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Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, seen here Feb. 4, 2022, has come under scrutiny from the public and some of his legislative colleagues for his membership in the Oath Keepers, a far-right organization whose leaders have been arrested and charged with sedition for their role in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

State rep defends Oath Keepers, laments ‘cancel culture’

A Q & A with Rep. David Eastman amid public scrutiny, potential disciplinary action.

Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, seen here Feb. 4, 2022, has come under scrutiny from the public and some of his legislative colleagues for his membership in the Oath Keepers, a far-right organization whose leaders have been arrested and charged with sedition for their role in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, an Anchorage Democrat, filed her paperwork on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 at the Division of Elections offices in Juneau, to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Lisa Murkowski. Gray-Jackson, a Democrat, is the first from her party to enter the race and the first Black woman to run for a U.S. Senate seat from Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Democratic state senator files to unseat Murkowski

“Alaskans have a choice now.”

State Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, an Anchorage Democrat, filed her paperwork on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 at the Division of Elections offices in Juneau, to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Lisa Murkowski. Gray-Jackson, a Democrat, is the first from her party to enter the race and the first Black woman to run for a U.S. Senate seat from Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A Coast Guard rescue swimmer pulls in a rescue basket during an emergency call to a stricken vessel south of Sitka on Feb. 7, 2022. (Screenshot)

Coast Guard rescues two from stricken vessel near Sitka

The fishing boat was taking on water with dead engines.

A Coast Guard rescue swimmer pulls in a rescue basket during an emergency call to a stricken vessel south of Sitka on Feb. 7, 2022. (Screenshot)
Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court Daniel Winfree gave his first State of the Judiciary address to the Alaska State Legislature on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. Winfree emphasized the need for courts to remain impartial in order to maintain a healthy democracy. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Chief Justice stresses judicial impartiality in address to lawmakers

Separation of powers.

Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court Daniel Winfree gave his first State of the Judiciary address to the Alaska State Legislature on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. Winfree emphasized the need for courts to remain impartial in order to maintain a healthy democracy. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
An Alaska State Ombudsman report released Tuesday detailed numbers issued raised at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute, a state-run psychiatric facility.

Report: API is still not meeting federal regulatory requirements

The department’s commissioner says many of the concerns raised have or are being resolved.

An Alaska State Ombudsman report released Tuesday detailed numbers issued raised at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute, a state-run psychiatric facility.
Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, seated, speaks with senators during a floor debate on a bill to revamp the state's alcohol laws on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. The bill was one of Micciche's own, and Tuesday's floor vote came after nine years of trying to pass a bill modernizing Alaska's alcohol regulation. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Bill aimed at refining state alcohol laws passes Senate

In the House now.

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, seated, speaks with senators during a floor debate on a bill to revamp the state's alcohol laws on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. The bill was one of Micciche's own, and Tuesday's floor vote came after nine years of trying to pass a bill modernizing Alaska's alcohol regulation. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Senators Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with reporters in Begich's office at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, about their thoughts on the current legislative session. The senators said there were reasons to be optimistic about meaningful progress even with the full plate before the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

‘Work, actual work’ is underway in the state Senate

It may take a special session.

Senators Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with reporters in Begich's office at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, about their thoughts on the current legislative session. The senators said there were reasons to be optimistic about meaningful progress even with the full plate before the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A graphic shows employment by Alaska region and features the percent change in jobs from December 2020 to December 2021. (Graphic via February 2022 Alaska Economic Trends reports from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development)

Report: Alaska economy rebounding; inflation up

Prices in Alaska increased by 4.9% in 2021

A graphic shows employment by Alaska region and features the percent change in jobs from December 2020 to December 2021. (Graphic via February 2022 Alaska Economic Trends reports from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development)
Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, speaks on the floor of the House of Representatives on Friday, Feb. 3, 2022. Eastman has come under scrutiny for his membership in the Oath Keepers, a right-wing paramilitary group whose leaders have been charged with sedition for their role in the Jan. 6, riot at the U.S. Capitol. A House committee will meet next week to investigate the Oath Keepers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House to hold committee hearing on Oath Keepers

Not an investigation, says House majoirty leader.

Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, speaks on the floor of the House of Representatives on Friday, Feb. 3, 2022. Eastman has come under scrutiny for his membership in the Oath Keepers, a right-wing paramilitary group whose leaders have been charged with sedition for their role in the Jan. 6, riot at the U.S. Capitol. A House committee will meet next week to investigate the Oath Keepers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The House Labor and Commerce Committee speaks with Alaska's Congressional delegation on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill which is set to bring billions of dollars to the state. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Delegation: Work together to plan, optimize infrastructure money

No bickering.

The House Labor and Commerce Committee speaks with Alaska's Congressional delegation on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill which is set to bring billions of dollars to the state. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
In this Empire file photo, the MV Tazlina heads in to dock in Juneau. The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation is poised to bring a lot of money to Alaska for things like ferries, but when and how much isn't yet known as many of the programs are new. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Amount of infrastructure bill money coming to the state still a mystery

Guidelines are forthcoming.

