Peter Segall

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Courtesy image/ Wikicommons This map from the U.S. Cencsus Bureau highlights Alaska’s Indigenous populations. A ballot initiative to have the state of Alaska formally recognize the state’s already federally recognized tribes took a step forward Monday, when it was certified by the Division of Elections.

Tribal recognition initiative moves ahead

Mending divisions.

Courtesy image/ Wikicommons This map from the U.S. Cencsus Bureau highlights Alaska’s Indigenous populations. A ballot initiative to have the state of Alaska formally recognize the state’s already federally recognized tribes took a step forward Monday, when it was certified by the Division of Elections.
The doors of the Alaska Senate chambers were shut Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, a week into the Alaska State Legislature’s fourth special session of the year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy called lawmakers to session to resolve the state’s longterm fiscal issues, but the same divisions that have kept lawmakers from finding resolution before are still in place. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

A week into special session, work hasn’t begun

Quiet day at the Capitol.

The doors of the Alaska Senate chambers were shut Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, a week into the Alaska State Legislature’s fourth special session of the year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy called lawmakers to session to resolve the state’s longterm fiscal issues, but the same divisions that have kept lawmakers from finding resolution before are still in place. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, and House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, step outside the House chambers on Monday to discuss a message from the Senate. Lawmakers entered their fourth special session Monday, with a resolution to hold committee meetings remotely.

4th special session gets off to a slow start

Lawmakers discuss making legislative work remote

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, and House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, step outside the House chambers on Monday to discuss a message from the Senate. Lawmakers entered their fourth special session Monday, with a resolution to hold committee meetings remotely.
Courtesy photo/ Alaska Court System Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court Daniel Winfree spoke with the Empire about Alaska’s court system and its judicial selection process. Winfree is the first Chief Justice to be born in Alaska, and spent 25 years in private practice before joining the court.

Chief Justice: Cases decided on merit, not politics

Merit-based system.

Courtesy photo/ Alaska Court System Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court Daniel Winfree spoke with the Empire about Alaska’s court system and its judicial selection process. Winfree is the first Chief Justice to be born in Alaska, and spent 25 years in private practice before joining the court.
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The doors of the Alaska State Capitol were open Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, though the Alaska State Legislature was not in session. They will be soon, however, as Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called a fourth special session of the year. Lawmakers receive a per diem for days in session, and with so many special sessions those costs can add up.

Per diem for special sessions? It’s up to lawmakers

They have options.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The doors of the Alaska State Capitol were open Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, though the Alaska State Legislature was not in session. They will be soon, however, as Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called a fourth special session of the year. Lawmakers receive a per diem for days in session, and with so many special sessions those costs can add up.
Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum address the House Finance Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. Crum on Thursday discussed a cyber attack that had compromised Alaskans' information. Crum said because of an ongoing criminal investigation the entity responsible for the attack and the exact information compromised could not be revealed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

State offers free credit monitoring following data breach

Beginning Sept. 27.

Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum address the House Finance Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. Crum on Thursday discussed a cyber attack that had compromised Alaskans' information. Crum said because of an ongoing criminal investigation the entity responsible for the attack and the exact information compromised could not be revealed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Alaskans pick up and turn in Permanent Fund Dividend applications at the Department of Revenue office in the State Office Building in March 2011. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Dividend payments expected in 30 days

Payments of $1,100 set for mid-October

Alaskans pick up and turn in Permanent Fund Dividend applications at the Department of Revenue office in the State Office Building in March 2011. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Senators converse during an At Ease in a floor session of the Alaska State Senate on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. Senators passed a budget bill with a Permanent Fund Dividend of $1,100, but there’s disagreement over the fund sources that may lead to legal action. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Senate passes budget bill, $1,100 PFD hours before deadline

Next stop: The governor’s desk.

Senators converse during an At Ease in a floor session of the Alaska State Senate on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. Senators passed a budget bill with a Permanent Fund Dividend of $1,100, but there’s disagreement over the fund sources that may lead to legal action. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A bill aimed at helping Alaska’s hospitals died Monday after provisions were added by lawmakers barring vaccine mandates. In this file photo, a nurse holds a phial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Guy’s Hospital in London, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)

Bill aimed at helping hospitals stalls after anti-mandate language added

Lawmakers added provisions barring vaccine mandates

A bill aimed at helping Alaska’s hospitals died Monday after provisions were added by lawmakers barring vaccine mandates. In this file photo, a nurse holds a phial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Guy’s Hospital in London, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here at a Aug. 16, news conference, announced Thursday he was filing suit against the Biden administration for an Environmental Protection Agency decision to potentially protect Bristol Bay waters under the Clean Water Act. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Gov criticizes Biden admin over Bristol Bay review

The EPA is seeking to reinitiate the process of making a Clean Water Act determination to protect certain waters in Bristol Bay.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here at a Aug. 16, news conference, announced Thursday he was filing suit against the Biden administration for an Environmental Protection Agency decision to potentially protect Bristol Bay waters under the Clean Water Act. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Lawmakers at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this Jun. 7, file photo, heard a bill that would make it easier for hospitals to hire workers from other states on Tuesday, with only a week left in the Legislature's third special session of the year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Lawmakers fast track bill to aid health care hiring

Workers are strained.

