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Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum, speaks at a news conference with Gov. Mike Dunleavy about the state's efforts to combat the increase in drug overdoses driven by the synthetic opioid fentanyl, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. (Screenshot)

Dunleavy announces efforts to combat fentanyl crisis

More avenues to get help.

Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum, speaks at a news conference with Gov. Mike Dunleavy about the state's efforts to combat the increase in drug overdoses driven by the synthetic opioid fentanyl, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. (Screenshot)
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Senate votes to increase PCE payments

‘Fair and modest.’

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The Senate Judiciary Committee moved a bill that would ban transgender athletes from competing on teams of the sex they identify with on Monday, May 2, 2022. The bill could go to a floor vote sometime this week. (Screenshot)

Transgender sports bill ready for Senate vote

Privacy issues.

The Senate Judiciary Committee moved a bill that would ban transgender athletes from competing on teams of the sex they identify with on Monday, May 2, 2022. The bill could go to a floor vote sometime this week. (Screenshot)
In this Sept. 1, 2015, photo, a honeybee works atop gift zinnia in Accord, N.Y. A shipment of honeybees bound from California to Alaska died after an airline re-routed them through Atlanta, then left them to sit on the tarmac during hot weather. Delta Air Lines said Friday, April 29, 2022, it is making changes to prevent a repeat of what happened last weekend. (AP Photo / Mike Groll)

Honeybees bound for Anchorage die in airline shipping

A shipment of honeybees bound from California to Alaska died after an airline re-routed them through Atlanta, then left them to sit on the tarmac… Continue reading

In this Sept. 1, 2015, photo, a honeybee works atop gift zinnia in Accord, N.Y. A shipment of honeybees bound from California to Alaska died after an airline re-routed them through Atlanta, then left them to sit on the tarmac during hot weather. Delta Air Lines said Friday, April 29, 2022, it is making changes to prevent a repeat of what happened last weekend. (AP Photo / Mike Groll)
Turkeys stand in a barn on turkey farm near Manson, Iowa on Aug. 10, 2015. A Colorado prison inmate has tested positive for bird flu in the first confirmed case of a human being infected with the disease that has resulted in the death of millions of chickens and turkeys. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday, April 28, 2022, that the man who tested positive had been in a pre-release program and was helping removing chickens from an infected farm. (AP Photo / Charlie Neibergall)

State confirms 1st case of bird flu tied to recent outbreak

Alaskans can report suspected avian influenza cases at (907)375-8215 or bob.gerlach@alaska.gov.

Turkeys stand in a barn on turkey farm near Manson, Iowa on Aug. 10, 2015. A Colorado prison inmate has tested positive for bird flu in the first confirmed case of a human being infected with the disease that has resulted in the death of millions of chickens and turkeys. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday, April 28, 2022, that the man who tested positive had been in a pre-release program and was helping removing chickens from an infected farm. (AP Photo / Charlie Neibergall)
From left to right: Willard Jackson, Dennis Jack and Bill Thomas, Alaska Native veterans from Southeast Alaska met with lawmakers at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, April 29, to discuss their issues getting land allotments from the federal government. Jackson and Thomas are veterans of the Vietnam War who are eligbile for land allotments, but no lands are available in Southeast Alaska, and veterans are frustrated by the lack of action. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Haaland’s visit stirs optimism for Alaska Natives, but tensions remain

Land, land, land.

From left to right: Willard Jackson, Dennis Jack and Bill Thomas, Alaska Native veterans from Southeast Alaska met with lawmakers at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, April 29, to discuss their issues getting land allotments from the federal government. Jackson and Thomas are veterans of the Vietnam War who are eligbile for land allotments, but no lands are available in Southeast Alaska, and veterans are frustrated by the lack of action. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Republican state Rep. David Eastman speaks on the floor of the Alaska House on Jan. 31, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Alaska House Republicans have removed Rep. David Eastman from their caucus, Minority Leader Cathy Tilton said Friday, April 29, 2022, citing tensions with the Wasilla Republican that have built over time. (AP File Photo/Becky Bohrer)

House Republicans remove Eastman from caucus

The decision comes with less than three weeks left in the regular session.

Alaska Republican state Rep. David Eastman speaks on the floor of the Alaska House on Jan. 31, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Alaska House Republicans have removed Rep. David Eastman from their caucus, Minority Leader Cathy Tilton said Friday, April 29, 2022, citing tensions with the Wasilla Republican that have built over time. (AP File Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a new conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 27, 2022, to call on lawmakers to pass a "substantial" Permanent Fund Dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

As end of session nears, Gov ‘optimistic’ for large PFD

“At least” $3,700.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a new conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 27, 2022, to call on lawmakers to pass a "substantial" Permanent Fund Dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The University of Alaska and the union representing full-time faculty across the system, including the University of Alaska Southeast, have agreed to enter into federal mediation after eight months of contract negotiations have failed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

University and faculty union head into mediation

Inflation pressures.

The University of Alaska and the union representing full-time faculty across the system, including the University of Alaska Southeast, have agreed to enter into federal mediation after eight months of contract negotiations have failed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Jeff Lowenfels, a former state Attorney General and avid garden writer is running for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He's in a race with 48 other candidates but he says he has the unique experience that can serve all Alaska. (Courtesy photo / Jeff Lowenfels)

From gardener to government: Jeff Lowenfels seeks House seat

Long legal career.