In this Empire file photo, the MV Tazlina heads in to dock in Juneau. The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation is poised to bring a lot of money to Alaska for things like ferries, but when and how much isn't yet known as many of the programs are new. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Anne Zink, Alaska chief medical officer, participates in a briefing with Department of Health and Social Services officials to discuss the rise of the omicron variant of the corona virus, on Nov. 29, 2021. (screenshot)

Health officials speak on misinformation as pandemic nears end of 2nd year

Nearing the end of the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic — at a time when many people are wary of the health care system… Continue reading

Anne Zink, Alaska chief medical officer, participates in a briefing with Department of Health and Social Services officials to discuss the rise of the omicron variant of the corona virus, on Nov. 29, 2021. (screenshot)
Former Alaska Psychiatric Institute staff psychiatrist Dr. John Bellville speaks during a news conference on Jan. 10, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. The state of Alaska has settled a lawsuit with Bellville, who was one of three former state employees who claimed they were wrongfully fired when Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy took office. Under the agreement, announced Wednesday Feb. 2, 2022, Bellville will receive $275,000, reflecting lost wages, damages and attorney's fees. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen, File)

State of Alaska, psychiatrists settle case over firings

Under the settlement, the state agrees to pay a combined $495,000.

Former Alaska Psychiatric Institute staff psychiatrist Dr. John Bellville speaks during a news conference on Jan. 10, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. The state of Alaska has settled a lawsuit with Bellville, who was one of three former state employees who claimed they were wrongfully fired when Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy took office. Under the agreement, announced Wednesday Feb. 2, 2022, Bellville will receive $275,000, reflecting lost wages, damages and attorney's fees. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen, File)
A scheduled floor session of the Alaska House of Representatives was canceled Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, following a positive COVID-19 case in the body and close contacts among roughly half the members. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Positive COVID test leads to canceled House floor session

Members isolating.

A scheduled floor session of the Alaska House of Representatives was canceled Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, following a positive COVID-19 case in the body and close contacts among roughly half the members. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19 4th leading cause of death in 2020

COVID was responsible for 231 deaths in 2020

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution are available outside the Lt. Governor’s office at the Alaska State Capitol. A Senate bill with bipartisan support is seeking to enhance civics education for Alaskan students. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Bill seeks to strengthen civics education

Educating citizens.

Copies of the Alaska State Constitution are available outside the Lt. Governor’s office at the Alaska State Capitol. A Senate bill with bipartisan support is seeking to enhance civics education for Alaskan students. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
The USS Hopper (DDG 70) prepares to moor in Homer, Alaska, for a scheduled port visit in conjunction with its participation in Northern Edge 2017 in Homer, Alaska, April 29, 2017. The Navy is proposing to considerably expand its exercise area in the Gulf of Alaska. (U.S. Navy / Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Montemarano)

Navy proposes expanding Gulf of Alaska exercise area

The proposal would more than quadruple the sea room for ships and aircraft to manuever in.

The USS Hopper (DDG 70) prepares to moor in Homer, Alaska, for a scheduled port visit in conjunction with its participation in Northern Edge 2017 in Homer, Alaska, April 29, 2017. The Navy is proposing to considerably expand its exercise area in the Gulf of Alaska. (U.S. Navy / Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Montemarano)
Mina Sanders, a COVID tester with Capstone Clinic, readies for the next group of arrivals at Juneau International Airport on Jan. 31, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Airport COVID testing ends as contract runs out

The company will still provide vaccines at the airport for another six months.

Mina Sanders, a COVID tester with Capstone Clinic, readies for the next group of arrivals at Juneau International Airport on Jan. 31, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Republican state Rep. David Eastman speaks on the floor of the Alaska House on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska House tabled action Monday on a proposal to remove from legislative committees Eastman, who has said he joined the Oath Keepers far-right organization years ago. The House Committee on Committees voted 5-2 to remove Republican Rep. Eastman of Wasilla from his committee assignments, said Joe Plesha, communications director for the House's bipartisan majority. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

House tables vote affecting lawmaker with Oath Keepers ties

The meeting was not widely publicized beforehand.

Alaska Republican state Rep. David Eastman speaks on the floor of the Alaska House on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska House tabled action Monday on a proposal to remove from legislative committees Eastman, who has said he joined the Oath Keepers far-right organization years ago. The House Committee on Committees voted 5-2 to remove Republican Rep. Eastman of Wasilla from his committee assignments, said Joe Plesha, communications director for the House's bipartisan majority. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a meeting with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Pentagon in Washington, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)

Austin to governors: Guard troops must get COVID-19 vaccine

Texas, Oklahoma and Alaska filed lawsuits challenging the military’s vaccine mandate.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a meeting with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Pentagon in Washington, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)