State government

Alaska Chief Justice Peter J. Maassen delivers his first State of the Judiciary address to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Chief justice highlights permanent changes resulting from pandemic in first State of the Judiciary speech

Increasing use of remote hearings, other technology cited as long-term positives for efficiency.

Alaska Chief Justice Peter J. Maassen delivers his first State of the Judiciary address to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska governor bans big new contracts with companies that boycott Israel

Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued a far-reaching administrative order on Monday that calls for public agencies to stop doing business with companies that support an economic… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
A sign noting the acceptance of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards that are used by state welfare departments to issue benefits is displayed at a grocery store on Dec. 4, 2019, in Oakland, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Alaska must face food stamp litigation after a year of stays, court says

A sign noting the acceptance of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards that are used by state welfare departments to issue benefits is displayed at a… Continue reading

A sign noting the acceptance of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards that are used by state welfare departments to issue benefits is displayed at a grocery store on Dec. 4, 2019, in Oakland, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Adjutant General Torrence Saxe, head of the Alaska National Guard, speaks at a Sept. 23, 2022, news conference in Anchorage. Behind him are Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Rep. Mary Peltola. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska plans to send National Guard members to Mexico border in support of the federal government

The state of Alaska is planning to send members of its National Guard south to the Mexican border, responding to an order from the federal… Continue reading

Adjutant General Torrence Saxe, head of the Alaska National Guard, speaks at a Sept. 23, 2022, news conference in Anchorage. Behind him are Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Rep. Mary Peltola. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Attendees of the 2024 Alaska State of the State address applaud Rose Dunleavy, Alaska’s first lady, on Tuesday. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

At annual legislative speech, Gov. Dunleavy calls for more Alaska development projects

In his sixth annual State of the State address, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy promoted development projects, called on state lawmakers to advance his legislative priorities… Continue reading

Attendees of the 2024 Alaska State of the State address applaud Rose Dunleavy, Alaska’s first lady, on Tuesday. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, speaks in favor of Senate Bill 88 on Wednesday on the floor of the Alaska Senate. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Senate passes new pension program for state employees, but final approval is in question

The Alaska House of Representatives has shown little interest in considering pension bills

Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, speaks in favor of Senate Bill 88 on Wednesday on the floor of the Alaska Senate. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
People carry signs at a Juneau rally in favor of an increase to the amount the government pays schools per student on Monday. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

As lawmakers consider student funding, Juneau families and educators rally for larger increase

It rained and blew Monday on the Capitol steps in Juneau, but dozens of education supporters turned out to rally for a permanent increase to… Continue reading

People carry signs at a Juneau rally in favor of an increase to the amount the government pays schools per student on Monday. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
The Alaska State Office Building is seen on Feb. 16, 2023. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

High job vacancies in Alaska state agencies can reduce services and lead to burnout

An average of about 14% of Alaska state jobs are unfilled

The Alaska State Office Building is seen on Feb. 16, 2023. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses state lawmakers and guests attending his State of the State speech on Jan. 23, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Gov. Dunleavy’s State of the State speech delayed until Tuesday due to weather

Flights carrying commissioners, guests for speech unable to arrive in Juneau in time

Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses state lawmakers and guests attending his State of the State speech on Jan. 23, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
The statue of William Henry Seward in front of the Alaska State Capitol is seen covered in snow on Monday, Jan. 21. Juneau received almost six feet of snow in January. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

The number of legal conflicts between Alaska and the federal government is rising sharply

The number of legal conflicts between the state of Alaska and America’s federal government has risen significantly over the past decade, according to a review… Continue reading

The statue of William Henry Seward in front of the Alaska State Capitol is seen covered in snow on Monday, Jan. 21. Juneau received almost six feet of snow in January. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to a joint meeting of the Juneau and Alaska chambers of commerce on Thursday. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Dunleavy: Package solution needed for education in Alaska

Governor says he will veto a standalone education funding increase unless other items are included.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to a joint meeting of the Juneau and Alaska chambers of commerce on Thursday. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, vows a bill boosting state employees pensions will pass “the 33rd Alaska Legislature” during a rally by about 70 union supporters on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on May 2, 2023. A bill restoring pensions advanced out of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday and is likely to get a floor vote during the next couple of weeks, according to Kiehl. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Bill reviving public employees pension system advances to Senate floor

Long-debated proposal would replace 401(k)-style system; House leaders raise questions about cost.