Lawmakers at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this Jun. 7, file photo, heard a bill that would make it easier for hospitals to hire workers from other states on Tuesday, with only a week left in the Legislature's third special session of the year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Members of the Alaska House of Representatives consult staff during an at ease during floor debate on Aug. 31, in the middle of the Alaska State Legislature’s third special session of the year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy said another session is likely, but didn’t say when or where it would be held.

Governor, lawmakers say another special session likely

‘Contemplating the venue.’

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Members of the Alaska House of Representatives consult staff during an at ease during floor debate on Aug. 31, in the middle of the Alaska State Legislature’s third special session of the year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy said another session is likely, but didn’t say when or where it would be held.
Sens. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, center, and Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, right, put questions to Office of Management and Budget Director Neil Steininger during a meeting of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. The Legislature's third special session of the year is dealing mostly with budget issues despite having been called to bring resolution to the state's fiscal deficit. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Governor adds amendments to budget bill

Maybe another session.

Sens. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, center, and Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, right, put questions to Office of Management and Budget Director Neil Steininger during a meeting of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. The Legislature's third special session of the year is dealing mostly with budget issues despite having been called to bring resolution to the state's fiscal deficit. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, center, leaves the House chambers on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 following marathon floor sessions that morning and Monday night. The House passed an appropriations bill but not before members of the minority voiced deep objections.

House passes budget bill, calls for $1,100 PFD

Fractious floor sessions.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, center, leaves the House chambers on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 following marathon floor sessions that morning and Monday night. The House passed an appropriations bill but not before members of the minority voiced deep objections.
From left to right, House Majority Leader Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage; House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla and Reps. Mike Prax, R-North Pole; Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski and George Rauscher, R-Sutton, speak on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives following a floor session on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. Lawmakers found themselves debating familiar topics as they worked through amendments to a budget bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House budget debate stretches into evening

Dividend divisions.

From left to right, House Majority Leader Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage; House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla and Reps. Mike Prax, R-North Pole; Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski and George Rauscher, R-Sutton, speak on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives following a floor session on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. Lawmakers found themselves debating familiar topics as they worked through amendments to a budget bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, speaks with Reps. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, as members of the House Republican Minority failed to show up for floor session. Divisions over the pace and direction of the special session has delayed legislative work. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Divisions delay work as lawmakers trade blame

Hopes for work group.

House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, speaks with Reps. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, as members of the House Republican Minority failed to show up for floor session. Divisions over the pace and direction of the special session has delayed legislative work. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Ivy Sponholz, D-Anchorage, left, listens as Legislative Finance Director Alexei Painter gives a presentation to the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Lawmakers have less than 30 days to try and both complete the state’s budget and find resolution on the state’s long term fiscal problems. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Legislators aim to finish budget, find fiscal solutions

Less than 30 days.

Rep. Ivy Sponholz, D-Anchorage, left, listens as Legislative Finance Director Alexei Painter gives a presentation to the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Lawmakers have less than 30 days to try and both complete the state’s budget and find resolution on the state’s long term fiscal problems. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Lawmakers will be back at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this file photo, on Aug. 16, and after spending several weeks on background hearings and public testimony, members of the work group say they’re ready to get into solutions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Fiscal working group readies for policy proposals

Making progress.

Lawmakers will be back at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this file photo, on Aug. 16, and after spending several weeks on background hearings and public testimony, members of the work group say they’re ready to get into solutions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File Coeur Alaska will likely be able to expand their facilities at the Kensington Gold Mine including the tailing treatment facility, seen in this October 2019 photo, after the U.S. Forest Service announced it intends to approve the company’s proposal to extend the mine’s life by 10 years. Operations were expected to end in 2023 under a plan approved in 2005.

Forest Service set to approve Kensington expansion

Objections period is open.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File Coeur Alaska will likely be able to expand their facilities at the Kensington Gold Mine including the tailing treatment facility, seen in this October 2019 photo, after the U.S. Forest Service announced it intends to approve the company’s proposal to extend the mine’s life by 10 years. Operations were expected to end in 2023 under a plan approved in 2005.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a ceremony for Alaska Native Veterans from the Vietnam era at the Walter Soboleff Building in downtown Juneau on May 5, 2021. Dunleavy announced the state filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Biden administration for what Dunleavy says is illegally keeping restrictions in place on federal lands in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

State sues feds over continuing land restrictions

Veteran lands available, DOI says.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a ceremony for Alaska Native Veterans from the Vietnam era at the Walter Soboleff Building in downtown Juneau on May 5, 2021. Dunleavy announced the state filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Biden administration for what Dunleavy says is illegally keeping restrictions in place on federal lands in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)