Jeff Lowenfels, a former state Attorney General and avid garden writer is running for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He's in a race with 48 other candidates but he says he has the unique experience that can serve all Alaska. (Courtesy photo / Jeff Lowenfels)
Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Corri Feigi, right, and Deputy Attorney General Cori Mills, announced alongside Gov. Mike Dunleavy the state was issuing lawsuits against the federal government for its failure to convey submerged lands to the state. Feige said at the conference the state's rule applied to navigable waterways including Mendenhall Lake and said motorized boats were allowed on the lake. (Screenshot)

Dunleavy announces lawsuits over submerged lands

State rules.

Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Corri Feigi, right, and Deputy Attorney General Cori Mills, announced alongside Gov. Mike Dunleavy the state was issuing lawsuits against the federal government for its failure to convey submerged lands to the state. Feige said at the conference the state's rule applied to navigable waterways including Mendenhall Lake and said motorized boats were allowed on the lake. (Screenshot)
Former state lawmaker from Fairbanks John Coghill was in Juneau on Friday, April 22, 2022, and is running for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, vacated recently by the death of Don Young. Coghill faces a crowded field but says he has the experience and pragmatism to get the job done. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Former state lawmaker John Coghill says Congress needs his experience

Not long after Don Young’s death, several people reached out to John Coghill asking if he’d be interested in running for Alaska’s lone seat in… Continue reading

Former state lawmaker from Fairbanks John Coghill was in Juneau on Friday, April 22, 2022, and is running for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, vacated recently by the death of Don Young. Coghill faces a crowded field but says he has the experience and pragmatism to get the job done. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Gregg Brelsford, an independent candidate for Alaska’s U.S. House of Representatives seat, poses for a photo on Friday, April 15, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer New)

‘No drama’ Brelsford running for Congress

Former Republican running as an undeclared candidate touts civic experience

Gregg Brelsford, an independent candidate for Alaska’s U.S. House of Representatives seat, poses for a photo on Friday, April 15, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer New)
FILE - In this April 23, 2021 photo, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks during a news briefing at the White House in Washington. Secretary Haaland vowed on her first day on the job to ensure Native American tribes have opportunities to speak with her and the agencies she oversees. Native American and Alaska Native groups are seeing change under Haaland but some remain frustrated with the pace of action. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Haaland announces land transfers for Alaska Native veterans

An additional 27 million acres of land will be made available to Vietnam War-era veterans.

FILE - In this April 23, 2021 photo, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks during a news briefing at the White House in Washington. Secretary Haaland vowed on her first day on the job to ensure Native American tribes have opportunities to speak with her and the agencies she oversees. Native American and Alaska Native groups are seeing change under Haaland but some remain frustrated with the pace of action. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
The Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill reducing sentences for and clearing records for marijuana possession on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, a day adopted as an unofficial holiday by cannabis users. The maker of the bill said the timing was no intended. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House passes marijuana bill on cannabis ‘holiday’

Pure coincidence.

The Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill reducing sentences for and clearing records for marijuana possession on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, a day adopted as an unofficial holiday by cannabis users. The maker of the bill said the timing was no intended. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks briefly to reporters as she leaves a courthouse in New York, Feb. 14, 2022. Palin is one of 48 candidates for Alaska's lone U.S. House seat, which was held for decades by Republican Rep. Don Young, who died last month. Palin says she's serious about the run though some critics have questioned her motivations. (AP Photo / Seth Wenig)

Palin on serving in Congress: ‘It would be all about Alaska’

Palin is among 48 candidates running for Alaska’s lone House seat.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks briefly to reporters as she leaves a courthouse in New York, Feb. 14, 2022. Palin is one of 48 candidates for Alaska's lone U.S. House seat, which was held for decades by Republican Rep. Don Young, who died last month. Palin says she's serious about the run though some critics have questioned her motivations. (AP Photo / Seth Wenig)
Alaska U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan speaks to reporters after addressing a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Sullivan said he is supporting fellow Republican, Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, in her reelection bid this year but said he has not yet endorsed a candidate in Alaska’s U.S. House race. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Sullivan says he hasn’t endorsed yet in Alaska’s House race

By Becky Bohrer Associated Press U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan said he is supporting fellow Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski in her reelection bid this year and… Continue reading

Alaska U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan speaks to reporters after addressing a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Sullivan said he is supporting fellow Republican, Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, in her reelection bid this year but said he has not yet endorsed a candidate in Alaska’s U.S. House race. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. In his annual address to state lawmakers, Sullivan was highly critical of the environmentally-focused policies of the Biden Administration and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, who's visiting Alaska this week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Sullivan has harsh words for Haaland, White House in annual address

Senator urges feds to “unleash” Alaska’s energy.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. In his annual address to state lawmakers, Sullivan was highly critical of the environmentally-focused policies of the Biden Administration and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, who's visiting Alaska this week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Hiring signs in the windows of businesses in downtown Juneau on Monday, April 18, 2022. Over a million passengers are expected to arrive aboard large cruise ships this summer, and local business say its been a challenge finding enough workers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Cruise ships are returning to Juneau, will seasonal workers?

Businesses cite disruption, housing in challenging hiring market.

Hiring signs in the windows of businesses in downtown Juneau on Monday, April 18, 2022. Over a million passengers are expected to arrive aboard large cruise ships this summer, and local business say its been a challenge finding enough workers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A Forest Service fire crew gets brief during an operation. Fire crews from Alaska are frequently deployed to the Lower 48 to help combat wildfires that are growing larger and closer to urban areas in many cases. (Courtesy photo / Parker Anders)

Into the fire: Alaska’s wildlands firefighters eye coming dry season

Alaska’s wildlands firefighters lend a hand where needed nationwide.

A Forest Service fire crew gets brief during an operation. Fire crews from Alaska are frequently deployed to the Lower 48 to help combat wildfires that are growing larger and closer to urban areas in many cases. (Courtesy photo / Parker Anders)