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, vows a bill boosting state employees pensions will pass “the 33rd Alaska Legislature” during a rally by about 70 union supporters on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on May 2, 2023. A bill restoring pensions advanced out of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday and is likely to get a floor vote during the next couple of weeks, according to Kiehl. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A pro-life flag, selected in a design contest, is being flown at some government buildings and other locations, sometimes as a counterstatement to Pride and other flags seen as politically oriented. A flag with the design is currently flying below the official Alaska State Flag at the Governor’s Residence after being hoisted there in recent days. (Photo by The Pro-Life Flag Project)

‘Pro-life’ flag hangs outside Governor’s Residence on anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Flag hoisted in recent days part of national movement, partly in response to Pride and other flags

A pro-life flag, selected in a design contest, is being flown at some government buildings and other locations, sometimes as a counterstatement to Pride and other flags seen as politically oriented. A flag with the design is currently flying below the official Alaska State Flag at the Governor’s Residence after being hoisted there in recent days. (Photo by The Pro-Life Flag Project)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Thursday morning. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska’s working population loss casts long shadow over legislative session

As the Alaska Legislature convenes in Juneau, the state population is on the minds of lawmakers. For the 11th consecutive year, more people moved out… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Thursday morning. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
An Alaska Marine Highway System vessel at sea. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

Dunleavy gains control to pick all nine members of state ferry board July 1 under executive order

Order ends all existing terms that day; takes away legislative leaders’ appointing of four seats.

An Alaska Marine Highway System vessel at sea. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)
Members of ASEA/AFSCME Local 52 protest on Feb. 10, 2023, in front of the Alaska State Capitol. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

U.S. Supreme Court decision kills controversial Alaska union dues plan for now

2019 plan by Dunleavy required employees to regularly reaffirm their membership

Members of ASEA/AFSCME Local 52 protest on Feb. 10, 2023, in front of the Alaska State Capitol. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Sylvia Geraghty helps a customer during the weekly food pantry at Resurrection Lutheran Church on Tuesday, Dec. 6. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Online SNAP benefit forms go live as state hopes to catch up on 8,000-applicant backlog by March

State: 260 online forms in first 10 days take average of 20 minutes, compared to an hour for paper.

Sylvia Geraghty helps a customer during the weekly food pantry at Resurrection Lutheran Church on Tuesday, Dec. 6. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The village of Kake on Kupreanof Island in Southeast Alaska. (Flickr/Umnak under Creative Commons license)

Alaska lost a challenge to a COVID-era emergency moose hunt. Now it’s appealing for a second time.

It’s one of multiple cases where the Dunleavy administration is clashing with the federal government.

The village of Kake on Kupreanof Island in Southeast Alaska. (Flickr/Umnak under Creative Commons license)
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State compiles first comprehensive account of Alaska children’s stress and trauma

Bulletin details adverse childhood experiences that are known to lead to poor health outcomes.

(Getty Images)
The sun sets on snow-covered boats in Auke Bay on Jan. 10, 2022. On Jan. 1, 2024, most local docks and harbors fees will increase 9%. (Photo by the City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors Department)

Changes in state minimum wage and alcohol laws, local harbor fees and sales taxes coming Jan. 1

Free IDs for released prisoners, lifetime trapping licenses for disabled vets also start in 2024.

The sun sets on snow-covered boats in Auke Bay on Jan. 10, 2022. On Jan. 1, 2024, most local docks and harbors fees will increase 9%. (Photo by the City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors Department)