a news conference on Wednesday, March 13. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Senate OKs increased access to birth control

A large bipartisan majority of the Senate approved increased insurance coverage for birth control on Thursday. Alaskans may access up to 12 months worth of… Continue reading

Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, is seen during a news conference on Wednesday, March 13. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena Bishop and Gov. Mike Dunleavy discuss his veto of an education bill during a press conference March 15 at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: On inflation aid for schools, Dunleavy is still kicking the can

Not quite a year ago, Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed more than $87 million in one-time public education funding approved by the legislature. Two months ago,… Continue reading

Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena Bishop and Gov. Mike Dunleavy discuss his veto of an education bill during a press conference March 15 at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Brent Merten is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Juneau, a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. (Photo courtesy of Brent Merten)

Living and Growing: Your room is waiting

Thursday, May 9, is a very special day. Although most calendars don’t note it, it is one of the most important days on the Christian… Continue reading

Brent Merten is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Juneau, a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. (Photo courtesy of Brent Merten)
Members of the Alaska House of Representatives consider artificial intelligence legislation on Wednesday during a break in a session of the Alaska House of Representatives. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Debating faked images and video, Alaska lawmakers say AI could eventually be a person

Correction: The bill’s sponsor and Vance’s role on the House Judiciary Committee were misidentified in the original version of this article. The Alaska House of… Continue reading

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives consider artificial intelligence legislation on Wednesday during a break in a session of the Alaska House of Representatives. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The Boney Courthouse building in Anchorage holds the Alaska Supreme Court chambers. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Supreme Court schedules June 25 hearing for homeschool lawsuit appeal

Arguments to occur five days before the end of a hold on the lower court’s ruling.

The Boney Courthouse building in Anchorage holds the Alaska Supreme Court chambers. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Tuesday, May 7, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Cruise ship passengers walk around in downtown Juneau in late May of 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Rejecting the cruise ban is essential for keeping Juneau a viable place to live

Another bad policy is being floated as a softer, gentler version of the cruise ship ban petition that failed two years ago. Don’t fall for… Continue reading

Cruise ship passengers walk around in downtown Juneau in late May of 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, speaks on the House floor in 2023. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

By wide, bipartisan margin, Alaska House puts finishing touches on state capital budget

The Alaska House of Representatives approved a major increase to state spending on school repairs and renewable energy on Tuesday as it voted 39-1 to… Continue reading

Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, speaks on the House floor in 2023. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
With snow steadily falling and daylight fading, career fair participants pitched in with a final task for Angoon. Earlier in the season, the boys’ basketball team had split firewood as a fundraiser. Wood stoves heat many of the older homes in Angoon. They are a reprieve from high electricity and fuel prices, but only as long as a household can chop and move their own firewood — making the deliveries a lifeline for elders and their families. Participants help load and deliver firewood to elders and families in need. (Photo by Jenny Starrs)

Resilient Peoples and Place: An energy-secure Angoon

Career fairs involve youth in community’s future.

With snow steadily falling and daylight fading, career fair participants pitched in with a final task for Angoon. Earlier in the season, the boys’ basketball team had split firewood as a fundraiser. Wood stoves heat many of the older homes in Angoon. They are a reprieve from high electricity and fuel prices, but only as long as a household can chop and move their own firewood — making the deliveries a lifeline for elders and their families. Participants help load and deliver firewood to elders and families in need. (Photo by Jenny Starrs)
It’s always a good idea to overpack for an off-island beach day. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: To burn or not to burn

The go-carts and caramel apples from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory also come to mind, but I can’t think of Estes Park, Colorado, without thinking… Continue reading

It’s always a good idea to overpack for an off-island beach day. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Juneau Assembly members and city administrators meet to discuss budget matters involving the Juneau School District on Feb. 7. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Assembly ignores voters, ramps up spending and taxes

Capital City citizens and businesses have endured double-digit increases in property taxes over the last several years, yet the Juneau Assembly is doubling down on… Continue reading

Juneau Assembly members and city administrators meet to discuss budget matters involving the Juneau School District on Feb. 7. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Monday, May 6, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Sunday, May 5, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Saturday, May 4, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Members of the state House and Senate look at a tally board showing the failure of Bob Griffin to be confirmed to the Alaska state school board on Tuesday. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Legislature rejects Dunleavy-nominated state school board member

Two other nominees for boards and commissions fail to gain approval as lawmakers approve 78 of 81.

Members of the state House and Senate look at a tally board showing the failure of Bob Griffin to be confirmed to the Alaska state school board on Tuesday. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Members of the Alaska House Finance Committee discuss their first-draft budget on Tuesday, March 12. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska House nears vote on big increase for public school maintenance statewide

House Finance Committee approved the most school maintenance funding since 2011.

Members of the Alaska House Finance Committee discuss their first-draft budget on Tuesday, March 12. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Members of the Alaska House Finance Committee, at left, listen to budget aide Remond Henderson during a break in amendment discussions on Monday, March 27, 2023. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska House committee kills state-owned corporation’s plan to borrow up to $300 million

AIDEA did not identify specific projects or a timeline for spending.

Members of the Alaska House Finance Committee, at left, listen to budget aide Remond Henderson during a break in amendment discussions on Monday, March 27, 2023. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Mount Redoubt can be seen across Cook Inlet from North Kenai Beach on Thursday, July 2, 2022. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Opinion: Alaska might as well embrace the past

One proposal to solve the impending energy shortage for Alaska’s population centers is to go back in time. To the 1970s, when coal was king… Continue reading

Mount Redoubt can be seen across Cook Inlet from North Kenai Beach on Thursday, July 2, 2022. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file photo)